Last updated on October 12th, 2022 at 08:28 pm
The contributor’s views in this blog post on the list of top freelance content writers in India are entirely his own and may not always reflect the views of QuickScream
Writing is a form of art, and writers are artists. Every writer is unique in the way they present something in front of the reader. It is up to the readers to decide what they look forward to reading and which writer strikes the right chords in their hearts.
However, the idea of rating writers and creating lists is flawed in its foundation. Now, let me ask you a question.
Can you tell who is a better painter – Picasso or Da Vinci?
Both are master artists in their own right and yet are entirely different from one another.
You can have favorites, but saying that one is better than the other wouldn’t do justice to their talent. So while artists and masterpieces go well, artists and lists don’t.
Why You Can’t Trust Any List of Top Freelance Content Writers in India
There has been a lot of talk around the lists of top freelance content writers in India published on LinkedIn and other platforms. And the social media audience is divided on whether these lists are fake or do any good to any writer.
There are very few people who favor these lists – majorly those who are featured in these lists and their friends or supporters. The other group comprises the rest of the freelance community.
So what’s really wrong with these top freelance content writers’ lists?
There are fundamentally three reasons why these lists don’t do justice to the talent out there and why there is no need for such lists at all.
1. No Authority of List Creators
People or groups publishing these lists have no authority to do so. Now the fundamental problem with these lists is that they come from sources that a few people know or have even heard of.
So how they got all this data and who they appointed as the jury to evaluate it is unknown. And are they even licensed or authorized to publish such things is another question that needs to be asked?
Abhijeet Kumar, a freelance writer and founder of The Lazy Writer, voiced the same opinion.
Unfortunately, top content writers’ lists are created by private organizations or business entities, with no relation to the writing industry. They pick up writers at random, from the ones they know, and form THE LIST without taking any reliable parameter into account. And they don’t have relevant metrics to back it. Actually, you can’t have any such lists in this scattered world of writers.
2. Writing is Subjective
Perspective on any art form is subjective. It is impossible to measure it in terms of different parameters. You may like how a writer plays with words. Or you may be an admirer of another writer’s vocabulary. Or it could be that a writer has flawless grammar.
And all these things are based on how you see a piece of writing. Your friend may have a completely different opinion.
So when you are creating a list of top freelance content writers in India, you are saying that those writers are better than others in all these areas and more.
Sayantan Sen, who has worked with 100+ clients, said,
It’s impossible to measure my writing against yours because there’s no measuring grid, there’s no benchmark. Just the way that you can’t measure the success of a fish by whether it can climb a tree or not, you can’t measure the success of a writer just by looking at his/her ability to get included in any list of top freelance content writers in India. If you’re a writer, write. And keep working on your craft. Comparing yourself to others isn’t a good practice. It’s bumpy, edgy, not peaceful. Compare yourself to yourself. This is the best place to start if you want to be a good writer.
3. Improper Criteria to List Writers
The criteria, if the list creators followed any, are improper. Some list creators have stated that they have made top Indian content writers based on LinkedIn activities. Seriously, you guys are creating a list of the Indian content writers based on LinkedIn activities. LinkedIn marketers will shoot themselves. And don’t say that you have done it for creative sake. There is no creativity in it.
What’s more, I have seen a list of the top Indian content writers that just listed writers, mentioning their testimonials, clients, and what they charge. Is this a justifiable way to make a list of the top writers in India?
Of course, one can make a list of writers. But presenting it as a list of the Top/Best is outrightly wrong. And it is an injustice to many talented writers out there who don’t have a robust online presence.
Anmol Ratan Sachdeva, the founder of arsachdeva.com, said,
Publishing some names saying that they are the ‘best content writers in India’ we have without giving any background is not enough to make these lists credible. Such lists are a poor marketing attempt by publications trying to crowdsource attention. It’s their way of getting free traffic and traction by channelizing the attention of a writer’s followers towards them.
Mostly, such publications don’t have a screening method. They invite nominations via social media and include the writers with a large social media following. Some even run contests where likes/comments are the parameter for inclusion in the list.
At best, this methodology can be compared with a popular choice award. The websites have no right to claim that these writers are the top content writers in India just because they are popular online.
Is Every Writer on the List of Top Freelance Content Writers Good?
That’s hard to tell. I know a few writers featured on these lists, and they are excellent. But I cannot say that for every writer on such lists.
As I alluded to earlier, writing is a form of art, and it is figuratively impossible to put one writing piece against another and measure both on different parameters.
However, I would say that I know a lot of writers who are very good but unfortunately, they haven’t made the cut.
It would be unfair to judge those that are featured on the list. It is not their fault. They are all good writers.
But when you publish a few names and leave out others, you aren’t doing the ones you have left out any favors. This is why I said right at the start that the idea of creating and publishing a list of top freelance writers in India is flawed.
Moreover, every writer has a niche or industry that they are exceptionally good in. Some are good in technology, while others write better on healthcare.
Similarly, all the writers have a niche that they prefer writing on and are comfortable with. It is impossible to rate writers from different niches.
Some of the writers featured in the list haven’t even spent a full year as a freelancer. It doesn’t say that they are not good enough. But they need to do well consistently.
What’s even more surprising is that writers who have worked with some of the most prominent publications and companies didn’t even make it to the nominations.
How to Hire a Talented Content Writer From India
1. Ask the Right Questions
If you are looking to hire a content writer in India, the most important thing you need to do is ask the right questions.
Ask them about their experience, the niches they are comfortable writing for, the price they charge, whether or not it is negotiable, and their work schedule and whether they will be willing to adjust based on your requirements. Also, you should ask what they do to improve the craft of writing.
Answers to these questions will give you a fair idea of whether a writer is the right fit for you or not.
2. Test Writer’s Skill Set
Ensuring that you are hiring a writer with a skill set that you need is critical. You can give them a small assignment and ask them to complete it in the given time to evaluate their writing skills.
Ensure your assignment features tasks that will test a writer’s knowledge and understanding of your business and industry.
3. Look at the Writer’s Past Experience
Past experience will tell you a lot about the writer you are currently in touch with. It will tell you if the writer has previously worked on something that’s similar to your project.
Past experience is a great indicator of what you can expect from them in the future.
4. Check References
If possible, you should also try to check a writer’s references. Look for people whom they have already worked with. It could be previous clients, colleagues, or fellow freelancers.
By talking to references, you will know exactly what to expect from a writer.
5. Get the Test Assignment Completed
Finally, make sure that the writer completes the test assignment in a mutually agreed time. If they come up with excuses, it is a big red flag that suggests that hiring them could be a mistake.
If they complete the test on time, evaluate their writing skills, and take a call based on their performance in the test.
Common FAQs
Who is the best content writer in India?
None is the best content writer in India. There are various types of content writing types, and every kind of content writing requires different skills. Quality is subjective. One cannot say that someone is the best content writer in India.
How much do freelance content writers charge in India?
Freelance content writers charge INR 0.60 to 12.00 per word in India. And many writers charge way more than that. It all depends on the skills of writers and the complexity of the assignments.
How can I become a freelance content writer in India?
You just need to work on the craft of writing to become a freelance content writer in India. Also, you start working on your portfolio. Doing so will help you get clients.
What skills should a freelance writer have?
The top skills a freelance writer should have are strong writing skills, marketing skills, research skills, and the ability to meet deadlines.
Conclusion
Hiring a writer is a big responsibility that you shouldn’t take lightly. Who you hire for a project can have a significant impact on your business.
So you should take your time and look for a writer who you think will be able to honor the demands of your project.
What about you? Have you come across any list of top freelance content writers in India? How do you see these lists? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Additional Resources:
Creating a list of top freelance content writers in India is kind of like a joke, especially when it is created by people with no understanding of the industry or any valid criteria to add people on the list.
I have been quite vocal about this issue and I am glad that you guys covered it. At least, a few people would stop taking such lists seriously.
As you mentioned, that every writer is unique and has their own quirks, style and process, putting them in a standard list is not possible, and sometimes even disrespectful for those who might not be visible online. And don’t get me started on how disheartening it is to see such lists doing rounds online and people even celebrating these wins.
I personally believe one’s own conscience is the best judge of their work. But then again, the world is what it is ‘yahan jo dikhta hai wo bikta hai’.
It’s high time writers start understanding the intentions behind these lists and stop flaunting such features as badges of honor.
Good work Farogh and Team QuickScream on this.
You are absolutely right, Anmol. The idea is flawed and could do irreparable damage to the confidence of those who don’t feature.
What can I say Anmol? I know a few writers on these lists, and they are awesome. But this doesn’t make these lists valid. The idea of creating lists of the top Indian writers is flawed. And the reason is companies don’t have that kind of data to prepare such lists. Yes, Upwork does that, but it has data.
So I’d say these are fake lists of excellent writers.
I agree with your views. Such lists can be prepared with a suitable criteria. Some writers might be good at articles, while others in email writing. One writer will have a rich vocabulary, while other like keeping it simple. And thus, you can’t compare one writer against another.
Exactly, that’s the point, Abhijeet. With the data, none can prepare a list of the best or top content writers in India. Thanks for your comment.
That’s the point, Abhijeet. There is no need for comparisons. Lists only work when we have objective parameters of measuring things. But unfortunately, creativity and art are subjective.
Glad someone clarified about the top content writers in India Dilemma. Don’t just see the lists, instead, check out works before hiring.
Yes, these lists are simply created for SEO purpose only. Thanks, Arnab.
Absolutely, Arnab.
Well explained!
Thank you, Neha!
You rightly questioned criteria that were used to create these lists. Without verifiable data, the whole thing sounds bizarre and kind of ‘botched up’ to suit an agenda. They need to be transparent. And we must know on what grounds some writers feature in them, and others missed out and how to get there, if anyone wants. I have nothing against those who have made it as I have nothing against an Ananya Pandey or a Suraj Pancholi who win debut awards.
These kind of lists sound similar to paid awards, which are a source to earn quick fame. I think a talented writer gets his/her due only after achieving a stable and consistent performance in the market which takes time, usually 1 or 2 years. When writers understand the context and perspective of their content, a loyal reward base is more rewarding rather than awards. It is better writers continue to evolve their writing style; fame, recognition and quick bucks are just add-ons.
I agree that writers possess a unique quality and style, which is exclusively theirs.
Thank you Devika for sharing your views. I unequivocally lend support to everything you have mentioned here. I agree that everything takes time and that is why I was surprised or rather shocked to see the names of people, with less than a year under their belt, in the list.
Devika, I second with you that each and every writer comes with a different set of skills. We cannot compare any two writers. So creating these lists of the top Indian content writers makes no sense. Thanks for your insightful comment.