Storytellers engage and inspire your audience. For businesses and organizations, the adoption of story writing creates an intense, personal connection between your audience and your message. Effective stories can change our opinions, they can inspire us to achieve goals that we didn’t think were possible, and they can show us how we can change things for the better.
At its core, storytelling refers to the art of crafting narratives that capture the essence of your brand and appeal to your audience. It also involves communicating narratives in a way that is both relatable and memorable. However, finding the right freelancer for your story-writing gig can prove challenging. Sometimes, you believe you’ve found the perfect one, but they fail to deliver compelling stories when they start working.
So, how do you find the best storytellers? This article explores the seven best websites to hire freelancers for story writing in Africa. They will assist you in crafting captivating stories every time.
What Is Story Writing?
Story writing refers to the method of writing in which the writer narrates a series of events that have led to a problem, the progression of the same, and the end result that has led to the current situation of the characters in the story. A story can be about a real or fictional incident including real-life or imaginary characters.
Writing stories entails creating narratives, whether they be for a movie, book, short story, or even a bedtime story. It is a kind of writing that uses storytelling to captivate or amuse the reader. The reader often finishes with a sense of enjoyment or emotional connection. Storywriting may also go by the name narrative writing or storytelling.
A good story is made up of the following five elements:
- Setting
- Plot
- Conflict
- Character
- Theme
How To Hire A Freelance Story Writer
Here are clear steps on hire to hire a story writer for a gig.
1. Specify Your Needs
Clearly define the type of story, genre, length, and any specific requirements for your project.
2. Explore Portfolios
Review writers’ portfolios and samples to gauge their storytelling skills and suitability for your project.
3. Conduct Interviews
Engage in interviews to discuss their experience, approach to storytelling, and availability.
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4. Discuss Terms
Negotiate rates, deadlines, revisions, and any other project details to ensure alignment.
5. Create a Contract
Draft a written agreement outlining project expectations, deliverables, timeline, and payment terms for clarity and accountability.
6. Provide Feedback
Offer constructive feedback throughout the project to guide the writer and ensure the final product meets your expectations.
7 Best Websites To Hire Freelancers for Story Writing in Africa
The freelance industry in Africa is steadily growing, with talented writers and storytellers offering their services online. However, not all platforms are created equal, and that’s why we are here with a list of freelance platforms that best fit your specific requirements. From ideation to editing and proofreading, these websites offer a range of services to cater to your storytelling needs.
1. WritersGig
WritersGig is a dependable freelance platform for African writers. Here, you will find skilled story writers with a wide range of experience in various types of storywriting. To ensure professionalism and quality, each story writer goes through a stringent screening procedure on the platform.
With its user-friendly layout, the platform provides a smooth experience for collaboration, from project briefing to modifications. You can read reviews and ratings from previous clients, giving you insights into the writers’ past performance and reliability.
For clients on a tight budget, you’ll find professional freelance storywriters with varying prices on Writersgig.
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2. Truelancer
On Truelancer you will find freelancers offer expertise across various storytelling genres. Whether you’re a business or an individual seeking professional storytelling services, Truelancer connects you with skilled storytellers tailored to your project needs.
3. Upwork
Upwork stands as a versatile platform catering to a diverse range of storytelling needs. Whether you require traditional storytelling, scriptwriting, or narrative development, Upwork offers access to a vast pool of storytellers with varying levels of experience.
From seasoned professionals to budding talents, Upwork enables you to find the right storyteller for your project through advanced search filters and detailed profiles.
4. Freelancer
Freelancer.com provides a dynamic marketplace for connecting with skilled storytellers capable of bringing your narratives to life.
With a robust platform that caters to both freelancers and employers, Freelancer offers a wide range of storytelling services tailored to your project requirements.
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5. Guru
Guru’s user-friendly interface and large narrative pool enable it to provide a wide variety of skills to meet different storytelling requirements. The platform gives you access to qualified independent contractors who can produce gripping tales that are precisely matched to your requirements, whether you’re searching for novelists, screenplay experts, or authors of short stories.
6. Contently
Contently offers a premium solution for businesses seeking bespoke storytelling services tailored to their brand. With a focus on quality and customization, Contently connects clients directly with vetted storytellers who excel in crafting engaging narratives.
Whether you need assistance with storytelling strategy, content creation, or brand storytelling, Contently’s team of experts provides personalized guidance and support every step of the way.
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7. PeoplePerHour
Africa is just one of the many locations where PeoplePerHour is a useful resource for locating experienced storytellers. PeoplePerHour is a flexible and convenient resource for clients looking for professional storytelling services because of its large pool of independent authors.
You may find a wide range of talent on PeoplePerHour that is appropriate for your project requirements, whether you’re searching for novelists, short story writers, or content developers. PeoplePerHour makes it easy for customers and freelancers to collaborate by offering a clear hiring process and an intuitive platform. This guarantees a rapid and easy experience from beginning to end.
Structure of A Story
While there is no given format for story writing, there is a basic structure freelance story writers can follow. It helps understandably construct a story and keeps the flow of the story.
1. Beginning
The beginning of the introduction of a story is of essential importance. This is the part where you can hook the reader and capture their attention. You must have come across some often-used beginnings to stories like, “Once upon a time” or “A long time ago”. However, you can get more creative and begin your story with intrigue.
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2. Character Introduction
The quality with which you develop your characters will have a significant impact on the plot. Dialogue can help build your character. However, you want to keep the dialogues brief in a shorter format. Also, do not include needless secondary characters; each character in the plot must serve a function.
3. Plot
Here is where the actual narration of the story will happen. The events that occur or the description of the situation will be written in the plot. A plot must always have a conflict, which is the focus of any story.
4. Climax/Conclusion
This is where the story will come to its logical conclusion. If there is a plot twist, this is where you will include it. Always interestingly end your story. Also, it is not necessary to give your story a definite ending. A cliffhanger is another effective tactic.
FAQs On Hire Freelancers for Story Writing
On freelance platforms like WritersGig, writers are given an assessment to ensure their expertise. At the end of each project, clients give reviews and ratings based on the job done. Additionally, you can request samples of their work or conduct interviews to gauge their professionalism and skill level.
Most platforms have processes in place for resolving disputes or issues with freelancers. Be sure to communicate your concerns with the freelancer and attempt to reach a resolution. If necessary, you can escalate the issue to the platform’s support team for assistance.
Many platforms offer secure payment systems that protect both clients and freelancers. Be sure to agree on payment terms upfront, such as hourly rates or project milestones, and use the platform’s payment system to ensure a smooth transaction.
A story talks about a theme by telling the reader about a sequence of events, often known as a narrative. Within the narrative, a character encounters at least one conflict, which frequently (but not always) transforms the character.
Conclusion
WritersGig is the best freelance site for hiring remote story writers who excel at transforming complex concepts into compelling narratives.
References
- businessbuildersafrica.beehiiv.com – 100+ Agencies, Marketplaces, and Websites Accepting Paid Pitches From African Writers
- grammarly.com – How to Write a Great Story in 5 Steps