For quality US English blog posts, our totally anecdotal (but 100% professional) observations tell us the going rate is around $50-75 for 500 words. If you want 1000 words, just multiply by two. It’s that simple. Or is it?
A great piece of writing that excites your audience can be worth millions. Still, a huge amount of written content out there never gets read. So is the $50-75 price tag worth it?
Ask Why
If you want a blog for your website, ask yourself why. If you blog just because everyone else does it, then you probably don’t care. If you don’t care, you waste money. If you put up a blog because it’s good marketing, then you’re on the right track. Blogs are great for marketing purposes. Still, if you expect your blog to catapult your site to number one on Google within a few weeks, you might as well believe in the Tooth Fairy.
Now if you want to…
- show off what you know
- share your knowledge for the benefit of your readers and
- promote your content wisely
… then you have a shot at creating a blog that contributes forcefully towards business success.
“A good writer absorbs brand awesomeness then transmits it into words. If you come away with a sense of pride for what you read, then your audience is more likely to notice.”
Write, Rinse, Repeat
Unless you’re already rich and famous, nobody will notice your blog at first. Keep writing anyway. If you can’t write it yourself, pay someone to do it. However, don’t just throw a topic or keyword at your writer and sit back. Instead, inform and coach them about why your brand is awesome.
A good writer absorbs brand awesomeness then transmits it into words. If you come away with a sense of pride for what you read, then your audience is more likely to notice. Your personal reaction may be biased, but it’s not a bad litmus test since we’re our own toughest critics.
First Impressions Count Big Time
For many potential customers, a blog post may be their first encounter with your business. What will you do with that first shot? If it’s something boring or poorly written, what does that say about your brand? Now if it’s high quality, informative or ridiculously entertaining — what does your blog say about you now? Â
Successful companies only attach their name to great content. Quantity may help get some clicks, but quality convinces people to stick around. It doesn’t have to be Hemingway, but poor content will bounce people away from your brand. Do it right or don’t do it at all.
It’s Advertising Silly
In the end, the business blog is a form of advertising. It can be subtle and indirect, but the goal is the same: get more customers. If you consider blog posts as part of your marketing budget, then a few posts every month or so definitely makes sense.
“Each quality blog post you publish adds to SEO and brand marketing momentum.”
Consider the flywheel analogy. At first it’s hard to spin a big heavy wheel. But if you keep at it, you gain momentum. Others will fall behind, but you keep going. Each quality blog post you publish adds to SEO and brand marketing momentum. So keep spinning and watch your brand recognition grow.
So Is It Worth It?
If $50-75 seems steep, then the market is overpriced. The reality is that some brands pay much more. Which ones? The ones that know how to leverage every penny into something even greater.
Need professionally written blog content? Then contact us now.
