Should You Hire A SaaS Content Marketing Freelancer?

Content marketing is one of the most effective ways to promote a SaaS product today. By creating valuable online content, SaaS businesses can attract new leads, build trust and credibility, and boost customer engagement.

But the thing about content marketing is that it covers a vast scope in many ways. For one, there are a lot of potential content types you can make. SaaS businesses usually produce blog posts, eBooks, guides, webinars, and more.

Content marketing also has a wide scope in the sense that it can be used in any part of the SaaS customer journey. It is a potent marketing strategy for attracting new leads, engaging existing customers, and turning new users into lifelong advocates.

The key to successful SaaS content marketing is consistency and quality. SaaS businesses need to regularly publish reliable, relevant, and engaging content that resonates with their target audience.

That’s why SaaS content marketing can be such a complex beast. There are a lot of bases to cover. And sometimes, you need all the help you can get in order to run a successful content marketing campaign.

This is where SaaS content marketing freelancers come in.

If you don’t know what a freelancer is, it’s a professional who works independently and is not committed to a single long-term employer. SaaS businesses can hire freelancers for all sorts of tasks, from content writing to social media marketing.

Pros And Cons Of Hiring A SaaS Content Marketing Freelancer

SaaS businesses can hire freelancers to help with specific content marketing tasks. This can help save a lot of time and resources in handling your marketing efforts yourself.

But of course, there are also some downsides to hiring SaaS content marketing freelancers.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:

Pros

• Saves Time
• Cost-effective
• Access To Instant Expertise
• Diverse Skill Sets
• Flexible Schedules

Pro #1: Saves Time – When you hire a SaaS content marketing freelancer, you are essentially outsourcing the content creation process and other nitty-gritty tasks. This can free up a lot of your time so that you can focus on other aspects of your business.

Pro #2: Cost-Effective – Hiring SaaS content marketing freelancers can also be cost-effective. You only have to pay them for the tasks that you need to be completed.

But the compensation system is still up to you. You can pay them per hour, per project, per word, or anything else that you see fit.

Hiring a freelancer also spares you from the requirement to give benefits like healthcare and insurance. Not having to shoulder these expenses can further lower your labor costs. After all, hiring a freelancer makes you a client rather than an employer.

Still, no one’s stopping you from providing benefits to your freelancers if you want to.

Pro #3: Instant Access To Expertise – When you hire SaaS content marketing freelancers, you also get access to their expertise and skills immediately.

Most content marketing freelancers have been doing what they do for a long time. They likely have worked with a lot of types of companies in different niches. When you hire a freelancer, you also bring a lot of diversified experience on board.

This is especially beneficial if you don’t have the time or resources to train someone internally.

You can just hire someone who already has the skills and experience that you are looking for.

Pro #4: Diverse Skill Sets – When you work with SaaS content marketing freelancers, you also get access to a diverse pool of talent and skill sets.

There are all sorts of content marketing freelancers out there. There are those who specialize in writing blog posts, those who excel at creating graphics, and those who are great at promoting content on social media.

Or maybe you can find a jack of all trades who can do all these things.

Whatever your needs are, you’re likely to find a freelancer who can help you out.

Pro #5: Flexible Schedules – Another great thing about SaaS content marketing freelancers is that they usually have flexible schedules. They are not bound by the 8 AM to 5 PM work hours.

This means that they can often accommodate your schedule and deadlines.

Of course, this also depends on the freelancer’s availability. But if you’re flexible with your deadlines, then you’ll likely have no problem working with them.

Cons

• Longer Recruitment Times
• May Lack Cohesiveness
• May Not Be A Long-Term Solution
• Can Be Difficult To Manage

Con #1: Longer Recruitment Times – One of the downsides of hiring SaaS content marketing freelancers is that it can take some time to find the right person for the job.

Being a SaaS business in a specific niche with specific audiences, you usually have particular needs and requirements for your content.

And not all content marketing freelancers will be a good fit. You might have to go through a few bad eggs before you find the right person.

And even then, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be available for long.

Freelancers often move from one project to another. They are not bound by contracts or employment agreements.

So if you do find a good one, enjoy them while you can.

Con #2: May Lack Cohesiveness – Another downside of having freelancers in your marketing team is that they may lack cohesiveness.

Since they are not full-time employees, they may not be as invested in your business as you would like them to be.

They may also not be familiar with your company’s culture, values, and goals. And because they are outsourced, they may not synergize well with the rest of your marketing team.

What’s more, SaaS businesses usually have a specific voice, tone, and style. And when you’re working with a freelance content creator, it can be difficult to maintain that consistency.

This is because each freelancer will likely have their own style and approach.

Con #3: May Not Be A Long-Term Solution – SaaS content marketing freelancers are usually not a long-term solution.

They may be great for meeting a short-term need or goal. But if you’re looking for someone to help you with long-term plans for your content marketing, then you might be better off hiring a full-time employee or an agency.

This is because freelancers are not bound by contracts or employment agreements. They can leave at any time. And when they do, you’ll have to start the recruitment process all over again.

But don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying all freelancers are like this. There are those that stick to their clients for many years. And that can be done by having a solid relationship built on mutual trust and respect.

Yes, it’s still possible to have a long-term relationship with a freelancer. You just need to find the right one and build a good working relationship with them.

Con #4: Can Be Difficult To Manage – SaaS content marketing freelancers can be difficult to manage.

Since they are not full-time employees, they are not bound by the same rules and regulations. This means that they may not be as responsive to your requests or deadlines.

They may also not be familiar with your company’s systems and processes. And if they’re working on a project for another client, you may have to wait until they’re finished before they can start on your project.

This can be frustrating, especially if you’re on a tight deadline.

Again, not all freelancers are like that. Let’s make that perfectly clear. There are those that are very responsive and easy to work with.

But they can be pretty rare.

Types Of SaaS Content Marketing Freelancers

Now that we’ve discussed the pros and cons of hiring SaaS content marketing freelancers, let’s talk about the different types you can hire.

What you need to know is that one freelancer can have multiple skills needed for a successful content marketing campaign. For example, a writer may also have graphic design skills or even a knack for video editing.

Now let’s talk about these types of content marketing freelancers one by one.

• Content Strategists
• Research And Analytics Specialists
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialists
• Content Writers
• Content Editors
• Graphic Designers
• Video Editors
• Webmasters

Content Strategists

One of the most important aspects of SaaS content marketing is content strategy. Now, as much as possible, the overall direction has to come from you, being the CEO or founder of your SaaS business.

But sometimes, you still need some help turning that direction into actionable strategies.

A good SaaS content planner can help you develop a content strategy that meets your business goals.

At first glance, it seems like a job for an in-house marketing director or chief marketing officer, right? After all, you need someone you can trust. You need someone who knows your company and target audience.

But outsourcing this job to a freelance content marketer has its benefits too.

As we discussed earlier, freelancers can bring years of holistic experience to the table. Some of them will have worked with different companies in different industries.

And that means they’ve probably developed a lot of strategies that can be applied to your business.

You never know. Maybe they can even predict what content marketing strategies your competitors are using. That would give you a considerable edge over them.

Freelance content strategists can also offer a fresh perspective. They’re not bogged down by the day-to-day tasks of running a SaaS business or marketing team. So they can think more creatively and come up with out-of-the-box ideas.

It’s the same concept as hiring a fractional CMO or marketing director.

Research And Analytics Specialists

If you want to create content that resonates with your target audience, you need to do your research. You need to understand who they are, what they want, and what their pain points are.

You also need to understand what kind of content performs well in your industry.

What kind of content gets the most shares and comments? What kind of topics drive the most traffic to your website? What keywords are getting the most searches?

Fortunately, this is another task that you can outsource to a freelancer.

A good SaaS research freelancer will have the tools and skills necessary to do the job quickly and efficiently. They can help you save a lot of time and energy.

And if you want to take things a step further, you can also hire marketing analytics freelancers.

They can help you track your content’s performance and analyze the data to help you determine what’s working and what’s not. This way, you can make the necessary changes to improve your SaaS content marketing strategy.

SEO Specialists

If you want your SaaS content to be seen by your target audience, you need to make sure it ranks high in the search engines.

And that’s where SaaS SEO specialists come in.

A good SEO specialist can help you get to the top of the search engine results pages (SERPs) even without paid Google ads. They should be well-versed in both off-page and on-page SEO practices.

Off-page SEO includes things like link building and optimizing your site structure.

On-page SEO, on the other hand, includes optimizing your actual content for the search engines. That includes keyword research, writing meta titles and descriptions, and optimizing anchor texts for links.

Content Writers

Of course, one of the most important aspects of SaaS content marketing is the actual content.

And that’s where a freelance content writer can be of service.
As the name suggests, SaaS content writers specialize in creating SaaS-related content. This includes blog posts, articles, eBooks, whitepapers, and more.

This content writer should have experience writing about SaaS-related topics. They need to know your competitors and the key SaaS brands in your industry. They should also be updated with the current trends in your niche and the SaaS industry as a whole.

What’s more, they should also be well-versed in SEO best practices, especially the on-page ones. They should know the right usage of keywords, links, meta titles and descriptions, and other on-page SEO considerations.

This way, they can help you write content that not only looks good but ranks high in the search engines too.

Content Editors

Once you have your SaaS content written, it’s time to edit and polish it.

Now, if you have a highly experienced content writer, there might be no need for an editor. Skilled writers can proofread and edit their own work.

But if you want an extra layer to make sure that your content is reliable and of high quality, a freelance content editor can help you do that.

As the name suggests, SaaS content editors specialize in editing SaaS-related content. This includes fact-checking, proofreading, copyediting, and formatting.

Graphic Designers

Remember that content marketing is not just about writing blog posts. It also includes visual content like infographics.

In fact, infographics can sometimes present complex information in a way that plain text can’t. Graphics can also add a lot of “oomph” to your blog posts.

That’s why it’s important to have at least one good freelance graphic designer on your team.

A good SaaS graphic designer should be well-versed in designing infographics, illustrations, and other types of graphics. They should also be familiar with the latest design trends.

This way, they can help you create SaaS visuals that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also effective in conveying your message.

Video Editors

If you want to take your SaaS content marketing up a notch, you should consider creating videos.

And that’s where freelance video editors come in. They specialize in editing and producing videos to promote your brand or your SaaS product. Their tasks include cutting and splicing footage, adding special effects, and more.

If you want to create high-quality SaaS videos, it’s important to hire a video editor.

A good freelance video editor should have considerable experience in the field. They need to know how to visually convey what your product and concepts are all about.

This way, they can help you create SaaS videos that are not only creative but also technically sound.

Webmasters

Last but not least, SaaS businesses need to have a strong online presence. And that’s where SaaS webmasters come in.

Webmasters specialize in developing and managing websites. This includes everything from designing the website to optimizing it for the search engines.

They will also be in charge of creating your content pages, setting up your blog, and more.

If you want to make sure your SaaS website is up and running smoothly, a freelance webmaster can help you with that.

Tips For Hiring A SaaS Content Marketing Freelancer

Now that you know the different types of SaaS content marketing freelancers, it’s time to learn how to hire them the right way.

Here are a few tips:

Tip #1: Define Your Goals And The Scope Of The Job

Before you start looking for SaaS content marketing freelancers, it’s important to define your goals.

What do you want to achieve with your content marketing?

Do you want to increase brand awareness? Drive more traffic to your website? Generate more leads? Or something else entirely?

It’s also important to define the scope of the job. What kind of SaaS content do you need? Do you need blog posts, infographics, videos, or something else? When do you need those content pieces?

Once you know what you want and what you need, it will be easier to find the right freelancer for the job.

Tip #2: Set A Budget

Another important consideration is your budget. How much are you willing to spend on your content marketing efforts?

Be realistic about it. Remember that you get what you pay for. So if you only have a limited budget, don’t expect to get top-notch results.

Tip #3: Ask For Referrals

If you know someone who has hired SaaS content marketing freelancers before, don’t hesitate to ask for referrals. This way, you can be sure that you’re getting quality services.

Tip #4: Check Their Portfolios

When you’re looking for SaaS content marketing freelancers, be sure to check their portfolios. This will give you an idea of their writing style and the quality of their work.

Tip #5: Read Online Reviews

Another great way to screen SaaS content marketing freelancers is to read online reviews. If they are on freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Guru, you can check out their ratings and reviews.

This will give you an idea of what other people think about their services.

Tip #6: Give A Paid Trial Task

Once you’ve shortlisted a few freelance content marketers, it’s time to give them a paid trial run. This will allow you to see if they’re a good fit for your business.

Let’s emphasize that it’s better if you pay for these trials. Veteran freelancers value their time and will make them take the task more seriously if you’re going to pay them for it.

Don’t forget to set a deadline for this trial run too. This way, you can see if they’re able to meet your expectations and deadlines.

Tip #7: Agree On The Rate And Payment Schedule

Before you start working with a SaaS content marketing freelancer, be sure to agree on the rate and payment schedule. This will avoid any misunderstandings down the road.

You should also put everything in writing. This way, both parties will be clear about the terms of the agreement.

Tip #8: Have A Branding Guide Ready

As we discussed earlier, freelance content creators tend to have their own styles and voice when it comes to their craft. Sometimes, these styles may not necessarily be consistent with your brand.

That’s why you need to have a branding guide ready. This should include your brand’s voice, messaging, and tone.

Once you have this guide ready, give it to your SaaS content marketing freelancer. This will help them understand your brand better and produce quality content that is in line with your branding.

Tip #9: Set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Last but not least, you need to set the necessary KPIs for SaaS content marketing. This will help you measure the success of your content marketing campaigns.

Some examples of KPIs include website traffic, leads generated, social shares, and so on.

By setting KPIs, you can track your progress and see if your SaaS content marketing is working. If it’s not, you can then make the necessary changes.

Tip #10: Take Good Care Of Your Freelancers

Last but not least, don’t forget to take care of your SaaS content marketing freelancers. Remember, they are people too.

If you have a good relationship with them, they will be more likely to produce quality work. So make sure to treat them well.

What’s more, you can take care of your freelancers by giving them bonuses.

I know we said that hiring freelancers can help you save some money. But that doesn’t mean you have to be stingy.

Even the occasional bonus can go a long way.

You can have performance-based bonuses. You can give them rewards when they make a high-ranking blog post, or a graphic with high social media engagement, or a video that gets a million views on YouTube.

You can also give them a bonus for meeting deadlines. Or you could celebrate with them after one year of working with you. This will show your freelancers that you appreciate their work.

Final Thoughts About SaaS Content Marketing Freelancers

As you can see, a SaaS content marketing freelancer can be a great asset to your business. They can help you produce quality content without breaking the bank.

However, it’s important to remember that not all freelancers are created equal. Each of them has their own level of skill, experience, and expected pricing rates.

You need to take the time to find the right ones for your business. By following the tips we discussed in this article, you should be able to find the right ones that would be a good fit for your business.

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