8 Best Sites to Hire a Ghost Writer in 2024
The digital age has shifted much of human interaction and commerce to online platforms, making content crucial. As a result, the demand for quality writers has seen a significant surge. A good writer can be the cornerstone of an effective digital strategy for content marketing, technical writing, or storytelling.
High-quality writing can elevate a brand, articulate complex ideas, and drive customer engagement. Businesses and individuals are recognizing this value, thus seeking professional writers who can deliver high-quality work tailored to their needs.
Freelance vs. Full-Time Writers
When hiring a writer, one of the first decisions you must make is between employing someone full-time or opting for a freelancer. Full-time writers offer the advantage of dedicated availability, allowing for close collaboration and a consistent brand voice. They are well-versed in the company’s culture, objectives, and audiences, making them an integral part of your content team.
Freelance writers, on the other hand, offer flexibility and specialized skills for particular projects. They work on a contractual basis, allowing you to scale your requirements up or down depending on your current needs. Freelancers are more adaptive to varied writing styles and subjects, which makes them a great choice for short-term projects or specialized content.
Different platforms cater to these varying needs. While some platforms are better suited for hiring freelance writers, others excel in providing candidates for full-time roles. Understanding the pros and cons of each can help you make an informed decision tailored to your specific requirements.
Top 8 Sites to Hire a Writer
In this section, we dive into an analysis of various platforms where you can hire writers. Each platform is tailored to meet different needs, from freelance to full-time positions, content marketing to technical writing, and much more. Below, each site is discussed in detail, focusing on its key features and pricing structure to help you make an informed decision.
1. WriterHire
WriterHire stands as the premier platform for hiring experienced and versatile ghostwriters. The site specializes in connecting clients with ghostwriters who excel in various genres and styles, ensuring a perfect match for every project. WriterHire’s rigorous selection process guarantees high-quality writing, catering to needs ranging from creative storytelling to technical documentation.
Features
WriterHire boasts a vast pool of vetted ghostwriters, ensuring a high-quality match for each project. The platform’s specialized matching system pairs clients with writers suited to their specific project needs, all within a user-friendly interface for ease of use.
Pricing
Pricing is tailored to the specifics of each project, offering flexibility and value for clients.
2. Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest and most versatile freelancing platforms, encompassing various categories, including writing. You can find writers for any genre or style, from technical and academic to creative and marketing content. The platform offers several features to ensure the reliability of freelancers, such as profile verification, client reviews, and a robust messaging system.
Features
Upwork offers advanced search filters, client reviews, and an escrow payment system, ensuring both parties are protected during a project.
Pricing
The costs can range from $20 to $100 per hour depending on the writer’s experience and skill set, offering options for various budgets.
3. Fiverr
Fiverr offers a unique take on freelancing by allowing freelancers to post ‘gigs,’ which are specific tasks or projects they can do for a fixed price. This is useful for writing tasks that have a defined scope and deadline. With an intuitive user interface, Fiverr allows clients to sift through various freelancers offering various writing services.
Features
Fiverr provides an easy-to-use interface, customer reviews, and a secure payment gateway for hassle-free transactions.
Pricing
Pricing starts at $5 for basic tasks but can climb for specialized or more extensive projects.
4. Toptal
Toptal is a marketplace for the top 3% of freelance talent, and it has a rigorous screening process to ensure that only skilled professionals, including writers, are admitted. This makes Toptal an excellent choice for businesses looking for the best. Once you’re matched with a freelancer, Toptal offers a two-week trial period to ensure the fit is right.
Features
Toptal offers a two-week trial period, specialized skill sets, and a dedicated advisor to help you find the perfect match.
Pricing
Premium pricing is to be expected, often starting at $60 per hour or more, but the quality of work is commensurate with the cost.
5. Freelancer.com
Freelancer is one of the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing platforms. Here, you can find freelancers from around the globe, offering a vast range of skills, including writing. The site allows you to post a project and receive bids from interested freelancers, giving you many options.
Features
Freelancer.com offers a wide variety of skills, a secure payment system, and an option to hold contests to select the best work from multiple submissions.
Pricing
Pricing varies due to the platform’s global reach, but competitive bidding often helps get quality work within a reasonable budget.
6. Contently
Contently focuses on high-quality content marketing and storytelling, making it ideal for businesses looking to elevate their brand message and engage their audience in meaningful ways. Freelancers on Contently are seasoned professionals with specialized expertise in journalism, copywriting, and technical writing.
Features
Contently offers a portfolio feature for freelancers, an analytics dashboard, and the ability to collaborate with your team and the writer on the same platform.
Pricing
Rates are on the higher side, starting at around $50 per hour, due to the specialized nature of the content.
7. Textbroker
Textbroker is a content mill designed for businesses needing a high volume of written content, especially for SEO. The platform allows you to order articles in bulk, making it convenient for larger projects.
Features
Textbroker provides a straightforward ordering process, quality ratings for each writer, and the ability to order in bulk.
Pricing
The platform uses a per-word pricing structure, with costs varying based on your selected quality level, making it an affordable option for many businesses.
8. WriterAccess
WriterAccess caters to clients looking for specialized writers who can produce content in specific niches such as healthcare, technology, or finance. This makes it easier to find experts for complex or technical subjects.
Features
WriterAccess provides advanced search options, client-writer collaboration tools, and a robust analytics dashboard.
Pricing
Writers on WriterAccess charge between $50 and $100 per hour, depending on their expertise, and the platform offers a free trial to help you find the right match.
9. Scripted
Scripted specializes in quality web content and blog posts. With a subscription-based model, it provides a consistent of content, making it ideal for businesses that need regular updates.
Features
Scripted offers vetted writers, project management tools, and the ability to request revisions until you’re satisfied with the work.
Pricing
Subscription plans start at $199 per month and vary based on the volume and complexity of the work required.
Tips for Hiring
When it comes to hiring the right writer for your project, several best practices can guide you.
Ask for Samples
One of the most straightforward ways to gauge a writer’s skill is to ask for previous work samples. This will give you an idea of their writing style, expertise, and communication ability.
Conduct Interviews
An interview can provide valuable insights into a writer’s thought process, their experience, and whether they’ll be a good fit for your team.
Set Up a Trial Project
Before committing to a long-term arrangement, it’s wise to set up a small trial project. This allows you to assess the writer’s ability to meet deadlines, follow guidelines, and produce quality work.
Check References
Don’t hesitate to ask for and check references, especially if you’re considering a long-term commitment. Past clients can provide insights into a writer’s reliability, professionalism, and skill level.
Review Portfolios
Most professional writers have a portfolio that showcases their best work. Review this, as it often includes a range of subjects and writing styles.
Set Clear Expectations
Transparency is key to any successful collaboration. Ensure you communicate your project’s objectives, deadlines, and any other expectations you may have.
Legal Considerations in Hiring
When you’re ready to hire a writer, legal considerations such as contracts, Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), and copyrights should not be overlooked. Contracts spell out the terms of the engagement, ensuring both parties understand their responsibilities.
NDAs are crucial if your project involves sensitive or proprietary information. This legal document ensures the writer cannot disclose or use your project details for any other purpose.
Also, consider the rights you’ll have to the work produced. Most freelance contracts operate under a “work-for-hire” basis, meaning you own the rights to the content. However, clarifying this in the contract is essential to avoid future disputes.
FAQs
In this section, we tackle some of the most commonly asked questions about the process of hiring professional writers online. Whether seeking creative writing expertise or more specialized forms of content creation, these FAQs should help clarify your concerns.
How do I ensure that a freelance writer is trustworthy?
To gauge the credibility of a freelance writer you’re looking to hire for specialized tasks like creative writing or copy editing, it’s prudent to conduct a comprehensive background check. Always read reviews, and don’t hesitate to ask for writing samples or portfolios to assess their skills and reliability. This approach helps ensure that you hire trustworthy and competent writers.
Can I hire content writers from outside my country?
Several platforms like Upwork and Freelancer.com have global talent pools, enabling you to hire freelance writers, including content writers, from around the world. However, be mindful of challenges such as time zones, language barriers, and varying payment methods when you hire writers from different countries.
What are the typical rates when hiring a more experienced writer?
The rates for hiring more experienced writers can differ depending on the platform you use and the specific requirements of your project. Rates can range from $20 to $100 per hour, or even more, for specialized content writers or those with high levels of expertise. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider your budget and project requirements when you’re looking to hire more experienced writers.
What’s the best way to handle payments in the writing process?
Most platforms designed to help you hire freelance writers offer integrated payment systems, simplifying secure transactions between you and the content writer. This is useful when working with writers to create content over an extended period. Utilizing these integrated systems ensures that writing content and getting paid for it is seamless.
Can I employ a content writer for a long-term project?
You can hire content writers for ongoing projects. Many platforms offer features that make it easy to form long-term collaborations, from post-job ads for ongoing needs to workflow tools that ease the writing process. These features are beneficial when you’re planning to write content regularly with the help of a dedicated writer.
Is it necessary to sign a contract when I hire a professional writer?
While not obligatory on every platform, having a formal contract is wise. It serves as a legal safeguard and helps clarify expectations, which is crucial when working with more experienced writers involved in creating content or managing tasks like blog writing and copy editing. Signing a contract can be important when hiring blog writers to outline responsibilities and expectations for long-term projects.
