Freelance Writing & Business Communication

Hire a Cheap, Fast Writer — and Repent in Leisure

You’ve been writing all day. You are on your fifth draft of a one-page promotional flyer. You are not sure if the headline will hook your target market. You used “affect” and spellchecker suggested “effect” but when you used “effect” spell checker suggested “affect.” Email is piling up in your in-box. The call answer light on your phone is blinking furiously. And weren’t you supposed to set up interviews for the receptionist vacancy?

It’s time to find a freelance writer. You have two options:

• You can hire a cheap, fast writer and repent in leisure
• You can hire a writer with proven credentials, one who has demonstrated the ability to deliver the right words on time and on budget, and feel confident that the job will be done right

Many companies outsource certain business functions, and for good reason. Why spend time doing things that you do not specialize in, such as writing important promotional copy, web content, media releases, reports or proposals, when you could hire a freelance writer and spend your time closing sales or doing something more germane to your core business?

Just as you do before you contract out any other work, you need to discuss your business requirements and agree on a price for writing work. To help you get the job done right, here are five items you should discuss before with the writer:

1. Deliverables: Are you looking for a media release, a one-page flyer, a 20-minute speech, a 10-minute product promotional video, website copy, promotional email? Define the deliverable to ensure you get what you want.

2. Target Market: Who are you targeting? Mass-market consumers? Small business owners? Companies in particular sectors? CEOs and presidents? Purchasing managers? Let the writer know who you are targeting so the write can produce words that resonate with your particular target market.

3. Business Image: Are you a fun and funky company, or are you blue chip? Do you want breezy or solemn copy? Ensure the write knows the image you want to project so he or she can strike the right tone.

4. Objective: What is the purpose of the work? What are you trying to achieve, and why? Are you trying to inform, educate, entertain or persuade? Do you want a direct response or an eventual response? And what is the response you want? The writer need to know what you want so he or she can write words that will fulfil your objective.

5. Call to Action: What action do you want the reader to take? For instance, do you want the person reading your brochure to visit your Web site, call for an appointment, or buy something (and if so, how)? The writer needs to know so he or she can create a clear, concise call to action.

Before the project begins, you should also provide the writer with pertinent background reading material or spend some time discussing your business. If you don’t have time to bring the writer up to speed, hire a writer who has written the type of material you need and who understands the nature of your business and the sector in which you operate and/or the sector you are targeting.

How do you know you are getting a professional writer? Read samples on the writer’s website or review the writer’s portfolio. Also ask for and check references.

Now… Stop writing. Hire a professional writer. And get on with your business!