When Should You Hire a Freelance Writer or Editor?

Any written communication that will be seen by potential clients or a large number of people deserves great care. The purpose behind any marketing collateral, website, proposal, press release, or article is to convey information. If that information is confusing and lacks a diamond’s clarity, your whole purpose is diminished if not destroyed. All of the money, graphics, and labor that go into your website or marketing collateral are wasted if your message is not understood.

Writing is an area in which many people cut money to save on the budget. Most small companies have to get vendors for graphics or websites, but think they will save by writing content themselves. Oftentimes they end up with an expensive effort that doesn’t sell. 

Poor writing doesn’t just make you look uneducated, it embarrasses your firm. College towns like Madison are filled with PhDs, biotech scientists, physicians, and educators. Sad but true, they will snort in derision at poor writing. This kind of market can be merciless to those who do not make themselves well understood. If you’ve written something but think it might need some fine tuning, let an editor take a crack at it.

Do you have enough time to interview the appropriate people and draft the piece? Do you have the writing skills to do a better-than-adequate job? Generally speaking, if you don’t read for pleasure, weren’t an English or journalism major, don’t have anyone in your company who can write well, are strapped for time, or it takes you an hour to pull a paragraph together, it’s a good idea to hire a freelance writer.