As the demand for high-quality, value-driven content increases, so too does the need for reliable content writing services. While, for most organizations, it’s a no-brainer to outsource content creation. But, the question of to whom or where to outsource said efforts remains. Like content writing agencies, freelance writers and DFY platforms, and so many others, the problem that you may have run into is not a shortage of options for content providers but rather a plethora. In your research, you may also have noticed that websites offer various purchasing models.
From content marketing subscription services to done-for-you platforms, the ways in which you can purchase content are just as varied as the providers themselves. Before you let that fact overwhelm you though, take comfort in the knowledge that most models fall into one of three categories.
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Content Writing Agencies vs Freelance Writers vs DFY Platforms
Content Writing Agencies
Content writing agencies are the crème de la crème of all outsourcing models.
- Content writing agencies offer reliability, flexibility, and scalability.
- Agencies are also more likely to guarantee their work and perform strict quality control processes than the other types of providers on this list.
- The problem with content writing agencies, though, is that most people assume their services are expensive. This is far from the case.
- Many content writing agencies offer various plans in an attempt to make content affordable for startups and small businesses.
- Not only that, but many agencies cater their offerings strictly to customers with tight budgets.
Examples of ways in which agencies do this are by offering content marketing subscription services, a la carte menus, and contract-free ordering.
Freelance Writers
Maybe you need to establish a deeper connection with the person who creates your content? If that’s the case, you may want to consider hiring freelance writers.
- Freelance writers come with their fair share of pros and cons.
- On the one hand, freelance writers are typically the cheapest option. Because, the freelancer doesn’t need to pay any middle people, such as editors or account managers.
- If you offer consistent work, freelancers also tend to be very loyal.
- However, if you can’t offer consistent work, a writer is likely to look for sources that can. It means you may not be your writer’s number one priority.
While freelance writers typically have extensive writing experience, the extent of their experience ends there. If you need help with keyword research, editing, or other responsibilities, you may have to hire other professionals, which will only add to your cost.
If you forego help from other professionals, you run the risk that the content you paid for won’t accomplish its goals, which defeats the purpose of paying for content at all.
The biggest pitfall of working with a freelance writer, however, is that freelance contracts are nonexclusive.
- If a writer doesn’t perform, you cannot levy penalties against him or her. You cannot make demands or ask that you be his or her only client.
- If the freelancer feels like dropping your gig at a moment’s notice, they are accessible to and without giving you the courtesy of lining up a replacement.
DFY Platforms
Done-for-you content, otherwise known as “private label rights” content, is essentially pre-written content that you can purchase as your needs dictate. You pick the article you want from an extensive database of content, purchase it and receive the ownership rights to it.
As you can imagine DFY platforms, not much advantage comes from PLR content. Sure, you can get a 500-word article for $5 or a whole batch for $20. But, at the end of the day, you’re spending for unoriginal and often low-quality content.
Most PLR sites sell the same content to multiple businesses. So, you run the risk of being penalized by Google for publishing duplicate content when (not if) Google detects the duplication. Some DFY platforms do limit the number of times they will sell a piece of content. But even then, you will find dozens, if not hundreds, of sources that have the same content as you.
Content writing agencies, freelance writers, DFY platforms – each of the content models above comes with unique benefits. However, at the end of the day, working with content writing agencies come with the least amount of risk.
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