Every once in a while, I’ll have someone reach out to me who wants to outsource their blog…but is a little hesitant to take those first steps. Often, when I ask a few questions, I find out it’s because they had a bad experience with outsourcing in the past. Here are the most common experiences people share:
“The person I hired didn’t write in my voice.”
Writing in someone else’s voice takes practice—and unfortunately, not every ghost writer goes to the trouble of learning your style, because not everyone understands how crucial voice is.
A good ghost writer will have experience writing for many different people. Don’t be shy about asking them to share who they’ve written for. Unless clients have asked them to sign a confidentiality statement, most ghost bloggers will be able to let you know who they’ve written for, so you can check their blogs and see if the writer always sounds the same, or if they have a unique style for each client.
Writing in your voice is a top priority for me. I believe that you are the driving force behind your business. You are what makes it unique. And every piece of content should reflect that. If you’d like to see samples of my work, all you have to do is ask. I’m happy to provide you with examples to give you an idea of the range you can expect from RedFox Blogging.
“My blogger didn’t deliver the results I thought they would.”
Having clear expectations at the outset is crucial for a happy business relationship. If you aren’t clear on the terms of an agreement, it’s important to get answers before moving forward.
If your blogger has a contract, look it over to make sure you’re happy with what they promise to deliver. If they don’t have a contract, it is completely okay to ask for a written agreement. This isn’t a formal contract, but it does outline in writing what each party agrees to do so you’re both on the same page. As in anything else, be wary of anyone who offers something that sounds too good to be true.
I’m a big believer in clear communication. If you get started with RedFox Blogging, we’ll both sign a copy of my business contract so we both know exactly what to expect from our relationship. Because I provide different blogging packages based on your needs, I’ll also provide you with a brief appendix detailing exactly what’s included in your specific package.
“Blogging didn’t make a difference to my business.”
Because blogging is a long-term commitment (most people see results after several months) and because it is only part of a complete SEO strategy, it takes time, patience, and consistent effort before blogging will begin to pay off.
If you outsourced your blog for less than a year, or if you didn’t have a consistent schedule, it’s possible that your last attempt at outsourcing just wasn’t set up for success. Don’t hesitate to ask a potential blogger what they recommend within your budget, so you can use your dollars to the best advantage. It’s also a good idea to do some keyword research beforehand and come up with a list of topics so you’re not scrambling for ideas or having your blogger write posts without a keyword focus.
Clients who have worked consistently with me for multiple years report better rankings and more inquiries. Just as important, even if harder to measure, they also report being happier business owners and enjoying more time to pursue what they’re passionate about.
“It was easier for me to do it myself than tell someone else what to do.”
At the beginning of your relationship, it’s normal for you to still be putting in some work on your blog. It will take a little time for a blogger to learn your voice, your style, and details about your business. For an experienced ghost blogger, this shouldn’t take long, especially if you’re good about giving them feedback.
If, at the end of a couple of months, you’re still feeling like you’re putting in most of the work yourself, it may be a sign that this particular writer isn’t a great fit for you. In a situation like this (unless you’ve signed a contract for a longer time period) don’t keep struggling. There’s nothing wrong with ending a business relationship that isn’t working. Outsourcing should make your job easier, not harder.
If you’re still at the beginning of your relationship, or you feel like this writer will be great with just a little more coaching from you, give it time. The longer you work together, the easier it gets. I have clients I’ve been working with for several years who rarely even give me a topic anymore. We’ve built up a relationship of trust and an archive of great blog content to draw from, so I can keep their blog going and they don’t have to think about it.
Making Outsourcing Better Next Time
Have you ever had a bad experience with outsourcing? Bad experiences aren’t fun, but they can be great learning opportunities. Rather than letting a past failure prevent you from trying again, see if there’s anything you can do to turn your next try into a better one. Do your research, ask lots of questions, and be brave!
Because I know outsourcing can be scary, I offer month-to-month packages so you can try blogging on for size without making a big commitment. I’m also happy to set up a call with you so we can chat about your specific goals and concerns. Together, we can create a plan for outsourcing your blog that will make you wonder why you didn’t do this years ago!
