A great way to get a consistent flow of high-quality written content is to outsource content writing. Fresh, new content builds trust with your target audience—and trust leads to growth. On average, businesses that produce blog content regularly experienced a 165% increase in leads.
The challenge
42% of companies report that they lack the skills and resources to create consistent, effective written content that meets the demands of their buyers.
The solution
Outsource content writing to agencies that specialize in creating content that generates growth. But do your homework – not all agencies will be the right fit for you.
Covered in this post
- 9 questions to ask an agency you might outsource content writing to
- Outsource content writing: 5 content agencies to talk to
- What is content outsourcing?
- Why should you outsource content writing?
- How to outsource content writing in 8 steps
- Quick story for you about a company unhappy with their agency
In the video above, we cover the pros and cons when you outsource content writing vs hiring in-house writers.
9 questions to ask an agency you might outsource content writing to
Here are 9 questions you should ask any agencies when you want to outsource content writing:
- Who will write our content?
- Will we have one writer for the duration of the relationship or will our writer change frequently?
- What experience does the writer have?
- Can I see samples from that writer?
- Do you edit the content before you send it to us?
- Who edits the content?
- What is their experience?
- Who manages the project on your side?
- What does that look like?
Outsource content writing: 5 content agencies to talk to
Now that you know what questions to ask prospective agencies, it’s time to reach out and have a few conversations. Here are 5 content agencies to consider when you want to outsource your content writing.
1. Outsource content writing to Uplift Content
Uplift Content is a SaaS content marketing agency for high-growth B2B SaaS companies. We focus on writing high-quality, well-researched case studies, blog posts, ebooks and white papers to help you grow brand awareness and close bigger deals faster.
Best for: B2B SaaS companies
Services offered:
Content writing
Strengths: High-performing, long-form content for the B2B SaaS market
Quick facts:
- Company size: 22 team members
- Headquarters: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Notable clients: ClickUp, Calendly, LeanData
Pricing: Starts at $750 for an optimized blog post, $2,500 for an ebook or white paper, and $1,750 for a case study
A good option if:
- You want to outsource content writing to a partner who understands B2B SaaS inside and out
- You recognize the value of well-researched, high-quality content that engages your target audience
- You’re open to suggestions, strategies and solutions
- You want to work with a company who cares about your success
2. Outsource content writing to Adroit
Adroit is a marketing agency focused on strategy-driven content creation. It emphasizes monitoring outcomes and tailoring a plan to meet your content needs.
Best for: eCommerce, B2B SaaS, Education
Services offered:
Content writing
- Blogs
- Site pages
- White papers
- Sales collateral
Other
- Lead generation and analysis
- SEO strategy
- Email marketing
- Ad management
Strengths: Functions as your full digital marketing team
Quick facts:
- Company size: 2-10 employees
- Headquarters: Provo, Utah, USA
- Notable clients: Scrumlink, Spectronic, SwipeClock
Pricing: Starts at $2,000 per month for multi-service digital marketing plan
A good option if:
- You want to create a comprehensive marketing strategy based on your content outsourcing needs
- You are looking for an agency that packages a full range of digital marketing services
- You want to monitor and track your progress
- You are looking for a long-term partner to outsource content writing to
3. Outsource content writing to Tavanberg
Tavanberg emphasizes the creative approach to content creation. It provides you with a customized team of experts based on your brand needs.
Best for: B2B SaaS, Retail, eCommerce
Services offered:
Content writing
- Interviews
- Editorial writing
- Copywriting
- UX copy
- SEO writing
- Blogging
- English-French translation
Other
- Content strategy and planning
- Social media marketing
- Creative content (video, photography and more)
Strengths: Providing creative content specific to industry and brand requirements
Quick facts:
- Company size: 2-10 employees
- Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Notable clients: Moneris Solutions, Equifax, RBC Ventures
Pricing: Available on request
A good option if:
- You want written content that focuses on story-telling and the needs of your audience
- You want to pair written content with other creative mediums
- You’re interested in rebranding
- You want to outsource content writing to a creative team that can create a content strategy
4. Outsource content writing to Verdino
Verdino is a boutique agency that focuses on a wide selection of marketing services. It uses a network of professionals to match expertise with content requirements.
Best for: Fintech, SaaS
Services offered:
Content Writing
- White papers, ebooks and research reports
- Blog posts and bylined articles
- Video and podcast scripts
- Email newsletters and nurture campaigns
- Website copy
Other
- Content strategy
- Brand strategy
- Sales outreach
- Event marketing
- Strategic communications
Strengths: Leveraging a network of professionals to provide specialized content
Quick facts:
- Company size: 2-10 employees
- Headquarters: Long Island, New York, USA
- Notable clients: Simplr, Blackbaud, Axiom
Pricing: Available on request
A good option if:
- You want to focus on brand awareness
- You’re interested in aligning your content creation strategy with other forms of marketing services
- You’re looking for counsel on a strategic approach to digital marketing
- You want to outsource content writing to a team that can add authority and expertise to your written content
5. Outsource content writing to Peak
Peak is a good option if you want consistent content with a fast turnaround time. It follows a smooth process, and will even help you refresh your old content.
Best for: B2B SaaS
Services offered:
Content writing
- Blog posts
- White papers and ebooks
- Case studies
Other
- SEO-driven content strategy
- Content refreshing
Strengths: A fast turnaround and a consistent process for content creation
Quick facts:
- Company size: 2-10 employees
- Headquarters: Mexico
- Notable clients: Shopify, ManyChat, CoSchedule
Pricing: Available on request
A good option if:
- You want to outsource content writing to a collective of freelancers guided by a strategically driven process
- You’re looking for a quick turnaround on written content
- You want to update and enhance your existing content
What is content outsourcing?
Content outsourcing is when you hire someone outside of your organization to create content for you. When you outsource content writing, you can save time, get additional skillsets that your team might not have and scale content production.
Why should you outsource content writing?
Outsource content writing to an agency or freelancer for 3 key reasons:
1. Insight, expertise and perspective
Many content marketers (46%) are a team of one. When you outsource content writing to an agency or freelancer, content marketers can tap into a broader range of insights, expertise and perspectives than just they alone can provide—and this is hugely valuable.
2. Flexibility and scalability
When you outsource content writing it gives you the power to scale marketing initiatives up or down based on company needs. It offers the freedom to test different approaches and to adapt to customer demands.
3. Time and focus
It takes a whole lot of time and focus to produce quality content that drives traffic and leads. And most marketing teams don’t have enough of either. Outsource content writing to save you and your marketing team time so you can focus on other strategic initiatives.
How to outsource content writing in 8 steps
1. Determine your goals
Decide whether you want to enhance brand awareness, focus on SEO optimization or drive leads. Clear goals will help you to partner with the right agency to achieve your desired results when you outsource content writing.
2. Assess your current needs
When you outsource content writing, you need to determine whether your content goals will require a long-term partnership or less frequent output. Also consider what type of agency you are and what type of agency management software you use as this will affect workflows with your content team.
3. Decide on content type
Different types of content produce different results. Long-form articles created by experts in your industry can enhance thought leadership. Regular blog posting can lead to higher traffic. It’s important to identify the type of content that aligns with your marketing plan.
4. Define your budget
Consider your goals, prioritize your most important needs and determine a realistic budget so you can outsource content writing.
5. Research and interview potential partners
Look for an agency that possesses an in-depth understanding of your industry. Question the processes and tools they use and their approach to content writing. Dig into reviews, testimonials, case studies and portfolios. Then have conversations with them.
6. Create content briefs
Create guidelines that highlight project requirements. A content brief can provide clear expectations. Find out how to create a content brief.
7. Test various agencies
It can be helpful to outsource content writing to a few agencies to find the right fit. Compare writing style and quality, as well as professionalism and communication.
8. Provide feedback
When you outsource content writing, it is critical to focus on collaboration. Provide consistent feedback for the agency you choose to work with. This will help to set expectations and to build a strong working relationship.
Using the Microsoft Teams Gantt Chart can streamline project timelines and ensure that both your team and the content writing agency are aligned on deadlines and deliverables.
Quick story for you
I was recently on a discovery call with a SaaS marketer who had a bad experience with another content agency.
The marketer was won over in the initial sales call with the previous agency because the salesperson was funny and knew how to talk the talk.
The agency also had great references and samples and worked for some big names in the tech industry.
Unfortunately, within a few months of signing an expensive retainer agreement, the marketer was pretty unhappy. The agency was delivering work late, and it just wasn’t good enough.
The marketer ended the contract early, but it was costly and time-consuming. AND, they were now 6 months behind on their content creation schedule.
Because of this experience, the marketer was left with a bad taste in her mouth.
And I get it.
So how do you know if an agency will be a good fit before signing on the dotted line?
Samples and references just aren’t enough. Most agencies have a carefully curated portfolio and hand-picked customers for great references.
Outsource content writing for success
Outsourcing your content to an agency that meets your needs will bring a new level of expertise to your marketing initiatives. Outsource content writing for a powerful way to enhance your brand’s reputation and grow your company’s bottom line.
