Have you ever considered hiring a freelance content writer for your business? Bringing in a skilled copywriter to complete in-house writing projects can benefit your company in many ways. They are more cost-effective than retaining regular staff, available for work as needed, and bring a fresh perspective to your corporate documents.

But how do you find a good one? In this article, we’ll cover five easy ways you can evaluate an expert content writer who can step in quickly and contribute to your bottom line.

1) Assess the writer’s skill level.

With the advent of the Internet, anyone can put up a web site and advertise their writing services. But how do you really know this individual has the right stuff? Look for credentials, and samples.

Completion of well-known certification programs, publication credits, and a reputable client list are a few indicators that you’re dealing with a professional. Even if the person is just starting out, they should have a few samples available. Don’t be afraid to ask for them.

2) Sales and marketing orientation.

Writing anything for business is mostly about sales and marketing. A good freelance copywriter should provide strategic “big picture” thinking about your market and competitors.

One point on this note: while it’s excellent if writers have experience in your industry, it’s not essential. Any content writer worth his or her salt is well-versed in research and should be able to get up to speed quickly.

3) Creativity.

One of the main benefits of working with a freelancer is the opportunity to utilize a fresh set of eyes. When this is combined with a creative, “out of the box” approach, it can powerfully enhance your business.

How do you assess creativity? During your interview process, ask the content writer to give an example of how they might approach a certain project for your company. Or ask them to describe an instance of how they demonstrated creative thinking and brainstorming with a previous client.

4) Prompt and meets deadlines.

This is self-explanatory – and absolutely crucial. Barring a catastrophic event, a real professional should always meet agreed-upon deadlines. Ask a prospective freelance copywriter their attitude about timeliness. The answer will reveal the level of service you can expect from them.

In these challenging economic times, with businesses more price-sensitive than ever, it can be easy to fall into the trap of hiring the cheapest person you can find. Indeed, on some popular freelance job sites, you can find writing services starting at the bargain basement rate of $1 an hour.

When was the last time you received high-quality professional service for a buck an hour?

To increase the likelihood that you’ll get solid results, look for someone with reasonable rates. Expect some negotiation, be clear about your future plans, and you’ll likely find a good content writer who fits comfortably within your budget and will be available to help you whenever needed.