How to Hire the Best Freelance Writer

Now that you know why you should hire a freelance writer, how do you find the best candidate for the job?

The first step should be to write down as many details about the project as possible. Do you need a writer with specific expertise in technology, sports or travel, etc.? What type of writing style are you seeking - professional, conversational, witty, straight and to the point? How lengthy should it be, do you know how many words will be required? Will the writer need to perform research or do you have notes that you are willing to provide? How soon must it be completed? The more details you can provide to the writer, the better the end product will be.

How do you find potential freelance writers?

The next step is finding a good pool of writers that may have potential to complete the project to your specifications.  

• Craig's List. You might consider placing an ad on a site like Craig's List, although you'll need to keep in mind that the odds of having to weed through a large number of responses that don't meet your requirements could take a lot of your time. 
• Another option is one of the freelance sites that connect writers and other professions to clients for a small fee, such as elance.com. 
• A Google search for freelance writers will bring up a number of writers with web sites who are seeking freelance writing projects as well.  Often you can look at their portfolio, recent work and standard rates to get an idea if the writer is someone you are interested in working with.
  
• Networking. Check with your friends and colleagues to find out if they might have a recommendation.

Selecting the best freelance writer

• When selecting the writer from your pool of candidates, it's important to review references as well as some of their recent work.
  
• While brand new writers may be less expensive, the best freelance writer will probably have at least a few years experience.
• Does the writer have a website? If she/he does, this is a good indication of professionalism as well as dedication to their profession.
• Is the writer dedicated to writing full-time? If the writer has another job, he/she may not be able to put in all the time needed for your project and could be more difficult to reach.
• Cheaper is not better. While there will probably be writers out there who are willing to do your job for pennies on the dollar, it will show in the finished project. A true professional will not accept a job that pays only a fraction of current standard rates which can be found on this report at writersmarket.com. A cheap writer could also be plagiarizing material, which can even get you or your business into legal trouble. Remember, you get what you pay for, and if the writing is filled with grammatical errors, misspellings, incorrect word usage, or just bland, it could cost your business its reputation. If it has to be completely redone, it's not a cost savings at all.

Finalizing the agreement

• Once you've selected the best freelance writer, you should prepare a formal agreement that describes the type of work and the schedule in which it should be completed. If you've never worked with your chosen writer before, it's standard practice to pay a 50% deposit before the work is started and also demonstrates good faith they you are willing to fulfill your end of the bargain as well.
• Come to an agreement on payment arrangements - will you pay in installments as a portion of the work is completed, or pay in full after the job is completed to your satisfaction?
• Once the project is started, keep in touch with the writer and be sure to respond quickly to any questions that may arise and ask for progress reports as necessary. When it is completed, be sure to pay the invoice promptly.

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