Are you building your content writing team? Then you might be confused between the two popular choices of hiring an in-house vs. outsourced content writing talent. To help you make the decision, we have created a comprehensive guide on the pros and cons of each option.
Source: Free Vector | Tiny content writers creating web articles flat illustration
Creating new, frequent, and insightful content is critical for any company these days. However, if you are running your own business, it might be challenging to develop content by yourself while taking care of everything else.
If you are a business owner today – you have two main options when it comes to written content creation. You can either choose to hire a content creation agency or delegate your content writing tasks to outsourced talent.
According to a 2020 survey, 84% of B2B marketers are already outsourcing their content creation. So, should you follow their lead or work with an in-house content writing team?
Let us consider each option in detail.
In-House Content Writing Team
When considering how to hire a content writing team, most business owners tend to think of working with in-house employees. This means you will be recruiting a writer or a team of writers as salaried employees who will be working exclusively for your company.
As easy as this decision might sound, there are some key aspects that you need to be aware of.
Let us take a closer look at the pros and cons of hiring an in-house writing team.
Pros of In-House Writing Team
Here are some of the most notable benefits of choosing an in-house team:
Consistency – The main advantage of an in-house writing team is that you will be able to ensure that the brand voice remains the same. You can train the writers to follow your brand style. And with a dedicated editor, you will be able to produce high-quality articles consistently.
Expertise – Additionally, if you are looking to hire a writer with deep industry experience, then in-house might be more suitable for your needs.
Availability – In-house writers will also be always available to you and ready to discuss any changes or edits you might need. They will also be able to target your company’s message and tailor it to each specific campaign.
Cons of In-House Writing Team
The perks aside, you could face some issues when hiring an in-house writing team:
Need a Dedicated Manager – If you do not have the time yourself, you will also have to find someone to train and manage your employees. You might need to invest in training new writers to your brand’s image, voice, and specific audience.
Scalability – It is impossible to hire just one writer who can take care of a company’s entire content writing demands. A single-person team will be limited by their knowledge, time, and capabilities. If you need to scale up the department in the future, this will require a considerable investment.
Added Expenses – It goes without saying that in-house writers will be salaried employees. Moreover, you might need to hire more than one writer based on your requirements. This means that the cost of hiring and retaining these employees is going to be relatively high.
When to Hire an In-House Writing Team?
All in all, if you can afford to pay an entire team of people, then an in-house writing team is worth considering. This might also be the case if you are seeking an expert in your field to write about just one space consistently.
Outsourced Content Writing Team
In order to compete with others, your business needs a marketing strategy that includes constant supply or high-quality and optimized content. While an in-house team can be an effective option, we have already discussed what its drawbacks are.
If you have a constrained budget, the best alternative you have is to outsource your content writing talent. This means you can either hire an agency to take care of your content creation or work with different freelancers. When you opt for the latter, you will be able to find experts on a project basis.
For instance, let’s say this week you want an expert in writing about technology, and next week you want to focus on software development. You can look for two freelancers each week who have established expertise in the respective areas. Better yet, you can outsource through a content writing service such as Compose.ly, who can help build your entire library of blog articles with their team of professionals from various industries to cover all topics.
With this in mind, let us explore the merits and demerits of outsourcing writers.
Pros of Outsourced Writing Team
Below are some reasons why outsourcing a writing team might be suitable for your company:
Access to Wide Talent Pool – As we mentioned, most freelancers work on a project basis. This means you can find specialists in different subjects without having to invest in training or committing to a long-term.
Cost-Effective – Outsourcing a content writer will be less expensive when compared to hiring a full-time in-house employee. Moreover, you will not have to pay benefits, taxes, or social security.
Flexibility – You will be able to hire more or fewer writers at a time based on the needs of your content production. You will also be able to experiment with different writing styles and perspectives.
Cons of Outsourced Writing Team
That said, outsourcing content production is not without its drawbacks. This includes:
Confidentiality Risk – Depending on your field and content production, you might have to disclose sensitive information with writers. This is to be taken seriously for sensitive industries – such as investments or biomedical fields. If needed, you should consult your legal team to figure out how you can keep your information private.
Lack of Talent Development – Typically, when you outsource, you do not get the opportunity to groom talent who will know the ins and outs of your business. However, it is worth noticing that several freelancers work with one company these days for the long term.
Inconsistencies – If you are working with different freelancers, then it is also possible that the brand voice will change. As such, it might be best to have a style guide to quickly bring the writers on board with your business.
What to Consider Before Deciding
Now that you know how each option works, you can make a well-informed decision. However, before proceeding – you will need to be clear about what your expectations are.
For that, start by answering these questions:
How much domain expertise are you seeking in a content writer?
How often do you need the content generated?
What writing style do you prefer?
How much can you afford to pay a writer?
Depending on your type of industry and business, you might need specialized writers who have sufficient knowledge regarding your subject area. This is particularly crucial in fields such as medicine, finance, or software.
In-House vs. Outsourced Content Writing Team – Which Approach is Suitable for Your Business?
Considering all the factors we discussed, in-house writers will be great for businesses that have sufficient funding. If your company can allocate both money and time to train full-time writers, then it is worth considering.
On the other hand, outsourcing your brand’s content creation can give you access to a wider talent pool. Depending on the specific topic, you will be able to find specialized writers that can offer valuable insight. Moreover, this approach can be much more affordable, as you are likely to pay only for the articles they submit.
Content marketing is not an easy task to handle. In order for your campaigns to succeed, you will need consistent, high-quality writing. When compared to in-house teams, outsourcing can get you more flexibility and scalability. However, needless to say – the right option for your business will be ultimately decided by your requirements, financial standing, and ambitions.
Jilian Woods is a content creator that offers her expertise on multiple topics related to marketing. She is also an essay writer, currently affiliated with the academic platform Grademiners.com, a service dedicated to cater to the educational needs of students.
