10 reasons to hire a writer now

What are the chances. New year, writer new to you vaunting the notion a wordsmith would be astonishingly beneficial to your business.

Predictable as Everton losing to a last minute goal. I'm hurting, David Moyes. After all we did for you.

2021. Time to right some wrongs. Write some rights. And find out why - if you haven't already got a professional writer on staff - you should hire one. Permanently, or in a freelance capacity until they've repaid your trust in directly attributable profits.

10 reasons to hire a writer? They will...

1. Convert customers quicker. There is little doubt when you write in the language of your customer, empathise with their plight, and simply articulate solutions to their problems, you're at the winning post. Writers will not only communicate - they'll help in your research, even phrasing questions in such a way that they elicit the most useful feedback.
2. Transform your business. Communications is at the heart of any successful organisation. Those chief executives recognising the value of communications are those who have the most switched on, tuned-in teams. The better colleagues understand their employer's vision, and where they fit in - the more productive and motivated they are. Your writer will take your business to the next level simply by understanding and expressing what your business is all about. You'll be amazed how few organisations clearly explain what they do in a language that anyone - even their staff - understand.
3. Bring fresh perspectives and creativity to any situation. I have yet to meet a writer who doesn't refresh a team. By providing new and actionable ideas, based on research and not supposition, a writer can tell a genuinely awakening tale of the business to its customers. This reframing - or rebooting - will reenergise colleagues and provide fire for the fuel that takes them and their organisation to the next level of success.
4. Have unrivalled, infectious passion, energy and charisma. Speaking personally - and for many of my writer peers - I couldn't do what I do unless I bounce into an organisation with high tempo and energy levels. To make people feel like they can walk on water. It's all part of the strategy. When you lift people up, they will give of their best. And when you need to document a situation for the betterment of others, you need everyone on their A game. A writer of renown will be the catalyst for your colleagues' greatest work. It's in their DNA.
5. Train colleagues to build on their great work. Everyone can write. In much the same way as, thanks to phones, everyone is a photographer. A writer can write for you a style guide that will show people how to represent your brand using a consistent tone and voice. They can deliver workshops explaining how they do what they do. And those colleagues with a passion for communication can ensure your writer's legacy will shine for many years to come.
6. Challenge the status quo. Don't expect bringing in a writer to be an easy ride. That's not the intention. Your goal is to infuse your cantering organisation with a gallop. To feel the wind in your hair. To go on an adventure. To be brave, and bold. And to show your customers you're no longer a challenger brand - but the victor-in-waiting. The chances are, your business is currently a bit fusty. It's not ready for the big time. Your messages are muddled. It's time to wipe clean the slate. Your writer - that's their job. Have high expectations - because your writer will be only to keen to deliver.
7. Be cheap versus the value generated. "Why do we need a writer? We have text on our pages. Isn't that what they do?" My dear reader, you're right. They do work with text. You may have pages. But let me introduce you to that celebrated concept of 'why go out for a burger when you have fillet steak at home.' Ever leafed through a travel magazine and wondered how their photos are different to yours? We're all people, right? A professional writer won't just show you the words to use. They'll lift them off the page. Bring stories to life. Evoke joy. Surface the true value of your organisation. They'll essentially revolutionise how your organisation is perceived. Paying ￡40,000 a year for a writer? How does that compare to the ￡500,000 of free advertising they generated writing compelling stories for media outlets? The ￡1.5m of extra sales you can directly attribute to their work? Sure, keep sticking words on pages. I'll be helping your competition get further ahead.
8. Motivate and morale boost. There is no writer worth her salt who can't positively change a team. I covered this vaguely above. But from my experience the maverick in any great writer will surprise, terrify and delight in equal measure all your colleagues. They'll show you where you're going wrong in communicating with your teams and customers and, crucially, make it right. No writer of repute will ever leave you with anything but good vibes. Their self worth relies on it. And us writers need to be garlanded now and again - so feed us positivity pills now and again and we'll always reward you for your efforts.
9. Charm your clients. Beautiful language generates beautiful results. When you're in touch with the tongue of your customer, you can be sure that they'll get and stay engaged. A writer can quickly get in step with how your client talks and thinks and empathy and emotional intelligence are ingrained into every writer. Dwell on before and after examples of work - pre and post recruiting your writer. Even you, hardened entrepreneur, will feel seduced by the wisdom of your decision to bring them aboard.
10. Leave you wanting more. Once you have a writer on Team You, you'll never want to let them go. Or if you do, you chose the wrong one. I've known writers rise up the ranks from contractor to vice president. As businesses recognise the immense value in their latest hire, they'll shift and adapt into an organisation that puts their customers' needs first. The more you do this, the more your business grows. And who got it started? Your humble writer. The agitator. The changemaker. The goalscorer. And now I'm back thinking about my beloved Everton's latest loss. Thanks a bunch.

Caveat emptor. I can speak only of exceptional writers with a pedigree speaking for itself. I've been a professional writer for 25 years. I know the necessary language, rhythm and cadence to compels the customer to convert.

To find the right writer, ask around. Buttonhole your contacts. Scour blogs, if you're looking for a certain style and don't necessarily want to commit to a full-time, permanent role. There are some brilliant writers who scribe recreationally - and who can bring to your organisation the inspiration and creativity it's been lacking in its communications.

Writers with experience are also sufficiently versatile in turning their keyboards to any situation. Writing speeches, press releases, annual reports, blog posts, scripts for videos - the list is endless of ways to surface value from your new correspondent.

If you want advice on hiring a great writer, I'm happy to help. I have contacts across all industry sectors - and if I can't personally support your objectives, I'm more than happy to recommend someone who can.