MSMP 60: Sofie Couwenbergh on Content Creation

What Does MSMP 60: Sofie Couwenbergh on Content Creation Talk About?

In this episode of Mads Singers Management Podcast, host Mads Singer welcomes Sofie Couwenbergh of Let Me Write That Down For You to discuss content creation strategies. The conversation explores whether businesses should prioritize in-house content creation or outsource it, emphasizing that the decision depends on the volume and consistency of content needed. Sofie highlights the importance of content in the modern digital landscape, noting that search engines and competitors are constantly evolving, making consistent content production essential for staying relevant. The episode also covers tips for hiring writers, including using large marketplaces like Upwork and a lesser-known alternative, and the trade-off between cost and quality. Sofie advises documenting processes thoroughly when bringing in-house hires to ensure success.

Google is always changing, your competitors are always updating their content: if you're not giving content serious attention, you're going to be left behind.Sofie Couwenbergh

Who Is Featured on MSMP 60: Sofie Couwenbergh on Content Creation?

Sofie Couwenbergh is the founder of Let Me Write That Down For You, a content creation firm she has run for eight years. Before starting her own business, she worked as an in-house copywriter for an international publisher. In addition to her content creation work, Sofie runs a side business, the travel site Wonderful Wanderings. She describes herself as a 'straightforward perfectionist' and is passionate about helping clients get their messages right.

What Are the Key Takeaways From MSMP 60: Sofie Couwenbergh on Content Creation?

• The choice between in-house and outsourced content creation depends on the volume and consistency of content needed.
• Consistent, high-quality content is crucial for staying competitive as search engines and competitors constantly update.
• When hiring on large marketplaces like Upwork, paying more often results in publish-ready content that requires less editing.
• A lesser-known place to find great writers exists without the fees charged by large marketplaces like Upwork.
• When training in-house writers, document all steps thoroughly via documents or videos to set them up for success.

The more you pay, the likelier you are to get 'publish-ready' content that doesn't require a lot of editing.Sofie Couwenbergh

Is MSMP 60: Sofie Couwenbergh on Content Creation Worth Listening To?

This episode is highly recommended for business owners and marketing professionals who are evaluating their content strategy. Sofie provides practical, actionable advice on whether to build an in-house team or outsource, and how to find and manage writers effectively. The discussion is grounded in real-world experience and offers clear guidance on navigating the complexities of content creation in a digital-first world. Listeners will come away with a better understanding of the trade-offs involved and concrete steps to improve their content operations.

Who Should Listen to MSMP 60: Sofie Couwenbergh on Content Creation?

• Business owners
• Marketing managers
• Content strategists
• Entrepreneurs

What Are Listeners Saying About This Episode?

Some years ago you may have had to convince people that content marketing was useful, or even more importantly, that they might need it for their own businesses.  That’s not the case anymore.  Content truly is king in this era of the internet, and even the search engines have learned how to (mostly) parse the good content from the bad.

In this episode of Mads Singers Management Podcast, I welcome Sofie Couwenbergh of Let Me Write That Down For You, which, as you can guess from the name, is a content creation firm. Sofie has had that business for eight years now.  Before that Sofie was the in-house copywriter for an international publisher.  Not content to write for a living, Sofie also does it in a side business, her travel site Wonderful Wanderings.

In my different businesses, content creation is key and I wanted to hear Sofie’s take on whether this should be an in-house priority or something that is hired out.  She immediately asked:

• How much content do you need?
• Do you need it consistently?

The answer to these questions will indicate whether you are looking at a one-shot project (outsource) or something that you’re going to need consistently (consider a dedicated contractor or a hire).  “Google is always changing, your competitors are always updating their content: if you’re not giving content serious attention, you’re going to be left behind,” Sofie shared.

So what about hiring people and how to find great writers?  Sofie gave some great tips on what to do if you do end up using a large marketplace like Upwork.  But she also shared a little known place where you can find great writers without having to pay Upwork’s fees.  We also agreed that the more you pay, the likelier you are to get “publish-ready” content that doesn’t require a lot of editing.  You can save money by hiring someone cheaper, but you’ll spend that in the time you need to spend getting their work up to par.

Sofie also shared that when you do bring someone in the house, you don’t want to throw everything at them at once.  Document all the steps (hopefully because you have modeled them yourself) via documents or videos, and make sure your hires have everything they need to succeed.  

Sofie’s passion for getting her client’s messages right (she calls herself a “straightforward perfectionist”) is palpable and after listening to this episode you’ll have a better sense of some of what goes on behind the scenes in creating high-quality content and corresponding high rankings in search results.

Key Learning Points:

1. Sofie talks about the choice between doing content in house vs outsourcing it - 2:45

2. Sofie discusses the importance of content - 5:20

3. Sofie shares the challenges of hiring in a large marketplace like Upwork - 7:45

4. Sofie gives us a lesser-known place to find great writers - 8:44

5. Mads discusses the advantage of using someone who consistently writes for a living - 12:49

6. Sofie offers pointers about training someone for in house content - 19:13

Connect with Sofie Couwenbergh:

1. Let Me Write That Down For You