Why Cheap Content Writers Don’t Pay Off
When it comes to content writing, there are a few ways that businesses try to save money:
- Hiring writers from content mills for as little as one cent per word
- Offering content writers work for less than their standard rate
- Forfeiting the professional option and doing it themselves
As tempting as it may be to accept the offer of a $5 blog post, lowball that content writer’s offer, or take matters into your own hands, there’s more than a few reasons why you really, really shouldn’t do that.
You’re Paying for More than a Word Count
When you hire a content writer, you aren’t just paying for the time it takes them to type the words. You’re paying for the years of experience it took for them to get to the level they’re at now.
Considering this, how much experience do you think a writer who charges $5 for a blog post has under their belt?
Experience is crucial in content writing. This is because your content needs to serve multiple purposes.
“There’s more to good writing than just words. It’s about outcomes.”
First of all, it needs to sound great. The only way to improve your writing is to write more. That means a less experienced writer may not be aware of clichés or common writing mistakes prevalent in their own writing, because they simply haven’t done as much writing.
The secondary purpose of content is dependent on the medium. An advertisement, for example, should contain copy that’s both engaging and compelling. This is because it needs to encourage the reader to act upon the message— for example, by making a purchase.
For web content, the copy needs to provide a specific user experience and improve the website’s organic performance via search engines.
There’s more to good writing than just words. It’s about outcomes. An inexperienced writer might lack the skills to achieve those outcomes, no matter how beautiful their writing may seem.
Cheap Writing Isn’t Good (and Good Writing Isn’t Cheap)
With content writers, you really do get what you pay for— and in more ways than one.
Let’s say you managed to bargain a content writer down to a rate that’s much lower than what they usually accept. This is not something to celebrate. Why? Because they’re now not being paid enough to care about the work they’re delivering to you.
It may sound harsh, but it’s the truth. No writer is going to prioritise a low-paying client. Instead, they’ll likely view you as a means to making a quick buck and allocate the majority of their time and resources elsewhere.
This can often result in work that’s lacking in quality. Sure, you might get a quick turnaround. But wouldn’t you rather spend a little more and wait a little longer for something truly powerful?
Considering the financial power of content writing, you should really look at writers as an investment. After all, content is currency.
As for doing it yourself? Taking care of your own content writing is kind of like cutting your own hair. Unless you’re a professional, there’s a good chance it’s going to end in disaster. Or in a best-case scenario, look like a pretty obvious home job— unprofessional.
Want our advice? Put down the scissors, step away from the mirror, and put away the online tutorial. In other words, get yourself a content writer capable of doing your brand justice.