Hiring experienced SEO writers starts with knowing exactly what you need them to create. Sounds obvious, right? But different content needs different skills. A writer who shines at punchy product descriptions might struggle with long-form blog posts that have to keep readers hooked for 2,000 words.
Pages on Google’s first results tend to have about 1,447 words on average (1), meaning longer, deeper content often performs better. It’s about how well they can align with your brand’s goals.
At Jet Digital Pro, the real work happens in those early conversations about what clients actually need, not just what they think they want.
Sometimes it’s snappy product descriptions, other times it’s deep-dive blog posts that’ll keep readers on the page. Our team matches writers who get both the technical stuff (yeah, the algorithms matter) and the human side of content.
Writers who understand that good SEO writing isn’t about stuffing keywords, it’s about making something worth reading. Want to know how we pick these writers and keep the content fresh? Stick around.
Key Takeaways
- You can’t hire the right writer until you know exactly what content you’re trying to create, and why you’re creating it in the first place
- Looking at a writer’s technical chops matters, but their ability to communicate clearly with your team matters just as much
- The work doesn’t stop after hiring regular check-ins and updates keep content on track as search engines change their rules (and they always do)
Defining Content Needs: The First Step We Take
Hiring good SEO writers starts with knowing what you actually want them to write. Sounds obvious, right? But here’s the thing, different content needs different skills. A writer who’s great at punchy product descriptions might struggle with long-form blog posts that need to keep readers hooked for 2,000 words.
The next big piece is figuring out who’s going to read this stuff. You’ve got to think about whether your readers are 25 or 55, whether they’re browsing on their lunch break or doing deep research. These details change everything about how something should be written. Writers need this info up front, or they’re just taking shots in the dark.
And then there’s the goals. Maybe you need to boost your organic traffic by 30% this quarter, or you’re trying to get more people to click “buy now.” Writers work better when they know what winning looks like.
Here’s what needs sorting out before you post that job listing:
- What kind of content you’re making (blogs, product pages, whatever)
- Who’s gonna read it (and what they care about)
- What you want the content to actually do
- A proper brief that explains all the details
Skip any of this stuff, and you’ll probably end up redoing the work later. Nobody’s got time for that.
Sourcing and Vetting: Finding Writers Who Fit
Finding good SEO writers isn’t exactly like looking for needles in a haystack, more like looking for the right needle in a pile of needles. Sure, places like Upwork have tons of writers, but we’ve found the best results come through trusted networks and agencies.
At Jet Digital Pro, where we mix smart AI tools with actual humans who know what they’re doing, we’ve seen how outsourcing SEO content writing can free up in-house teams while ensuring content ranks effectively. Some of the best platforms for SEO writers also make it easier to spot specialists who understand both industry trends and search intent, especially when it comes to finding reliable SEO article writers who can consistently deliver quality at scale.
LinkedIn’s pretty solid for finding specialists. Those writers who really know their stuff about specific industries. When someone needs medical content, we don’t want a generalist who’s gonna spend hours Googling basic terms. We want someone who can write about health topics in their sleep.
We put writers through their paces before bringing them on. It’s not just about checking if they can string sentences together (though that’s pretty important). We need to know if they understand how to research keywords without making the content sound like it was written by a robot.
And if they can’t explain how they keep up with Google’s latest tricks, that’s usually a red flag. Here’s what we check before giving anyone the green light:
- Past work that proves they know their stuff
- Real experience in specific fields (when that matters)
- Actual SEO skills (not just talking about them)
- Whether they can communicate without disappearing for days
These checks take time, but they beat dealing with headaches later.
The Hiring Process: Trials, Contracts, and Onboarding
Look, nobody wants to find out three months in that a writer can’t handle the work. That’s why we always start with a test piece, and not some fluffy assignment, but something that actually matches what we need. If a client needs product descriptions that’ll rank on Google, that’s exactly what we test for.
Getting the boring stuff out of the way comes next contracts and all that. At Jet Digital Pro, we don’t mess around with 20 page legal documents. Writers need to know what they’re getting paid, when stuff is due, and who owns the content when it’s done. Simple as that.
The real work starts with onboarding. Writers get their hands on everything they need: style guides that actually make sense, keyword research that matters, and logins for all the tools they’ll use.
Being crystal clear here saves everyone time later. We use project management software (nothing fancy, just the basics) to keep track of who’s doing what and when it’s due, while our senior leads regularly collaborate with human-AI content editors to ensure the tone, structure, and optimization hit the mark from the start.
Here’s what has to happen before any real writing starts:
- A test assignment that shows they can handle the actual work
- Plain English contracts that protect everyone involved
- Everything they need to know about voice, style, and keywords
- Access to tools that help them track their work
Sure, it might take a couple extra days to get through all this, but it beats having to start over with someone new in a month.
Monitoring and Optimizing Performance Over Time
Anyone who thinks SEO writing is “set it and forget it” probably still uses AOL for email. Google changes its mind more often than most people change their socks, which means keeping tabs on how content performs isn’t optional. It’s survival.
We dig into the numbers every month (sometimes more if something looks off). Traffic spikes, bounce rates, time on page, all that nerdy stuff matters because it tells us whether people are actually reading what we’re publishing.
When something’s working really well, we figure out why and do more of it. When something tanks, we fix it fast often by choosing a human-AI content editor who can refine the piece without stripping its original voice.
Our writers don’t just sit around waiting for feedback either. They get regular updates about what’s working and what isn’t. Maybe people suddenly started skipping those long introductions, or maybe Google decided it loves FAQ sections this month. Whatever’s changing, our writers need to know about it.
Here’s how we keep everything running smooth:
- Monthly check-ins with actual data (not just gut feelings)
- Quick feedback when something needs to change
- Updates about Google’s latest mood swings
- Training on new SEO tricks that actually work
This might sound like overkill, but it beats watching your traffic nosedive because nobody was paying attention.
Additional Considerations for Effective Hiring
Finding writers who actually know what they’re talking about might cost more, but it shows in the work. Someone who’s spent 10 years writing about cybersecurity isn’t going to waste time Googling basic terms or mixing up their protocols. They know the field because they’ve lived it.
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And speaking of getting things done. Those unicorn writers who can juggle five projects without dropping the ball? They’re worth every penny. When three clients need content by Friday, you don’t want someone who’ll crack under pressure or ghost you for three days.
Poor communication and inexperience are among the top reasons for project failure: only about 29-40% of large projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with required quality. (2)
Let’s talk about money (because nobody else wants to). Sure, you could find someone who’ll write blog posts for $25 a pop, but you’ll spend twice that fixing their work later. Good writers cost real money, and pretending otherwise just wastes everyone’s time. That said, nobody’s suggesting you need to remortgage the office to pay your content team.
These days, readers want to know who’s behind the keyboard. Ever since Google started pushing EEAT (that’s experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness for those keeping score), having actual experts write your content isn’t just nice, it’s necessary. When a certified financial planner writes about retirement planning, people pay attention.
When you nail all this stuff, getting real experts, paying them fairly, letting them show their credentials. The content practically sells itself. Readers get solid info, writers get to flex their expertise, and everybody goes home happy.
FAQ
How can I tell if remote SEO writers are a good fit for my team?
When hiring experienced SEO writers, it helps to look beyond résumés. Ask remote SEO candidates to share writing samples, explain their approach to keyword research, and walk you through how they plan content. This shows how well they understand your audience and if they can meet deadlines while working off-site.
What skills matter most when hiring for SEO writing roles?
When you’re looking at SEO writing candidates, check how well they blend creativity with search know-how. Strong writing skills, research habits, and the ability to follow SEO best practices all matter. Writers should also understand how to write for people first while still helping your site rank well on search engines.
Where can I find quality SEO writing jobs if I’m just starting out?
If you’re new to this field, search for beginner-friendly SEO writing jobs on general writing jobs boards and freelance platforms. Start small, build a solid portfolio, and ask for feedback on each project. Over time, you can move up to more complex roles and higher-paying long-term contracts.
Are autorenew packs a good idea when hiring experienced SEO writers?
Autorenew packs can be handy if you need a steady flow of articles, but they’re not always the best choice. If you use them, be sure each piece gets reviewed for quality and relevance. It’s better to keep communication open with your writers so you can adjust content needs as you go.
What’s the best way to balance remote SEO work with in-house writing jobs?
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Talk to UsIt’s all about planning and communication. Use clear briefs, timelines, and feedback loops to help remote SEO writers stay aligned with your brand voice. Meanwhile, let your in-house team handle tasks that need fast turnaround. This mix gives you flexibility while keeping content quality high.
Conclusion
Finding and managing good SEO writers isn’t rocket science, but it does take a system that works. At Jet Digital Pro, we’ve figured out how to blend AI tools with human expertise to create content that actually performs.
Our 11 step editing process catches what robots miss, while our writer management system keeps everything running smoothly. We handle the heavy lifting from finding specialized writers to making sure every piece passes AI detection tools.
Ready to stop worrying about content? Let’s talk about your agency’s needs
Related Articles
- https://jetdigitalpro.com/finding-reliable-seo-article-writers/
- https://jetdigitalpro.com/where-to-hire-human-ai-content-editors/
- https://jetdigitalpro.com/choosing-hiring-a-human-ai-content-editor/
References
- https://www.typeface.ai/blog/content-marketing-statistics
- https://www.wrike.com/blog/complete-collection-project-management-statistics-2015
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