Did you know the top result of a Google search gets approximately 32% of all clicks?
So, it’s no wonder content creators fight to climb to the number one position in the SERPs. Secure that spot, and you’re sure to generate tons of organic traffic for your website.
The only problem is that not everyone is well-versed in the world of SEO best practices. When that happens, you have a couple of options – either learn how to do it yourself or hire SEO content writers to tackle the job for you.
We’ve compiled some reasons why it’s beneficial to outsource your SEO content writing to folks with a deep understanding of best practices and optimization. There are also a few things you’ll want to make sure your writer knows.
What’s the Difference Between SEO Copywriting and SEO Content Writing?
Now that you’re moving to hire content writers for your business, you might wonder if you should hire SEO copywriters or SEO content writers since there are some differences between the two.
As you likely already know, search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing your website and its content to boost visibility in search results. Because search engines like Google search for the most helpful and valuable content to share with users, it’s important to publish quality content your target audience is actually searching for.
First up, SEO copywriting focuses largely on converting that traffic into leads and sales for your business. These copywriters handle the creation of things like email campaigns, sales pages, product descriptions, and website copy. Overall, SEO copywriters focus their skills on persuasion and inspiring someone to act.
Meanwhile, the goal behind quality SEO content writing is creating people-first content optimized for search engines through keyword optimization. Writing this way allows you to focus on providing value through content and use optimization as an additional asset to generate more organic traffic for your website. SEO content writers typically craft blog posts, guest posts for other industry sites, service pages, and landing pages.
6 Reasons to Hire SEO Content Writers Trained in SEO Best Practices
You’ve decided to start with updating your blog strategy, so SEO content writers are the best choice for your business needs. Is it going to be worth the investment to pay for SEO content writing services? Or would it be better to tackle everything on your own? The size of your team will determine whether you should outsource or hire for your internal team. Meaning, it’s important to understand some reasons why you should bring on a writer with SEO content experience:
1. They Can Create High-Quality, Well-Written Content
Poor writing can make your business look unprofessional. If someone stumbles upon your website for the first time and discovers content riddled with bad grammar and spelling mistakes, they’re less likely to trust that you know what you’re talking about. Hiring content writers who have a high-level understanding of the language you write in is essential to successful content.
A professional writer will craft high-quality, well-written content that appeals to your readers and adds value. This will help you get sustainable results with your content. These SEO writers use content to make connections with your audience and should have industry experience that positions you to be successful in your niche. That means that they can convince people to take action because they’ve offered them a solution to a problem.
SEO content that provides value and is well-written is the smartest thing you can do for your content marketing strategy, and it starts with a professional content writer.
2. They’re Knowledgeable on SEO Best Practices
It’s safe to say the world of SEO is pretty competitive. After all, other creators in your industry target the same keywords you’re after. And much like you, they want to secure that coveted spot at the top of Google’s SERPs. For that reason, you want to hire content writers who are well versed in SEO and can keep up with this ever-evolving industry.
Your ideal writer will take time to understand your target audience and branding. This will allow them the space to utilize keywords while still putting people first. Whether they do keyword research for you or you have a content strategist, these writers understand how to implement your keywords throughout your content so it’s well-optimized but never forced.
Since Google regularly updates its algorithms, ensure that the writer you hire is committed to staying on top of all the changes and adapting their writing style. This step is essential to using data and metrics successfully in your content. If your writer doesn’t understand why they should be using a certain keyword or how to do that on multiple levels, you could risk a drop in your rankings.
A content writer trained in SEO has the knowledge to optimize your content because they know the best on-page strategies. Because, while creating engaging meta descriptions, complex header sequences, and even keyword distribution might seem easy, a master understands how to blend these tactics the best. And this seamless mix of SEO and expert writing chops will get you closer to the perfectly crafted content you need.
3. You’ll Generate More Traffic and Conversions
Because your content writer understands how Google and other search engines crawl and catalog content, you’ll be able to see the results of this investment more quickly. Your monthly page views can skyrocket because of the uptick in organic traffic. And all of it is because you have a writer who understands search intent from your target audience through SEO.
As your traffic increases, you’ll likely start seeing more engagement throughout your website. People will visit multiple pages, stay on pages longer, and start leaving comments. Even better? Amazing copywriting can boost your conversion rate.
People will start filling out your contact form or joining your subscriber list because they trust you know what you’re doing. This usually converts visitors and subscribers into paying customers that you can retain with ease. That makes the investment in hiring a writer worthwhile.
4. It’ll Save You the Time and Hassle of Doing it Alone
If writing isn’t your strong suit or you don’t know the first thing about SEO, trying to master both can feel overwhelming. Luckily, you don’t need to invest the time and energy into bettering your writing skills or studying SEO unless you want to. Instead, you can hire SEO content writers who are skilled professionals to handle the job for you.
These writers are better suited to creating content so you free up your time. You’ll improve efficiency in the content creation process because they can complete these tasks quicker and easier. It will also allow you to be more consistent with posting since you’ll have a steady stream of optimized content coming in.
And, with your time reclaimed, you can focus on the other tasks that need to be completed to grow your business. You can build out new or improved processes for your employees, develop stronger relationships with clients for retention, and even make product and service development a priority if you’ve had to put it off.
5. It’ll Help You Build the Know, Like, and Trust Factor
To create success in business, it’s important that you build the Know, Like, and Trust Factor. This is because people want to buy from businesses they like and trust. If they don’t trust you, they could take their business to your competitors.
So, what’s the secret to building trust? Well, One of the best ways to establish such a strong connection with your target audience is through your content.
You want to publish content to your site that addresses their pain points and interests. Then, you can provide a solution to their problems and add value to their lives or business. Without these points of connection, you can’t build a relationship with your readers.
When you hire content writers passionate about creating online content, they’ll craft content that speaks directly to your target readers to form a strong partnership. From there, it’s your job to continue nurturing that relationship by engaging with them.
6. Your Readers (and Google) Will Appreciate Your Content
Hiring SEO content writers is a surefire way to ensure you publish content your readers will love. Through keyword optimization and other SEO strategies, you can better address the interests and needs of your audience to consistently provide valuable content while building your readership. And your target audience will view you as a trusted resource to continue to come back to.
You can’t ignore the search engines while creating content. And hiring a trained SEO writer will help you keep Google happy. With the Google Helpful Content Update, it’s more important than ever to focus primarily on creating people-first content.
A great writer can balance the expectations of helpful content with SEO to create a powerful strategy. Plus, you’ll feel confident knowing that your readers and Google will love what you publish.
What to Look for When Hiring SEO Content Writers
Now we’ve covered the value of hiring SEO content writers to assist with your content creation, your next task is to hire someone that fits the bill. You know you can’t just bring on anyone to create your blogs, landers, and other educational or informational content. It’s time to find someone who has writing skills and knows SEO best practices so they can effectively optimize your content.
So, how do you know if someone is the right fit for the job? Consider how important it is for your business to work with someone who understands your industry and target audience. You ensure they have some level of background knowledge on the topics they cover.
There are a few other things you can look for when hiring SEO content writers. Here are a few:
A Stellar SEO Content Portfolio: You want to hire content writers who have SEO and writing experience so you can trust they know what they’re doing. This means they should have a portfolio featuring previous writing samples to give you a taste of their work. These samples allow you to assess their overall skills, writing style, and ability to match your company’s unique voice.
Proof of Their Ability to Get Results: Again, since you want an experienced writer, they should have no problem providing proof of the results from their previous work experience. If you’re hiring internally, ask potential writers to provide examples of articles they’ve written that perform well in the SERPs. Ideally, you want to see these articles ranking in the first two pages of Google. If you’re thinking about outsourcing, ask for testimonials or case studies showing proof of how a content writing agency has helped a client.
Solid SEO Writing Technique: It’s also important to evaluate the SEO writing techniques of the writer you’re looking to hire. To do this, ask questions about their SEO writing procedures. Do they know how to conduct keyword research? Do they understand the importance of keyword density? Is formatting blog posts properly in their wheelhouse? Are they aware of how to write meta descriptions and use H2s and H3s? Ensuring that they understand the basics is essential to avoid wasting time.
A Promise to Consistently Create Quality Content: Consistency is crucial in the world of content creation and SEO. You want to make sure you hire content writers who can promise to create well-written and optimized content consistently, so you know they’ll be a dependable and trustworthy part of your team.
Finding SEO content writers who understand best practices, get your business, and are trainable might feel like a shot in the dark, but if you keep all of these things in mind, you’re well on your way to a content team that you can be proud of.
Try Our SEO Content Writing Services
Tired of spending all your time vetting content writers who just don’t work out? The team at Express Writers are professional SEO content writers. They understand how to craft content that works for you and dazzles your audience.
Our industry writers have a variety of backgrounds and degrees, in addition to their years of writing experience. We train our writers in best practices while focusing on people-first content. You can trust that your content will be optimized for search engines without sacrificing readability and expertise.
Contact us today to see how we help you craft unmatched content that grows your business.
Sure, plenty of people out there say they can write for the web.
But, as the common saying goes, talk is cheap.
How do know when you’ve stumbled on a professional word ninja, or when you’ve been hoodwinked by an upstart money-grubber masquerading as a copywriter?
Luckily, we have some ideas.
Look carefully at their qualifications, both the ones they say they have and the ones that shine through their writing samples.
The best web copywriters will be able to claim all of the skills we have compiled below.
If you’re a copywriter working your way up in the industry, study this list and take note. Having these skills could be the key to nailing your next big gig.
Marketers/agencies: Look for these traits in the next writer you hire.
9 Skills, Traits, and Characteristics the Best Web Copywriters Have in Spades
The best web writers have honed their raw talent and turned it into an occupation where they earn money for every word they set down. Do you (or the web writers you’re hiring) have all the skills on this list?
1. Nimble Creativity
The best web writers need to be able to turn on a dime and write in a completely different style and voice for different clients.
That means their capacity for nimble creativity needs to be very high.
Online writers also need to be able to produce copy and content when that creativity well is drying up. A nimble, can-do attitude is essential, here. Sometimes, you just have to buckle down and get some words out.
The best writers who live and breathe online content will be able to do it and do it well, no matter the circumstances.
2. Research Chops
Research is a huge part of online writing. To underline your authority, you have to prove yourself in your written content and copy.
That means relying on the knowledge and research of others, along with your own. It means citing sources and studies, and providing statistics and evidence that back up your claims.
The online writer who is well-versed in research best-practices, including how to properly cite sources and link to them in content, is indispensable.
3. Strong Understanding of the Basics of Constructing Great Sentences
Writers construct, tweak, and manipulate sentences to get their ideas across clearly. Without the basic ability to craft really good ones, can you call yourself a writer?
This ability includes understanding grammar do’s and don’ts like noun-verb agreement and comma usage, but it also includes knowing how to create a compelling call-to-action, how to write effective meta descriptions, and how to compose a zinger of a headline.
As a copywriter, you need to know which of these is correct. (Source: Grammar Girl)
4. Sales and Online Marketing Knowledge
Does your web writer understand the various stages of the buying cycle/sales funnel? (Have they even heard of a sales funnel?) Do they get how to tailor their words to what the audience knows/doesn’t know at a particular stage?
What about landing page copy? Do they understand how best to craft a page that leads the audience to take action?
If they don’t, they should.
If you’re the writer, according to Content Marketing Institute, your knowledge should be T-shaped.
You need a deep knowledge of content – best-practices that earn traffic, engagement, and conversions, and how to tie in SEO –- that’s a given.
You also need at least a passing understanding of online marketing concepts like technical SEO, UX, press & PR, and analytics.
5. Generalist AND Specialist Expertise
A web copywriter needs to be a jack-of-all-trades and a master of one… Or two.
The former is important for that aforementioned nimbleness factor. You need to be able to pivot from topic to topic without much trouble, research topics if you’re shaky, and write about them like you know what you’re talking about.
That is the power of a skilled generalist writer.
On the other hand, you also need specialist knowledge in at least one topic. This means you have the background to write about that topic from the viewpoint of an expert.
This background can include education, experience, or a mix of the two. A blend of both is a good place to start honing your expertise.
Either way, the best writers can specialize and write with an incredibly authoritative tone for at least one industry.
6. The Power of Persuasion
Persuasive writing is a huge part of online copywriting.
Your readers’ attention spans are shorter than ever (the average currently clocks in at 8 seconds – one second shorter than that of an average goldfish). They’re distracted by every shiny thing that’s blinking at them or screaming in all caps.
They’ll click away from your content faster than you can blink – unless you can persuade them to stay.
This means knowing and using proven writing styles and copywriting formulas that keep visitors glued to the page. It also means formatting your words for maximum ease-of-reading on tiny mobile device screens or headache-inducing computer monitors.
There’s a lot that goes into persuading audiences online, so the copywriter who can do it (and do it well) is worth their weight in gold.
Want to get better at persuasive writing? Check out the work of past and present copywriting giants. Look to David Ogilvy, Joanna Wiebe, Jon Morrow.
A copywriter’s job is to speak to the reader on a deep level. You need to be able to address their hopes, fears, and desires like they’re your own.
The only way to truly get on their wavelength is to empathize with them.
If you have a fair amount of natural empathy, you have an advantage. If you don’t, you can practice it.
Step outside yourself. Put your thoughts and feelings aside.
Imagine trying on the perspective of the person in question, like a pair of glasses. What do you see differently? How do you feel?
Try to stay in that headspace while you write.
You can also try reading lots of books written in the first-person perspective (with lots of “I” language – “I did,” “I said,” “I wanted,” “I tried,” etc.) These narratives literally immerse you in someone else’s thoughts and may help you hone your ability to empathize.
8. Little-to-No Writer Ego
A copywriter’s job is not to get their own writing style airtime. If you’re in the hot seat, your job is not to write the way you want to write.
A copywriter’s job is to get other people’s words out there, and to do it in the best way possible. Copywriters have to write to make their clients sound knowledgeable and interesting, and their products enticing.
They need to write for their clients’ audiences, not their own.
Naturally, many copywriters also have higher writing ambitions. They may have wanted to be a writer from a young age, or have dreams of completing a longer work of fiction or nonfiction under their own name.
For some writers, their motivations for their personal writing career may clash with what’s expected of them (and what’s needed of them) as a copywriter.
If your writer ego is a little too big for its britches (don’t get me wrong – this isn’t a failing; it’s actually what gets many writers published), you may want to rethink copywriting.
Similarly, if you find it very hard to put that ego aside and write with equal verve for clients, you might want to rethink copywriting.
9. Self-Motivation and Determination
These days, most copywriters aren’t hunched over desks in a communal space, writing elbow-to-elbow with their colleagues in a Mad Men-esque office setting.
Instead, most are working from their laptop in a coffee shop or toiling away behind the monitor in their home office. Some even are scraping a living from a seat on their couch in their tiny apartment.
(Take a look at how our remote team here at EW gets down to business. We each have our own personal spaces and methods.)
Needless to say, when you’re working alone with no boss over your shoulder, the chances that you’ll deviate from the task at hand are 10 times – nay, 100 times greater than if you are working in an office with supervision.
That means the best web copywriters are self-motivated, determined, and on-point when it comes to time and work management.
They don’t need constant supervision because they have the skills to stay focused and on-task.
This focus is 100% necessary, especially when an assignment looms that is hard to write. You have to wade through that beast no matter what, and the best copywriters can get through with aplomb.
Without that kind of self-sustaining motivation, you’re sunk as a remote copywriter.
Web Copywriters Who Reach Success Have These 7 Skills in Common
Great web copywriting is an art and a science. You need lots of technical knowledge, but you also need to know how to riff once in a while (and understand when you can riff on the rules).
Arguably, though, these eight base skills serve as the foundation for greatness.
You don’t have to be born with them. You can cultivate them, grow them, and become a bonafide amazing online writer.
So, whether you’re getting your foot in the door or looking for fresh talent to do the writing for you, look for these characteristics. Make them your mantra.
When it comes to outsourcing content writing, it seems like everyone has a horror story to tell.
On the client side: “They took my money and didn’t complete the work.” “The content read horribly.” “They spelled my client’s business name wrong and linked to a competitor. I lost my client.”
On the flip side, content writers often have horror stories, too.
“He wants 600 articles and has a budget of $600.”
“A big, national brand just ripped me off on the last payment owed.”
These stories can chill you to the bone. They’re that bad.
All in all, on both sides of it (client and writer), there are negative experiences that have sent a giant black cloud hovering over the word “outsource.”
A stigma, of sorts.
Here’s the truth.
The reality of what happens when you outsource content writing to a perfect-fit creator is pure magic.
You save time. You get high-quality, beautifully written copy that reflects your business.
The creator gets paid for doing what he or she loves.
I’m excited to say that today, content creation is now the top activity outsourced by B2B marketers this year. The impact of content marketing means that marketers must publish high-quality and long-form content consistently.
So, why the stigma?
There are still a few “buts” that stop many business owners from experiencing success with outsourcing content writing. “But I can do it all myself.”
I was there once, too. At the beginning. You really can’t, if you want to scale.
Or… “But content writing is cheaper at [insert platform name].”
Instead of focusing on numbers, ask yourself why services like Upwork, Fiverr and the rest are so much cheaper.
Anyone can call themselves an expert content writer, but that doesn’t make it true.
When outsourcing to an agency, the vetting process is taken care of. At Express Writers, it takes an average of 100 candidates for us to find one great writer. We’ve designed a hiring process that can take up to two weeks in order to properly evaluate, test, review and talk one-on-one with applicants.
How can I successfully outsource content writing?
Outsourcing doesn’t have to be a scary process. A clear strategy on what to look for and what to avoid will lead you to your perfect fit.
Today’s guide is here to bust through the stigma, and add clarity to the fuzzy areas of “outsourcing writing.”
Treating the Symptoms: Knowing When It’s Time (or Past Time) to Outsource Content Writing
Tell us your symptoms.
Fear of miscommunication
Clenching tightly to your wallet
General distrust
Obsessive-compulsive control over all of your content
You’re hitting all of the marks. But hey, it’s totally fine. We get patients like you all the time.
According to my findings, it seems you may be suffering from PTOD. It’s a condition we refer to as Post Traumatic Outsourcing Disorder.
It’s more common than you think.
Outsourcing content writing can keep your business on track with a profitable content strategy.
However, without a proper plan, you’re at risk for PTOD.
Back to you.
Have you had any traumatic experiences outsourcing before?
You discussed your content strategy and sent payment… but never received any content back?
Okay, you also ran your content through Copyscape and it was 100% plagiarized? We’ve never seen that before. Even the name?
Right. You published a piece on your site that had an excess of, how many? Nine-hundred spelling and grammatical errors? You say this piece was only a 500-word blog post?
Youch.
The good news is, you’re going to be okay. You will survive and heal. Post-traumatic outsourcing disorder affects countless companies and business owners worldwide but it can be beaten.
Let’s take a look at your treatment plan.
Preventative Care for Outsourcing Content Writing
The best approach to overcoming your fears about outsourcing content is to prevent any nightmare situations.
To ensure the best outsourcing experience, I advise that you steer clear of websites offering fast and cheap quality content.
Cheap and high quality are two terms that should never be in the same sentence.
Have you ever heard anyone boast about how cheap their Chanel purse is?
I don’t think so.
When it comes to content services, high quality should be at the top of your checklist.
Now, some freelance writers may try to trick you by offering inexpensive services and making claims that they work with clients “across every major vertical service.”
Sure they can cover vertical services but what about the horizontal? These are the questions you should be asking yourself.
Also, count the grammar and spelling mistakes in their post. Professional content writers should also know how to edit.
When looking at their pricing model, consider why they omitted the first “a” in the word “standard.”
Is this a ruse to convince you of their inventiveness? Are they that good? Is standard even spelled with two a’s?
Try not to succumb to the tactics of such content writing freelancers.
Refer to the Oxford English Dictionary to double-check how words are spelled. Run potential applicants’ resumes and posts through spell check and even ask for help from that one friend that’s constantly correcting you to look for grammatical errors.
Think of posts and applicant responses as a preview of the content you’ll be provided with.
3 Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Outsourcing Content Writing
If you wear shorts in a blizzard, you’re going to catch a cold. The same goes for outsourcing content writing. Being aware of these common outsourcing pitfalls will result in a more effective and enjoyable hiring process.
1. Going into the Process Without a Strategy
The content you receive will mirror the quality of your application process.
All of this can be prevented if you wade out into the content writer pool with a clear content strategy in mind. Try answering these questions:
What type of content do you need?
What is the voice of your brand?
Who is your targeted audience?
What are your goals with content marketing?
How do you like to communicate?
2. Hiring an Outsourced Content Writer Too Quickly
Your hiring process should reflect your goals. Outsourcing the right content writer is a process that should not be rushed.
Think of the ideal content writer for your business and then look for those qualities in potential candidates.
Try to be a little more specific than this:
The potential candidate responding to this ad will be about as smart as you imagine them to be.
3. Negotiating the Cheapest Option
When it comes to outsourcing a content writer, the best deal doesn’t always mean the best content.
There is a reason that prices vary for freelancers and writing agencies. When adding to your team, keep your budget in mind but don’t let it be your deciding factor. Quality comes first.
Here’s a former PTOD patient who put more effort into their hiring post. They outlined what they wanted with specifics, and spelled almost every word correctly.
The downfall came in requesting the content writer’s “wholesale price.”
This isn’t Costco.
Top 2 Treatment Options to Successfully Outsource Content Writing
Overcoming a traumatic outsourcing experience will take time. Each case is different. Depending on your unique situation, you can decide what treatment options are best for you.
1. Seek out a (Great) Content Writer
If you’re thinking… You’ve gone down this road before. You’re having flashbacks of unedited blogs and unanswered emails.
Hiring a freelance writer is risky mostly and only if you don’t specify what you need from them upfront. This is a working relationship, and for successful outsourcing, communication is key.
When outsourcing a content writer on your own you must communicate a clear content strategy, define your budget, set deadlines and vet the writers before hiring them.
Don’t make the mistake of our friend looking for a “smart person.”
Great content writers = experienced content writers.
Evaluate your writers based on prior writing samples and test their skills.
There are no specific qualifications for someone to work as a freelance writer other than their word. They can and should prove their skills with examples.
We advise you not to bend your standards for the inexperienced.
2. Hire a Content Writing Agency
Agencies can provide a level of professionalism, experience, and flexibility that freelancers cannot always adhere to.
At Express Writers, the vetting process is already taken care of for you. Our testing process rules out 99% of applicants whose writing cannot match the quality content we provide.
We also have four writing level options: General, Expert, and Authority to help you determine your content needs. The transparent pricing breaks down why our services cost more than Fiverr. There are no wholesale prices here.
Our content is focused on quality. Every piece of content is evaluated and edited by our Quality Assistants before being sent back to you.
Of course, we’re NOT perfect (we’re humans), so we guarantee if there are errors that we’ll fix them. Just use the 2 rounds of revision included in your order.
The goal is to provide you with impactful, authoritative content that completely erases any past traumatic outsourcing experiences.
A Life Without Fear of Outsourcing Content
You too can live a life free from the shackles of post traumatic outsourcing disorder.
There are marketers that carry on every day and enjoy their work lives with outsourced employees.
Whether you hire a freelance writer or use an agency, these outsourcing treatment options can provide consistent, relevant, and engaging content when used properly.
A non-sarcastic head nod of approval from your rival co-worker, Dan
Rapid growth of your business
Outsourcing written content should be closely monitored by a marketing specialist. Be sure to consult your marketing team before starting treatment.
Ending the Stigma: #OutsourcingStory
For those of you writers among the audience, take heart.
Now is the perfect time to become a content creator and find the gems among the weeds to work with. Content marketing is about to be worth $313 billion as an industry. And creators are getting a big piece of that pie.
The difficult clients, the stigma, still exists… but if we band together, serve awesome clients well, and never let our ethics drop once (for a low-paying gig or for low-quality output), we can END that stigma.
40% of the world’s population has an online presence. In total, over 3 billion people use the internet; a number that went up from 738 million to 3.2 billion in the last 15 years.
With a visitor presence as strong as that, today’s marketing is best done online.
Add onto that the fact that many states have increased their tech-sector hiring; startups are popping up all over the virtual landscape. As startup agencies launch, and the need to have a powerful presence online increases, so does something else:
As copywriters, we’ve gone from suffering jokes at the hands of our doctorate or lawyer friends (“what are you ever going to do with that English degree?”) to being an in-demand, highly employable class of professionals in a highly dynamic climate.
As the market continues to shift, grow and change, one thing is clear: copywriters will continue to play an important part in creating and distributing the content that makes people sit up and take notice of new technologies.
In addition to being knowledgeable about good marketing practices, copywriters can also help new and established companies beef up their SEO game, create intriguing content and help birth campaigns that go viral. Fortunately, there are dozens of cities right now that are a virtual gold mine for copywriters. These cities offer exciting, diverse jobs in the tech industry through hundreds of well-known companies, some of which (LinkedIn, for example) are current in the inbound marketing and content marketing worlds.
According to Study.com, the need for copywriters is projected to go up 6% between 2012-2022 and according to GlassDoor.com, the national average salary for copywriters is over $58k annually. Because of this and because of the increasing demand the field is experiencing, being a copywriter is a hot gig right now.
The 8 Best Cities for Copywriting Opportunities & Jobs
We sat down to research the best cities for copywriters to find job opportunities in, and here’s what we found! (Updated December 2015.)
1. San Jose, California
It should come as no surprise that Silicon Valley is booming for talented writers. In San Jose, out of every 1,000 jobs, 126 are in the tech industry, which means plenty of jobs for copywriters and content marketers. Additionally, San Jose has one of the highest tech-related salaries in the country right now – an average of $130K each year. As home to big-name tech companies like Apple, Adobe and eBay, Silicon Valley is currently one of the best places in the country for copywriters who want to work in a fast-paced, tech-focused environment.
2. Minneapolis, Minnesota
If you’re a talented writer looking for work in the tech, advertising or PR industries right now, there’s no place like Minneapolis. In fact, the city is so rich with high-paying, unique jobs that some major media outlets are referring to the phenomena as “The Miracle of Minneapolis.” This is due in large part to the fact that the city combines affordable housing, great jobs and high salaries to create a highly livable market for skilled writers, editors and marketers. Minneapolis is home to several dozen huge company headquarters, including Novu, Target, Best Buy and C.H. Robinson, which have increased hiring in the tech sectors by 8.36% in the last six months. Companies like this are growing quickly and all of them need copywriters.
3. Seattle, Washington
The Seattle metro area has always been a writer’s paradise and today is no different. Home to tech colossuses like Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing, the city also boasts outposts of companies like Expedia, Zillow, Google, Facebook and Twitter. Within the Seattle area, 77 out of 1,000 jobs are tech-focused and those involved in the area’s tech industry make about $108K annually. In addition to the ample jobs in the area, the city also has a high quality of life and provides access to some of the best art, cultural events and food in the country.
4. San Francisco, California
Don’t jump to rope it in with Silicone Valley too quickly – San Francisco is home to plenty tech companies of its own and boasts a totally different environment than its neighbor to the South. Copywriters here can choose to work for companies like Google, Twitter, Pinterest, Yelp, Dropbox, Yahoo, Oracle, LinkedIn and Salesforce, among others. There are literally hundreds of copywriting jobs in this city and the lucky ones who get them will enjoy views of the bay and never-ending clam chowder with a side of job satisfaction.
5. Washington, DC
In the metro area that surrounds the country’s capital, copywriters can expect to find ample jobs. The area has a strong tech scene and over 79 out of every 1,000 jobs are tech-focused. The area also has over 1,000 startups, including companies like Urgent.ly and Soundtracker, which makes it a vibrant and dynamic place for copywriters and marketers alike.
6. Austin, Texas
In addition to boasting one of the best music scenes in the country, Austin is a formidable player in the tech and startup circles. Home to companies like Dell, RetailMeNot, Main street Hub and Yodle, 58 out of every 1,000 jobs in Austin are in the tech industry and copywriters won’t have any trouble finding a job they love. Additionally, the city is home to the South by Southwest festival, which debuts new technologies and provides one of the best possible networking and educational opportunities for copywriters, SEOs and marketers.
FYI: Our own Express Writers is located here!
7. Boston, Massachusetts
Unlike many areas in the country, which are startup-dense and mainstay-sparse, Boston offers a healthy mix of both. Ideal for the copywriter who wants to work for companies like HubSpot, Wayfair, TripAdvisor, WordStream, Constant Contact or HourlyNerd, copywriters in Boston can expect to find that roughly 57 out of every 1,000 jobs are tech-focused. The area does have high rental prices but the quality of living is outstanding and copywriters who land jobs in the area will enjoy the ample opportunity the city offers.
8. New York, New York
The original home of the fedora-clad, pipe-smoking, typewriter tapping writers of old, New York is still a formidable player in the tech industry game. The city offers hundreds of copywriting jobs at major companies like Chloe + Isabel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Entrée Health, Deep Focus, Wunderman, Barneys New York and Bed Bath & Beyond. Copywriters who land jobs in New York will have no trouble expanding outward into work with tech companies, advertising firms, publications or retail establishments, thanks to the ample opportunity inherent within New York and the sheer concentration of businesses the city has to offer.
Need a guidebook to help you boost your copywriting skills? Our CEO, Julia McCoy, wrote a bestseller on the topic!
The Vital Role of the Copywriter
Copywriters wear many hats – from writing web copy for companies to researching keywords, staying up-to-date on industry news, events and happenings and attending conferences to studying new platforms in the inbound and content marketing fields, copywriters are one of the major forces that allow web-based business to interact effectively and to expand their reach and message to new customers.
Although copywriters have always been an integral part of marketing and distribution, everything right now is online, which means that the need for copywriters has skyrocketed.
The Future of Copywriting Opportunities
Copywriting is a booming industry right now. As new companies are born and begin to flourish, copywriters become more and more in-demand. In order to stand out in today’s market environment, companies need highly skilled writers that are capable of developing and dispensing specific brand voices, conducting research on target audiences and creating web, print and visual content that catches customers’ eyes and helps the company differentiate itself from the crowd.
In many ways, it’s safe to say that it is virtually impossible for modern companies to attain success without the help of a dedicated team of marketing, SEO and copywriting professionals.
Today’s business environment runs on content and inbound marketing, and one of the only things that sets companies apart from one another in today’s overly crowded field is great content. Companies that can create great content that delivers true value and interest to readers are the ones that will snag sales, acquire new customers and achieve market dominance.
Looking forward, it seems like behind every great company will be a team of skilled copywriters who serve to make the magic happen. Because of this, it’s a great time to be a copywriter – and copywriter jobs are abundant. Even if you don’t make a pilgrimage to one of the 8 cities we mentioned above, it’s a safe bet that every company everywhere needs content.
From intriguing menus to highly technical eBooks and white pages, copywriters are the glue that holds modern companies together and the future, friends, looks bright.
Need to find a great copywriter of your own? Get a free content strategy call with us!
Yes, you heard right: Express Writers is hiring writers as we speak.
Whether you adore the written word, are an aspiring scribe, or are knee-deep in the trenches of content creation, we think you should join us.
We’re hiring writers who are superb at sentences and on-point with punctuation, but, more importantly, we want you if you have a passion for writing.
There are plenty of reasons to submit your resume right now.
But first, a little about us!
All About the Express Writers Team (And Why We’re Hiring Writers Like You)
First things first.
Some of the most important things to know about us:
Our team is totally remote (we work anywhere and everywhere).
We adore good writing and quality content (naturally).
We don’t hire just anybody (because quality matters).
[clickToTweet tweet=”Want to join an amazing #copywriting team? Learn how you can work for @ExpWriters!” quote=”Want to join an amazing #copywriting team? Learn how you can work for @ExpWriters!”]
The Perks of a Remote Team: Pajamas at Work? Sure!
Let’s be honest: working in your pajamas is pretty awesome.
What’s even better about working remotely with our team, besides wearing your bunny slippers to the “office”?
We respect your schedule.
We’re hiring writers for both full- and part-time work. This means you can come aboard to make some extra change on the side, or settle in for a real, long-term writing gig that pays.
Quality Content Starts with Quality Staff
Here are some of the friendly faces you may get to work with if you join us. Say hi to our management team:
All of the content we produce begins and ends with them.
They get the deets from the clients, and that information is passed to the writer (this could be you!). When you submit your work, it’s reviewed and edited, and then sent back to the client. Plus, everything is facilitated through our totally online, custom Teamroom.
Together, we all work as a unit to produce the best possible end product for our customers. We pride ourselves on quality, and it’s evident in everything we do.
If that doesn’t make you feel warm and fuzzy, we don’t know what will.
The Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens: The Express Writers Story
If you want to work with us, you should know a little of our history.
Express Writers started with our CEO and founder, Julia McCoy.
She was a young copywriter who started getting more work than she could handle on her own. Out of this personal success, the idea for her company was born.
Imagine a team of writers who are passionate about their craft, who offer a one-stop-shop for all your writing and content creation needs.
That was the dream, and, six years later, that dream is still growing. Join our team, and you could be part of it.
Yes, We’re Hiring Writers – Here’s What to Do Next
At Express Writers, we are constantly hiring writers.
Out of any given month, we are interviewing at least half the time in order to find just the right candidates to add to our team.
Read more about us, including our company values. If you like what you see, submit your resume for one of our open roles!
Who We Hire
We interview lots of different candidates. Not everyone makes it through, but if you have the skills, the creativity, and the passion, you’ve got a shot!
Here’s who we’re looking for:
Copywriters (for general topics) – 5+ years of experience
Expert copywriters (for intensive, authority content) – 8-10+ years of experience, solid portfolio, specific field expertise – from legal to medical
Social Media Experts (social media copywriters)
Designers (for ebooks, social media images, and more)
Copy editors
If you want the inside scoop on what it’s like to dive into one of these roles and work for us, here’s what one of our full-time copywriters, Alyssa, has to say about it.
A Day in the Life at Express Writers: Full-Time Copywriter Alyssa
There is one thing I’ll say about working for Express Writers full-time: it’s never boring.
I roll out of bed around 8:00 a.m. each day. Depending on how well I slept, I either stumble or zombie-shuffle to the kitchen to make iced coffee or tea. Caffeine in hand, I grab the rest of my breakfast and head to my computer. Usually, I’m sitting down to work by 9 a.m., ready to roll up my sleeves and write.
(And, yes, I do get the luxury of working in my pajamas, thank-you-very-much.)
When I log-on to the Teamroom, a few assignments will be waiting, including an ongoing project. I hone my focus and bang out whatever is most pressing, then move on to other deadlines.
As the day progresses, I get more assignments from Katria, the team content manager. My work varies – sometimes I’m writing web copy for a fresh company, sometimes I’m penning fun product descriptions, and much of the time I’m writing SEO blogs on a rainbow of topics. I love the variety – it keeps me on my toes.
I continue plugging away steadily until lunchtime. I break for a bite to eat and a quick walk with my dog. When I return to my desk, I turn on some music because I can start to drag a little. My top choices are Dario Marianelli, Debussy, and Chopin (instrumental music gets my brain humming but doesn’t distract me).
Usually, 5:00 p.m. is quitting time, but sometimes I work later to get ahead. I want to produce work that clients will love – every single time.
Interested? Submit Your Resume Today and Join a Successful Writing Team
We’re always hiring writers. If you’re skilled, creative, and motivated, we want you on our team.
To write professionally and work in your pajamas (what? It’s really great!), then get on board and submit your resume and writing samples. The writers’ application is here. Editors, go here. Or, contact us directly at hr@expresswriters.com.
Express Writers is the place for creative, passionate writers and editors who keep improving their craft. Join us and get writing!
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