Habits of a Good Content Writer
Written by Kathryn Lang · Print This Article
Pouring out content consistently burns out many website owners. Discovering a good content writer can be just as stressful. Investing some effort into research so that you are working with a content writer that you know on some level may save you the hassle or re-writing content or the pain of paying for content that you do not want.
Tips for Finding Good Content Writers
- 1. Grammar and spelling – pay close attention to the emails that the writer sends to you, including the subject line. The more attention that the little things get then the more attention the big things will get.
2. Response time – the amount of time it takes for the content writer to answer an email may be an indication of the amount of time it will take for a project to be completed.
3. Existing clips – spend a little time and effort to research a writer before you begin a working relationship. It may be harder to find anything on new writers, but a quick search by name will probably turn up something if that writer has been active for very long.
4. Word of mouth – references can still be used today. Ask a new writer to provide you with someone that you can contact about past work.
5. Critiques – good content writers should be willing to hear your requests or changes and be willing to work with you to get the content right for your website. An even better content writer will ask you a number of questions from the beginning to be sure you are both on the same page from the start.
No matter how you find your content writer you should consider starting slow. Offer smaller projects until you are comfortable with the voice and style of that content writer.
Pay writers a decent wage. The old adage, “you get what you pay for,” holds true in writing. Pay peanuts and you will end up with a lot of nuts. Start new content writers off at a lower amount but be sure to increase compensation along the way or you may end up losing a good writer to a better deal.
Getting things in writing should be stressed from both sides of the deal. Writers need the protection but the clients need the protection as well. Keep in mind that emails may be enough protection if no formal contract is signed, but take the better route with a signed contract.
Finding good content writers gives many websites owners a headache. The writer that seems great in the beginning quickly starts to fizzle out. Molding and growing a content writer means that writer flies off to another point in his or her career. Knowing how to find good content writers and then working to keep them around can be the answer that many websites owners desire.
About the Author
Visit Kathryn online: KathrynLang.com
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Everybody says "Content is King", but what does that mean for you? 
Alice Seba says:
I think the point about starting small is an important one. You want to see if the writer can deliver consistently good content and can continue to publish on a regular schedule.
It gives me warm fuzzies when I know a writer can be counted on to keep bringing on the content and I don’t need to worry about it. Much like our regular contributors here at Contentrix.com. Makes it easy for me to sleep at night!