Expertise matters in content writing. Nothing can supplant industry knowledge and experience in creating informative content. A writer who can build a reputation as an industry expert with their audience can flourish within a specific content writing niche.
How do you find online content writers who are a good fit to write content for your particular industry niche? A good starting point is doing thorough research on a content writer before making a hire.
1. Interview the writer
A job interview does not need to be limited to a person you intend to hire as a full-time or part-time employee. Interviews can also be useful in determining who you should contract for freelance work.
Interviewing content writers allows you to get a feel for how much industry knowledge and experience they can draw on to create content for your business. You can ask questions about past projects they have done within your niche. You can solicit details on their professional experience in the industry. It doesn’t matter if you are hiring for a one-time project or a continuing contract—ask the questions you’d want them to be able to answer with their content.
2. Examine their portfolio
Checking out a content writer’s portfolio or personal website opens a window on seeing how they communicate. You can read through samples of past content to see how their communication style compares with the communication style of your business. How a content writer communicates, not just the what, is something to take into serious consideration when employing a niche content writer. They are going to represent your voice to the outside world, so it is important they speak your language.
3. Consider their background
A writer’s educational and professional background exerts a direct influence on what content they choose to write. Your goal must focus on finding a writer who doesn’t simply dabble in your particular niche, but knows it inside and out; nothing beats true industry knowledge in creating informative content!
The best course is to hire a content writer who has a college degree related to your industry and has actual work experience within the industry. They can offer insights on content needs that a person with minimal industry experience simply can’t offer.
4. Put your needs first
As an industry professional pushing accurate facts to your audience, finding a qualified content writer is your priority. Their skills as a writer are not the only thing that matters in the end. You need to have a writer who is on the same page as you, and that means finding a writer who embraces the vision you have in delivering content—and someone who’s prepared to put in the hours and the energy to pull it off!
Finding the right niche writer will help establish you as an authority who can offer answers and inform your target audience. With established expectations and a sharp eye, you’ll gain a valuable connection who will help you dominate your niche.
John C is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.
