Why you need a cybersecurity writer for your b2c business
How a cybersecurity writer can help your organization create compelling B2C content.
Cyberattacks are soaring, and consumers are on high alert. Once relegated to the business realm, cybersecurity is infiltrating the minds–and motives–of potential buyers everywhere. Abstract terms like hackers, artificial intelligence (AI), data privacy, the internet of things (IoT), and social media threats are trending, no longer irrelevant in the age of digital transformation. But do most people really know what these words mean?
Though tech-savvy, the average consumer is not a cybersecurity expert. Without context, the cyber lexicon is complex and overwhelming, full of jargon and tech talk most people don’t understand. Plus, cybersecurity is a little bit scary. Dark fantasies about anonymous criminals lurking in the shadows have plagued people’s minds for centuries. The cyber sphere is simply the latest setting in which this scene might unfold.
For many, ignoring the problem is easier than confrontation. Learning an entirely new language is difficult, especially when the language itself is relatively new and constantly changing. But cybersecurity isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and consumers must become more fluent to survive the next few years unscathed.
What is a cybersecurity writer?
Cybersecurity writers translate the complex concept of cybersecurity into a language consumers understand, creating the content that drives targeted audiences to your products and services with the following techniques:
- Simple language: clarifying complex concepts in terms consumers understand.
- Education: empowering consumers to make well-informed purchasing decisions.
- Demystification: reducing barriers to buy-in and building trust with consumers.
- Storytelling: creating narratives around problem-solving for more relatable content.
What does a cybersecurity writer do?
A cybersecurity writer’s job description is extensive. Each writer will have a different approach, but all writers typically offer the following services:
- Copywriting: creating original content.
- Copy editing: proofreading and integrating revisions and feedback for existing content.
Most cybersecurity writers include other industry-specific services due to the rigorous nature of their work:
- Extensive research: staying up-to-date with the latest in cybersecurity news.
- Data collection: synthesizing raw data into high-quality storytelling.
- Search engine optimization (SEO): amplifying content for the right audience with the right keywords.
The best cybersecurity writers also offer long-term, sustainable services that can be customized for each clients’ needs:
- Content strategy: creating, editing, and maintaining a living body of content that best represents your business.
What topics does a cybersecurity writer cover?
What topics a cybersecurity writer covers will depend on experience. A cybersecurity writer with years of experience should be able to write about cybersecurity and information security, cyberattacks and cyber threats, AI, cybersecurity risk and risk management, malware and ransomware, information technology, vulnerabilities, phishing, regulatory compliance, data breaches, and more.
What’s the difference between a cybersecurity technical writer and a cybersecurity content writer?
Cybersecurity technical writers and cybersecurity content writers may have overlapping job descriptions, but they are not exactly the same.
Cybersecurity technical writers are responsible for creating preventative and risk management strategies to protect organizations from cyber threats. The scope of technical writing usually includes:
- Organizational strategies: security plans, incident response plans, disaster recovery plans, and more.
- Cybersecurity policies and procedures: company-wide cybersecurity measures.
- Employee education: user manuals, awareness training, installation guides, proposals and reports.
- Cybersecurity management: cybersecurity logs, cybersecurity audits, and vulnerability assessments.
- Technical documents: functional descriptions, technical reports, and system specifications.
- Security recommendations: overviews on emerging threats and solutions, and relevant regulatory compliance recommendations.
Cybersecurity content writers usually have the skills to help with all of the above and more, even if they lack an official certification. Cybersecurity content writers produce a variety of deliverables on trending cybersecurity topics, including:
- Thought leadership: authoritative articles demonstrating expertise on a complex subject.
- Blog posts: informal articles educating readers on a single topic.
- Case studies: summaries of real-world business scenarios or fictitious accounts.
- Whitepapers: informational documents promoting or highlighting solutions, products, or services.
Most cybersecurity content writers will work closely with you to develop whatever type of content you need, even if it’s not on this list. That includes landing pages, infographics, briefings and initiatives, presentations, social media posts, and more.
What’s the difference between a full-time cybersecurity writer and a freelance cybersecurity writer?
Full-time cybersecurity writers expect salaried positions including employer benefits.
The pros:
- Full dedication to your company
- No hourly rate to negotiate
- Less communication barriers
The cons:
- More expensive overall
- Less incentive
- Obligations to full-time contract
Freelance cybersecurity writers are contracted employees working with few strings attached.
The pros:
- Content as needed
- Open to negotiation
- Projects tailored to unique business needs
- More clients = more experience
- Own systems for project management and communication
- More concerned with making you happy
The cons:
- Onboarding and off-boarding
- Time commitments
- Hourly rates
- More communication barriers
Freelance cybersecurity writers aren’t for everyone, and you may decide a full-time writer makes more sense for your business. Fortunately, working with a freelance writer gives you the freedom to make this decision, should you ever change your mind.
How much does a freelance writer cost?
How much a freelance cybersecurity writer charges for their writing services depends on their level of experience, and whether they’re applying for a full-time or freelance writing position.
Full-time cybersecurity writer salaries: Organizations should expect to pay full-time cybersecurity writers at least $70,000/year, plus benefits.
Freelance cybersecurity writer rates: Organizations should expect to pay freelance cybersecurity writers at least $100/hour for high-quality content.
Unlike a full-time cybersecurity writer, a freelance writer is typically open to negotiation–if an hourly rate isn’t right for you, a project rate might be a better pricing fit.
Who should hire a cybersecurity writer?
Every business needs a cybersecurity writer in today’s digital world. For cybersecurity companies, hiring a cybersecurity writer is a must. Ideally, cybersecurity companies should have a team of writers dedicated to creating cybersecurity content for your brand.
Most cybersecurity companies don’t know how to begin creating content, and a skilled cybersecurity writer can offer help at any stage of this process. Cybersecurity writers can be especially useful for cybersecurity startups–launching your infosec brand is easier with a content strategy already in place.
Even if you aren’t a cybersecurity company, a cybersecurity writer can help consumers better understand how your business takes cybersecurity seriously. Cybersecurity is a relevant topic for most businesses today, and positioning your company as an expert on the subject will help build trust with consumers.
No matter the industry, audience, or size of your organization, a cybersecurity writer will work closely with you to create content that supports your unique business goals.
Why your B2C business should consider a freelance cybersecurity writer
You’re busy. Your organization is busy focusing on the day-to-day operations involved in running a successful business. Investing in a freelance cybersecurity writer can reduce the burden on internal teams.
Marketers aren’t cybersecurity experts. Marketers are great, don’t get us wrong. But creating engaging, educational cybersecurity content isn’t the same thing as content marketing.
Cybersecurity writers can do it all. A qualified cybersecurity writer can help you create content that speaks to consumers and stakeholders alike, communicating the importance of cybersecurity best practices to the people who need them most.
How we can help
We have years of writing experience. We help B2C and B2B companies create compelling cybersecurity content, customized to meet unique business needs.
We’re subject matter experts. We use our writing skills to simplify a number of complex cybersecurity themes–if it exists, we can write about it in a way everyone will understand.
We have the right communication skills. We’ll collaborate closely with your company, without skipping a beat. Whether we integrate into existing communication channels or bring tools of our own is up to you.
We work quickly. We simply don’t have as many hoops to jump through as a full-time cybersecurity writer might. If you want something one-and-done, or you’re interested in a long-term contract, we can work with you to create a contract that fits your needs.
Let’s create great content together. You bring the ideas, we’ll bring them to life.