Finding EdTech Writers for Education Blogs & Content

Customers need content, so we have to give the people what they want…but we need a writer before we can do that. What do content writers charge? How well do they know education technology? These burning questions have been eating away at you for a while. Let’s put them to bed. Here’s everything you need to know when it comes to hiring content writers. Go get ‘em!  

 

How Much Do I Have to Pay?

There’s a shrieking elephant in the room. We can’t ignore it (we’ve tried), so let’s face it head-on. Content writing isn’t the newest kid on the block, but it hasn’t been around long enough to be fully standardized in terms of pricing. This is what you can expect:

• Many writers prefer to be paid based on word count. Typically, this ranges from 5 cents to 30 cents per word.
• For a well researched/written post of about 600 words, it will cost you anywhere from $100 to $180 per post. If you post 10 articles a month, your expenses will be between $1000 and $1,800.
• Keep in mind that these estimates are strictly related to the writing portion of content creation. A Designer, Developer, SEO wiz, and a Content Strategist are all needed to bring your content to life.

 

 

How Do I Choose the Right Writer?

It’s a confusing and misleading process. No, it’s not dating, but it’s close. When judging whether a writer is a good fit, the most natural place to start is with a writing sample. But be warned: Things aren’t always what they appear to be. Here’s what to look out for when assessing a content writer:

• In general, what’s the condition of the writer’s first draft? If the writer’s references are willing to talk, this is definitely something that you want to ask them. Sometimes a polished final product has more to do with the skills of the editor, as opposed to the ability of the writer. Not mention, if a writer regularly produces first drafts that have to be heavily revised, they might not be able to keep up with the workload.
• What have they written about? Ideally, you’d want a writer specialized in education technology. Unfortunately, that’s not always doable. For the next best thing, look for a writer who is a proven researcher.
• Are they really interested? You can’t make people do what they don’t want to. Actually, you can, but they won’t do it well. A writer who believes in your company’s mission will give you better content, and they’ll be more likely to stick around for the long haul.

   

 

How Do I Keep My Writers Happy?

Positive reinforcement works. After all, who doesn’t like to feel appreciated? Although, actions do speak louder than words. A “Thank you” is great, but nothing beats a pat on the back (figuratively speaking).

• Create an environment where writers can grow. Challenge them with strong and intriguing content ideas.
• Hammer out a unified tone and style. Your writers won’t be able to give you their best if they don’t know what you want. A lack of consistency makes your content seem directionless. It also sends frustrated writers looking elsewhere for opportunities.

The Bottom Line

So you now have a pretty solid idea of what to consider when hiring content and blog writers. Ready to finally relax? No, we didn’t think so. It takes more than a way with words to attract visitors and convert them to qualified leads. You need design, search engine awareness, technical savvy, and above all, strategy. Content creation isn’t a one person show; it’s a team effort. As an alternative, you can work with a content provider (like ourselves). We can create the content strategy, content, optimization, and design that will resonate with your customers. To learn about what’s needed to develop an effective Content and Inbound Strategy, grab our free eBook here! If you have any questions about how to get started with an Inbound Strategy for your education company, don’t be shy, reserve a time to speak with us here. We’re happy to help!