How to Hire the Right Writer

High quality writing is a mainstay of marketing for every business.  Today’s world of instant communication and other digital platforms means the right writer is essential for business success.  Poor grammar and jargon-stuffed writing is running rampant, and doesn’t do anything for your business. These facts may make you wonder: how does a business owner find the right writer or writing company for his or her business?  Here are some tips to help you hire the “right” writer for your business:

Find a writer who understands what you are all about.

An old, and arguably wise adage for writers is simply “write what you know.” This means whether it’s a chapter book, a biography or content for marketing, a writer should have a basic knowledge of a subject in order to successfully connect with his or her readers.

Think about it - would you go car shopping and make a purchase if the car salesman didn’t impressively know everything about the car you were contemplating? Just the same, find a writer who is a professional – and who also understands your business so they can sell your products and services to your prospects.

Consider a writer who is excited about your business.

A writer who is passionate about what you are doing or selling will naturally convey that excitement and, through the words he or she writes, spread their excitement.  The words your writer chooses can light up your message and powerfully share your pitch.  After all, the reason behind hiring a writer is to essentially sell your products – and excited content makes excited, and paying, customers.

Ask if your writer has editorial skills.

One of the best pieces of advice from successful writers is to write like you speak.  If you need a writer to do blogging, you need to ensure he understands what blogging is all about. Can he or she write in short bursts that are catchy and engaging? Make sure the writer has good editorial skills.  He should know the basics and always check facts and accuracy. If your writer shares something incorrect on your blog, it may blow up -- and the pieces will land in your lap.  

Photo via: flickr.com

Find out if the writer is proactive.

Does your writer take initiative? Yes, you want a writer who can follow your directions. But you also want someone who can give fresh insight and a spin on things.  Relevant ideas and story angles can help your business rank higher in the search engines.  Before hiring a writer, ask him or her, “How would you handle this subject?”

Does the writer have the best attitude for the job?

Like all professions, some writers have better personalities and attitudes to fit one job over another. Some writers aren’t willing to do more than one revision and others resist being heavily edited.  Speak early on about your expectations and come to an agreement on how many revisions are expected.  Communication from the get-go is critical to finding the best writer for your business.

It’s no secret that communication is considered an important skill by so many people – yet some businesses still haven’t gotten on board.  Effective writing should be a company-wide endeavor.  The practice of good, collaborating writing can make the difference between an excellent and a poor business – a essentially a sale or no sale.

How did you find the best writer for your business?