How to Have a Positive Content Outsourcing Experience

Having been providing content for the last six years, for a wide variety of clients, I’m happy to say that 98% of the time the experience is good for both the client and the writers. That’s a good feeling that our clients are happy and keep coming back for new content, and even new websites.


However…the other 2% of the time the client is not completely happy with their experience. The content doesn’t sound like them, it doesn’t say what they want it to say, doesn’t go in the right direction...it just doesn’t do it for them.

Why?

Well, we're research writers, not mind readers.

But the truth is a lack of communication, plain and simple.

Some clients provide extremely detailed instructions when they order content. They specify voice, secondary and tertiary keyphrases, whether the article is a Tier 2 or Tier 3 page, and the direction the article should go. Some will provide links to affiliates so the writers can reference real product, provide the URLs to preferred authoritative sources or topics to cover in the article, etc.

Others place an order and send in a list of keyphrases and…nothing, or almost nothing.
Now, sometimes that works, but occasionally (2% of the time) the client receives the completed articles and is NOT happy. When that happens, we do our best to correct the problems, going so far as to rewrite the articles. However, no one is happy when this occurs.

If you are going outsource content, here are some suggestions of information to provide your writer(s):

1. Website URL – so the writers can see your style and voice
2. Your country – so the writers don’t automatically reference US terms, when you are in the UK
3. Country of your target audience – many websites target an audience that is NOT the same as the owner’s country

Then you should provide for each keyphrase, (if this is important to you):

1. Keyphrase
2. Creative title (optional)
3. Whether it’s a Tier2 or Tier3
4. Secondary keyphrases
5. The direction, voice, tone and specifics for each keyphrase

With these kinds of instructions you have a better chance of getting the content you  want for your website and having a good outsourcing experience.

When this happens, everybody is happy!