Our Essential Guide To Choosing The Right Content Marketers

Busy business owners, this one’s for you!

The time has come where you’ve finally admitted it.

You need help.

You can’t possibly do everything yourself and, more to the point, you don’t want to. You started your business with a dream of making a living doing what you love. What you didn’t envision was the amount of work it would take to push your business online. The website, the emails, the list building, the funnels, the social media posts, the blog posts, and everything in between.

Yep. We’re talking about content marketing, and it’s essential for pushing your business forward, getting Google to notice you, and making your dream audience swoon at your feet. But, like most things, it takes a lot of time, effort, and skill to get your content marketing right.

So, what can you do? 

Outsourcing to professional content marketers is the secret sauce to cooking up killer content for your biz. And if you’re not sure where to start, or what you need to look for when choosing the right content marketers, then never fear. Our guide has everything you need to know.

Why outsourcing to content marketers is a game-changer

If you ever feel unsure about what content to create, how to choose content topics, or how to write in a way that both Google and your ideal audience love, then outsourcing to content marketers is the golden ticket you need.

But showing up day after day with fresh, enticing, valuable, informative, and shareable content is difficult. It’s time-consuming. And it’s a heck of a lot of work. 

It’s important though. Studies show that blogging can lead to 55% more website visitors! And, more importantly, professional content marketers know how to do it well. 

Outsourcing to content marketers comes with a plethora of benefits. As well as having a professional create your content, you save money by outsourcing instead of employing, save on overheads, are able to keep control of the tone and message of your content, and a whole lot more. 

Choosing the right content marketers

Knowing why outsourcing your content can make such a difference, it’s time to choose the right content marketers for your needs.

There are a few essential qualities that you need to look for when choosing the right content marketer for you. But first, you need to assess your content marketing goals and what your desired outcomes are.

Take into consideration elements such as the size of your business, your industry, your audience, and your circumstances. Now, think about what you want to achieve with your content. Is it:

• More followers and engagement on social media?
• A larger email list to grow your following?
• Engaging, educational and valuable blog posts?
• To rank higher on Google for your chosen keywords?
• Increase conversions?

Or, maybe a mix of all of the above?

Once you know your goals, you’ll be able to convey them to your outsourced content marketer clearly, ensuring you’re both on the same page, and the valuable words will start flowing. 

To make sure you choose the right writers for your goals, here’s what you need to look for.

Satisfaction guarantee

Does the writer or agency offer some kind of satisfaction guarantee with their work? Ask them if they have a refund policy if the work created doesn’t match up to your initial conversation about your needs. Some agencies offer a refund or guarantee with their work, which is a good sign that they care about their client’s needs first and foremost, and have absolute confidence in their work. (Crosshairs Marketing’s service guarantee promises to pay you if you’re not happy with the first piece of content we deliver).

A solid reputation

Before you speak to the writer or agency, have a look online and check out their website. Read testimonials and reviews and have a browse through their portfolio to see if it clicks. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for online, just ask! See if they have relevant content that matches up with what you’re looking for. If something doesn’t feel right, or they don’t have references or testimonials, then move onto the next.

Professionalism

How do they appear online, on Zoom, or on the phone? Are they reliable and do they show up when you need them to? Do they have a solid background of experience? Do you feel comfortable with how they present themselves and their work? Having a professional and knowledgeable writer should be one of the main priorities when outsourcing content marketing. 

Project management

When working with an outsourced writer, it’s crucial they adhere to deadlines. As such, having proven project management skills are a must. Setting up an editorial calendar such as a Trello board that you both have access to will help keep deadlines in check and communication lines open.

Communication

No one likes to be ghosted! When you’re working with an outsourced writer or agency, communication is key to ensure goals are met, questions are answered, and messaging is clear. That being said, there will be boundaries to take into account (no 9pm or weekend WhatsApps, okay?) But having good communication will help you feel in control and keep your content plans on track.

Subject matter knowledge

A great content marketer should have a wealth of experience writing for different industries or niches – unless they are very niche specific. As such, the writer you choose should understand your industry, product, or service, and have experience in the area that they can bring to the table. But, what if you click with someone who doesn’t have an in-depth knowledge of your industry? As long as they can demonstrate work that matches your needs, then they could still be the diamond you’re looking for.

Brand voice

Your business is unique. As such, you have a brand voice, tone, and style that is yours and yours alone. You don’t want to lose that. It’s what makes your business your business. An experienced content writer should be able to match this. To give yourself peace of mind, ask to see examples of their work where they’ve crafted content matching different brand voices. Good writers are chameleons and their words shouldn’t sound like theirs, but the client’s they’re writing for.

Create the right content and they will come

When outsourcing content marketing, it can feel like you’re putting your life in someone else’s hands. That’s why choosing the right writers to create the best content is essential.

And when your content speaks to your ideal audience, serves their needs, and shows up consistently, then you’re on your way to pushing your business to where you want it to go.

Still unsure of which content agency is right for you? That’s why we’re here. Get in touch and let’s chat about how our team of experienced and professional writers can start creating content that converts.