How to Hire SEO Content Writer for Your Agency in 2023
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Do you want to improve your clients’ SEO results? I am sure you are not planning to write all those zillion blogs by yourself, are you?
If you are an agency, hiring an experienced SEO content writer can be a great way to improve your clients’ SEO results. As a seasoned SEO guy, trust me, good writing makes all the difference. A good SEO content writer can create high-quality content that is both informative and engaging, and they can optimize it for search engines to help your clients achieve their SEO goals.
SEO content writing is an important part of pretty much any and every SEO strategy. By creating and distributing high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience, you can improve your website’s ranking in SERPs and attract more visitors.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to hire an SEO content writer for your agency in 2023. We will cover everything from defining your search engine optimization needs to analyzing each candidate’s proposal. By following these steps, you can find the right SEO content writer to help you achieve your clients’ SEO goals.
What is SEO Content Writing?
SEO content writing is the process of creating and distributing high-quality content that is optimized for search engines. It could either aim at only bringing more organic traffic or better conversion rates. SEO content writers use a variety of SEO writing techniques to optimize their content for search engines, including:
- Keyword research: These writers research the keywords that their target audience is searching for and use those keywords in their content.
- On-page optimization: Writers with SEO knowledge, optimize their content for search engines by using the right title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and image alt text.
- Link building: SEO content writers build backlinks to their client’s websites from other high-quality websites.
Why do you need an SEO Content Writer?
Strategic keyword placement is an art. And not many writers have mastered it well. Hiring an SEO content writer can be an excellent way to improve your clients’ results. Here are a few reasons why:
- They know how to write any piece of content for search engines. SEO content writers understand the factors that search engines consider when ranking websites. Hence, such content teams can optimize their content accordingly and approach content creation far more responsibly.
- SEO writers can create high-quality content. They are skilled writers who can create informative and engaging content that your client’s target audience will love. You don’t even need big content teams to execute it.
- SEO agencies, freelance content writers, or content strategists with SEO expertise can free up your time. Creating high-quality content can be time-consuming. By hiring an SEO content writer, you can free up your time to focus on other aspects of your business.
Important steps to follow while hiring an SEO content writer
Here are some important steps to follow while hiring professional SEO content writers or a freelance SEO content writer for your agency:
Defining Your Needs
The first step to hiring an SEO content writer is to define your needs. This includes identifying the type of content you need, the amount of content you need, and your budget.
Here are some questions to consider when defining your needs:
- What type of content do you need? Do you need blog posts, guest posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions, or something else?
- How much content do you need? How many blog posts per month do you need? How many articles? How many pages of website copy?
- What is your budget? How much can you afford to spend on SEO content?
Set Your Goals and Objectives
Once you have defined your needs, it is important to set your goals and objectives. What do you hope to achieve by hiring an SEO content writer?
Do you want to improve your website’s ranking in SERPs?
Increase website traffic?
Generate more leads and sales?
Setting clear goals and objectives will help you find an SEO content writer who can help you achieve your desired results.
Decide What Type of Content You Need
The type of content you need will depend on your goals and objectives. For example, if you want to improve your website’s ranking in SERPs, you will need to create high-quality content that is optimized for search engines.
If you want to increase website traffic, you will need to create content that is likely to be shared and linked to by other websites. This content should be interesting and engaging, and it should offer value to your readers.
If you want to generate more leads and sales, you will need to create convincing content. This content should highlight the benefits of your products or services, and it should make it easy for visitors to contact you.
Identify the Skills Needed for the Role
Once you know what type of content you need, you can start to identify the skills needed for the role. The skill set can be categorized on the basis of the following experience:
- SEO content writer with experience in keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building.
- Writers with experience in creating viral content and building relationships with other bloggers and journalists.
- SEO copywriter with experience in copywriting and sales.
Sourcing Writers & Agencies
Once you know the skills needed for the role, you can start to source writers and agencies. There are several ways to do this, such as:
- Searching online for freelance SEO writers on a freelance marketplace
- Networking with other businesses in your industry who might work with a professional writer
- Asking for referrals of experienced writers from colleagues and friends
When you are sourcing writers and agencies, it is important to read reviews and check out their portfolios. This will help you to get a sense of their quality of work and their experience.
Consider Freelancers and Agencies Specializing in SEO Content Writing Services
When you are hiring for content at scale, you have the option of hiring a freelancer or an agency. Both freelancers and a content writing agency have their advantages and disadvantages. Changing writing style to converting traffic into leads, juggling between types of content to cost of SEO content. There is so much to consider.
When choosing between a freelancer and an agency, it is important to consider your budget and your needs. If you are on a tight budget, a freelancer may be a good option. If you need a team of writers with a variety of skills and experience, an agency may be a better option.
Check Their Previous Work and Reviews
Once you have sourced a few potential candidates, it is important to check their previous work and reviews. This will help you to get a sense of their quality of work and their experience.
When checking their previous work, look for content that is well-written, informative, and engaging. Also, make sure that the content is relevant to your industry and your target audience.
When reading reviews, look for clients who have had a positive experience with the writer or agency. Also, pay attention to any negative reviews and see if the writer or agency has addressed the issues raised.
Verify Their Credentials & Certifications, if Any
Some SEO content writers have credentials and certifications. While these are not required, they can be a good indicator of the writer’s skills and experience.
If you are considering hiring an SEO content writer who has credentials and certifications, be sure to verify them. You can do this by checking the website of the organization that issued the credential or certification.
Ask for References and Testimonials from Clients
Another way to assess the quality of an SEO content writer is to ask for references and testimonials from clients. This will give you a sense of the writer’s ability to deliver high-quality content and meet deadlines.
When asking for references and testimonials, be sure to ask specific questions about the writer’s work. For example, you could ask about the quality of the content, the writer’s ability to meet deadlines, and the writer’s communication skills.
Assess Their Understanding of the Industry and your Brand Values
It is also important to assess the SEO content writer’s understanding of your industry and your brand values. This will ensure that the writer can create content that is relevant to your target audience and that reflects your brand voice.
You can assess the writer’s understanding of your industry by asking them questions about your products or services, your target market, and your industry trends. You can also assess the writer’s understanding of your brand values by asking them questions about your brand mission, vision, and values.
Get a Clear Idea About Their Pricing Model
Finally, it is important to get a clear idea about the SEO content writer’s pricing model. This will help you to budget for the project and to ensure that you are getting a fair price.
When discussing pricing, be sure to ask about the writer’s rates, their turnaround time, and any additional fees that may apply.
Analyze Each Candidate’s Proposal Carefully
Once you have interviewed and assessed each candidate, it is important to analyze their proposals carefully. This will help you to choose the writer or agency that is the best fit for your needs and budget.
Final Thoughts
Hiring an SEO content writer for your agency in 2023 is a strategic investment in your online presence and marketing efforts. By following the steps outlined in this complete guide, you can identify the perfect candidate or agency that aligns with your content needs, goals, and budget. Remember that the right SEO content writer can make a significant difference in driving organic traffic, boosting brand visibility, and achieving your content marketing objectives.