Digital marketing is a huge part of what makes a business successful. Digital marketers provide proper advertising, targeting, analyzing, and design to ensure a business keeps growing and developing. There are numerous experts working on a single digital marketing strategy, and content marketing writers are included. But, how can you ensure you’re hiring the right person for this job?

If you’re struggling to hire a great content marketing writer, we’ve got you covered. The guide below will teach you what you need to pay attention to and which steps to take to find the best writer. Let’s break it down.

Here are the 8 steps you should take to hire the right content marketing writer for your business.

1 Niche-Specific

Content marketing writers can and should develop niche-specific skills. 

This means that they specialize in writing about a specific niche such as the makeup industry, digital marketing, or children’s education.

The content marketing writer you plan on hiring needs to have the following qualities:

• a solid knowledge base
• great research skills
• a specialty in one or several closely related niches

This is the only way the writer in question can produce fresh, interesting content, without re-writing what’s already out there.

The readers appreciate new perspectives and different points of view.

Pay close attention to this while reading CVs, portfolios, or during interviews.

2 Multiple Platforms

When it comes to publishing content, more than one platform needs to be involved. In fact, every content marketing strategy covers at least several platforms.

That means that your writer needs to be able to write content for platforms such as:

• blogs
• social media 
• emails
• etc.

There needs to be full coverage to ensure maximum quality and reach. 

The writer needs to be able to engage with different types of the audience using different tools so make sure their portfolios cover all of the above.

3 Technically Literate

Technology helps us work better and faster, and performer more notably on our job.

Your potential employee needs to be technically literate for the job he’s doing.

That implies:

•  using different types of tools for content creation
• using apps for better organization
• making high-quality content using different programs  

For example, there are Instagram tools that enable us to make perfect Instagram content. Your content writer needs to know what they are, and how to use them.

Being technically literate will help your writer perform more efficiently and provide better content. 

4 Grammar & Editing

It should go without saying that a good writer has impeccable grammar. However, we still feel the need to emphasize this since not everyone pays attention to it.

When people read a blog post and run into a single grammar mistake or even a typo, most of them automatically discredit it as unreliable.

The writer you plan on hiring needs to have:

• impeccable grammar skills
• attention to details
• proofreading skills
• editing skills

There are online editing tools you can use to double-check their work, or you could use one of the best editing services.

Whatever you do, make sure you’re hiring someone who cares about grammar as much as you do.

5 Availability

Depending on the amount of content you’ll need, you need to find a writer who can address the needs of your business.

Most content writers work on multiple projects at the same time. This is normal, since not every job gives them full-time job experience.

However, you need to be certain your content marketing writer will be able to:

• write on a daily basis
• respect the deadlines
• give you their maximal attention

There’s nothing wrong in setting things straight from the very beginning. Tell them what you expect from them and ask an honest answer about whether or not they’re able to meet your needs.

source: Pixabay 

6 Style

Digital marketing revolves around a brand it represents. And, every brand has an identity and voice.

Your content marketing writer needs to be able to recognize, analyze and understand all the elements a brand’s identity is made of. Then, he’ll be able to follow it and produce content accordingly.

That means that your content marketing writer needs to pay attention to:

• style
• tone
• voice
• personality

It’s best that you pay attention to this during the interview. Every serious and professional writer will do their homework before the meeting, and will already know a thing or two about the brand they’re supposed to represent.

7 References 

You can learn a lot about your potential employee by reading through their references and reading about their previous experiences.

Kindly ask them to provide:

• letters of recommendation
• references to their previous work
• CV
• motivational letter

This will give you a deeper look into their professional history and you’ll be able to make a better judgment call.

In addition, you can check several different freelance platforms such as:

• UpWork
• Freelancer
• iFreelance
• Textbroker
• etc.

The platforms provide a public job history for each freelancer, and you can even read the comments of their previous employers.

This will help you make a decision and ensure it’s the right one.

8 Enthusiasm & Passion

Finally, there’s one last ingredient a content writer needs to have, and that’s a passion for the job.

A writer needs to love their job in order to provide content which:

• makes the readers engage
• moves the readers
• intrigues them
• ensures they memorize you
• ensures they come back for more

Ask simple questions during the interview:

• What makes you do this job?
• What do you feel you can accomplish?
• How happy are you with what you do?

Try establishing an honest discussion about the opening position and learn about the potential employee’s goals and motivation.

Final Thoughts

To hire the right content marketing writer, you need to take the right steps. The process of hiring an employee according to your standards requires you to know what you’re looking for and how you plan o finding it.

Use the steps above as a guide and follow them to find the right match.  Don’t settle for less than what you expect and just keep searching until you find the right content marketing writer for your business. 

Author’s bio.

Daniela McVicker is a passionate digital marketer and editor at StudyClerk. Daniela is interested in everything related to SEO and blogging. She is a contributor to RatedbyStudents and other websites where she shares her experience and helps marketers make their name in the online world.