How to Outsource Content Marketing: 5 Headache-Free Steps & Benefits

Did you know that companies that publish 16+ blog posts per month get 3.5 times more traffic than those that post four or fewer? That’s a big gap, and for many businesses, it’s a gap that feels impossible to close without help.

If you’re short on time, struggling with ROI, or lacking consistent content output, outsourcing to a content marketing partner can boost results, free up your team, and bring strategic clarity.

In this post, we’ll cover when to outsource, how to choose the right partner, and what to expect, so you can stop spinning your wheels and start driving real growth.

Download Now: Outsourcing Content Marketing Checklist

Why outsource content marketing: Top benefits

• Stronger SEO performance: Agencies bring proven strategies to boost your search rankings, drive more qualified traffic, and increase visibility for revenue-generating keywords.
• Faster content production at scale: Get high-quality, optimized content delivered consistently without overwhelming your internal team.
• Access to specialized expertise: Leverage experienced writers, strategists, and SEO pros who know how to create content that converts.
• More measurable ROI: Outsourcing helps tie content efforts directly to business goals like leads, sales, and pipeline growth with clearer tracking and analytics.
• Cost-effective growth: Skip the overhead of building a full in-house team and invest your budget where it delivers the greatest return.

5 signs it’s time to outsource your content marketing

1. Inconsistent publishing

If you’re constantly falling behind on your content calendar — or don’t have one at all 🫣 — it’s a strong sign that your internal team doesn’t have the bandwidth to support a sustained content strategy.

Irregular publishing hurts your visibility in search engines and makes it harder to build trust with your audience. Outsourcing ensures you can publish consistently and keep your brand top-of-mind.

2. Low content ROI

Creating content takes time and resources, and if you’re not seeing content ROI — whether that’s in the form of traffic, leads, or conversions — it’s time to reassess.

Agencies can bring a more strategic, data-driven approach to your content marketing, helping you align content with revenue goals and improve performance across the funnel.

3. Limited internal bandwidth

Even the most skilled teams can get stretched too thin. If your marketers are juggling too many priorities and content keeps getting pushed aside, outsourcing can relieve the pressure. It allows your internal team to focus on high-impact initiatives while still keeping your content engine running smoothly.

4. Lack of SEO expertise

Content without SEO is like a billboard in the desert — it might look great, but no one sees it. If your team isn’t well-versed in keyword research, on-page optimization, or search intent, an outside provider can help you create content that ranks, attracts the right audience, and drives long-term growth.

5. Need to scale quickly

Whether you’re entering a new market, launching a product, or trying to fuel aggressive growth targets, scaling your content efforts fast isn’t easy to do internally. An agency gives you instant access to experienced writers, editors, and strategists who can ramp up production without sacrificing quality.

How to outsource content marketing in 5 steps

5 Steps for Outsourcing Content

1. Identify your content gaps and goals
2. Choose the right type of partner & pricing
3. Evaluate providers with a structured process
4. Align on strategy, messaging, and approvals upfront
5. Monitor KPIs and refine the strategy regularly

🎥 Video: Headache-Free Tips for Outsourcing Content

1. Identify your content gaps and goals

Audit your existing content to see what’s missing or underperforming. Are you lacking bottom-of-funnel content that drives conversions? Not ranking for key industry terms?

From there, set clear goals like “increase organic traffic by 30% in six months” or “generate 50 qualified leads per quarter through gated content.”

These content KPIs and benchmarks will guide your outsourcing strategy.

2. Choose the right type of partner & pricing

If you need a full content strategy plus production and promotion, go with a full-service content marketing agency. If you just need help producing blog posts, a vetted freelance writer or content platform might do the trick.

Be realistic about your internal resources. If you don’t have time to manage freelancers, an agency is often the better choice.

Here are a few consideration points when choosing a provider and pricing model for content marketing.

3. Evaluate providers with a structured process

Create a shortlist based on relevant industry experience, writing quality, SEO knowledge, and case studies. Interview them like you would a hire — ask how they approach keyword research, content briefs, and ROI tracking.

Request writing samples specific to your industry, and consider doing a paid test piece before committing.

Here are a few quick tips for evaluating content providers and key areas to consider.

4. Align on strategy, messaging, and approvals upfront

Before any content gets written, make sure your provider fully understands your brand voice, target audience, and messaging priorities.

Share key documents like your brand guidelines, buyer personas, product positioning, and content goals. Then, agree on a review and approval process —such as how many rounds of edits are included, who gives final sign-off, and turnaround time expectations.

This upfront alignment reduces back-and-forth and ensures every piece of content hits the mark.

5. Monitor KPIs and refine the strategy regularly

Track key metrics like organic traffic, keyword rankings, bounce rate, and conversions from content. Use tools like Google Analytics, Search Console, and your CRM to measure what’s working.

Share this data with your content partner so they can double down on top performers and pivot where needed.

🚩 Content agency red flags to avoid

• Lack of industry experience: If the agency can’t show relevant work or doesn’t understand your audience, you’ll spend too much time educating them — and still risk off-target content.
• No clear content strategy: An agency that jumps straight into writing without asking about goals, personas, or funnel stages isn’t thinking long-term.
• Overpromising results: Be wary of agencies that guarantee #1 rankings or viral traffic — real content success takes time and steady execution.
• Poor communication or unclear processes: If timelines, contacts, and review steps aren’t clearly defined, expect delays, confusion, and frustration.
• Low-quality or generic samples: If writing examples are vague, fluffy, or stuffed with keywords, it’s a sign their content won’t engage or convert.
• No clear metrics or ROI tracking: If an agency can’t demonstrate how their content drives measurable results — like traffic, leads, or revenue — it’s a red flag that they’re not focused on performance.

Thinking about outsourcing your content? Here’s your next step

Outsourcing your content marketing can be a game-changer for driving more traffic, leads, and revenue — especially when you partner with the right team. 

At WebFX, we offer fully managed content marketing services backed by subject-matter-expert copywriters who specialize in your industry. From SEO-driven blog posts to long-form guides and sales-focused web content, we create assets that align with your goals and move the needle.

Ready to scale your content without the stress? Explore our content services and get your custom quote!