Comparing Cheap and Expensive Freelance Writers: Quality Insights

Did you know that the cost of a freelance writer doesn’t always correlate with the quality of their content? In a recent experiment, we compared three writers with vastly different rates to see how their work stacked up against each other.

The Experiment Setup

In an effort to uncover the truth about freelance writing rates, we hired three writers to create content on the same topic: the best purple laser pointers. The only variable? Their rates. We had a writer charging $0.02 per word, another at $0.15, and the last at $0.40. With 435 applicants responding to our job post on Problogger Jobs, we selected writers based solely on their per-word rates and the quality of their sample articles.

Each writer received a content brief that included guidelines, product recommendations, and headings, with a word count target of 500 to 1,300 words. Our goal was to evaluate the quality of their writing based on clarity, depth, and usefulness, while avoiding biases related to their rates.

The $0.02 per Word Writer

The first writer, who charged $0.02 per word, submitted a final draft of 1,596 words—296 words over our maximum range. Despite the excessive length, this article was surprisingly Josh's favorite. He appreciated its skimmable format, stating, "You can just... under each of those subheadings, the writer's just literally written the best one for each of those purposes." However, both Patrick and I found it lacking in clarity and riddled with errors, leading to mixed reviews.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: Skimmable format, quick turnaround.
• Weaknesses: Excessive fluff, grammatical errors, and misnamed products.

Would we hire this writer again? Patrick was torn, while Josh leaned towards a yes. For me, it was a hard pass due to the reading difficulties I encountered.

The $0.15 per Word Writer

Next up was the writer charging $0.15 per word, who had experience with reputable companies. Their article came in at 952 words and was submitted within four days. I rated this piece highly for its clarity and usefulness, particularly praising its safety guidelines research.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: Clear writing, useful safety guidelines, and inclusion of user reviews.
• Weaknesses: Some fluff and repetitive content.

While I would definitely rehire this writer, Josh found it lacking in depth, and Patrick was neutral, acknowledging its potential for affiliate sites but noting its flaws.

The $0.40 per Word Writer

Finally, we evaluated the writer charging $0.40 per word, who had experience with major publications. Their article was the shortest at 837 words and took six days to complete. Patrick favored this piece for its clean writing style, while Josh felt it lacked depth, stating, "It seems to disintegrate into kind of burying a lot of information."

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: Clean writing, concise thoughts.
• Weaknesses: Lacked depth, buried important points.

Despite its high cost, I felt the $0.15 writer provided better value. Patrick was open to hiring the $0.40 writer again depending on the market, while Josh was less enthusiastic.

Key Takeaways

• Set Specific Criteria: Establish clear criteria for evaluating freelance writers, focusing on clarity, depth, and usefulness. This ensures fair grading and helps identify writers who consistently meet your standards.

• Don’t Let Rates Influence Expectations: Avoid letting a freelancer's rate subconsciously affect your quality expectations. Seek out writers whose work resonates with you, regardless of their pricing.

In conclusion, our experiment revealed that higher rates do not guarantee better content quality. Each writer had their strengths and weaknesses, and personal preferences played a significant role in our evaluations.

What has been your experience with freelance writers? Have you found that higher rates lead to better quality, or do you have a different perspective?