A.L. Studio Job Post
A.L. Studio is a dynamic hemp SEO agency looking to expand their content writing staff with skilled individuals passionate about the cannabis industry.
Their website currently serves as a comprehensive blog on cannabis-related topics, and they have plans for future development, including Software as a Service (SaaS) features.
This role is perfect for those who are enthusiastic about creating engaging, informative content in the world of cannabis.
Hemp Writer Proposal
Good morning A.L. Studio,
Thank you for the opportunity to apply for the cannabis content writer position I am excited about the prospect of joining your team and contributing to the growth and development of your platform, especially given its future plans of incorporating SaaS functionalities.
My experience as a content writer, particularly in areas related to cannabis and its various aspects, aligns well with the requirements of your website.
My writing style is adaptable, aiming to be clear, fun, and conversational, while maintaining an authoritative tone.
This approach ensures that the content is both engaging and informative, suitable for a diverse global audience of marijuana consumers.
I have a strong interest in the cannabis industry, both professionally and personally, which has fueled my ongoing research and understanding of the subject.
This background allows me to write with authenticity and insight, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience.
In terms of SEO, I am well-versed in optimizing content to enhance online visibility and engagement.
My experience with WordPress is extensive and sufficient to manage the preparation and structuring of publishing drafts, including the integration of text, images, and links. I am also comfortable sourcing images through your stock-photoand working with graphic designers for customization.
For my per-word rate, I propose somewhere between $0.10 and $0.35 per word.
This rate reflects the quality, research, and SEO optimization I bring to each article.
Below is a link to my previous work, showcasing my writing style and adherence to different content requirements.
I look forward to the possibility of collaborating with you and contributing to the engaging and informative content on you cannabis website.
A.L. Studio
You’ve mentioned your adaptability and research-driven approach to content creation.
How would you approach generating content ideas autonomously for our audience of global marijuana consumers?
Can you give an example of how you would develop a topic from concept to final draft?
Joseph
Based on my experience and understanding of the cannabis industry, I would approach content generation autonomously by first organizing a content architecture with categories and tags.
I would use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Google Autosuggest to find high-volume, low-competition keywords.
Prioritizing these keywords in a spreadsheet would guide my topic development.
For example, I could start with a topic with high-level seed keywords, research emerging trends, and synthesize information into an engaging narrative.
Then as I write, I would insert and highlight other article topic-relevant keywords with the intention of innerlinking between blog articles.
My approach is to create content that is not only informative but also resonates with the global audience of marijuana consumers, both recreationally and medicinally.
A.L. Studio
Your experience in the cannabis industry is evident.
Can you discuss a particular area or topic within the cannabis sphere that you feel most knowledgeable and passionate about?
How would you translate this expertise into engaging content for our readers?
Joseph
My expertise in the cannabis industry is quite comprehensive, as I have been writing exclusively for this sector since 2011.
I am particularly interested in and knowledgeable about various aspects of cannabis, including its history, legal status, and the differences between THC and CBD.
This depth of knowledge allows me to write with authenticity and insight, making complex topics accessible and engaging for our readers.
My focus is on delivering content that is clear, fun, conversational, and authoritative, suitable for a diverse global audience of marijuana consumers.
A.L. Studio
Given your expertise in SEO, how do you plan to optimize content for both search engines and our target audience?
Can you provide an example of how you’ve successfully blended SEO best practices with engaging content in your past work?
Joseph
In my role, I prioritize the balance between SEO optimization and audience engagement.
My approach involves integrating SEO best practices into content creation without compromising the engaging and conversational tone that appeals to our readers.
For instance, in my past work, I have successfully blended SEO elements by strategically using keywords while maintaining a natural and informative style.
This method ensures that the content ranks well on search engines and resonates with our target audience, driving both visibility and engagement.
A.L. Studio
You’ve referenced using tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs for keyword research.
Can you elaborate on your process for identifying high-volume, low-competition keywords, and how you incorporate these findings into your content strategy?
Joseph
My process for identifying high-volume, low-competition keywords involves utilizing tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs, coupled with Google Autosuggest.
I start by analyzing the competitive landscape and identifying gaps in content.
Then, I prioritize keywords in a spreadsheet, focusing on those that have the potential for maximum impact with minimal competition.
This approach is integrated into the content strategy to ensure that the articles we produce are not only relevant and engaging but also rank well in search engine results.
For example, I might target emerging topics or unanswered questions in the cannabis industry, using these tools to guide the selection and optimization of content.
A.L. Studio
Considering the broad spectrum of topics related to cannabis, from law to health to recreational use, how do you plan to diversify your content to appeal to a wide range of readers?
Can you provide an example of how you’ve tackled a complex or niche topic in the past to make it accessible and interesting to a general audience?
Joseph
In my experience, the keyword research process, if done thoroughly & properly, is one of (if not the) most labor-intensive part of the process — if we include the manual competitor SERP analysis.
How I’d get started is to put each category into its own column on a Google Sheet and then start filling each category with dozens to hundreds of potentially valuable keywords.
I’d have a separate page on the spreadsheet listing out competitor’s keywords and then I’d aim to start targeting the low-hanging fruit by making content that’s a wee-bit better.
Once I have a mountain of keywords that fit the scope of your long-term vision, I’d start carving out the best keywords that naturally pop up after looking through massive amounts of data points.
The problem with me giving you 5 or 50 keywords with very light research, is that they might not be properly vetted to give you maximum potential results.
Furthermore, to diversify content and appeal to a wide range of readers, I plan to cover a broad spectrum of topics related to cannabis.
This includes focusing on different aspects like health, law, recreational use, and scientific advancements.
My approach involves using detailed keyword research and market analysis to identify and target various segments of our audience.
For example, I would create content ranging from in-depth articles on the latest cannabis research to more casual pieces on cannabis culture and lifestyle, ensuring each piece is tailored to its respective audience segment.
My goal is to make each topic, whether complex or niche, accessible and engaging to all our readers, regardless of their level of expertise or interest in cannabis.
A.L. Studio
To address your last comments about the gig.
SEMI-AUTONOMOUS WRITING GIG:
The process won’t be out of the ordinary. It’s brief > draft(s) > final draft with images > publishing draft in WordPress. I’m in between reviewing, approving and then publishing the article.
The other part I’ll want is for you to recommend topics to write about, or interested in writing about. I’ll also brief in topics here and there.
The former helps keep the ball rolling and gives me an idea of what you’re interested in and/or know a lot about. Otherwise, waiting on me for topics will slightly slow things down.
To solidify the content development structure: my briefs have guidance and there’s a content process.
And we’re writing content to build an audience, so the writing approach will be more to inform and teach.
Though, we’ll natively sprinkle in affiliate links here and there where they fit.
Therefore, don’t view the work as content marketing–there are parallels but that’s a different type of approach to writing.
In the short term, the website is being built as a media business, so the product is the audience themselves. The long term is TBC.
SEO WORK/CONTENT PLANNING:
Is this included in your writing services?
Or is this a separate/additional service?
What tool(s) are you using to do your keyword research?
We lightly have something like this, and further look at keywords and topics as we go.
Joseph
It sounds like you have a well-structured plan for your semi-autonomous writing gig.
The process sounds right in the ordinary and it sounds like the question is boiling down to negotiating cost to achieve a deal where we both feel like we’re winning and getting the most milage out of our deal.
Here’s how I can assist within the scope of your requirements.
Most client work I do typically includes topic/keyword research AND writing.
Depending on how granular we want to get and how many hours we need to spend drilling down into finding more niche and/or long-tail keywords, we can discuss a fair hourly rate if we cross that bridge. If that sounds fair?
Tools: I’m flexible to any method you believe is superior.
My typical method involves a few standard tools involving taking advantage of:
- Google Search Console data
- Semrush Keyword Magic Tool AND “stealing” keywords from direct/indirect competitors then targeting low competition with high volume keywords
- Google Autocomplete — the idea here is if Google is auto populating keywords, then that topic/keyword is being searched enough to be recommended
One of my primary strategies with newer sites is to utilizing the BATTLESHIP method where we target a wide range of keywords until we find a HIT.
Once we find a HIT, then I’ll start identifying closely related keywords around the keywords that are getting traction and aim to interlink for further on-page optimization.
Please let me know if you need me to expand on any of my answers.
A.L. Studio
Per your response to my proposal: let’s go with 0.15 USD per word.
The gig’s responsibilities are below and I pay the total once the publishing draft is complete.
The gig’s responsibilities:
– Article’s written text
– Getting images for the article
– Creating the publishing draft in WordPress
For images, you can use my iStock and Shutterstock stock-photo subscriptions.
And/or you can use your own sources.
I also have a graphic designer to customise images.
Seems like you’ll find it useful, so if you want, I can give you access to Google Search Console.
I don’t expect you to be an analyst but feel free to use it to see how articles are performing, and guide you in what keywords/topics are finding an audience.
Re: Deeper keyword research: Sure, if in the future there’s a need to spend more time on keyword research, we can revisit the scope and payment.
If all looks good, I can send over a contract.
Joseph
Can you give me an idea of your edit process and reasonable expectations.
Sample of the 1st drafts of current writer articles.
Your standard edit SOP checklist.
SOP for uploading content to website(s).
The more specific SOPs are, the lower we can negotiate.
Detailed specific requirements are fine.
The more upfront information I can get, the more cost effective we can potentially optimize the process.
Also, the more articles you order, the cheaper it can get.
My typical clients start with a one year calendar of between 3 – 40 articles per month.
A.L. Studio
WRITER SPEND:
I’m not going to share writer spend, but I’ve given you the avg article volume per writer/month.
CONTENT PROCESS:
I’ve attached a brief and the process docs to give you a sense of the process.
It’s nothing out of the ordinary, though the publishing draft checklist has some uniqueness.
None of the links work in these docs, because those become available once onboarded.
You’ll have access to my iStock and Shutterstock stock-photo subscriptions to source images if needed.
I prioritise quality over speed, and I don’t shortchange quality.
I’m pretty lax on time so you can take as long as you want, though, once it gets to 2+ months for an article, that’s too long.
Please pair with the finished/published articles on the website to get a sense of content development to final draft.
- Example brief – Example of one of the article briefs
- Content process – Content development process
- Publishing draft checklist – What needs to be done for the WordPress publishing draft
HOW I WORK:
I don’t order in batches.
I work with writers on a per-article basis, and assuming it’s working out, the work is ongoing.
My current writers average 1-2 articles a month, and my aim is to work with writers long-term.
Joseph
Can you send me a sample of a writers 1st draft that has MANY edit and a sample of a perfect writer article.
What is the most common edits you give writers?
Do you escrow full amount on UpWork or in stages based on approvals?
A.L. Studio
ARTICLE EDITS:
Perfect examples:
These two articles were done perfectly; there were just a few touch-ups needed.
Bad examples:
I’m not going to share any draft examples that needed lots of edits, as that can vary by writer.
Furthermore, this is not necessary, as you can already reference published articles, so you have an idea of what I’m looking for.
Though, to give you a sense: The largest examples of edits are when I didn’t accept a first draft and told writers to redo the whole thing.
This occurred because they didn’t follow instructions regarding a layout–either by not providing a layout first and just immediately doing a draft, or not waiting until a layout was approved.
The second biggest was with one writer who had dull writing and sloppy sourcing practices (i.e., represented sources falsely/loosely). I don’t work with this writer anymore.
As normal, lots of edits occur in the beginning because writers are getting used to my process and what I’m looking for.
And just generally getting used to working together. Afterwards, it gets pretty smooth.
Either of us can also drop out if it’s not working or for any other reason.
PAYMENT:
I don’t escrow anything.
I just pay the total amount whatever it ends up being at the end of the job (i.e., once the publishing draft in WordPress is complete).
Preparing escrow for each job isn’t efficient as it adds steps (i.e., estimating, escrow loading, re-estimating, etc.).
I just pay when the job is done and don’t do all that.
My UpWork rating is perfect and there’s never been an issue paying folks.
Joseph
Sounds good!
Information looks straight forwards.
I’m thinking somewhere between 15 and 20 cents per word.
Typically, the lowest I’ve gone is 10 cents per word, with bulk orders.
Can we start with first article on escrow, then we can move to your preferred payment schedule.
Let me know what sounds fair and we can get started at your leisure.
Joseph’s Final Thoughts
In conclusion, my approach to content creation for A.L. Studio’s websites are grounded in a deep understanding of the cannabis industry, combined with a strategic use of hemp SEO and audience engagement techniques.
By leveraging tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs for comprehensive keyword research and focusing on a diverse range of topics, I aim to produce content that is not only informative and engaging but also resonates with a global audience.
My experience and dedication to staying on top of the latest trends and developments in the cannabis world position me well to contribute meaningfully to the team.
I am excited about the prospect of joining your team and look forward to the opportunity to bring my skills and expertise to your content strategy, helping to grow the site’s audience and influence in the cannabis space.