How to Outsource Blog Posts: A Comprehensive Guide

In the fast-paced digital world of 2024, where content reigns supreme, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant demand for fresh, engaging blog posts. You’re juggling a million tasks, from marketing campaigns to product development, and churning out high-quality content consistently can feel like an impossible feat. That’s where outsourcing blog posts comes in – a strategic move that can free up your time, boost your content output, and elevate your brand’s online presence.

Did you know businesses that blog regularly generate 67% more leads than those that don’t? That’s a staggering statistic that underscores the power of content marketing. Outsourcing blog post writing allows you to tap into this potential without sacrificing your valuable time and resources. 

Imagine having a team of skilled writers crafting compelling content that resonates with your audience and drives organic traffic to your website. It’s like having a secret weapon in the battle for online visibility.

What Does it Mean to Outsource Blog Writing?

Outsourcing blog posts is essentially hiring external writers or agencies to create content for your website or blog. Instead of writing everything yourself, you’re delegating this task to content creation professionals. This can include anything from informative articles and thought leadership pieces to product reviews and listicles.

The process typically involves:

1. Identifying Your Content Needs: Clearly define your content goals, target audience preferred writing style, and topics you want to cover.
2. Finding the Right Writers or Agencies: Research and select experienced writers or agencies aligning with your brand voice and content requirements.
3. Briefing and Collaboration: Providing clear instructions and guidelines to the writers, including specific keywords, word count, and deadlines.
4. Review and Editing: Review the delivered content, provide feedback, and ensure it meets your quality standards.
5. Publishing and Promotion: Uploading the finalized content to your website or blog and implementing a promotion strategy to reach your target audience.

Why You Should Consider Outsourcing Your Blog Writing

As you outsource blog writing services, you experience numerous advantages that can significantly enhance your content strategy and overall business efficiency. Here’s why you should consider it:

1) Time-Saving Benefits

Outsourcing frees up your schedule, allowing you to focus on other critical aspects of your business. Instead of spending hours brainstorming, researching, and editing, you can rely on professional writers to handle these tasks and deliver ready-to-publish content.

2) Access to Diverse Expertise

With outsourcing, you can tap into a vast pool of talent, each with unique skills and experiences. This diversity brings fresh ideas and perspectives to your content, making it more appealing and relevant to a broader audience.

3) Cost-Effectiveness Compared to Full-Time Employees

Hiring full-time writers can be expensive, especially considering salaries, benefits, and training costs. Outsourcing eliminates these overheads. You pay for the content you need when you need it without the long-term financial commitment.

4) Scalability of Content Production

As your content needs fluctuate, outsourcing provides the flexibility to scale up or down without the logistical challenges of hiring or laying off staff. Whether you need one post a week or ten, you can easily adjust your orders to match your current requirements.

These factors make outsourcing an attractive option for maintaining a dynamic and effective blog without the need for extensive in-house resources.

How to Outsource Blog Posts: A Step-by-Step Guide

Outsourcing blog posts can be a game-changer, but it’s important to approach it strategically. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process and achieve optimal results:

Before diving into the world of outsourced content, lay a firm foundation with a well-defined content strategy. This will guide your efforts and ensure your blog posts align with your overall business goals.

Step 1: Define Your Content Strategy and Goals

To ensure the content you outsource aligns with your brand’s needs and maximizes ROI, you must first solidify your content strategy and set clear goals.

Identify Your Target Audience

Knowing who you’re writing for is crucial. Understand their interests, challenges, and what information they seek. This knowledge will guide your content’s tone, topics, and style, ensuring it resonates with the readers.

Set Clear Objectives for Your Blog Content

What do you want to achieve with your blog? Are you looking to generate leads, educate your market, boost your SEO efforts, or position your brand as a thought leader? Set specific, measurable goals to guide your content creation process.

Determine Your Content Calendar and Posting Frequency

Consistency is key in business blogging. Decide how often you want to post new content based on your capacity to manage interactions and your audience’s expectations. Creating a content calendar will help keep you on track and ensure a steady stream of content throughout the year.

Starting with a solid foundation and a clear understanding of your blog writing needs and goals sets the stage for a successful outsourcing experience, leading to high-quality content that achieves your business objectives.

Step 2: Establish Your Budget

Setting a budget for outsourcing your blog posts is a critical step in the process. It determines not only how much content you can afford but also the quality and expertise of the writers you can hire. 

Factors Affecting Blog Post Costs

The cost of a blog post can vary widely depending on several factors. These include the writer’s expertise, the complexity of the topic, the length of the content, and the level of research required. Specialized topics often command higher rates due to the expertise needed.

Balancing Quality and Affordability

While it’s tempting to choose the lowest-cost option, remember that quality should be your top priority. Investing in higher-quality content can lead to better SEO rankings and more engagement, which translates into a higher return on investment. Find a balance where you can afford quality content without overshooting your budget.

Tips for Maximizing Your Content Budget

1. Bulk Orders: Sometimes, ordering content in bulk can lead to discounts. If you plan your content calendar well, this can be a cost-effective approach.
2. Long-Term Partnerships: Building long-term relationships with writers or content marketing agencies might lead to better rates and improved quality as the writers become more familiar with your brand and expectations.
3. Mix and Match: Consider mixing different types of content, such as shorter posts or updates that cost less, with in-depth articles or analyses that may be more expensive. This strategy helps maintain a dynamic and engaging blog while managing costs effectively.

By understanding the factors influencing content costs and strategically planning your budget, you can maximize your investment in outsourced blog posts.

Step 3: Find and Vet Freelance Writers

Finding the right independent freelance writers is crucial for the success of your outsourced content writing. 

Sources for Finding Talented Writers

Platforms like Contently and ClearVoice offer a roster of vetted writers skilled in various niches. These marketplaces often provide tools for managing projects and facilitating communication.

Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr feature a wide range of writers with diverse writing skills and rates. You can post your project and receive bids from freelancers worldwide.

These are full-service firms that handle everything from blog content creation to SEO optimization. They’re ideal if you’re looking for a comprehensive solution with consistent quality.

Evaluating Writing Samples and Portfolios

Reviewing a writer’s past work is the best way to gauge their writing style and quality. Look for samples that match the style and tone you want for your blog. Pay attention to their ability to convey complex ideas clearly and engagingly.

Conducting Interviews and Test Assignments

A brief interview can help you understand the writer’s expertise and approach to content creation. This is also the time to discuss your expectations and their ability to meet deadlines.

Consider giving potential writers a small, paid test assignment. This can be a great way to see their work on a topic that is relevant to your audience. It also tests their reliability and adherence to your content guidelines.

Step 4: Create Detailed Content Briefs

A well-crafted content brief is essential for ensuring that the outsourced content meets your expectations and aligns with your brand’s voice and goals. Here’s how to construct an effective content brief:

Elements of an Effective Content Brief

1. Topic Overview: Clearly state the topic and its relevance to your audience.
2. Target Audience: Describe the demographic and psychographic characteristics of your audience to help the writer tailor the content appropriately.
3. Objectives: Specify what you aim to achieve with the post, such as educating the audience, generating leads, or improving SEO.
4. Tone and Style: Define the desired tone (e.g., professional, conversational, authoritative) and any style guidelines consistent with your brand.
5. Key Messages: Highlight the main points that need to be covered, ensuring the writer understands the core message to convey.
6. SEO Keywords: List specific keywords that need to be incorporated to optimize the content for search engines.
7. Word Count: Provide a guideline for the length of the content to align expectations and budget.
8. Deadline: Specify the submission deadline to manage scheduling and ensure timely publication.

Importance of Providing Clear Guidelines

Providing clear, detailed guidelines helps minimize revisions and ensures the content is right the first time. It sets a clear direction and expectations, which can significantly enhance the quality and relevance of the delivered content.

Tools for Creating Comprehensive Briefs

Google Docs: An accessible and easy way to create, share, and edit content briefs in real time.

Notion or Trello: These project management tools are excellent for organizing briefs, especially when dealing with multiple writers or topics.

Contently or ClearVoice: These content-specific platforms offer built-in tools for creating and managing briefs, streamlining the workflow between you and the writers.

Creating detailed content briefs is a critical step that directly influences the effectiveness of your outsourced content. By investing time in preparing comprehensive briefs, you can ensure that the content delivered not only meets your expectations but also drives your strategic business goals.

Step 5: Set Up a Streamlined Workflow

Efficient communication and collaboration are essential for successful outsourcing. Implement project management tools like Notion to keep everyone on the same page. These tools help track progress, assign tasks, share feedback, and maintain transparency throughout the content creation. 

Establish clear expectations for communication frequency and preferred channels: email, Slack, or video calls. Open and consistent communication fosters a productive working relationship with your writers. Streamline the onboarding process and ensure consistency by developing templates for briefs, content outlines, and style guides. 

This provides writers with clear guidelines and helps maintain your brand’s unique voice across all blog posts.

Step 6: Implement a Quality Control Process

Maintaining high content standards is crucial for establishing credibility and building trust with your audience. Implement a meticulous editing and proofreading process to catch any errors and ensure clarity and conciseness in every piece of content. 

Consider hiring a professional editor for an added layer of quality assurance. Utilize plagiarism detection software to guarantee all content is original and avoid copyright issues. This protects both you and your writers while maintaining your brand’s integrity. 

Craft a comprehensive style guide that outlines your brand’s voice, tone, and preferred writing style. Share this guide with your writers to maintain consistency and ensure every single blog post reflects your brand identity.

Step 7: Optimize for SEO

Creating SEO-friendly content drives organic traffic to your website and improves search engine rankings. Conduct thorough keyword research to uncover the terms and phrases your target audience is searching for. Incorporate these keywords into your blog posts to boost visibility and attract relevant visitors. 

Attention on-page SEO metrics like descriptive headlines, meta descriptions, image alt tags, and internal linking. These factors contribute to a positive user experience and signal to search engines that your content is valuable and relevant. 

Leverage SEO tools like Yoast SEO or SEMrush to gain deeper insights into your content performance. Track keyword rankings, analyze competitor strategies, and identify areas for improvement to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization.

Key Considerations for Successfully Outsourcing Blog Posts

While outsourcing blog posts offers numerous benefits, certain aspects require careful consideration to ensure a smooth and successful experience.

Navigating the outsourcing landscape involves more than just finding talented writers. It’s about establishing effective communication, maintaining quality control, and ensuring that your outsourced content aligns seamlessly with your brand’s vision and objectives.

Maintaining Brand Voice and Style

Consistency in your brand’s voice and style is crucial for building a strong online presence. To achieve this, start by developing a comprehensive style guide that outlines your brand’s preferred language, tone, and formatting guidelines. This serves as a valuable reference for your writers, ensuring they capture your unique voice in every piece of content. 

Additionally, provide writers with examples of past blog posts that exemplify your brand’s tone and style. Offer constructive feedback on their initial drafts to guide them toward capturing the essence of your brand. Maintaining open lines of communication with your writers is key. 

Provide regular feedback on their work and address any questions or concerns they may have. This fosters a collaborative environment and ensures everyone is on the same page.

Check Out Fiverr and Upwork

Fiverr and Upwork are two popular freelance platforms where you can find a vast pool of talented writers specializing in various industries and niches. These platforms offer a convenient way to connect with writers, review their portfolios, and manage projects efficiently.

Managing Multiple Writers

Working with multiple writers can offer benefits like increased content output and diverse perspectives. 

However, it’s important to manage them effectively to ensure consistency and avoid confusion. Utilize project management tools to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. Establish clear communication channels and provide detailed briefs to each writer. 

To ensure consistency across different writers, develop a style guide and provide regular feedback to ensure everyone adheres to your brand’s voice and style guidelines. 

Consider assigning a lead writer or editor to review and harmonize the content produced by different freelancers.

Dealing with Revisions and Edits

Revisions are a natural part of the content creation process, but it’s important to establish clear expectations from the outset. 

Define the number of revisions included in the initial agreement and communicate any additional fees for extensive edits. When requesting revisions, provide clear and specific feedback to guide the writer toward the desired outcome. 

Avoid vague comments or personal critiques. If a writer consistently fails to meet deadlines, deliver quality content, or adhere to your feedback, it may be time to end the partnership and find a more suitable candidate.

Remember, effective communication, clear expectations, and a commitment to quality are key to building successful relationships with outsourced writers and achieving your content marketing goals.

Taking it to the Next Level: Scaling Your Outsourced Content Production

Once you’ve mastered the basics of outsourcing blog posts, it’s time to explore strategies for scaling your content production and maximizing your impact.

As your business grows and your content needs evolve, it’s essential to adapt your outsourcing strategy to keep pace with the demand.

Measuring the Success of Your Outsourced Content

Diversifying your content offerings can help you engage a broader audience and establish your brand as a thought leader. 

Explore different formats, such as video content, podcasts, webinars, and interactive quizzes, to complement your blog posts and offer a richer content experience. Partner with specialized writers who are experts in specific content formats to ensure high-quality production. 

Remember to tailor your content to suit the specific requirements and audience preferences of each platform you’re publishing on.

Nurturing strong relationships with your best writers can lead to greater efficiency, improved content quality, and a deeper understanding of your brand. 

Reward top performers with higher pay rates, bonuses, or other perks to retain their talent and loyalty. Invest in their professional development by offering constructive feedback, training opportunities, and access to industry resources. Foster a collaborative environment where writers feel valued and connected to your brand’s mission and goals.

Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of your outsourced content and making data-driven decisions. Monitor website traffic, engagement metrics (time on page, bounce rate), lead generation, social shares, and conversions to assess the impact of your content. 

Utilize analytics platforms like Google Analytics, social media insights, and marketing automation software to track and analyze your content’s performance. Identify top-performing content and replicate its success. Analyze underperforming content to identify areas for improvement and adjust your outsourcing approach accordingly.

Alternatives to Outsourcing Blog Posts

While outsourcing offers numerous benefits, other content creation options may be worth considering.

In-house content team pros and cons

An in-house content team offers greater control over content creation, a deeper understanding of your brand, and faster turnaround times. However, it comes with higher overhead costs, potentially limited expertise, and challenges with scalability.

AI-generated content: possibilities and limitations

AI-powered tools can assist with generating ideas, drafting outlines, and even writing blog posts. However, AI-generated content often lacks the nuance, creativity, and brand voice that human writers bring to the table. It also requires careful editing and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism.

Hybrid approaches to content creation

Combining outsourcing with in-house content creation or AI-generated content can offer a flexible and cost-effective solution. Leverage AI tools to spark creativity and generate initial drafts, then hand them off to human writers for refinement and polishing.

Assign complex or sensitive topics to in-house writers while outsourcing more general content to freelancers. Experiment with different approaches to find the right balance between outsourcing, in-house creation, and AI assistance to meet your unique content needs and budget.

Final Thoughts on Outsourcing Blog Writing

Outsourcing blog writing can significantly enhance your content strategy, offering access to diverse expertise and freeing up valuable internal resources. 

By following a structured approach to defining your goals, managing budgets, finding the right talent, and implementing effective workflows and quality controls, you can ensure consistent, high-quality content that resonates with your audience. 

Moreover, optimizing content for SEO maximizes visibility and drives more traffic to your site. If you want to scale your content production without compromising on quality, outsourcing is a strategic choice that can yield substantial benefits for your brand.