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How to find a content writer and how to pay him properly.

by SantiSantana
6 replies
I am at a point in which I need to find one ( or more) content writers. Being a start up with limited capital but knowing about the need to pay decently if I want decent content my questions are:

1.- I know which type of content I want ( short tutorials on specific tasks) and I also have a good idea of the style in which I want them. Do I show the candidates one such tutorial so they "copy" the style or do I let them show me the stuff they usually do and hire the one that´s closer to what I want? Does it affect workflow one way or another?

2.- How do I get to a fair agreement on price that will allow me to pay them more as I start generating income from the project ( may take a few months)?

3.- Why is mussaman curry paste not widely available througout the world? ( most delicious curry ever IMHO).

Thanks in advance for your replies.
#content #find #pay #properly #writer
  • Profile picture of the author Mr. Enthusiastic
    Hi Santi,

    Proper pay makes most writers content.

    1. I recommend you provide examples of what you want. Ask writers to provide a sample of something similar. Give a small assignment to the ones that seem competent. Give more assignments to whoever does the best job for what you need.

    2. Be up front with your budget and your sales expectations. The writers will be able to tell you whether their price range is compatible with your budget. They may be able to indicate what profit percentage will let them start at a low fee. Be aware that some writers may be unwilling to take the risk that your project will pay off; after all, that involves a lot of factors outside of their writing. Your idea puts their pay at the mercy of whether or not everyone else does their part. Is that really fair?

    3. If the town has enough Hindus for a temple, they should be able to refer you to the local Indian grocery store. Then you're set for curry! But watch out if it's authentically very spicy!

    Chris
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    • Profile picture of the author SantiSantana
      I understand paying out of profits is too much of "ifs" and "buts" so I was thinking perhaps the right thing to do is to simply step up the fees, perhaps based on performance ( which is not really fair because performance doesn´t depend solely on them but also on me with how I market the site and all) so that the more posts I assign them the more I pay them.

      I am really unfamiliar with this part to be honest, which is why I look for someone that has experience dealing with content issues. I am absolutely certain that it won´t be long before I cannot write it myself so I´d rather outsource this part straight away.
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      Writer for hire

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  • Profile picture of the author Mr. Enthusiastic
    It just depends on who you find. Some people might prefer a profit share, some might just want to get paid as they go with more work if the project succeeds. I think you're really smart to line up your vendors before things get too hectic. Good luck with the project!
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  • Profile picture of the author Nickolie0990
    1. When you are outsourcing content generation, it is always a good idea to give them as much details as you can. Do not be vague, tell them exactly what you want, and giving them an example is a good idea. You could also ask to check there work, and to fix any errors or touch ups that do not meet your standards or what you are looking for. In addition, you should always look at there past works, too see if they are written well and are the kind of content that you want. As Mr. Enthusiatic said, start small, then delgate the work to the best performers.

    2. A fair agreement is important, I always like to pay for the good stuff, that way I always have the good stuff. What I would do, sense you said you don't have the capital or it may be a few months before you start to generate income.

    There is a couple of things you could do, you could find a way to get the capital, you can barter with them. Little weird, I know, but if it works. Or you can pay for what you need most right now, then work on it a little yourself, and then over time keep outsourcing parts of it, then when over time you will have it all done.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bev Clement
    Originally Posted by SantiSantana View Post

    I am at a point in which I need to find one ( or more) content writers. Being a start up with limited capital but knowing about the need to pay decently if I want decent content my questions are:

    1.- I know which type of content I want ( short tutorials on specific tasks) and I also have a good idea of the style in which I want them. Do I show the candidates one such tutorial so they "copy" the style or do I let them show me the stuff they usually do and hire the one that´s closer to what I want? Does it affect workflow one way or another?

    Showing them a sample of the style you want the work written would always be the best idea. The problem with asking them to show you the work they usually do might not be possible, because of client confidentiality. If you asked me to give you an idea of my recent work, then it would include a manuscript for an offline book, press releases, autoresponder series, screenplay script, technical book, articles.

    See the point, I don't just write one thing and then stick to it. We are in discussion with a company about writing their physical course for them. They gave us a sample of how they would like them written and formatted, and this works, because there is no guesswork, and both sides are singing from the same page.

    2.- How do I get to a fair agreement on price that will allow me to pay them more as I start generating income from the project ( may take a few months)?

    This is something you'll need to discuss with the writer. The person might allow you to do a payment plan to help you out. What you won't find many writers willing to do, is spend say a month or two on a project for free, with the promise that maybe one day they will be paid.

    I know many wannabe writers (not saying you) say, I have this brilliant idea for a fiction book, will you write it for me, and then when a publisher accepts it, you can have a share of the royalities. Who knows if any publisher would accept it, and a writer would be foolish to do this for a client, when the client has a manuscript ready and waiting.

    3.- Why is mussaman curry paste not widely available througout the world? ( most delicious curry ever IMHO).

    I've no idea, I know we could get it in China, Hong Kong and Thailand, not tried anywhere else in the world.

    Thanks in advance for your replies.
    You will see I have answered you above

    It is a delicious curry, and I have the recipe to make your own paste if you can't buy it.
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    • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
      Originally Posted by Bev Clement View Post


      It is a delicious curry, and I have the recipe to make your own paste if you can't buy it.
      I have to second this.. it is a delicious "curry", although it is a paste more commonly used to improve other dishes.. in it's curry form, though, I love it

      It's simple enough to knock together yourself

      Peace

      Jay
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      Bare Murkage.........

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