Should I Hire a Professional Writer?

If you are asking yourself that question, the answer is yes. An experienced writer can offer expertise that will help convey your message in a clear, concise, and audience-appropriate way. Hiring a professional writer can bring a fresh perspective to material that may have become all too familiar.

Writers, like myself, often provide a range of services beyond simply crafting text, including helping your organization become “grant ready,” updating external communication materials, and consulting. When I provide consultation for an organization, individual, or agency, I start by asking questions — a lot of questions. These inquiries, such as “have you defined your target audience,” can lead to a redefinition of priorities, an analysis of processes and procedures, and, ultimately, a more focused approach to outreach and communication.

Each writer brings his or her own unique set of skills, qualifications, and professional experience to the task. My first career was Journalism; my second was Public Health. My third career, Freelance Writing and Editing, integrates skills developed while pursuing academic degrees, operating an advertising agency, and working for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I can write highly technical documents, craft communication plans, and develop a public health intervention. I may not use every skill for every client, but I am not limited just to creating text. Many writers have secondary and even tertiary skill sets that may provide added benefits for your project.

 When you interview a writer, be certain to ask about her background and expertise; you may find more relevance for your organization than you initially understood. Don’t discount the value a writer can bring. Effectively communicating who you are and what you do is invaluable and certainly worth the cost of hiring a professional writer.