How Much Do You Pay for Outsourced Writers?

[TotoMuffinMan]

Sorry if asked before but how much do people pay for outsourced writing? Also do you ever charge per hour or always per words? Thanks.

 

[Cash Builder]

Sorry if asked before but how much do people pay for outsourced writing? Also do you ever charge per hour or always per words? Thanks.

I pay between $20 - $30 per 1000 words. I’ve found there’s not much difference between this price point and more expensive writers.

I always pay per word, most writers prefer this as they can work faster and earn more.

 

[thisishatred]

I pay between $20 - $30 per 1000 words. I’ve found there’s not much difference between this price point and more expensive writers.

I always pay per word, most writers prefer this as they can work faster and earn more.

So this is a pretty good starting point in terms of cost per word.

I'd also never pay a freelance writer to work "hourly" because whose to say they spend that time actually writing vs bullshitting. There are definite ways to monitor this, however that just involves more time. Finding an agreeable rate at a cost per word is much more worthwhile for both parties, especially over time.

In my opinion, the criteria that adjusts the cost per word is based on: location and education.

It's also all in the SOP. To be frank, if your SOP sucks, the output of the writer will also suck. You can't expect someone to know EXACTLY how YOU want the article done. I'm a firm believer in that people can only do as well as what they're told to do. Also the same goes for YOU, don't give an inch, they'll take a mile. Meaning if they can't follow the SOP or you find yourself regularly making grammar/formatting/stylistic adjustments, stop working with them.

Some of the best writers I have are Filipinos and they are $0.01 per word; This is based on location. I also pay their Paypal fees and give regular performance bonuses.

My writers from the USA/UK that don't have an educational background in the niche but know how to write are $0.03 per word (the amount @Cash Builder noted). Again, this is based on location and education.

My Writers in the States/UK that are $0.05/word are highly educated on very niche topics (ie, a Mechanic writing about automotive repair), they have qualifications/certifications and I get to list that background on my site (also paying for their likeness).

All this is important to keep in mind too when working with a content mill or someone who manages writers. Their writers are likely in that tier of $0.01-$0.03 and then the mill/manager takes a rate on top of that. These services aren't necessarily bad, they're just trained how to write in a certain way that may or may not require edits. Even in these circumstances, this can't be re-stated enough: "...people can only do as well as what they're told to do."

 

[city17]

My Writers in the States/UK that are $0.05/word are highly educated on very niche topics (ie, a Mechanic writing about automotive repair), they have qualifications/certifications and I get to list that background on my site (also paying for their likeness).

Can I ask where you recruit those very niche topic, educated writers? I'm in a similar situation where my niche is too specific/technical for generic writers, and I'm looking to recruit a writer with personal experience in the niche. I'm currently trying to find someone through niche forums, but I'm curious where you recruited them from. When I posted something on Upwork I only got terrible applications.

 

[thisishatred]

Can I ask where you recruit those very niche topic, educated writers? I'm in a similar situation where my niche is too specific/technical for generic writers, and I'm looking to recruit a writer with personal experience in the niche. I'm currently trying to find someone through niche forums, but I'm curious where you recruited them from. When I posted something on Upwork I only got terrible applications.

So depending on the niche, who ranks, etc. You would be surprised how easy it is to message the writers for other sites and to get them on-board writing for you. This is obviously problematic if the sites that exist are single author blogs. However I’ve yet to enter a niche where multiple authors didn’t exist and one didn’t get back to me.

For single author blogs: Another strategy I use is to go deep into the SERPS and find blogs that are run by people who clearly know the niche. They may not rank for a multitude of reasons but they also aren’t making any money. Their sites tend to look like early html/css blogs, the blog content is usually orphaned but the information is usually informed. These people usually just need a bit of direction in terms of formatting. This also provides incentive as you could market what you’re offering as teaching them how to write for the web; They are able to apply what they’re taught to their own sites (again they don’t rank for a reason, that’s leverage/incentive enough).

I’ve only had bad experiences with Upwork. I can’t personally vouch for writers sourced from problogger.com but I’ve heard good things from people who hire writers from there.

 

[city17]

For single author blogs: Another strategy I use is to go deep into the SERPS and find blogs that are run by people who clearly know the niche. They may not rank for a multitude of reasons but they also aren’t making any money. Their sites tend to look like early html/css blogs, the blog content is usually orphaned but the information is usually informed. These people usually just need a bit of direction in terms of formatting. This also provides incentive as you could market what you’re offering as teaching them how to write for the web; They are able to apply what they’re taught to their own sites (again they don’t rank for a reason, that’s leverage/incentive enough).

Thanks, that's an idea that might work for my niche. Can't really poach any writers from competitors, because most competition is just listing whatever sells on Amazon without any insight. But I do know of some true experts who have quite obscure sites. Problogger looks promising too.

 

[iamkingsleyf]

In my local currency I pay let's say ₦100 per 100 words.

That's like $0.26 per 100 words.

Most of my writers are locals though

 

[proto]

In my local currency I pay let's say ₦100 per 100 words.

That's like $0.26 per 100 words.

Most of my writers are locals though

How is the quality?

 

[iamkingsleyf]

How is the quality?

Very good

 

[WinMore]

In my local currency I pay let's say ₦100 per 100 words.

That's like $0.26 per 100 words.

Most of my writers are locals though

I'm guessing it's not in English tho?