Value Content Marketing, but Don't Like Writing? You Need a Ghostwriter

If your top skill was writing engaging content, you'd probably be doing that for living. But if you aren't a freelance content writer scoping me out, then I'm going to assume your skills lie elsewhere.

Even if you do have the skills, if writing isn't your core business, it's highly likely you don't have the time, or that your time could be better used elsewhere.

Blogging takes time. And for that reason, so many businesses or entrepreneurs just don't do it. Many people hire ghostwriters because they are not confident about their writing abilities. Or, because they don't like the idea of exposing themselves to criticism. But that doesn't mean they don't see the value in content writing - sometimes, it's simply a case of not knowing where to start.

So let's start at the very beginning. With the reason that your business needs to blog.

Why should you blog?

Blogs are online journals that are updated with original content on a frequent basis. They can help with SEO because they increase visibility for your website.

Blogging is very important for SEO purposes because each blog post boosts the ranking of your site in search engine results pages (SERPs). Creating content with popular keywords in the title and throughout the article improves your chances of getting picked up by search engines like Google.

Blogging isn't just about SEO, though. In fact, for many of the clients who engage me for blog writing services, SEO is at the bottom of their list of priorities. These clients look at themselves as media owners, and at their website and the other platforms, they will share their content on as media. They are interested in sharing quality, informative, engaging content that gives them an opportunity to connect with an audience.

You don't need to compromise though. It's definitely possible to create content that hits all the right SEO notes, whilst engaging a human audience.

What should I blog about?

Well, that's really up to you. Or rather, it's up to your audience. Blogging is about giving your reader something of value. Whether it's an interesting anecdote, whether it's insight, whether it's a how-to-guide or some free advice or industry thought-leadership.

Your blog topics should be built around your target keywords, of course. But I always say that when the copy is authentic and organic, SEO just naturally follows - as long as there's an awareness of structure.

Who decides what to blog about - me or the ghostwriter?

That is up to you, again. I always tell my clients that they can have as much or as little control as they prefer over the topics and content. For as little as £25 I can take a blog you've written yourself and simply restructure and polish all the ideas in it to make it more professional. Or I can completely plan, write and publish your blogs on your behalf.

What should I look for in a ghostwriter?

If you want someone to write for your business, you need them to write as if they are part of your business. This takes dedication to research your tone, style, and your company's mission and identity. This is the only way the copy will come across as authentic. So you need a ghostwriter who is willing to put in the time to really understand you and your business - and this means someone who is willing to take feedback graciously, and commit to continuous improvement.

How much does it cost to hire someone else to write content for my blog?

You could get someone to write a blog for you for anywhere between £5 and £500, depending on the skillset of the writer. Many of the freelancing websites will allow writers to bid for your business, but you'll find that generally, they are not UK-natives, let alone professional writers.

Why does this matter? Because blogging is about using natural, conversational language to start a conversation with your audience. If your audience is UK-based, they will be able to tell that your blog is a bit "off" when it doesn't contain natural conversational English idiom.

When I first started up as a freelance blog writer, it was because there was a clear gap in the market for experienced, professional UK writers. It was easy to find a writer, but it wasn't easy to find one whose copy would appear authentic.

My rates can be found here. I charge anywhere from £25 for blog rewriting, to £60 for a 500-word blog and £220 for a 2,000-word blog. Research and title planning is extra.

The question, really, is about how these costs compare to the opportunity cost of you spending whatever time it takes you to research and write your own blogs. What could you do with that time? Concentrating on your core business? Recharging your batteries to prevent burnout?

Should I use a ghostwriter for my blog writing needs?

You cannot write a blog overnight and expect it to be perfect. It takes hours of research and writing to make it work. Striking the fine balance of crafting engaging copy, that is meaningful, interesting and also has seamlessly integrated keywords, links, images and everything else that comes with digital content marketing is time-consuming.

The most important thing is to find the right ghostwriter for your blog. Ask questions about their experience. A good ghostwriter will be able to answer your questions with ease. What's a little trickier is providing you with writing samples - the nature of the work means disclosing that you are the ghostwriter behind the blog isn't always possible.

I always say that I don't tie anyone into contracts. And a demonstration of how I would write for someone else isn't always an indication of how I would write for you. It's such an individual process. The best way to find out how we would work together is to do just that.

So shall we? Work together that is? I'd love to. Connect with me on LinkedIn or email me at kirsty@the-blog-writer.co.uk .

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