Finding a suitable writer goes beyond qualifications. Many people can pose as great writers, but not all supposedly “great” writers can fit your needs.
You need a skilled writer who understands your voice, tone, writing style, and structure and is conversant with the necessary writing tools and the best SEO practices.
When it comes to hiring a top-tier, experienced, and skilled writer, Nigeria stands out as one of the best countries with a vast pool of highly competent professionals.
However, navigating the writing landscape in Nigeria is a challenge for people without a deep understanding of the culture.
This piece will show you the simple strategies for finding the best Nigerian writers without wasting resources on hit-and-miss hires.
Define your requirements
Creating a well-defined hiring requirement before you begin your search saves time, streamlines the process, and helps prevent an influx of applications from unqualified writers.
Clearly outlining your essential requirements communicates your expectations upfront and discourages unqualified writers from applying. Here are some specific requirements you can include in your hiring message.
- Writing niche: Nigerian writers are specialists in different writing niches. There are technical writers, academic writers, copywriters, blog writers, SEO content writers, etc. So, out of these different categories, you have to specify the kind of writer you want to hire.
- Experience level: There are three main levels of writing experience: beginner, mid-level, and expert. Each has its unique skills and years of experience. Hiring an expert writer with over ten years of experience will cost you more than hiring a mid-level writer. Base your choice on your preferred content quality and budget.
- Deliverables: This will help filter out unqualified writers who cannot meet your standards. Specify the number of articles you expect the writer to produce each week or month and clearly state requirements such as word count, formatting style, editing needs, and plagiarism guidelines.
Have a realistic budget
Many clients often approach Nigerian freelance writers with unrealistic and rather ridiculous rates. Such pricing can quickly deter professional and experienced writers from considering your project.
A top-tier writer from Nigeria understands that their work provides significant value in driving revenue growth and enhancing visibility.
If you underprice their craft, you risk losing their interest even before negotiations begin, leaving you with amateur writers who are more likely to produce low-quality, AI-generated, or plagiarized content.
Follow a payment structure
Every client has a unique payment structure. Some clients pay per word, while others pay per piece of content. Do you also want to pay a percentage upfront or pay when the deed is done? These are some questions to address when negotiating with writers from Nigeria.
Many professional writers, including myself, outline their terms of agreement. I typically request that new clients pay a percentage upfront before starting the project, with the remaining balance due upon completion and approval.
Other experienced writers may have their preferences, so it’s essential to remain flexible.
Choose a hiring platform
Searching becomes straightforward and seamless when you know where to look. Here are some reputable platforms where you can find and hire qualified writers in Nigeria.
- Freelance platforms: There are numerous freelance platforms where you can find and hire writers, but two of the most popular are Upwork and Fiverr. These platforms operate similarly: simply create an account, describe your business needs, post a job listing, and review the applicants.
- Job boards: You can hire a writer from Nigeria through job boards like Jobberman or Indeed. These platforms allow you to post your job advertisement and attract numerous qualified writers in a short amount of time.
- Social media: LinkedIn is an excellent platform for finding and hiring professional writers in Nigeria. I secured my first two writing gigs through LinkedIn. Simply post an advertisement, and you will attract many applicants.
You can also take the time to check out different profiles of skilled writers. Once you find a few suitable writers, you can send them a cold message to discuss the position further and interview them.
Assess your candidates
Once you receive applications from qualified candidates, the next step is to assess their qualifications and verify that they align with their claims.
Here are the boxes to tick:
- Writing portfolio: Request their portfolio to review samples of past writing projects. This will help you assess their writing style and voice. A qualified writer should always have a portfolio, preferably published.
- Interview: Once you’ve selected your top ten candidate portfolios, the next step is to schedule virtual interviews to evaluate their professionalism, communication skills, and other soft skills. This is also an ideal opportunity to clearly convey your writing vision and ensure that they are aligned with your goals.
- Paid trial tasks:
The final step, which is optional if you feel satisfied with your selections, is to request a paid trial test. Please ensure that the writing test is compensated. No experienced professional writer from Nigeria will agree to complete a free trial test. This is a genuine red flag.
If you are genuinely serious about addressing your concerns, compensate these writers for their work and evaluate who delivers high-quality content by the deadline. This approach is the best way to assess a writer before making a hiring decision.
Onboard
Congratulations! You have successfully hired a top-tier writer from Nigeria. However, there’s one more crucial step: onboarding your new writer. Effective onboarding will help ensure a smooth start for both of you.
- Discuss availability: If you are looking for Nigerian writers from different time zones, always ask them about availability and working hours to help you align schedules.
- Share your writing style: If you have a writing guide, share it with your new writer. If not, clearly communicate your expectations regarding writing structure, voice, and tone.
- Draft a contract: Finally, a clear contract that outlines deadlines, salary, payment terms, deliverables, and any other agreements is essential.
Work with a vetted writing agency
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of interviewing and hiring writers from Nigeria, go through an agency.
RoninPoint connects you with a team of top-tier writers in Nigeria who specialize in various niches. Partnering with a professional writing agency like RoninPoint makes hiring a reliable writing expert seamless.
RoninPoint writers are trained to write engaging, SEO-tuned, human-generated content to drive visibility and growth for any brand.
What level should I expect from Nigerian writers?
Nigerian writers possess different levels of expertise, ranging from casual to academic. They are fluent in English and influenced by British and American styles, which makes them adaptable to diverse audiences.
Additionally, they demonstrate high professionalism and attention to detail, reflecting a strong work ethic. Nigerian writers consistently deliver well-researched content while maintaining a keen eye for detail.
How much do writers charge in Nigeria?
The rate of hiring writers in Nigeria is based on several factors, such as experience, audience comprehension level, and topic difficulty. Rates also vary from writer to writer and from level of professionalism.
But through my experience, I’ll share some average rates with you.
| Experience level | Niche (topic difficulty) | Rate ($ per 1000 words) |
| Beginner | Technical | $10 – $20 |
| Beginner | Non-technical | $5 – $15 |
| Mid-level | Technical | $50 – $70 |
| Mid-level | Non-technical | $30 – $50 |
| Expert | Technical | $200 – $300 |
| Expert | Non-technical | $100 – $150 |
Note: All these rates are negotiable, depending on the urgency or volume of work.
How do I pay Nigerian freelancers?
Most clients use international platforms such as PayPal, Payoneer, Tap Tap Send, or direct bank transfers. Nigerian writers prefer these payment methods because they are seamless and secure.
Who wrote this?
Okoye Chisom specializes in Content Writing, Copywriting, and Content marketing. Aside from creating content and copies for brands and individuals, she runs a personal blog targeted toward young adults.
On other days, she can be found exploring her interest in Tech, Content strategy, storytelling, hosting events, and teaching. You can reach her on Linkedin.
