So, you need content, but you don’t have the time (or desire) to write it yourself. The good news? Whether you need a blog post, press release, landing page, or any other type of content, you can pay somebody else to write it for you.
By purchasing content online, you can free up your own valuable time while still getting the quality content you need to grow your business. After all, the right content can be key to driving traffic to your site, boosting your search engine rankings, and marketing your brand.
Still, even once you’ve decided to outsource your content creation, the process can feel overwhelming at first. With so many content platforms to choose from, how can you know which solution is best for your needs? We’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide to buying content online.
Buying Content: What Are Your Options?
When it comes to purchasing content, you more or less have two options:
- You can hire a dedicated content specialist to work with your business.
- You can work with a content platform that gives you access to a large pool of freelance writers.
Option One: Hire a Content Specialist
When you work directly with a content specialist, you’ll be turning to the same person time and time again for the content you need written. You may choose to hire your content specialist to work on a full- or part-time basis—or you may prefer to work with the writer as an independent contractor.
Regardless, you’ll need to take your time finding the perfect freelance writer for your brand and voice. This may involve:
- Creating job listings
- Interviewing potential candidates
- Reviewing writing samples
- Asking and paying for a test assignment
- Additional tasks to make sure you get the right fit
And because not all writers specialize in the same type of content, there’s still a chance you may need to further outsource your writing needs for other projects.
Option Two: Work With a Content Platform
Typically, the more efficient option for many businesses is to work with a content platform. In doing so, you’ll have access to a larger pool of writers. The best content creation platforms screen and vet their writers before they’re invited to join the platform, which saves you the time and hassle of vetting the writers yourself.
Because you’ll have hundreds (or even thousands) of writers at your disposal, you’ll be able to find the best writer for your specific project every time. And, once you find a few writers you love, you can come back to them again and again to work on your assignments.
How Content Platforms Work
Thinking about signing up for a content platform? While each platform can vary in terms of cost, the specific writing services available, and other factors, many of them operate in a similar way.
In exchange for a monthly fee to use the platform (plus additional fees for managed/individual services), you gain access to a large pool of freelance writers who are ready to tackle your next project.
How Much Will You Pay?
Content platforms can vary greatly in terms of how much they charge for their services. You will typically pay a monthly or annual membership fee to gain initial access to the platform. From there, you may pay an additional fee for each piece of content you need written based on the number of words and the writer’s rates.
Pay for each content project may also vary based on the writer’s level of experience, with freelance writers often paid per word. Many platforms have a ranking system set up so that the most experienced and skilled writers have a higher price per word than novice writers.
In some cases, managed account services may be available to free up even more of your time by having a dedicated account manager post assignments and find writers on your behalf. If you opt for a managed account, there is generally a monthly or annual fee for the service.
What About Project Turnaround?
When you post a project on a content platform, you can typically set your own deadlines. From there, qualified writers will only take on an assignment if they are confident they can submit it to you by your required deadline.
If you have a time-sensitive project that requires a quick turnaround, you may be able to post it as a priority assignment for a slightly higher fee.
How Are Writers Screened?
Content platforms vary greatly in their application and screening processes for writers. Some require extensive applications, writing tests, and submission of writing samples in addition to ongoing performance reviews. Others may have more lax requirements for writers, requiring little to no oversight once they are initially accepted onto the platform.
What to Look For in a Content Platform
As you explore your options for a content platform, you may be overwhelmed by choices. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to weed out some of the lower-quality writing services on the market. Specifically, be on the lookout for red flags that include:
- Vague pricing or hidden fees
- Limits on revision requests
- Lack of customer support
- No transparency in the screening/vetting process for writers
The WriterAccess Competitive Advantage
At WriterAccess, our low monthly platform fee gives you access to a pool of more than 14,000 freelance writers who have been extensively screened and vetted. All of our talent is required to submit an application, provide initial writing samples, and pass a comprehensive writing test. From there, all writers are frequently reviewed to ensure they are delivering quality content to our clients.
Additionally, you’ll be able to ask for unlimited revisions with each order you submit—so you can always rest assured that you won’t pay unless you’re completely satisfied with the work.
Throughout your journey with WriterAccess, you’ll also enjoy:
- Industry-leading customer service
- Available account management
- Topic research tools
- Copyscape originality verification
- AI-powered writer search
- Casting Calls (to find the perfect writer for your project)
- Content performance reports
- And more!
Looking to get the most out of your content strategy? We also offer WriterAccess Academy, a member-only learning portal that can help you master the six pillars of content strategy with 55 hours of on-demand training.
Start Your Free Trial With WriterAccess Today
Buying content online doesn’t have to be so complicated. At WriterAccess, our goal is to make it as simple as possible to get quality content from the best writers on the web—no matter what you need. What are you waiting for? Start your free 14-day trial today.
