Many people assume writing about food is easy. After all, what could be tough about being paid to eat and write about it?
But it takes more than a sharp palate to succeed as a food writer. You need equally sharp skills.
Food writing is a unique content writing discipline that requires:
- Creativity.
- Passion.
- Deep industry knowledge.
- Objectivity.
- The ability to make your piece stand out.
Food writing is highly coveted—and competitive.
The number of food publications alone makes it clear. You need an experienced food writer to help your content achieve the results you crave.
Whether you are looking for food bloggers, recipe writing, or an article on the food industry, this article outlines:
- Why hiring a good food writer is critical.
- What to look for.
- How to go about choosing one.
Why It’s Important to Hire a Food Writer
Getting your readers to enjoy the information you provide is only one piece of the puzzle. Getting them to your website in the first place is another. And then you need to get them to come back for more.
Food writers are vital for:
- Quality food content.
- Driving traffic.
- Optimizing for search engines.
- Visitor engagement.
They understand the SEO process.
Food writers are trained in content marketing and content creation. This allows them to understand when and how to use keywords crucial for SEO.
A freelance food writer knows that the quickest way up the search engine ladder is choosing the right keywords. They also know how to stay on top of trending keywords in all areas of the food industry.
Keywords are so important that their regular use can result in 40% more organic traffic to your site.
Your writer should be able to determine the best keywords for their piece.
If you have done your own keyword research, the writer should be able to incorporate them naturally into any piece.
Being at the top of the search engines is crucial.
The top six spots on the search engine results will receive more traffic than those below it. The number one spot receives 10 times more traffic than position 10.
A good freelance writer will find the right process and tailor your content to achieve your search engine optimization goals.
They know how to create a successful content plan.
Every content writer knows that content without a plan can be a recipe for disaster. Imagine only hollandaise sauce without the eggs on a classic eggs benedict.
The whole concept of the creation would be lost without the most basic component.
Content plans help:
- Keep content focused.
- Drive your message forward.
- Achieve traffic goals.
Your content writer will come up with a weekly, monthly, or annual content plan. These will be based on your specific needs.
The right content plan will keep your website fresh and your visitors hungry for more.
A solid content plan also helps you achieve higher search engine rankings. The algorithms that control the rankings play favorites with new and engaging articles.
Search engines will favor your site if you have more high-quality content.
They take care of the research.
The food industry is constantly changing. Food fads will come and go. Trends will change with the times. Your food writer will stay on top of this information.
They will use the most up-to-date resources so that your articles will carry greater authority.
Freelancers will also be able to take the research you provide and make sure that it aligns with the current trends.
They understand the engagement process.
Your content writer will have a good understanding of the visitor engagement process. This allows them to:
- Craft knowledge.
- Add flair and creativity.
- Highlight your company’s uniqueness.
- Create digestible content.
- Make content shareable.
- Keep visitors coming back.
They can save you time.
Research, blogging, article writing, and developing a content plan can take a lot of time. Time you could instead use on other important issues.
A full-service freelance writer can handle:
- All necessary research.
- Keyword generation.
- Content ideation.
- Backlink placement.
- Proofreading.
What Qualities Make a Food Writer Great?
Whether you are looking for a part-time food writer or need one full-time, knowing what qualities to look for is important to the hiring process.
There are many things to consider when choosing the perfect writer, such as:
- Knowledge.
- Skill level.
- Passion.
- Reliability.
- A good palate.
Below are several skills that separate a good food writer from a great one.
They will have a broad knowledge of food.
To properly write about food, you need to know about food—all types of food.
When most people think of food writers, they think of people sitting at fine dining restaurants. Sitting back enjoying a menu of the chef’s latest creations.
The truth is that fine dining makes up only a small part of the much broader food industry.
In short, a good food writer is not a picky eater but one who has developed a taste for a wide range of food options. This means everything from fine dining to mom-and-pop cafes to food trucks.
They must know:
- Different types of food.
- Food preparation.
- Foodservice vocabulary.
- How to write with authority.
They will have a passion for food.
You likely have heard the phrase “write what you know.” Well, for food writers, what they know is good food.
They are so passionate about it that it has become part of their daily lives.
The best food content writers have a passion for food that extends beyond appreciating a good meal.
They love trying new food and flavors. Even ones that are out of the box or even a little adventurous.
They have a good palate.
Enjoying food is only part of the food writer puzzle. A good food writer has a great palate and can differentiate textures and flavors from a simple bite of food.
They should be able to list the ingredients in their food without having to ask. Knowing what puts a dish together gives food writers an air of authority. This will make their followers more likely to trust their opinions.
The writer should also have the vocabulary to relay these flavors to the audience in a way they can easily understand.
They are reliable.
Food content is timely. You will need to have a writer who can meet deadlines and deliver a consistent work quality.
Missing deadlines can delay everyone in the content workflow, from editors to quality assurance.
A good writer is someone you can count on. Not someone you should have to micromanage.
They have the ability to paint a picture.
Food content can be more difficult to write than other forms of content. That is because to make the content engaging, the writer will have to help the reader:
- See.
- Taste.
- Smell.
This involves a level of descriptive writing that not all freelance writers have.
Whether writing a product description, a press release about a restaurant, or a new recipe, food writers will need to describe their content in a way that touches on all the senses.
They have excellent writing skills.
Many food bloggers lack writing skills and find they may struggle to engage readers. This can affect visitor interaction.
Writers need:
- Broad and proper vocabulary.
- Good grammar.
- Persuasive language skills.
Poorly written content can lead readers to become confused, disengaged, or otherwise deterred.
The writer you choose should have a background in writing. They also should have experience writing several forms of content such as:
- Blog posts.
- Reviews.
- Product descriptions.
- Recipes.
- Articles.
They can work independently.
You should not have to take the time to manage your food writer. They should be able to take an assignment and complete it with basic instructions.
They should:
- Perform their own research.
- Arrange meetings with chefs or industry experts.
- Determine the style and voice you want.
- Edit and polish their work.
They have the ability to maintain objectivity.
If you are looking for a food writer to provide reviews, objectivity is essential.
They may know people and places in the industry but must maintain a professional distance when reviewing.
This will allow them to provide a more objective, honest, and realistic review, providing readers with the guidance they are looking for.
What Content Can You Expect a Freelance Food Writer to Offer?
Food writers can provide you with various content types on almost any topic related to:
- Food.
- Food products.
- Food industry.
While some content writers may excel in specific types of writing, a well-rounded food writer will be able to tackle them all.
You can expect a seasoned food writer to serve up a menu of different content options.
Reviews
Reviews are one of the most common types of content writing associated with food writing.
Food critics and food bloggers will try different food types from different places and provide a review on the food and the environment.
Writing reviews is not only reserved for restaurants. Food writing can also extend to reviews of recipes.
Recipes
Some companies need the copywriting services of a food writer to stock their website or blog with recipes.
Recipes are a common item searched for on the internet. With proper SEO, recipes can be a great way to drive traffic to your website.
Product descriptions
A less common form of writing in the food industry is product descriptions. Product descriptions in the food industry often extend to culinary items. These can be for both professional chefs and home cooks.
Webpages
Webpage content is another type of online content an exceptional food writer can provide. Webpages can include:
- Product pages.
- About us sections.
- Landing pages.
Landing pages can be one of the most critical components. These are often the points where you are directing your traffic.
An experienced food writer will be able to develop a landing page that can prompt the conversion of visitors.
They also should have the know-how to provide other pages of content. Content that supports your message and provides visitors with the information they are looking for.
Articles
Want to know how chefs and restaurateurs stay on top of trends in the industry?
While few may lead the way themselves, most rely on trade and industry articles. These articles discuss the latest in food and service.
You will also find innovations that may change the industry.
Food writers are the perfect type of freelance writers for food industry articles because they often have experience writing in many areas of the field.
The more involved in the industry the writer is, the more insight they will bring to these types of articles.
Blogs
Blogs are another popular type of food writing content that can be geared toward food industry workers and home cooks.
Food blogging content creation is one of the easiest ways to engage visitors with your website and develop a regular following.
Freelancers skilled in the industry will create regular content. Content that will consistently engage your target audience and drive them back to your website again and again.
Social media posts
Social media posts are always an addition to other content located on your website. Social media is one of the easiest ways to:
- Stay in front of your target audience.
- Drive traffic to your site.
- Increase your overall views.
Freelance writers will likely include regular social media posting in their content calendar and develop those posts for you.
Social posts will be inviting visitors to view:
- New articles.
- Blog posts.
- Product pages.
- Website landing pages.
You may find applicants who say they specialize in one or more content forms on your search for the perfect food writer.
Yet, for your food writer to truly be efficient, they should feel confident in providing engaging content in a wide variety of types.
Tips and Tricks for Finding and Hiring a Food Writer
You don’t have to go to New York or Los Angeles to find a great food writer.
This applies whether you are looking for someone for:
- Ghostwriting.
- Proofreading food content.
- Full-time freelance work to do it all.
A few simple steps can help you find that perfect writer.
Step 1: Determine your content needs
The first step in the hiring process is drilling down to your needs. Focusing on the specifics will help you better pick the best individual for the job.
- Exactly what content does your food writer need to create?
- Are you serious about becoming the first in the minds of internet readers?
- Are you committed to making that climb to the top of the search results?
If so, then a comprehensive content plan and online marketing strategy will be important to your efforts.
This means going all-in on content. It also means developing content to direct leads through each step, from engagement to conversion.
You will want to find a writer who can do it all.
They should be able to create bewitching blog posts, fascinating feature articles, and savvy social media posts.
Don’t forget, finding a writer with content strategy and planning experience can be the icing on your content cake.
Step 2: Find a good place to start your search
Once you have determined what your content needs are, you will need to find the place to begin your search.
Full-Time Writers
One option is to develop a job posting. List your specific needs and requirements, and post it on traditional work search websites.
Typically, this process is used when looking to add a full-time writer to your payroll instead of a freelancer.
This option can be less than ideal for companies that may find adding a full-time writing position to their crew is not a financial reality.
This process will often draw in a decent list of candidates. But you may spend a significant amount of time sorting through applications and resumes of those not suited for the job.
Part-Time Writers
If you are looking for a part-time food writer or a source for multiple writers, an online site may be your best bet.
WriterAccess connects companies and individuals with thousands of freelancers to meet all of their food writing needs.
This gives companies the flexibility to pay only for the content they want. This frees up funds so they can continue to grow their website.
Step 3: Request samples
You’re probably familiar with the term “looks good on paper.”
While a writer may have a strong resume, how can you really tell if they can provide the voice and tone you are looking for?
The only way to tell is by seeing their samples.
You can review the writer’s current samples or ask them to produce new pieces based on a topic you choose.
When you choose the second option, you may need to provide compensation.
Once you have received the samples, you will want to look at:
- The tone of the piece.
- Whether the piece is easily digestible.
- If it provides new information.
- How descriptive it is.
- Whether it speaks to your target audience.
- If it is free of errors.
Step 4: Pick your writer or writing team
Now that you’ve found a source for your food writer and reviewed their samples, you need to narrow down your choices. Now is the time to have a discerning eye and get a little bit picky.
Choosing a writer can be different from choosing a freelancer or employee for other positions. This person will represent your company and will be its voice, on your website, in your publications, and for your marketing materials.
Once you have come to this point, you may realize that one writer won’t fit all of your content needs.
If that is the case, you’ll save a lot of time and headache by building a team of writers.
You can choose writers with strengths in the various content areas that you want to be a part of your marketing strategy.
So how do you choose?
The WriterAccess platform was designed to help match individuals and businesses that want content with the right writers for their needs.
- AI-Powered Writer Search matches you with writers who display the tone and style you are looking for.
- WriterAccess Academy allows anyone to earn their free Content Strategy certification.
- The platform boasts more than 14,000 freelance writers in a variety of industries and disciplines.
Sometimes the best option is trying out a few different writers to find the ones that fit with what you are looking for.
WriterAccess gives you access to thousands of writers, along with several ways to search for the perfect match for you.
How Much Does Hiring a Food Writer Cost?
The amount you pay for writer costs will depend on:
- The scope of the projects.
- The level of expertise the project requires.
- Whether you choose a freelance or full-time staff writer.
The greater the experience and level of expertise, the higher the cost will be.
Adding a full-time writer to your staff can cost around $25,000 to $50,000 annually. The cost will depend on the average salary in your location, plus the cost of benefits.
If you are looking to hire an independent writer, you may find rates can range between $50 and $80 per hour, or approximately 50 cents to $1 per word.
You’ll find some of the most cost-effective rates for freelancers using an online content service.
Rates will range between 6 cents and 15 cents per word, depending on the writer’s level of expertise.
Specialized assignments or project scopes may come with a higher rate.
Costs go up if you need your writer to:
- Travel for the project.
- Interview chefs or restaurant staff.
- Sample food.
- Perform extensive research.
If you decide to use a writer for a content plan, you can expect to pay between $25 and $60 per hour. The cost depends on the complexity of the plan.
Finding the right food writer for your website content can be a breeze when you:
- Determine your content needs.
- Choose the best place for your writer search.
- View samples of completed work.
- Have an ample selection of food writers from which to choose.
Putting your trust in companies like WriterAccess is your key to success. We can provide you with any level of service you require to get the job done. Give us a try with a free 14-day trial.
