How to find high quality content writers?

31 replies
Hi,

I haven't had much luck finding a good content writer. I'm willing to pay the price for the quality. Definitely someone whose native language is English.

I have looked few outsourcing sites... how do you guys go about finding quality content writers?

If you have some writers you've happy with, how did you find them?
#content #find #high #quality #writers
  • Profile picture of the author issac
    I like vWorker. But be forewarned that the really good quality people there will take $5+ per 100 words
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    • Profile picture of the author OhioWriter
      If you let me know what you need in an email (contact info and such is all in my signature), I could see if I can help you out. I have a decent amount of testimonials on my for hire thread as well.
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      I'm a US college educated writer looking to provide you with quality content, product reviews and more. Click here to learn more and to contact me.
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    • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
      Originally Posted by issac View Post

      I like vWorker. But be forewarned that the really good quality people there will take $5+ per 100 words
      You saved me a bunch of writing with this comment.

      Five cents a word doesn't come close to getting you a quality writer. You may get a decent writer for that. You may even luck out and get a good writer but really good writers get far more than a nickle a word.
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      • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
        Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

        Five cents a word doesn't come close to getting you a quality writer.
        Professional writing associations do not allow any writer to claim anything as "experience" if it paid less than 5 cents a word.

        In other words, if it isn't at least 5 cents a word, it isn't even writing. Let alone good writing.
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        • Profile picture of the author Brad Callen
          Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

          Professional writing associations do not allow any writer to claim anything as "experience" if it paid less than 5 cents a word.

          In other words, if it isn't at least 5 cents a word, it isn't even writing. Let alone good writing.
          That's a pretty broad statement. I'm not sure how that can be proven. It just depends on the person writing for you. I've had people write for me that charged less than a penny a word and they were better than people charging 25 cents a word.
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          • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
            Originally Posted by Brad Callen View Post

            That's a pretty broad statement. I'm not sure how that can be proven.
            Well, you go look at the requirements for membership at various writers' associations. For example, the HWA has this requirement:


            SECTION 3. Active membership requires one or more of the following:
            1. Three or more separate publications or sales of short works of fiction whose combined total length equals or exceeds 7,500 words, sold at professional rates and containing one or more elements of horror or dark literature. Professional rates are defined in this case as five cents (5�) or more per word. "Publications or sales" is defined to mean either publication, or the receipt of payment for future publication; the signing of a contract shall not constitute sale until the first payment has been received.
            You'll find that most professional associations for writers tend to agree that if you're not getting five cents a word, it's not professional writing and you don't get to count it as experience.
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            "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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  • Profile picture of the author Ridgway
    I've had some of the best quality out of writers found on journalismjobs.com, but be prepared to pay for the quality.

    Issac, thanks for the vWorker referral. Have used elance since 2002, but they have really gone downhill. I'm posting a couple vWorker projects today.
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    Ridgway
    Too Adult ADD for a real job,
    I love internet marketing.

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  • Profile picture of the author Rose Anderson
    There are many good writers in the Warrior for Hire section of the forum.

    Place a small order at first to see if you're happy with their quality and style.

    Rose
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  • Profile picture of the author WilliamBlah
    When I write for clients I charge between $2-$4 per 100 words (including time to research), and I'm only ever cheaper than that when the writing is very basic.
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  • Profile picture of the author NicoleBeckett
    Ditto on Rose's advice... the Warriors for Hire section is a great resource.

    Once you find some "potentials" in there, ask them some specific questions - like how long it will take to get your order finished, what kind of credentials they have, whether or not they outsource any of their writing, and the basics of their editorial process (like who looks over the writing before it's sent out). Also, be sure to find out how you can look at a few samples of their work. Good writers won't send over a free article or send you any of their clients' work (after all, they don't own the rights to it anymore!), but they'll have some content on their own website or places they can refer you to, so that you can get a look at their writing style.

    As far as making a final choice, go with your gut. If someone just doesn't "feel right", find someone else. And feel free to place a small order first. That way, you're not risking a whole ton of money right upfront if your writer doesn't "talk the talk" as well as he "walks the walk"
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  • Profile picture of the author Val Wilson
    I have found some good writers on iWriter : Article Writing Service | Get Content For Your Website, Cheap! - but be sure to only submit to Elite writers. I also used the services of another Warrior - Premier Content Source - SEO Content Writing - more expensive, but great quality articles. As others have already said, if you want good quality articles you have to be prepared pay for them.
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    • Profile picture of the author JeanneLynn
      Originally Posted by Val Wilson View Post

      I have found some good writers on iWriter : Article Writing Service | Get Content For Your Website, Cheap! - but be sure to only submit to Elite writers. I also used the services of another Warrior - Premier Content Source - SEO Content Writing - more expensive, but great quality articles. As others have already said, if you want good quality articles you have to be prepared pay for them.
      I checked out iwriter.com and the top writers had some pretty horrendous comments, especially the writer in 3rd place. Alot of 1 star comments saying the article was gibberish and made no sense, ect.
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  • Profile picture of the author anthony2
    you can checkout a article service called
    NeedAnArticle.

    i've been using them for a long time and never
    had a problem with them.
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  • Profile picture of the author chrissyb
    I don't really sell myself as an article writer, but I do enjoy it. I used to write copy for major contracts departments, sales presentations etc., but through that job I retrained as a graphic designer. But I always have one eye on the written word!

    Some of the article writing is of a poor standard. If you're not a native speaker I think it's tough to get the flow of the language - even if you pass something like the Cambridge Proficiency Exam, I think you're still some way off matching a well educated native speaker. It has something subtle to do with the flow of the language.

    But still for article marketing perhaps it's not too much of an issue? The market is not just aimed out educated native speakers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brad Callen
    Jeanne, you're looking at the list of "most prolific writers" on iwriter. That is a list of writers that have written the most content in the past 2 weeks. It's not a list of the highest quality/rated writers in the past 2 weeks. There are 2 separate lists.
    - most prolific
    - highest rated

    Those lists are mainly there for aesthetic purposes. Most prolific would help those that just wanted to quickly find someone that cranks out articles FAST. Highest rated shows those that write quickly and still well. When you use iWriter, just select Elite writers only and ignore those lists. That's not how you should be using iWriter.

    Also, keep in mind those lists are just a VERY tiny sample of those that have had the highest star ratings PLUS the most written articles in the past 2 weeks. There are 100s of other VERY good writers that didn't make the list simply because they don't crank out articles as fast. It's possible that those listed in the "top writers" list on the home page aren't even Elite writers (in fact, many are not). They just happened to have good reviews the past 2 weeks, and have written a lot. Submitting to "Elite writers" ensures you're submitting to ONLY people with 4.6 stars or higher. It's nearly impossible to have a writer that isn't really good, write for you, if you select that option.

    That's why you should submit to "Elite" writers and not just pick a couple from the "top writers" list. You can then build your own list of your OWN "top writers" whom you can add to your favorites list and then submit to them over and over and over again.

    Does this make sense?

    Brad
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Worner
    Generally speaking unless you yourself are an exceptional writer you will have a very difficult time differentiating between good, bad, mediocre, exceptional etc. writing. You must have a very good understanding of the topic of the article you want created as well.

    -Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author iamseo
    I use fiverr for content writing, from that website I am able to get three content witters from that website.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paleochora
    Steer clear of obvious 'sweatshops' as many of the writing is farmed out to people who are clearly not native English speakers.

    This will become eveident when you open the articles up and find a large re-writing and editing job on your hands.
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  • Profile picture of the author lastreporter
    Originally Posted by workplay View Post

    Hi,

    I haven't had much luck finding a good content writer. I'm willing to pay the price for the quality. Definitely someone whose native language is English.

    I have looked few outsourcing sites... how do you guys go about finding quality content writers?

    If you have some writers you've happy with, how did you find them?
    The Facts Of Life On Acquiring Quality Freelance Writers

    Quality content that is original, researched, well-written and passes Panda cost real money.

    As a former Washington, DC reporter and copywriter with more than 20 years experience, I advertised on this forum a couple of times at lower rates.

    As a result, now have three clients who are paying me many times the original amount and keep me busy six days a week. I turned down more business this week, and I am booked up until February 2012. I never take more than I can handle because it is bad for me and my clients.

    Why am I booked up to capacity?

    Because my well-researched professional articles get indexed and bring many hits to my clients' sites. It's really simple.

    I charge $50 for 1,000 words, $30 for 500 words.

    These are low prices. It takes me three hours or more to write a quality 1,000 word article. I am good.

    So, if you are looking to pay less than the minimum amounts I said I am getting, then I am afraid you will be doomed to second-rate work.

    Think about it.

    Would any talented, professional writer with real credentials work for minimum wage -- or less?

    You get what you pay for.

    As I said, I am booked up. I don't even put a link in my signature anymore. I pick and choose my clients and the work they offer very carefully.

    I suggest you carefully read the posts of some of the writers in this thread who are writing quality work and seek a referral through one of them. They also may be booked up. Most good writers are!

    But, if you think you can get good articles with all rights for $5 or $10, you will continue to be disappointed.
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  • Profile picture of the author Osman_M
    What I usually do is hire atleast 7-8 writes from Odesk. I only choose native english writers. I give each one the same topic to write around. I keep the 4 best. Give those 4 another project. After that I keep the 2 best and role with them.
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  • Profile picture of the author zk46
    i can help you with HIGH quality articles for 3$ 100 words..If you are interested add my on skype--->isi.taho and i can send you some samples.! I GUARANTEE you that you will love the work as my other clients. The person that works for me its really a professional in articles writing.!

    Regards
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  • Profile picture of the author nicolas simpson
    U can get them from this forum.
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    Discover Reggae | Dancehall [Jamaica]
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  • Profile picture of the author nm5419
    Hmm... so the thread turned from "where can i find" to "how much does a professional charge." Put the latter to rest with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Writers and Authors. The former, with issac's reply.
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    • Profile picture of the author lastreporter
      Originally Posted by nm5419 View Post

      Hmm... so the thread turned from "where can i find" to "how much does a professional charge." Put the latter to rest with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Writers and Authors. The former, with issac's reply.
      Good info. But I think the reason the thread is going this way is because he didn't specify how much he was already paying, but did mention some services that pay writers $5 per article on average.

      So, if he had asked where can I find good writer's at wages based on the BLS statistics, I don't think he would have to look far.

      This is my interpretation at least.

      How about if I ask the poster this question?

      How much are you paying writers now? And when you say you are willing to pay for quality, what range did you have in mind?

      If he says $10, then he should read my reply. If he says, Hell, I'm willing to pay $50 for 1,000 word article, then I think he will have little trouble attracting quality writers on this forum.

      They will come to him.
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      • Profile picture of the author nm5419
        Originally Posted by lastreporter View Post

        Good info. But I think the reason the thread is going this way is because he [...] did mention some services that pay writers $5 per article on average.
        The OP didn't mention that at all.
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        • Profile picture of the author lastreporter
          Originally Posted by nm5419 View Post

          The OP didn't mention that at all.
          I stand corrected, he didn't.

          Here is what he said:


          "I have looked few outsourcing sites"

          And he is having trouble finding good writers. He also said he wanted someone who is a native English speaker. I took this as a hint he might be perusing outsourcing sites where many writers are not native English speakers.

          Granted -- an assumption on my part.

          Let me ask the poster another question -- so I can really understand the dearth of good content writers he is experiencing.

          What outsourcing sites have you tried?

          Is that fair enough?
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          • Profile picture of the author nm5419
            Originally Posted by lastreporter View Post

            Let me ask the poster another question -- so I can really understand the dearth of good content writers he is experiencing.

            What outsourcing sites have you tried?

            Is that fair enough?
            Well... technically.... he said he only looked at them... so...

            :p
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            • Profile picture of the author lastreporter
              Originally Posted by nm5419 View Post

              Well... technically.... he said he only looked at them... so...

              :p
              You are correct on your original point and this one as well. Good logic!
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  • Profile picture of the author BlackRob
    I always say use either Warrior Forum, warriors for hire section, or Fiverr.com if you are looking for good content writers.

    However always ask for a sample of previous work from the person you contact to do business with, if they don't agree, never do business with them, as good writers are always happy to give you a sample.
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    • Profile picture of the author NicoleBeckett
      Originally Posted by BlackRob View Post

      However always ask for a sample of previous work from the person you contact to do business with, if they don't agree, never do business with them, as good writers are always happy to give you a sample.
      Rob's right... good writers will always have something to show you. Just be warned that it may/may not cover your exact subject matter. For example, I've got articles on my website and posts on my blog that are supposed to be informative to visitors (and also a great look at the kind of quality you can expect if you place an order with us). I always refer potential customers to them for both of those reasons.

      Some people, however, want to see content that I've written for someone in their exact niche. I never give it to them, and no good writer will either. Here's why:

      - I don't own the copyrights to it anymore, so technically, it's not mine to give

      - My clients wouldn't appreciate me handing over work (to their competitors, no less!) that they've paid for.

      - There's nothing to prevent someone from asking for a "sample", then taking the article and posting it everywhere under their name. That's something I would never want to be responsible for.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jra
    Check out some local college boards too. I have found some really great writers who are college kids looking to make an extra dime.
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    "Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience."

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