Content Writing Cheap – How to Find Affordable Content Writing Services
Whether you’re running a small business, startup, or personal website, high-quality content is critical for success. Professional content writing services can be very expensive, sometimes costing thousands of dollars for a single article or webpage. If your budget is limited, how can you find affordable content writing help?
In this article, we’ll discuss various strategies and options for obtaining content writing cheap, without compromising on quality. Here are some of the top recommendations:
Use Freelance Marketplaces
Freelance job boards like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and Gun.io are excellent places to find individual freelance writers at affordable rates. You can post project details and receive bids from writers around the world.
Rates will vary depending on topic, word count, deadline, and writer experience. Generally, expect to pay between $0.05-0.10 per word for standard blog posts and articles from new or moderately experienced freelancers. Rates may be a bit higher for more specialized or technical content.
Freelancers usually have hourly and package rates listed as well. Aim to get quotes from 3-5 candidates so you can compare experience, quality of sample work, turnaround times, and pricing. Be open to negotiating if you have a tight budget.
Key benefits of freelance marketplaces include access to a global talent pool, ability to view portfolios and reviews, and built-in payment protection. Just be sure to clearly specify your needs upfront to minimize scope creep or missed deadlines.
Outsource to Content Mills
Content mills are companies that employ large teams of low-cost writers, primarily based in developing countries. They can churn out high volumes of fairly generic content cheaply.
While quality control may be lower than top-tier freelancers, content mills remain a budget-friendly option for things like link building articles, basic product descriptions, directory listings, and non-critical website pages.
Expect to pay around $0.02-0.05 per word depending on turnaround time, topic, and other factors. Some popular content mill providers are WriterAccess, ZippyArticles, Skyword, and Scripted. Define strict guidelines and be willing to edit submissions heavily.
Hire Virtual Assistants
Sites like Upwork, FlexJobs, and WeWorkRemotely have plenty of virtual assistants (VAs) with writing skills who charge hourly or monthly rates. VAs are usually more affordable than one-off freelancers since you gain an ongoing collaborator.
Look for VA profiles that highlight relevant experience and education. Quality VAs may charge $10-25 per hour depending on location, experience level, and specific duties. In addition to basic copywriting, a good VA can also help with tasks like keyword research, link building, social media posting, and more.
Clearly define the types and volume of content needed each week or month. Ongoing projects and long-term relationships often receive discounted rates. Just make sure expectations align with the VA’s actual writing skills.
Tap Into Content Sharing Communities
WriterAccess and TextBroker are examples of content sharing platforms where various small businesses and individuals trade articles and website content for future content related to their own niche.
The quality is inconsistent since writers generally submit just a few words or short paragraphs for trade credits versus money. It’s a good zero-cost option to pad out non-critical pages like category listings. Give clear instructions on needed topics and word counts.
You’ll need to post wants, browse submissions from others, and be prepared to produce outbound content as needed to gain trade credits. For basic supplementary material versus premium featured articles, content sharing works.
Use Student or Amateur Writers
Websites, local universities, and social networks can help source moderately priced writing from students or inexperienced amateurs. While quality varies widely, budget-minded businesses sometimes assign low-stakes blog posts, product descriptions, and simple website updates.
Expect to invest time providing instruction, reviewing drafts, and managing less polished writers. Set realistic expectations by emphasizing this as a learning opportunity. Offer public credit or recommendations versus pay to interested amateurs. For quantity over polish on non-essential pages, students may deliver content cheap.
Self-Writing or Repurposing Existing Materials
For really tight budgets, consider leveraging existing published works under fair use guidelines. Self-writing simpler materials using internal subject matter experts also eliminates costs.
Ideas include reworking old blog posts, editing and combining published materials from different sources, and assigning non-writing staff to compose basic site copy. Quality naturally declines, so only use self-written or repurposed content sparingly for low-priority pages.
Monitor Ongoing Costs
No matter the sourcing strategy, manage content costs by batching projects versus one-off assignments. Negotiate volume discounts for routine blog posts, site updates, or ongoing projects outsourced to freelancers or VA’s.
Avoid overpaying for standard materials by establishing clear content guidelines and templates upfront. Low quality or missed deadlines should lead to finding a new supplier versus unlimited revisions. With the right suppliers and processes, quality content can indeed be written cheap.
Several affordable options exist for budget-conscious businesses to obtain useful content without breaking the bank. Applying a combination of the strategies above should allow finding competent writing support at reasonable rates to enhance your online presence. Above all, set reasonable expectations tailored to available funds versus trying to save costs at the expense of quality and value. With the right balance, content can indeed be written cheap.
Andrew Stroud