To hire freelancers or not hire freelancers—that is the question.
The right content creators can help elevate your project and even save you money. But is it easy hiring quality freelancers? Will the pros outweigh the cons? Often the answer to both those questions is yes. Yet it’s still important to look at the big picture, which we’ll help you do with this detailed pros and cons list.
Pros of Hiring Freelancers
Affordability
Freelancers typically fit into a budget better than the decision to hire another part-time or full-time employee (for either remote or in-person work). You can hire a freelancer for just the specific job you need done, meaning when the project ends so does the financial obligation.
Sometimes all you need is a single project completed, maybe a blog post or a white paper. A freelancer is the perfect option, someone paid to complete the specified project who also reduces the workload for you and your other employees.
Not sure what types of content can be ghostwritten? WriterAccess freelancer Joseph H breaks it down for you in his ”What is a Ghostwriter?” article.
Specialization
Freelance writers often have a speciality – a niche industry in which they hold extensive knowledge and expertise. This is a major benefit when you need content created. For example, you can hire a freelancer via WriterAccess who may have 20+ years experience in a specific field such as:
- Real estate
- E-commerce
- Green living
- MarketingBeauty
- Travel
- Pharma
- Any of the 90+ industry categories on the WriterAccess platform
Freelancers that specialize write content that connects. It’s easy to write a generic blog, but you won’t get the ROI you need. Some of the best freelancers are niche writers, specialists who create unique content that achieves what you need to succeed. This includes content that:
- Tells a story
- Comments on trends
- Encourages interactivity
- Stands out amid the millions of written pieces floating around the internet
Check out what WriterAccess freelancer Leigh M had to say about the downsides of generic content.
Flexibility
Because freelancers set their own hours, you benefit. Let’s say inspiration hits outside of your normal business hours. You’ve got a great idea for content to add to your website, but nobody’s working right now.
Normally, you’d have to wait until you got back to the office to assign the project to one of your employees. That’s frustrating, but there’s an alternative:
- Hire a freelancer online
- Enjoy connecting beyond the typical 9 to 5 timeframe
- Rely on a platform like WriterAccess where client deadlines are a priority
High Quality
Freelance writers, especially those on platforms like WriterAccess, offer their clients high-quality work, a definite check mark in the pro column. How?
What if I told you that WriterAccess writers have instant access to something special called WriterAccess Academy? This online training portal makes it easy for writers to dive in to:
- Attend workshops and video sessions led by world-class marketers
- Earn Content Strategy Certification after mastering the six pillars of content marketing
- Explore content marketing tools and resources
Minimized Risk
A freelancer is not an employee. They don’t carry the same level of risk as a full- or part-time staffer. You don’t have to invest the time, effort, and expense needed to train a new employee. You don’t have to meet legal requirements for workers’ compensation or other coverage. And if the freelancer doesn’t work out, it’s easier to part ways without exit interviews or additional HR stipulations.
Large Pool of Talent
The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics reports that in 2020, of the 143,200 jobs held by writers and authors, 68% of those jobs were held by self-employed workers. This represents freelance talent hired by a variety of individuals, organizations, and businesses.
This is good news for anyone looking to hire a freelance writer or other content creator. The ability to choose from a large hiring pool benefits you.
At WriterAccess, there are more than 14,000 writers ready to work with you on your projects. You can easily find a match using the site’s unique AI-Powered Writer Search.
Powered by IBM and Cambridge University, this AI-powered search tool makes it easy to find the perfect writer for your brand’s tone and style. Simply plug in a sample of text and select a writer from the results. Additional platform tools let you search by type of content, desired industry experience, and other parameters.
Cons of Hiring Freelancers
Finding and Hiring
You’re busy running a business, so the last thing you want to do is hire another employee. While hiring a freelancer typically is faster and easier than hiring an employee, it still requires finding the right match.
WriterAccess knows how valuable your time is and respects it. There’s no reason to sift through pages and pages of resumes, writer bios, and credits when you can use the advanced search tools on the platform. So yes, the hiring process is on you, but WriterAccess has made it streamlined and user-friendly.
Non-Exclusive Contracts
When you opt to hire freelancers online, it’s important to know that your contract is not likely to be exclusive. Freelancers typically work for many different clients. Hire your freelancer, but go into it with the knowledge that you’re probably one of several clients the writer is working with. That means the writer may not always be immediately available.
However, if you’re hiring freelance talent through WriterAccess, you can create a team of writers called a Love List. This gives you more flexibility. You can create an order or multiple orders and post them for your Love List (LL). Your LL writers currently available will then be able to claim the orders and complete the work.
Inconsistent Payment Methods
Freelancers can be found in all corners of the internet, from social media sites like Twitter and LinkedIn to sites like Fiverr and Upwork. You may even stumble across the freelancer’s personal website. While freelancer rates definitely are going to vary, the other huge issue you may run into is the way the freelancer wants their payment delivered.
You may get lucky and find the method is something simple, like 50% upfront, with the remainder on delivery and paid through PayPal. Because freelancers work for themselves, they’re going to request payment to fit what’s most convenient for them.
For some, that may be Google Pay or a service like Wise. Others may require payment by check or bank wire transfer. These options are only a few of what’s currently out there in an ever-changing landscape.
That said, freelancing platforms like WriterAccess simplify the process. Once you’ve deposited money into your platform account, you can order the work. You don’t have to worry about cutting a check or dealing with a cash app. When the work cycle is complete and you’ve approved the orders, the writer is paid through the system with funds from the account you established.
Freelancing Platform Fees
Sure, freelancing platforms have fees, though often they are kept minimal to help balance client costs. For example, at WriterAccess we have upfront pricing. Choose a plan and freelancer rate that fits your needs and you’re ready to roll.
Wrapping Up
The pros beat the cons, especially when hiring freelancers through WriterAccess. You’re ready to take your content to the next level, and the quality freelancers from WriterAccess are here to make it happen. Start a 14-day free trial today.
