Could you build a house? Sure. It’s not difficult. You could put together four walls and a roof with no problem. But just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should. You need to play to your strengths and the best use of your time. You’re not a writer. You’re not a marketer. Just because you’re great at what you do doesn’t mean you should be the one creating your marketing materials.

I specialize in writing to sell. This technique not only drives up response rates and brings marketing success, but also is the key component to effective business-to-business and business-to-consumer communications. Writing to sell is the ability to know the audience. You don’t want to approach a news release the same way you approach your direct mailings. You don’t write a brochure like you would write an internal newsletter. Sometimes the most effective tone is a blend of persuasive, emotionally-driven copy and professional, "corporate" copy. Striking that balance is what I do best.

I’ve read too many direct mailings and sales letters full of typos. I’ve seen advertisements either completely unclear or out of place for the products or services that were being offered. Writing isn’t just about being clever. It’s about the right fit.

For many, hiring a freelance writer may not sound like a great idea. Either that, or you simply never considered it. No matter what the reason, it is important to understand some of the benefits of hiring outside help to get your projects done:

1. A freelance writer is almost always available for your projects.

We’re not bound by the "9 to 5" lifestyle that staff writers live. Give us a project and we can make sure to fit it in our schedules.

2. Freelancers have a very small overhead, so they can charge much cheaper rates.

It almost seems like an ad agency or marketing firm is charging you to pay for 47 different people to work on your project. That can add up to a hefty price, and sometimes that isn’t cost effective for your business. Paying a freelance writer means paying for one person (two at the most). That slices the price to a fraction of the cost.

3. With a diverse background in different industries, a freelance writer can bring a fresh approach to a project.

An in-house writer only writes for one business. An agency writer most likely specializes in one or two types of writing. Freelancers work with many different types of business, and sometimes it is important to have a new way of looking at a project. A freelancer can bring that to you.

4. Freelancers WANT to work.

There is no guaranteed salary for a freelance writer. If we don’t work, we don’t get paid. We want to get paid, so we want to work. And we don’t just do the job, we do it well, which leads to…

5. Freelancers want referrals, so they will do their best.

Word of mouth is everything. People talk. We want people to talk about how good our work is, and not how sloppy a product we’ve turned in.

6. You won’t have to "hold our hands" on projects.

We pride ourselves on jumping into new situations and bringing ourselves up to speed quickly. We won’t be calling to play "Twenty Questions" when we could be working. We leave you alone to work on other projects.

7. Freelance writers provide fast turnaround on projects.

You want the product as soon as possible. Time is money, after all. The same thing can be said for writers. We don’t like to "sit on" a project forever either. We work hard and we meet the deadlines that we agree on. It’s a major part of doing business.