How to Hire a Great B2B Tech Content Writer (Without losing your mind)
Hiring a B2B tech writer might not sound like a big deal. Until you try it.
So, how do you find someone who actually gets your business and your customers, and can turn complex ideas into copy that moves people to action?
It should be so simple. You Google “B2B Tech Copywriter”, review the results, develop a shortlist and get in touch with your favourites. But, all of a sudden, you’re knee-deep in portfolios, dodging AI-written drivel and wondering whether “technology experience” actually means a blog about an iPhone cooking app from 2019.
Here’s what I’ve learned from working on both sides of the table, as a copywriter writing for big tech brands and B2B marketing agencies, as well as someone who’s hired other writers to support growing client workloads.
I also thought finding the right fit would be easy, and learned the hard way that it’s not.
And, before you say it, yes, this is a thinly veiled promotional post about what I bring to the table. It’s my blog and I can do what I like.
However, without sounding too much like a pompous arse, I tend to look for those similar to myself when I’m hunting down tech writers for agency projects. That means these tips will be as useful for your search as they are for my site’s SEO.
Sounds like a fair trade to me. Shall we begin?
1. Don’t just look for writing skills. Look for business brains.
Good writing matters. But good B2B marketing writing does something specific: it gets smart, busy buyers to change their behaviour. It helps them understand the value of what you offer and why they should care. That takes more than just a tidy turn of phrase.
A strong B2B tech marketing writer understands your goals, your audience and your sales process. They write for real people, not just for SEO. They spot gaps in your messaging and help you fill them. And they know how to adapt their tone without losing clarity or authority. As an added bonus, they should also be well versed in conversion copywriting (that dark art of convincing people to click using the power of words). It’s also particularly useful if they’ve had some B2C or advertising experience to help inject a little more dynamism into what can be a fairly dry area of marketing.
2. Ask for writing experience and samples that match what you need
It sounds a bit odd, but, as I mentioned above, you’re not just looking for a good writer. You want a business focus that includes knowledge of your field. A B2B tech writer should not only understand your products and the broader technology it’s based on, but also your market, the technology channel, partner marketing and more. If you’re a technology marketing agency working with cybersecurity clients, for instance, you’ll want your tech writer to have a solid understanding of not only security tools and processes but also the impact of a breach on a business. A pretty article about spotting a phishing email isn’t going to cut it.
Ask for examples of similar projects they’ve done or get on a call to talk the topic through. You’ll quickly get a feel for whether the writer is a consummate pro or a professional BS artist. Combined, these two actions will give you a truer sense of what working together would feel like and whether the writing you’ll get will fit your brand.
3. Don’t fall for style over substance
Polished websites can mask all manner of issues. Dig beyond the surface and definitely find the time to talk to your potential writer on a call or via email, where they can’t hide behind dynamic designs and colourful fonts. B2B marketing experts will come prepared with fresh ideas based on their existing knowledge and research. A strong tech copywriter will be curious and ask good questions. They don’t just take your brief at face value; they’ll help you stress test and tighten it to make sure they can do the best possible job. They’ll deliver on time with minimal hand-holding and care as much about the outcomes as you do. If you get the sense they’re thinking more about showing off their vocabulary than making your business look good, run for the hills.
4. Define what good looks like
But what does good look like? That’s a question you should be asking before you start looking for a writer. What kind of content do you need? What tone suits your brand? What results are you hoping to achieve? Whether you’re a B2B marketing firm or a growing tech company building your first content engine, clarity here will save you time, money and miscommunication later on.
5. Don’t treat content like a checkbox
If you’re hiring a writer just to “get content done,” you’re missing a trick. That’s what AI is for. If you’re going to spend good money on copy, make sure it does more than just fill gaps on your website and social media accounts. The right person can shape your positioning, uncover messaging gaps and build consistency across channels. They’ll bring their own insights and a fresh pair of eyes to your technology content marketing efforts. That’s way more valuable than just words.
Whether you’re a founder doing it all, a marketer buried in work or a busy tech marketing agency looking for freelance support, a great B2B tech writer can free up time, improve performance and make your brand feel sharper and more coherent.
6. Setting Up a Successful Collaboration Process
Once you’ve hired a B2B tech content writer, it’s important to set up a working rhythm that keeps things running smoothly. Start with clear communication. Choose how you'll keep in touch, whether that’s email, regular calls, Slack or carrier pigeon, and agree on how often you’ll check in.
Regular updates mean fewer surprises and faster fixes.
Next, give your writer what they need to succeed. That includes your brand guidelines, a clear tone of voice and any background info that helps them understand your business.
If they’re writing blind, the results won’t hit the mark. Set up a shared calendar to track what’s in progress, what’s next and who’s doing what.
Finally, get your feedback loop right. Be clear. Be constructive. Don’t just say “this doesn’t sound right”, explain why.
Writers aren’t mind readers. If you create space for open conversation and treat feedback as a two-way thing, you’ll get better content and a better relationship.
7. Measuring the Impact of Your Content Writer on Business Success
Once content’s going out regularly, you’ll want to know if it’s actually doing anything and whether your investment has been worth it (which it should be if you’ve followed the previous steps).
Start by setting clear goals. Are you trying to boost traffic? Generate leads? Climb the Google rankings? Pick your key performance indicators (KPIs) and track them consistently.
Tools like Google Analytics or LinkedIn’s post analytics can show you what’s working and what’s not. Open rates, click-throughs and time-on-page stats are your friends. So are comments and feedback from clients or colleagues.
But numbers aren’t everything. Don’t forget to look at how the content feels. Is it on brand? Is it easy to read? Does it reflect your values? Ask your team. Ask your customers. Ask yourself whether you’d be proud to share it. If yes, you’re probably on the right track.
Hiring the right writer takes effort, but it’s one of the smartest moves a business can make. After all, in a space full of complexity and sameness, clear, confident messaging is a competitive advantage.
Maybe I could save you some search time?
As a senior B2B technology copywriter with 20+ years of experience, I naturally meet all of the requirements above and am happy to jump on a call to prove it. If you want content that cuts through the noise and actually converts, let’s chat.