Finding the Ideal Blog Writer
Finding a suitable blog writer for your business blog is easy if you know the qualities to look for in a blog writer. Here are five fundamental things you need to take into consideration. Your ideal blog writer should have:
- Some understanding of your business or industry
- A style that you find suitable
- A reliable nature
- A willingness to make alterations
- An understanding of SEO writing
Does the blog writer understand your business?
If you are fortunate, you’ll find a blog writer that has some experience in your profession. Blog writers come from a variety of backgrounds. Amongst them you’ll find writers with backgrounds ranging from farming to the legal profession. Although it will be a bonus if a writer has a better than average knowledge of your industry, don’t focus too much on this aspect. Many blog writers are mature people with a wealth of life experience. Most professional blog writers will research your industry if they are to be engaged to write regularly for your blog.
Does the blog writer have a writing style that suits your blog?
A friendly personal style suits most blogs but certainly not all. Your blog may be legal or medical in nature and you may wish the tone to be more formal. Perhaps your blog is targeting a teenage audience and requires a blog writer who can speak their lingo! Whilst many blog writers can adapt their writing style to suit your preference, not all are capable of doing this. Ask prospective blog writers for a sample – but don’t forget to specify the style of writing you prefer.
Can you rely on the blog writer to post regularly?
If you are hiring a blog writer, it’s likely you don’t have time to write and post items yourself. If that’s the case, you don’t want to be chasing up a blog writer to make sure your posts are done regularly. Reliability is difficult to assess before hiring someone but a good measure is how promptly they send you the required sample and respond to your emails.
Will the blog writer be willing to make required alterations?
Some writers are rather “precious” about their work and take offence if you request changes. The fact is you are likely to request an alteration at some stage. Your knowledge of your industry is probably far better than the writer’s. If they post something outdated or not in line with your viewpoint, or simply something you don’t want on your blog, they need to be willing to change it promptly. Simply ask them if they are happy to make any required alterations within 24 hours. Bear in mind that a writer cannot anticipate the words you would choose. You must allow them to use their own words – continually ask for changes because they are using words you would not have chosen will sour the relationship very quickly!
Does the writer understand SEO writing?
It might be tempting to ask a writer you know personally to write your blog postings but if they are not experienced at online writing and have no SEO knowledge, you will not get the most out of your blog. A good blogger understands how to research and choose keywords for postings and how to use them wisely. This is possibly the most important skill a blog writer can possess.
There are two common arrangements for working with a blog writer. The blogger can prepare the item for posting on a Word document and forward it to you by email. You can make any required changes and post it yourself. The second method is to allow the writer access to your blog and have them post the items themselves. If you’re hiring a blog writer for the first time, it’s probably wise to commence with the first arrangement until you are confident with the writer’s work. If you are soon able to graduate to the second method you will know you have found your ideal blog writer!
