Last updated on July 11th, 2023
What do the words, ‘freelance content writer’ bring to mind?
Chances are, you’re already thinking of a burnt out liberal arts /media school major sitting in front of their laptop on their couch (or worse, their bed.) You probably don’t even see freelancing as gainful employment.
It’s funny how many content writing myths still exist, and especially so about freelancers even though work-from-home and gig /contract-based work is so common that it’s almost the norm now.
A List of the Most Commonly Believed Content Writing Myths
Dealing with In-House Content Writers is Easier
A large part of working with these content writers involves building trust and setting certain boundaries, e.g. deadlines, payments, outlining content requirements correctly, editing and revising content, etc., all of which seems like a huge hassle.
Understandably, you’d want to avoid this altogether and gravitate towards hiring in-house content writers rather than oursourcing content writing.
You probably have your own reasons and arguments for doing so, but if cost-efficiency is one of them, you’re sadly mistaken. This is a very common content writing myth that hiring in-house writers is cheaper than hiring freelance content writers.
It’s not like hiring in-house content writers is any less of a hassle than working with freelancers. You’ll need an editor, someone to manage content operations (i.e. assigning content and following up on deadlines, coming up with ideas for content, etc.)
Another argument that’s in favour of this content writing myth is that they’ll grow their knowledge about the company while they work there and eventually write exactly the kind of content that the company is looking for.
Granted, you might be right about that. After all, how much would a freelancer know about your company, its objectives, etc. anyway?
What you don’t realise, however, is that after a point, writing in a particular way for the same organisation limits a writer. Writers want to write about different things. Creative stagnation and mental blocks are a real problem when you write for the same place for too long.
Which is why a fresh perspecive might be just what your business needs. A freelancer may not know your organisation like the back of their hand, but that’s not really a bad thing.
There are seasoned freelance writers who can can make your company, its products and its general image really shine through, if you give them the chance.
Freelancer Content Writers Are Inexperienced and Unskilled
The general idea about freelancers seems to be that they’re inexperienced and unskilled, but many of them actually have a lot of experience due to the different kinds of tasks they have to do and have developed their careers due to the same.
Also, just because a writer works for your company full-time, doesn’t mean they can write about anything under the sun.
There are limits to what every writer can do, whether they work full-time or freelance. However, the world of freelance gives you a much wider pool to choose writers based on what you need, i.e. it makes it much easier to find domain-expert content writers.
Your in-house writer might be a tech whiz but may be at a loss for words when it comes to writing about workplace culture or marketing.
Sure, you can hire a team where each person specialises in a different domain but you’ll be hiring for years because that team would never stop growing. There are an infinite number of topics that you may need content for at any given time and hiring a freelance content writer is just the more feasible option.
The freelancer pool is much more versatile when you need content written on a large variety of topics.
Hiring In-House Content Writers is Cheaper
Now for the much awaited question – what about the money?
We’ve discussed cost in terms of time, energy and resources, but what kind of numbers are we looking at when it comes to freelancers and in-house writers?
Agreed, there’s a little more consistency in what you pay when you hire in-house content writers. Fixed rates do not equal lower rates, though. Hiring an in-house writer means you pay them a certain amount, no matter what. Also, other full-time employee perks would need to be taken care of.
That’s right – hiring an in-house content writer would actually cost you more!
Hiring a freelance content writer, on the other hand, gives you a little more flexibility and make sit easier to manage their tasks.
Freelancers charge by word or by content piece, so the rates are a little bit more negotiable. Since they’re not full-time employees, you pay them for the work and don’t need to think about anything else.
Moreover, since freelancers appreciate any work that comes their way, they make it a point to give you the best they can. They will revise and rewrite content as needed and you need only release payments when completely satisfied with what you have received.
It’s a low-commitment alternative – if one writer is not giving you the content you are looking for, you can always look for another writer. You can even send out an assignment to multiple writers and see who delivers the content that captures your vision in the best possible way. Another alternative is to go through an agency that will select and manage the writers for you.
In Conclusion
The freelance world is not just couch-writers and burnouts. There is so much potential out there- way more than you might find within the confines of an office.
If you still feel like the screening, onboarding and managing of freelance content writers is a daunting task, fear not. We are here to help! WittyPen brings you the best quality content from freelance writers around the world.
Click here and get one step closer to the best quality content at your convenience.
