Content marketing generates three times more leads than outbound marketing. But that’s not all. Quality content influences customer buying behavior and costs significantly less than paid advertising.
If you own a marketing agency, you may be thinking about hiring content writers.
As a business owner, you may not have the time to write website content yourself. Plus, you need a copywriting team to create blog posts, reports, and website copy for your clients.
That’s a great idea, but there are some drawbacks you should consider. Good content writers are in high demand, and hiring one is anything but cheap. The cost of employing an entire writing team is in the six-figure range.
Have you considered outsourcing content creation? This option is more affordable than hiring an in-house team. Plus, you’ll have access to a global talent pool and different skill sets.
But don’t just take our word for it. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of hiring full-time writers versus outsourcing your content.
Why Hire Content Writers?
Having an in-house writing team comes with its perks. This option makes it easier to build a team that aligns with your company’s culture and values.
In-house writers tend to pay more attention to the specific needs of your marketing agency. They will work together to define and maintain your brand voice. Furthermore, they’ll get to know your clients and adapt their writing style to meet their needs.
Another advantage of hiring content writers rather than outsourcing is that you’ll be in the same office and have the same working hours.
This can facilitate communication and prevent misunderstandings. Plus, you can keep an eye on your team and provide directions as needed.
Your writing team will likely develop stronger brand knowledge over time compared to an external team. If, say, your marketing agency appeals to healthcare providers, you can train your employees to write in a style that resonates with your audience.
This approach to content creation also eliminates the risk of dependency on third parties.
Freelance writers come and go, but a permanent employee will stick with your company for years to come. If he decides to leave, you can still rely on your other team members to get the job done.
As an employer, you can provide training to your writers to help them grow and improve. Over time, your team will become more knowledgeable and more productive, which may improve your company’s bottom line.
When you hire in-house writers, you know which team members are best suited for each niche and topic. They will focus solely on your company’s needs instead of juggling multiple clients.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Hiring Content Writers?
Like everything else, hiring content writers comes with its drawbacks. First of all, it’s a lot more expensive than outsourcing.
The average content marketer salary is around $52,866 per year and can go up to $81,000, depending on his experience and location. Content writers make about $45,493 per year.
Experienced freelance writers charge anywhere between $75 and $100 per hour — and you probably won’t need one 40 hours a week.
If you do the math, you’ll see that it’s much cheaper to outsource work than hire an in-house team.
Recruiting, hiring, training, and then keeping an employee takes a lot of money. Back in 2012, the cost of hiring a skilled employee for a role that required advanced education was more than 200% of his annual salary. Not to mention the time it takes to fill a role.
Now imagine that one or more of your writers leave after a few months of employment. That’s money down the drain. As an employer, you must start all over and pay a fortune to find a good fit for your team.
Outsourcing doesn’t involve these risks. Freelance writers pay for training themselves. You don’t even have to give freelancers W-2s or any kind benefit, such as health insurance.
Another drawback of hiring content writers is that you may not be able to find the right person. That’s especially true for companies located in smaller cities. Plus, top employees may require higher salaries and extra perks.
Outsourcing Is Cheaper, Faster, and More Convenient
The global outsourcing market was worth over $92.5 billion in 2019.
Nearly 80% of organizations feel positive about their outsourcing relationship. About 60% see it as an effective cost-cutting tool, while 47% say that outsourcing solves capacity issues.
Outsourcing content creating gives you access to greater intellectual capital. You can handpick writers for each project without having to worry about training them.
This option not only helps reduce your overhead costs but also allows you to scale quickly.
As a marketing agency, you can hire freelance writers to tackle projects in various niches, from health to technology. These professionals have in-depth knowledge in their field and keep up with the latest industry trends.
When you launch a new project or work with a new client, you don’t know how things will go.
Hiring content writers for a specific project involves the costs of training, employment contracts, or even new software. If the project fails or your client isn’t satisfied with the outcome, you end up losing money.
Outsourcing helps mitigate these risks.
Sure, you still lose money if a project fails, but the damage will be less severe. On top of that, you can hire and fire as needed without dealing with extensive paperwork.
Leverage Outsourcing to Grow Your Marketing Firm
All in all, outsourcing content creation is more convenient than hiring content writers. With this option, there’s more diversity in writing style and expertise.
Marketing agencies can save time and money with outsourced writing services.
As a business owner, you’ll have access to a more diverse range of voices and skills, from copywriting and editing to content management. This option works particularly well for large-scale, long-term projects.
Are you ready to take the plunge and outsource content writing? See our guide on how to find the best freelance writers for your team.
Don’t hesitate to contact us and discuss your needs. Our talent network is one click away.
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