Should I Outsource Blog Posts as a Female Entrepreneur?
Was Oasis still together the last time you published an article on your website?
Then it might very well be time to outsource blog posts for your woman-founded business.
After addressing the two most popular concerns I’ve heard about this smart investment, I’ll cover the other main signs that show whether you need to outsource content writing and, most importantly, what benefits this will generate.
Can I outsource my blog?
Err… duh? Yes, of course, you can outsource your blog!
Unless you already have an in-house content writer or you’re a copywriter yourself, the answer is always: yes, you can AND SHOULD.
Outsourcing your blog will result in a strong content marketing strategy that will allow you to:
reach a higher percentage of your target customers
grow your audience
boost your website’s SEO
stand out against your competitors.
As I mentioned before, there are a couple of popular misconceptions around this investment, which is why I can almost hear you say:
But, Giada!
#1 FEAR: “A freelance blog writer won’t be able to write about my industry.”
It’s literally our job to write about different topics, fields, and industries!
For example, I’ve written about digital marketing, home decor, slush machines, e-commerce, SaaS, meal kits… and this is IN THE PAST WEEK ONLY.
If anything, it’s riskier to write about your own industry when you’re part of it, as you’ll be more likely to use complicated jargon that will put off your readers.
At the same time, don’t think you can just leave your blog to a writer and forget about it altogether. Research skills aside, the reason why I can write about so many different industries is because I ask my fantastic clients for input.
This allows me to go beyond what can already be found on Google and position them as thought-leading expert in their field.
#2 FEAR: “It’ll sound different from my brand voice.”
NOPE.
As long as you give us a clear brief and show us relevant samples of your brand tone, blog writers like me can match it like chameleons.
4 tell-tale signs you need to outsource your blog posts
How can you tell if you should actually outsource your blog?
Simple: one (or more) of the following statements will ring true for you.
1. Your blog hasn’t been generating tangible results
When done correctly, content marketing is a game-changing strategy that will bring you more organic traffic via search engines, help you grow your audience, and facilitate the sales funnel.
If you can almost hear crickets when you click on yours, it’s time to outsource your blog posts.
2. You’re not a content writer yourself
Just because you used to be pretty good at English in school, it doesn’t mean you can write blog posts that drive results.
For this to happen, they need to be:
Written specifically for your target audience
Written from a marketing rather than literary or artistic perspective
Optimised for SEO using the right keywords
Part of a wider content marketing strategy
That’s why ‘content writer’ is an actual job title!
3. You haven’t got an in-house content writer
If you’re not a copywriter but you do have an in-house content writer, then you probably don’t need to outsource blog posts.
However, if you don’t, how else do you expect to get results and an ROI?
Unless you’re happy to hire an in-house content writer and pay them a full wage every single month, outsourcing your blog to a freelance blog writer is your best option… and waaaaay more cost-effective (more on that later).
4. Your business blog hasn’t been a priority in… a while
Well, if you only blog whenever you remember about it and you simply churn out a quick article on the first topic you can think of, then it’s normal that you haven’t been getting tangible results.
However, I get it: planning and writing high-quality content takes a ton of time!
Outsourcing content creation will mean that you won’t have to worry about it anymore: someone else will make it their priority for you.
Now that we’ve covered the most common reasons why you might need to outsource your blog (guilty?), let’s get to the exciting part.
8 benefits you unlock when you outsource blog posts
1. You won’t run the risk of ‘forgetting’ about your blog
When it comes to blogging (and preparing Bloody Marys for me, but that’s a different story), consistency is key.
The more you blog, the more opportunities you have to reach new members of your target audience, but… honestly?
Committing to one article a week is much better than going on a daily blogging spree for two weeks and then forgetting about it for three months.
When you outsource your blog, someone else will take care of it, and you can bet anything that they will stick to the number of articles that you’ve agreed upon.
2. You’ll get a content strategy rather than lots of standalone articles
Writing blog posts without a strategy is like attempting a few chords without knowing what song you’re playing: you might make a nice sound, but that’s about it. It won’t lead to much. Just like buying a couple of blog posts for £10 on Fiverr.
You’ll get words on a page.
Even worse, you’ll probably end up blogging about internal news like “We’re delighted to announce that we’ve just been nominated for…”
Yeah, nobody cares.
When you outsource your blog to a professional blog writer, you’ll get an actual content strategy based on your USP, industry, and the interests of your target audience.
For example, when I write blog posts for my clients I focus on:
Creating content for all the stages of the funnel (especially the top)
Interlinking them to help leads move across its different stages
Researching both popular and untapped topics for their audience
Using the right keywords to help them show up on Google
Retaining readers by turning them into followers or subscribers
Bringing value with EVERY. SINGLE. BLOG POST.
3. Outsourcing your blog posts is more cost-effective than hiring an in-house content writer
The average salary of a content writer in the UK is currently £22,510 (1). And don’t forget that you’ll need to pay for their holidays, time off sick, and equipment.
When you outsource your blog, you only pay for what you actually get.
As a freelance blog writer myself, I promise I pay for my own time off, laptop, and coffee (the latter would especially cost you a ton of money by the end of the year!).
On top of that, don’t forget that content marketing costs 62% less than traditional techniques and generates 3 times as many leads (2).
4. You’ll show your audience that you care about them
By having a blog that’s updated regularly with informational and educational content (no more boring company news!), you’ll show your dream customers that you want to start a conversation with them.
Your brand is NOT all about blowing its own trumpet! 🎺
It’s about bringing value to its audience and welcoming them into its world.
5. You’ll attract more people via search engines
Wanna know a secret? Well, it’s not a secret for content marketers, but it is for companies that insist on blogging about internal news or ‘February updates’.
Every single blog post is a new website page and, as such, a chance to rank for a different long-tail keyword.
For example, my main website pages are optimised for SEO keywords like ‘website copywriter’ and ‘blog writing services.
However, thanks to my blog posts, I’ve managed to attract leads who were googling specific topics or questions like “why is my website not ranking” or “what does a copywriter do”.
And the best thing is... once those articles have been published and promoted, they will always be out there!
They’ll bring you leads even when you’re sleeping (without waking you up, of course).
To give you an idea, check out the case study for the blogging strategy I’ve created for a sustainable fashion website.
6. Your overall website SEO will be boosted, too
When you outsource content writing, you won’t only get lots of new chances to rank for new keywords: the SEO of your entire website will also benefit from it!
There are several ways in which blogging helps SEO, but, to give you an idea:
An average of 97% more inbound links (3)
More opportunities to add internal links
Fresh content that shows Google that your website is still relevant
An average of 434% more indexed pages
7. A blog writer will position you as an expert in your field
If you’ve finally decided to part with your hard-earned money to, say, get some coffee sent to your home every week, who are you more likely to buy from?
Company A whose website is all about how much they love their industry
Company B whose website includes a blog full of articles like “What’s the ACTUAL difference between light, medium, and dark roasts?” or “How to make the best coffee with your French press?”
Company B, right?
That’s because their blog immediately shows that they actually know a freakin’ lot about their sector.
They’re not just saying “we’re passionate about the coffee industry” (boring and corporate): they’ve created a blog that welcomes you into their world and helps you make the most of it.
By doing the same, you can build trust and position yourself as a thought-leading expert in your field.
8. You’ll save a ton of time
Yes, coming up with the right strategy, researching keywords, and writing high-quality blog posts takes time.
But guess what? That’s my job!
You’re already badass at what you do, so why would you want to waste a few hours writing when you can outsource your blog posts?
Once you do, you’ll basically put your blog on autopilot.
All you have to worry about is sending me some quick bullet points and… enjoying the results.
How much does it cost to outsource blogging?
The cost of outsourcing blogging varies depending on several factors.
For example, your industry, how many blog posts you would benefit from every month, how long they should be, whether or not the writer would also be in charge of coming up with the actual strategy and content calendar, etc.
That’s why most content writers and blogging strategists quote per project.
Personally, I have a standard package for the Blog Business Booster🚀, my signature blogging retainer. Its highlights:
blogging strategy and content calendar
quarterly planning & strategy sessions
collaborative topic idea generation
2 x monthly blog posts (up to 1,000 words each) based on your input as an expert and my additional, in-depth research
Keyword research and SEO whenever possible
More perks and bonuses to help you get the very best out of your investment and blog
Currently £400 per month - Additional and longer blog posts will be quoted per project, if requested
Unlike on content mills like UpWork, you’re not just paying for “words on a page”: you’re investing in a strategy and consultancy to get some actual results out of your blog.
Outsource your blog to a writer & strategist for female entrepreneurs (moi!)
Realised it is indeed time to outsrouce your blog posts? Don’t waste your time and budget on crappy content written without a strategy.
Through the Blog Business Booster🚀, I’ll turn the website of your female-founded brand into a lead-generating machine. And position you as a thought-leading expert in your field.
That way, you’ll be THE name that immediately pops up in your dream audience’s minds when they’re ready to buy.
More #crafty blog posts on this topic:
References
(n.d.). Average Content Writer Salary in United Kingdom. Retrieved from https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Content_Writer/Salary
(n.d.). Content Marketing Infographic. Retrieved from https://www.demandmetric.com/content/content-marketing-infographic
Burnes, R. (2017, September 5). Study Shows Business Blogging Leads to 55% More Website Visitors. Retrieved from https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/5014/study-shows-business-blogging-leads-to-55-more-website-visitors.aspx