Pros and Cons of Managing Your Own Content Writers
As the demand for content marketing continues to grow, maintaining a consistent content schedule is crucial for every industry.
Businesses and agencies need content writers, and that means choosing between hiring a freelancer, an in-house writer, or a specialized content vendor.
If you’re considering one of the first two options, this article is right up your alley. Today we’re going to discuss the pros and cons of managing your own content writers, and how they reflect in terms of cost, responsibilities, brand recognition, and training.
The Cost of Hiring Content Writers
Content writers can save money, but may also be a costly investment depending on the specificities of your business.
Pro:
Having an in-house content writer could save money and help shape your growth. When you hire a content writer you have a dedicated employee that may require a lower budget than some content writing services.
Con:
According to payscale, the average salary of an in-house content writer is $50,701. For smaller businesses, this may be out of your budget and you may need to consider outsourcing to a dedicated content vendor.
Your Responsibilities When Hiring Content Writers
Overall, there are more responsibilities when hiring a content writer or freelancer in comparison to hiring a content writing service.
Pro:
Managing projects on your own will give you more control over your content and voice. Having an in-house content writer means instant contact and updates on your content, and also means you get to decide from start to finish.
Con:
You will have many more responsibilities due to the time required to manage in-house or freelance writers. This means dedicating a lot more resources for payroll, training, briefs, reviewing content, and additional management tasks.
Growing Brand Recognition With Content Writers
Your brand’s voice and recognition are essential for attracting loyal readers and maintaining a consistent online presence.
Pro:
Once they are fully familiarized with your business, freelancers and in-house content writers can have a deep understanding of your brand voice and goals.
Con:
If you’re a small business, chances are there will only be one person onboarding and managing your writers. This limited structure implies it can take a long time for a writer to be fully familiarized with your specific needs and goals.
Con:
Freelance writers often have a number of other clients, and may lose interest in your industry and leave your business or agency, causing delays in your content schedule.
Vetting and Training Content Writers
Hiring content writers requires a vetting and training process in order to achieve the results you’re looking for. Once a content writer has been hired you are able to train them to grow into an expert writer for your business, but there are risks associated with this.
Pro:
In-house content writers can become experts in your niche and understand the culture of your business.
Con:
Training and vetting a content writer can be a very long and strenuous process that involves providing a lot of feedback. According to BambooHR it can take up to three months to onboard a new employee, and it may take 1-2 years for your new content writer to be fully comfortable in their position.
Key Takeaways:
- Hiring an in-house content writer may save you money but the cost of training and paying a content writer’s salary may be higher than your budget allows.
- Freelance and in-house content writers allow you to have more control on the content, but require way more time and energy from you as you’ll need to manage their performance.
- In-house content writers may grow a deep connection with your business, but they may need a lot of time and lose interest or focus along the way.
- Freelance and in-house content writers can become experts in your industry or niche, but you may need to provide a lot of feedback and guidance to get there.
WriterArmy Can Help:
If you business or agency is looking for top-quality SEO content, and you don’t want to handle paying and managing your own freelance or in-house writers, you may want to consider our content writing services.
For over 10 years WriterArmy has worked with businesses and agencies from over 50 different industries to produce effective SEO content to help grow businesses and increase conversion rates. Contact us today for more information and a free quote.
