As I stated in the last post on InkwellEditorial.com where we talked about outsourcing SEO writing jobs, I received a rather long, detailed email from a fellow SEO copywriter. She wrote, in entirety:
Hello. I would like to thank you for all that you offer with your inkwell site. I came across an article from you a couple of months ago & your website is now a daily stop for me. There aren't any sites that I have followed like yours! (Not stalking~plus you're in Jamaica, much too far!)
I've been freelancing for the last few years & have recently decided to go full steam ahead with my business. [My Take: Good for you!]
(I'm also learning all there is to know about affiliate marketing~I need some kind of steady income. However small it may be at first. Another subject I've been soaking up from your site & articles.)
My point in contacting you - I have come to the realization that even when I'm swamped with work there is obviously only so much I can accomplish as an individual. I would like to look into outsourcing my work.
The main concern I have is how to have faith that a person will do the job with flying colors. If I have someone transcribing 5 hours of audio - I would want to go over the document to make sure everything is A+ - it's my business name on the line after all. Another thing I'd be worried about is having someone 'steal' clients or working out side deals for extra work (not going thru my business but more of a one-on-one).
I have placed a few craigslist ads in the past looking for some great people (I received an overwhelming response) so I do have some people I'd like to try. When you first went about hiring people to represent your hard work, did you draw up a contract with them? If so, what kind of issues do you feel is a MUST? The last question I have is how to decide what kind of pay rate for the people I'd be outsourcing to? I can't offer the moon & the stars right off the bat & I don't want to lowball anyone.
I realize this is long & I truly appreciate you reading my ramblings. If you have any advice or can suggest some articles that may help I would be grateful. I hope you're staying cool & think you should sell some beach sand on your site! I know I'd buy a bit just to have a piece of paradise. (I spent some time in Jamaica about 20 years ago & there are two things that stand out to this day 1) this crazy ass waterfall where tourists & locals alike climb that sucker & pray they don't plunge to their death (beautiful but scary) 2) every local had the catch phrase 'no problem man'. (And I vividly remember hearing 'Like a Virgin' from Madonna ~ I was so blown away - I was only 13 at the time so it was totally cool in my mind!)
Enjoy the week & thank you again.
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As I said, a rather long and involved email - but with some VERY good questions. I bolded the portions that need answering. I was going to answer this in one newsletter, but it'd be 10,000 words or more, so I've decided to break it up and answer one question here over the next few days.
Sorry if this is going to throw anyone off, but I don't have to write a book right now and that's what one answer would equal - a 10-page ebook.
So, following is the answer to the first question, which is outlined below. Let me preface my answers by saying, all of this is from my point of view based on hiring (and sometimes firing) literally hundreds of freelancers since 1997, which was when I ran Inkwell Editorial (my editorial staffing agency in New York City (1996-2004).
Concern: Advice for Hiring Competent SEO Writers Who Will Do a Good Job
Like any employer, what you will look for here are:
(i) References from others they've worked for: Many newbies with no references are going to apply. If this is your first time outsourcing, I would not go this route, as you've got enough on your plate without worrying about if someone has the skills you need.
So find someone who's done a few SEO writing projects and can give you a couple of references.
And, CHECK them. Many times I've gotten references and not checked them (just wanted to see if they had some), but sometimes this has come back to bite me in the old kister.
(ii) An understanding of SEO: You should devise a system for checking this, eg, ask about keyword density, anchor text and word count. You may send an email like:
I need 400-word articles with a keyword density of 2%. One primary and one secondary keyword phrase will be provided. The main keyword phrase should be used as anchor text once near the bottom of the article.
If respondents question you about things like anchor text and secondary keyword phrases, then that's a clue that they're not experienced enough. Most SEO writes know about keywords, but when you start throwing other search engine jargon around, they may get a little lost.
(iii) SEO writing samples: Make sure any samples you receive are SEO Writing Samples, not just regular writing samples.
(iv) A professional presentation when they contact you: eg, how their correspondence is worded/how they speak with you on the phone, do they get back to you in a timely manner, does this match what their references say about them, etc.
Why It's Important to Trust Your Gut When Outsourcing SEO Writing Gigs
The final thing I would say here is gut, as in . . . trust yours. Sometimes, a candidate will seem perfect, but there will be something that just sticks in your craw/that doesn't quite feel right. Go with that. It rarely leads you wrong.
Even with all of this, sometimes the freelance SEO writers you hire won't work out. Most start out great, but it's been my experience that some can get sloppy over time, especially if it's topics that they aren't familiar with.
Outsourcing SEO Writing Work: How to Determine What Deadlines to Give Freelancers
So hire a few and don't cut deadlines too tight. For example, if the client needs 10 articles back on a Friday and they get it to you on Monday, outsource 2-3 articles to a couple of different writers (do the rest yourself). Give them no more than a 48-hour turnaround time to get them back to you.
So in this case, you'd want them back by Wednesday so you can go over them and if necessary, do some rewriting before you turn it in. Until you come to trust the SEO writers you outsource to, never, ever turn a project in without going over it thoroughly.
As a Type-A personality, it's still hard for me to stop doing this - even with my trusted writers. But there comes a point when you get a good team that you'll be able to simply glance over a project and pass it on to the client.
In the next post in this series, I'll get to the next question, which is how to stop the freelance SEO writers you hire from stealing your clients.
Advice on How to Apply for SEO Writing Jobs
I wrote the following a few years ago when I put an ad on Craigslist for SEO writers. So if you're on the other side of the fence, here's some insightful advice on how to increase your chance of landing SEO writing jobs.
The post is What to Do & What NOT to Do When Applying for Freelance Writing Jobs Online http://bit.ly/cdZoCc.
Have Questions about Freelance Writing, SEO Writing, Internet Marketing?
Lately, I've been receiving a tsunami of questions about all of the above. This email is typical of what's been landing in my inbox lately. And, while I'd love to answer each and every one of them as quickly as possible, it's just not possible for me to do so.
I do EVENTUALLY get to the ones that I think have "universal" appeal; ie, questions that may help a lot of other freelance writers.
My point in telling you this is if you've sent in a question and haven't heard from me, just know that I've received it and if it fits my universal criteria guideline, I'll answer it in the newsletter. Some that are coming up include:
Working internationally, eg, one reader from Poland sent in the following about a week ago:
My problem is that I'd like to get clients from the US, but I am from Poland and I'm completely clueless where I should start in terms of legalities.
Do I need any American work permits? Do I have to register in any American labor bureau? Do I need to pay taxes there or just in my country? Does buying writing services from a foreigner entail any financial or legal obstacles for my potential client? Do I need to register a business to be hired remotely for this job? What do I need to start this career?
Another reader sent in the following question just today:
I am writing this letter because, I am stuck. First, I don't know what the hell I [sic] do. I am a SEO Content Writer, but I know HTML, how to upload videos, create a website and all that techy internet stuff.
The more I think about it, I think I am more of a Virtual Assistant than a writer. However, I want to be known for SEO Content Marketing. But, my dilemma is - choosing a niche and wondering if I should market my self as a VA or market myself as A Writer with strong technical skills? You see, I have no problem researching a niche and seeing what they want. My problem is- I get bored.
And there are quite a few more sitting in my inbox that I just haven't had the time to get to.
BUT . . . I will. Just bear with me.
Readers like you are what make this newsletter so informative for so many. So continue to send in your questions because if you're wondering about it, 9 times out of 10, many others are as well.
Now, for my American friends, enjoy our Independence Day (4th of July). I'll post again next Tuesday.What makes it possible for me to live and work in the Caribbean? SEO Writing!
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