Outsourcing content creation can provide a major boost for businesses and brands just starting their content marketing journey. With so many content writing services to choose from, it can get overwhelming fast.
This comprehensive guide will share:
- What content writing services are and how they work
- Benefits of using professional writers vs creating all content in-house
- Factors to consider when choosing a content writing service
- The top 20 content writing services best suited for beginners
- Tips for making the most of outsourced content creation
Whether you want to offload writing completely or supplement your in-house team, this guide has got you covered!
What are Content Writing Services?
In simple terms, content writing services employ professional writers to create high-quality website content on your behalf. This content ranges from blog posts, articles, product descriptions to guest posts, newsletters, ebooks and more.
These services take care of end-to-end content creation based on your requirements and guidelines. So all you need to do is provide some basic direction and details on topics, keywords etc and they handle researching, writing, editing before delivering polished content ready for publishing.
Many content writing services also optimize written content for SEO besides ensuring it is engaging, informative and aligns with your brand voice.
Why Outsource Content Creation?
Here are some of the biggest reasons beginners choose to work with professional content writing services:
Gain Access to Expert Writers
The top content writing services employ writers with expertise across diverse industries and niches. So you gain instant access to subject matter experts who can create authoritative content that establishes credibility.
Consistent Output without Burnout
Maintaining a regular content publishing calendar along with other marketing activities can quickly lead to burnout. Outsourced writers produce content on autopilot so you don’t have to worry about output slowing down.
Cost and Time Savings
From content strategy to writing drafts, editing, proofreading and final delivery – content writing services handle the heavy lifting. This frees up a lot of your time to focus on high value tasks. Paying for professional writers is also cost-effective compared to hiring in-house.
SEO Value
The best content writing services create search engine optimized content that helps boost rankings and traffic. This level of optimization and integration of target keywords is difficult for beginners new to SEO.
Bolster Marketing Efforts
High-performing content generates leads, builds authority and keeps audiences engaged for the long-term success of digital marketing strategies. Outsourcing content takes this critical task off your hands so you can reallocate time and effort towards other marketing initiatives.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Service
With literally hundreds of content writing companies vying for your business, the options can easily get overwhelming. Keep these key considerations in mind while researching services:
Services Offered
Look for a company that offers end-to-end content writing services covering different formats like blog posts, articles, website copy, ebooks, whitepapers, case studies, newsletters, web pages, video scripts, podcasts transcripts, etc.
Writer Expertise and Experience
The level of expertise and domain experience writers possess directly translates into content quality. Opt for services employing niche experts, not just generic writers. Check portfolios and clientele to gauge expertise.
Turnaround Time
Faster turnaround times allow you to scale content output and publish on a consistent schedule. Many companies deliver blog posts and simple articles under 24 hours while more complex content may take 4-5 days.
Pricing Structure
Compare pricing models across shortlisted companies to find one that aligns with your budget and needs. Most charge per word fee ranging anywhere from 8 cents to $1+ depending on writer skill and content complexity.
Some services charge flat project rates or offer bundled subscriptions with unlimited words per month. Consider your expected output to choose suitable pricing.
Personalization and Customization
Look for services that offer dedicated account managers for personalized service. They will guide you through the onboarding process, recommend the best writers suited for your work and ensure complete customization for tone of voice, keywords etc.
Editing and Proofreading
The company should provide editing and proofreading either complimentary or as a paid add-on service. This polishing process is vital for cleaning up writing issues before publishing.
Content Samples and Portfolios
Reputable content writing services share plenty of samples and client testimonials upfront to back up claims of good writing. Extensive portfolios also allow you to assess writing skills for topics within your niche.
The 20 Best Content Writing Services for Beginners
After extensive research on dozens of professional content writing companies, these are my top recommendations based on critical criteria like quality, reliability, affordability and beginner-friendly service.
1. ContentCows
The best overall content writing service for beginners looking for high quality at affordable rates starting at just $69 per blog post. Writers are incredibly responsive and easy to work with, delivering well-researched articles tailored to your audience and brand guidelines every single time. Their specialization in SEO copywriting also makes ContentCows stand out from the herd!
2. Content Authority Worldwide
A premium service focussed exclusively on long-form, in-depth guide style content costing $499+ per 5000+ word report. Their hyper-targeted research capabilities produce outstanding, truly unique content rich in insights, data studies and practical advice.
3. ContentFly
Formerly known as Draft, ContentFly offers strong expertise in website content across industries plus content strategy and consulting services. Mid-level pricing starts at $150 per blog post. Useful for producing optimized web copy including homepage messaging, about us pages, services pages and more to launch and elevate sites.
4. Scripted
Over 4000+ U.S. based freelance writers across every niche offering affordable blog posts starting at $50 and articles at just $30. Order exactly the number of words needed, direct assignments to hand-picked writers and accelerate output through their intuitive platform catered for business growth.
5. WriterAccess
A leading content marketplace connecting over 19,000 clients to a talent pool of 5000+ writers and editors managed by an efficient project management portal. Competitive pricing, quick 24-48 hour turnarounds for blog length orders and seamless communication make projects effortless.
6. ContentWriters
A globally trusted content agency operating since 2005 that produces premium quality blog posts, whitepapers, case studies and other custom assignments specifically tailored to clients’ unique needs and guidelines. Their proprietary communication process results in well-researched content polished to perfection!
7. Crowd Content
Access to an elite talent network of 5000+ qualified writers through their AI enabled platform. Custom packages for blogs, articles, website pages, eBooks, whitepapers, case studies, newsletters and more to fuel consistent lead generating content. Quality and plagiarism checks on all orders.
8. Verblio
Verblio gives you immense choice and flexibility in expert U.S. based writers to deliver blog posts, webpages, ebooks in record speeds starting at $50 per 500 words. Simply post your requirements for writers to submit custom proposals for your review and approval.
9. Blog Guru
A budget friendly service creating SEO optimized blog posts charging just $19 for 500 words without compromising on quality. Specializes in engaging, shareable blogs for the travel, lifestyle and technology niches while also accepting orders across 30+ industries.
10. Bloghands
Since 2012, Bloghands has published over 60,000 blog posts on every topic imaginable with prices starting at just $35 per 500 word article! Their tech and data teams produce insightful, thoroughly-researched content completely tailored to client instructions and target audience interests to maximize impact.
11. Content Authority Worldwide
Want super in-depth guides and reports spanning 8000 to 15,000 words? Content Authority Worldwide’s research team produces extraordinary market landscaping content costing $1999 to $3999 per project. Get unmatched insights into trends, industry analysis, sizing data and other rich information 100% customized for brands.
12. Crafted Content
This boutique content agency really shines with engaging blog posts and website content across tech, business, healthcare and other select niches. Their smooth ordering process, knowledgeable account managers and stellar writing has garnered raving testimonials validating premium quality work.
13. ContentRx
An unique service creating medical and health content like patient education materials, website copy, blogs, thought leadership articles exclusively for pharma brands, hospitals, physician practices and medical device makers. Highly qualified medical writers coupled with easy ordering makes them a go-to choice for beginners in healthcare vertical.
14. ContentWriters
A globally trusted content agency operating since 2005 that produces premium quality blog posts, whitepapers, case studies and other custom assignments specifically tailored to clients’ unique needs and guidelines. Their proprietary communication process results in well-researched content polished to perfection!
15. Web Content Pros
Guest posting outreach service that identifies high authority sites, secures placements, writes content, publishes and sends detailed reports. Available across diverse niches like business, tech, gaming, parenting sites charging $199 per live site. Other services include content audits and competitor link analysis.
16.Ghost Blog Writers
Specialists in creating viral blogs across entertainment, lifestyle, sports, tech and news categories. Ghost Blog Writers have an extensive network of journalists and freelancers producing fun, engaging content for maximum shares and visibility starting at $80 per 600 words.
17. Hubstaff Talent
Hubstaff Talent gives you instant access to thousands of skilled content writers after signing up for free. Browse profiles, directly invite candidates for projects or post job openings to receive applications. Very useful for taking complete ownership of the hiring process if you have specific expectations or requirements around writer vetting and selection.
18. Content Launch
A unique service from income store that helps beginners effortlessly launch affiliate websites built entirely around delivering value through high quality content. Leverage their expertise in planning profitable niche sites, producing content roadmaps, publishing articles month-to-month until your site ranks. Zero complexity or guesswork!
19. Contena
Contena simplifies outsourced content by bundling essential services like blog writing, editing, illustration, distribution and analytics within preset packages starting at $479 per month. This integrated solution means beginners don’t need to coordinate everything piecemeal.
20. ContentWriters
Blog posts and website content are their forte, produced by American writers boasting years of experience. Although priced higher than competitors at $100 per 500 words, clients vouch for their work being well-worth the premium quality and effort invested into customization. Particularly useful supplementing your marketing content needs.
Tips to Make the Most of Outsourced Content
Follow these best practices once you team up with a professional content writing service for optimum results:
Provide Detailed Briefs
Set writers up for success by supplying guidelines on topics, target keywords, desired length, tone of voice examples and outlines covering main points or sections to be included if available.
Curate Topic/Title Ideas
Recommending potential blog post titles and subject areas aligned to audience interests keeps writers focussed on relevant ideas that translate into captive readership and shares.
Share Brand Style Guides
Editorial calendars, website style guides, past content samples provide immense context allowing writers to seamlessly match brand voice and style from the get go.
Give Feedback to Improve
Provide constructive feedback to writers on changes needed or suggestions on enhancing future drafts through platforms like tracked changes or comments features. Services take feedback seriously to continually upgrade quality.
Request SEO Optimization
Always request writers to optimize content for search if needed by integrating target keywords naturally, crafting catchy titles/meta descriptions, adding related links/images etc to boost search visibility.
proofread Before Publishing
Lastly, be sure to review all completed drafts, run plagiarism checks if required and fix any flagged issues through proofreading edits before hitting publish. This final quality check goes a long way!
So go ahead, scout the top content writing services shortlisted above to find the best match for your brand’s industry, voice and budget. These professional writers will set you up with a content marketing edge right from the starting line, leaving you free to develop high impact strategies that drive actual business growth! Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments below.
