Get this! In a 2013 study, 54% of small businesses admitted it’s a challenge to come up with engaging content, and 64% said that producing enough content is tough.

I believe it. Consider how much your small business relies on content – it’s probably quite a bit more than you think.

Think about it.

Here’s a quick list off the top of my head outlining all the reasons small businesses have hired me.

  • Website content
  • Blog posts
  • Social media posts
  • E-blasts
  • Emails
  • Newsletters
  • Brochures
  • Product descriptions
  • Whitepapers
  • Infographics
  • Magazine and newspaper articles
  • Press releases
  • Advertorials and ads

And on and on and on. It’s a lot of work, right? So what aren’t small business owners banging down my door?

They’re a little scared

Really! And it makes sense. A lot of small business owners and entrepreneurs have been running a one-man show for ages, and it’s scary handing over some amount of control to someone on the outside. Plus, how can a hired writer even know where to start? How can he/she write effectively about an unknown industry?

Those are reasonable concerns, but the thing about working with a freelance writer is the collaboration that develops. My clients are all active participants in what I do for them – they’re the experts in their fields, after all, and our goal is getting that expertise out there. My job is just getting it all down in a way that resonates with the right people.

And then there’s the price tag

Another potential roadblock on the road to hiring a freelance writer for your small business is the cost. What does a good writer run these days? That depends. A quick Google search for a freelance writer will return thousands of hits, but that old adage holds true – you get what you pay for. And someone willing to blog for $1 or $5 or $20 per post may sound like a deal, but proceed with caution.

Yes, you’ll spend money hiring a good writer, but time is money, and you’ll save time when you contract out those projects. Ask yourself how much time you spend on your blog, social posts and e-blasts – or how much you spend meaning to work on them – and whether you’d be better served handing them off to someone qualified so you can focus on other responsibilities.

Most writers are reasonable and will work with you on some sort of monthly arrangement, or meet your budget for a one-time project. You just have to ask.

and they prefer to handle it themselves

This is a mix of concerns #1 and #2 noted above – some small biz owners think it’s cheaper, easier and faster to just do it themselves. And while it may be true that they can avoid writing a check if they don’t hire a writer, how much time and energy and angst are they really saving?

If your business is making and selling blankets, you’re an expert in blankets – which fabrics are best, ideal sizes, pleasing colors, all the details that matter in the blanket world. But are you just as proficient at writing effective, strategic blog posts and enticing website content? Maybe you are, or maybe you just think you can wing it. Either way, it’s probably worth your time to sit down with a writer to see what you’ll get for your money.

Here’s the bottom line

If you own a small business that survives on customers or clients, managing your impression with the help of a great writer is a savvy move. When you bring the right person on board, you’ll save time and hassle, manage projects more efficiently and see measurable results – like selling more blankets.

Want to know more? I’d love to hear all about your business and give you an idea of how I can help. Get in touch today.