Being an entrepreneur, it is not easy to make decisions, especially when you are underfunded and you need manpower to get the project off the ground.

One of the primary resources you definitely need for any project is a capable content writer. If you have not hired a content writer and you see some tell-tale signs of hiring one, such as:

• Your rankings are not improving
• Your competitors are killing it
• Or, you have a growing content backlog

It means this is the time you should make a decision. But there is a significant difference between hiring an in-house vs. a freelance resource.

Since there is a lack of face-to-face communication and no formal interview involved, there is a high chance that you may end up hiring the wrong person for your project. If you wish to save your time, money, and efforts, avoid the following blunders when hiring a freelance writer.

Avoid These Common Mistakes When Hiring a Freelance Content Writer

Hiring a Wrong Writer for the Right Job

You can make the costliest mistake as a project lead, manager, or startup owner if you hire the wrong resource for a specialized task.

You should keep in mind that there are specializations in content writing as well. Not every writer can write everything you throw at them. For instance, a writer specializing in the healthcare industry may not perform efficiently for finance-related projects.

Similarly, there are specialized writers to cater to different writing projects, such as expert Amazon product description writer, UX writer, squeeze page writer, drip emails writer, and SEO writer, to name a few.

When you plan to hire a freelance content writer, always consider checking the working experience and industry knowledge of the writer.

For instance, if you find a potential writer having exceptional writing skills but no portfolio, do not proceed without requesting and reviewing a sample written on a topic related to your industry. This way, it will be easier for you to judge their research and writing skills.

Not Exploring the Portfolio of the Writer

Although it is a no-brainer, some project managers are still fallible enough to make this mistake and end up with low or mediocre quality work.

Every professional writer who has been working in the industry for quite some time knows that a portfolio is a must to showcase skills and serves to attract the eyes of potential clients.

If a writer does not share a portfolio, it may indicate that he/she may be new to the industry. At this point, you can either let go of the writer or you can simply ask the writer to produce a sample before you make a final decision. However, the best option is to move on to those who have excellent portfolios.

Writing is an extraordinary art. While many people develop their skills in this art, some have an inborn talent for writing. If you are running a lifestyle or personal blog, even an aspiring writer can best fit your needs, given that you first look into their writing samples.

Not Reading the Client Reviews

It is imperative to read the client reviews on the freelance writer’s profile. Reviews are a great source of exploring the writer’s personality and most importantly the work quality of the writer.

Clients who work with freelancers always grant reviews after the completion of a project. They share their experience working with the individual, of how well they have found him, and how satisfied they are with the writing proficiency and quality.

So never hire a freelancer before you go through the reviews on his/her profile, which you can easily find on the gig page. In fact, you should also leave reviews to help fellow businesses make an informed decision and encourage them to consider the writer.

It builds a good relationship with the resource, and the freelance writer will also willingly do your next gig with even more zeal and efficiency.

Failing to Communicate the Requirements

If you wish to prevent disagreements and multiple revisions down the road, always communicate all the necessary requirements. The writer should have a complete understanding of the task and requirements being assigned to him/her.

When you grant a project to a writer, make sure to decide the number of revisions the writer will provide with the gig. Both parties should also decide on the word count, references, and visuals for the content.

Most importantly, the writer must have a clear understanding of the format, quality, and type of content being required. It would be best if you give the writer a reference content URL to give them the idea of the type of content you are looking for.

Not Sharing Product-Related Information

Although experienced writers do not need to be reminded on how to conduct research or write a specific type of content, but never shy away from providing them with as much product-related information as possible.