Top Tips for Finding a Great Content Writer

This is a guest post by Steve Lazuka. Check out our guest posting guidelines

Finding a good content writer can help your website gain valuable readers and increase your search engine rating, but finding a great content writer can help you create dynamic website content and result in a significant increase in visitors.

But how do you do it and what do you look for?

It can seem like a daunting task, but fortunately there a few key points that if followed, will help you find just the writer your site needs.

First things first, though. It’s important to remember that almost anyone can write, but a significantly lower number can write well. The problem you may face is that you may not know how to recognize the difference. The good news is that there are points you can look out for to separate the writing wheat from the chaff.

One of the points great web writers understand is that short is beautiful. So look for short sentences. Like this one. They help get across a point succinctly and are easy on the eye, especially when read from the computer screen.

Next, look for the words the writer uses. He or she may have a Masters degree in English, but it should not be used to bash the reader over the head. Avoid any writer who uses long or little-used words when a shorter and simpler one will do. It’s the worse kind of vanity and also the sign of a poor writer. After all, a writer’s job is to communicate.

Long-winded descriptions will have visitors to your site running for the hills, where a competing site will happily welcome them. Look for writers who keep it short and to the point. The average attention span of the web browser is extremely short. Remember that.

Another reason why writers who use long and unfamiliar words should be avoided is that search engines don’t like them. If you are looking for an article on spare parts for your car, you’ll probably type something like: spare car parts. Simple. But if a writer has written an article on the subject (even if it’s a really useful one) using words such as automobile replacement components, it’s not going to result in many hits.

The old adage that you get what you pay for applies to content writers just as to most things in life. Luckily, because it is such a competitive market the chances are that you could secure the services of a great writer for a modest fee. The best way to do this is shop around and look at samples of a writer’s work. A little time spent here will more than reward the effort.

When you finally decide on your writer, make sure you both agree on a deadline. Any writer worth his or her salt will never miss a deadline, but it’s important to agree on a realistic one before any work commences. If you are looking for a regular contributor, it’s worth offering a one-off assignment to begin with. If the writer comes in on deadline and he or she fulfils the criteria below, you should be able to work happily knowing you have the services of a great and punctual writer to help build your site.

So remember:

•       Look for short, concise sentences.
•       Avoid writers who use long and rare words when short and commons will do.
•       Long, elaborate descriptions are great for fiction, but a real turn off on the web.
•       Search Engines like short descriptions. Look for a writer who understands SEO.
•       Agree on a deadline and reward writers who hit with repeat work.

Steve Lazuka is the owner of Interact Media, a content marketing firm based in Ohio. His knowledge of content writing and experience has proven successful for both clients and his own site. He also writes on his company blog and provides useful information for content marketers.