From large-scale corporate companies to small sole proprietor businesses, hiring online professional content writers to create website pieces, product descriptions, blog posts, and more has quickly become the norm!

While the online world of freelancing is a credible and rapidly growing industry, it can be difficult to determine if the person you are speaking to is a true professional or someone just looking for a quick buck.

Furthermore, you could be WASTING all your hard-earned cash if you don’t know what to judge the content writer on.

For example, if you hire someone who doesn’t have the right tone for your audience, the content will get 0 engagement. And, as you might guess from there you definitely won’t be seeing an ROI in terms of increased sales or traffic.

That’s why this article helps you ask the right questions – so you get the answers you need to find the perfect writer… So you can ultimately grow your business.

Content Writer Questions for Order Logistics

It’s important to note that no two content writers have the same workflows and preferences. When it comes to establishing and fulfilling a service, all content writers have developed their own process that works for them as well as their past and present clients.

Legiit impressively offers content writers, amongst other freelancers, the autonomy to develop their services according to their own expertise, preferences, and values. This quality guarantees customers have access to professional content writers who feel respected, comfortable, and delighted to take on the next project.

Before launching into questions about the content writer’s expertise, there are some logistical questions you can ask to determine if you would like for the conversation to go further. These inquiries will help you decide if the content writer’s timeframe and workflow align with your requirements and expectations!

1. How much time do you need to complete this project?

Especially if you are needing a custom order that may differ slightly from their listed service package, it’s considerate to work together on a timeline that fits both of your needs. Although content writers list a timeframe on their service descriptions, it can be polite to ask ahead of time if they would need extra time to complete your project.

Since all writing projects vary in difficulty level and the amount of research required to write a well-rounded piece, asking a content writer if they need extra time is beneficial to you and the quality of the final piece. Furthermore, you may be surprised to find that many content writers will disclose that they can deliver your order even faster than their disclosed timeframe.

2. Are you available to create and write custom services?

While you can create a custom order offer before speaking to the content writer, you may find it more beneficial to discuss your project preferences ahead of time. This can reduce your chances of your customer order offer being denied, and it is a guaranteed way to reduce the amount of work you put in, as the customer, to have your project needs met!

To create a custom order offer on Legiit, you will first locate the service and content writer you believe aligns the closest with your project needs and expectations. From the service page, you will see the “custom order” button on the right-hand side of the page. This is where you will write all of the details and preferences of your order along with the maximum price you’re willing to pay for that particular service.

3. What would be the cost to hire you for my specific project?

Of course, if your project aligns with the exact service the content writer is offering, you’ll already have the answer to this question. However, if you have special requirements or add-on preferences, this is a fair inquiry! Most content writers on Legiit are happy to accommodate projects that may not align exactly with their service description and to include add-ons for an additional cost.

While discussing your budget and prices, please keep in mind that most content writers have set their prices at the lowest rate possible to be fair to the customer while also allowing them to make a living off of their services. Most writers base their pricing off competitor rates along with the amount of time and effort it takes them to complete each project.

4. What do you need from me to get started?

Most content writers want to eliminate the chances of them having to pop in repeatedly during an order to ask questions. Therefore, it is likely they will be forthcoming if more information is needed to get started. However, as a client, asking your content writer this question will accomplish two things.

First, it will let the writer know that you are serious about establishing an order and you are ready to get started. In addition, it will show that you are considerate, organized, and invested in the success of the project!

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5. What are your hours?

One of the benefits of working with Legiit content writers is that it provides you the opportunity to coordinate with people from all around the world! Uncoincidentally, this also means you may be working with a professional who resides in a different time zone than where you are from.

For example, it is beneficial for a client living in London who wishes to hire a content creator from the United States to be familiar with the time zone differences. Knowing the content writer’s hours of operation will also ensure that you are knowledgeable about when the freelancer will be online to assist you and answer any questions.

6. Do you offer ghostwriting services?

While many clients assume that they will receive full copyrights to the final written product, this isn’t always the case! It’s always beneficial to ask this question if you wish to possess full copyrights and authorship of the written content.

Many content writers will provide guest writing opportunities along with ghostwriting services. Guest writing services normally allow you, as the client, to use the piece while naming the content writer as the creator. As such, it can expected for ghostwriting services to cost more as the writer will be relinquishing any rights to the content they produce.

Content Writer Questions to Determine Expertise

Now it’s time for you to narrow your focus and get to know more about the content writer’s expertise! These questions will assist you in gathering the essential information necessary to decide if you want to hire the content writer to fulfill your project.

As some of these questions will produce similar answers, we don’t recommend you ask the content writer every single one of the listed inquiries below. These questions are designed to serve as conversation starts and to help you gauge the writer’s expertise and enthusiasm for your particular industry or niche.

We encourage you to ask the questions necessary to gather the following information from the content writer:

• Any noteworthy writing accomplishments,
• If they have written for your niche/industry,
• Additional writing samples (if needed),
• If your project is one they would enjoy,
• Tones and styles within their comfort zone,

7. Have you written content for my specific industry or niche?

This is a fair question! Although it may make you feel as though you are putting them on the spot, Legiit content writers are prepared and happy to answer this question.

An honest content writer will either say “yes” to this inquiry and give you instances or even examples of work they have created in the past within your specific niche or industry. Likewise, they may say “no” and then provide evidence of how they possess the research skills and expertise necessary to successfully complete the order.

At this point, you’ll need to decide what you value in a professional content writer. Although you may prefer for your content writer to be well-versed in your specific industry or niche, there are many talented writers who are exceptional at researching all industries so they may write compelling and professional content.

8. What does your workflow look like when writing about something outside of your expertise?

Remember, most writers have different processes they follow. What is important is that the final content is exceptional and was written within the agreed upon timeframe. A great content writer will explain their process of researching the topic, developing an angle for the piece, and ensuring the piece they provide is accurate to your industry or niche.

9. Do you have any additional samples of your writing to share?

An established freelance content writer will have some form of a writing sample to send your way. From personal blogs to PDFs of their past work, Legiit content writers have a variety of ways in which they prefer to relay their skills.

It is important for you to keep in mind that many writers complete ghostwriting services, and so they may not be at liberty to openly share past content they have written within your specific industry. However, most will be able to send you examples of their writing in a variety of styles so you can get a taste of their experience and capabilities.

10. What kind of content or copy do you write most?  

This question can help you determine if you’re purchasing a service that is popular for that specific content writer. In addition, it will also assist you in figuring out if your project is within range of the types of writing the freelancer typically completes.

For example, it may be worth it to ask more questions about the writer’s expertise if you are requesting business website content, but they say their most popular service is writing children’s books.

11. What major accomplishments do you have as a Freelance Writer?

You can expect a variety of answers from different Legiit content writers with this question! They may list off some of the most notable clients they have worked with in the past or they might send you more samples of their work to show off their expertise.

In addition, the content writer may point you to their professional website to view a more comprehensive list of testimonials and ratings for their writing. This question is a wonderful way to pinpoint the writer’s expertise as well as their level of confidence in what they do.

12. Do you have a business site you can share?

One of the major ways in which Legiit stands out from other freelance platforms is the autonomy it provides writers to share their personal sites and portfolios with clients. While other freelance platforms have limited the ability for content writers to share outside websites, Legiit encourages freelancers to provide as much information as possible to establish a successful and professional relationship built on trust and confidence.

13. Do you enjoy writing this type of content and what tones can you comfortably write in?

Content writers take on projects every day that they may not particularly enjoy. That doesn’t necessarily determine the quality of content they will deliver, but it may be something to consider if you are trying to choose between hiring two different professionals.

Most experienced content writers can take on any tone required for the piece. Some of the most common tones are informative and formal, upbeat and informal, opinionated and passionate, and the list goes on! This question is a good one to ask to open the conversation about what the writer would recommend as far as tone for your project.

14. What SEO strategies do you utilize in your writing?

If you are needing website content to help you optimize your site for search engines, this is a definite question you should ask your content writer! While more goes into search engine optimizing a website than just the written content, it is important for your content writer to utilize proven strategies to assist in optimizing your site.

Some of the best ways a content writer can optimize their content is to organically incorporate successful keywords within the piece. In addition, the use of headings, subheadings, and bulleted lists provide website content and blog posts the necessary structure for optimization.

Knowledgeable website content writers will provide you a list of what they do to ensure search engine optimization. Keywords, formatting, and even internal and backlinking are just a few common and successful strategies they may disclose!

Related: What Makes Good Content

15. Do you have any recommendations for my projects that I haven’t thought of?

It’s likely that the Legiit content writer you are chatting with may have some thoughts and suggestions of their own for what could make your project even better! They may have a recommendation for what type of tone would be best for the content.

In addition, it is possible that their past experiences have given them a different perspective than you and they may have suggestions for a different angle you should approach with your piece. Working with a content writer on Legiit is a collaborative experience, and we encourage writers and clients to work together for best results!

Additional Content Writer Questions for Scope of Service

These questions are designed to help you and your content writer tie up any loose ends before establishing an order. This will guarantee you both have a full understanding of what is expected of the service, and it will also help you determine if there are any add-ons you may need to pay for to have all your project needs met.

The Legiit content writer’s answers to these questions should be mostly straightforward. In addition, they will be ready to let you know if anything you are requesting will be included with the quoted price or if it is considered an “add-on” for an extra charge.

Here are our top suggestions for additional questions to ask your content writer:

• How many revisions will I receive with my order?
• Do you include citations and references?
• Would you be able to include free-use images that match my content?
• How will the written content be delivered?
• What other writing services do you offer?

Hiring a content writer on Legiit opens up a whole world of opportunities for you to meet professionals from all around the globe. This exposes you to a wider variety of expertise and potential to have the best possible content written! For more information about the writing services and other options offered on Legiit, you can click here to sign up and begin browsing services or learn more about the easy process of registering on Legiit.

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