How to Hire a Freelance Writer

When I first started scaling one of my businesses, I told myself I could “just write it all.” A few blog posts here, a newsletter there, a quick homepage refresh on a Sunday night.

And at first, it worked — until it didn’t.

Because the problem wasn’t talent. The problem was capacity. Consistent, high-quality writing takes time. And when you’re building a business, time is the first thing to disappear.

Then I hired a writer who understood my audience. The difference was immediate: the writing didn’t just go live — it worked. It brought in the right readers, turned into subscribers, sparked replies, and helped build an audience I could keep showing up for.

That’s when I realized hiring a writer isn’t just outsourcing words. It’s investing in momentum.

If you’re ready to hire a freelance writer but don’t know where to start, this guide will walk you through what to look for, how to assess fit, and where to find writers who can actually deliver.

And if you want to skip the guesswork: ✍️ Make Writing Your Job is a curated writing job board. For $29, post your role and get real applicants within days — writers who specialize in what you need, without the spam.

What Does a Freelance Writer Actually Do?

Before you hire the right person, it helps to understand what “writer” can mean — and what you’re actually hiring them to create.

A great freelance writer doesn’t just “write.” They can:

• Learn your voice and match it consistently

• Translate complex ideas into clear, compelling language

• Research your audience (and what they care about)

• Structure content so it’s readable and persuasive

• Write with a specific goal in mind (trust, clicks, conversions, sign-ups)

• Hit deadlines and handle feedback like a pro

Think of them as a hybrid of communicator + strategist. Their job is to turn what you mean into writing that people actually understand — and act on.

Step One: Define Your Goal and What You’re Hiring For

Not every writer is the right fit for every job. Before you post a role, get clear on:

1) What success looks like

• More organic traffic?

• More subscribers?

• Better conversion on your website?

• Stronger founder voice and authority?

• Consistent publishing without scrambling?

2) What type of writing you need

• Blog posts (SEO content)

• Newsletter writing

• Website copy / landing pages

• Ghostwriting (founder essays, LinkedIn posts, book projects)

• Editing (developmental, line, copyediting)

When you know the outcome you want, you’ll hire faster — and better.

Step Two: Write a Clear Job Post That Attracts the Right Writers

A strong job post does half the hiring for you. Include:

• Your niche + audience (who the writing is for)

• Scope of work (deliverables per week/month, expected length, timeline)

• Voice and tone (and links to examples you like)

• Process (outline first? interviews? revisions?)

• Budget range (writers apply faster when pay is clear)

If you want high-level writers, your post needs to reflect a professional role — not “someone who can write stuff when we need it.”

Clarity and competitive pay are what bring in the best talent.

Step Three: Evaluate Writing Samples (Not Just Vibes)

When you’re reviewing candidates, the #1 thing to assess is the work.

Look for:

• Clarity (can they make ideas easy to understand?)

• Structure (does the piece flow and keep you reading?)

• Voice control (can they adapt tone?)

• Audience fit (does it speak to the right reader?)

• Proof of impact (traffic, conversions, subscriber growth — when available)

Ask smart questions like:

• “What was the goal of this piece?”

• “How did you approach research?”

• “What would you improve if you rewrote it today?”

A great writer can explain their thinking — not just hand you a link.

Why Niche Experience Matters More Than Ever

Writing is not one-size-fits-all anymore.

A writer who understands your niche — whether that’s SaaS, wellness, finance, consumer brands, or the writing world itself — will:

• ramp up faster

• write with more credibility

• make fewer mistakes

• create content that actually resonates

When a writer “gets” your audience, the content stops sounding generic and starts sounding like you’ve been doing this forever.

That fluency is the difference between content that’s just “fine”… and content that drives momentum.

Where to Find Qualified Freelance Writers

Most job boards are crowded with generalists and spam applications. That’s why I built ✍️ Make Writing Your Job — a curated writing job board for clients who want to hire real writers.

We make it simple to:

📝 Post your job for $29

⏱️ Get real applicants in 1–2 business days

🎯 Hire remote freelance writers — no spam, no nonsense

💡 Perfect for hiring SEO blog writers, newsletter writers, copywriters, ghostwriters, and editors

Our job board has the reach you need to find the best and most proactive talent out there. Post your job now and find the right person to grow your audience, your revenue, and your brand.

Writing That Pays Off

Great writing doesn’t “work” for a day. It keeps working.

A strong blog post can bring leads for months. A great newsletter can build loyalty for years. Clear website copy can increase conversions every single day.

Hiring a freelance writer is one of the highest-leverage moves you can make — as long as you do it strategically.

Start with clarity. Hire for fit. And don’t settle for less than someone who truly understands your audience and can deliver writing that earns its keep.