ClearVoice and Upwork are both prominent platforms when it comes to content marketing. They have a ton of writers, lots of experts in different niches, but there are some important differences. Each platform has a few different use cases and is best-suited for different types of clients—with a few important differences. These differences make each solution better-suited for a different type of client.
In this post, we review all the main feature differences between the two platforms. Let’s dig into our ClearVoice vs. Upwork comparison.
The ClearVoice Content Marketing Platform
ClearVoice was founded in 2013 and offers:
- End-to-end content marketing software
- Managed content solutions (meaning: we provide you with content strategy and creation teams)
- A talent network of specialized freelance writers and content creators
ClearVoice manages major content initiatives at an enterprise scale. Through our platform and managed content services, we become an extension of your team. The goal? To create high-quality, compelling content that ranks well in search, targets your audience better, builds brand awareness and credibility, while driving leads and conversions.
Are ClearVoice freelancers vetted?
Yes, they are. Freelance content creators must apply to be accepted to the platform. ClearVoice thoroughly vets writers for quality and accepts applicants based on industry, pay rates, experience, and skill.
When you, the ClearVoice client, need a content job created, your Success Manager will present you with a list of ClearVoice freelancers who match your needs. You may review their online portfolios and of course, pick whom you want to create the content. You can also “favorite” freelancers and save them for future assignments.
>> ClearVoice Talent Network = 25,000+ vetted freelancers
Content roles filled by the ClearVoice Talent Network
ClearVoice can fill these content roles for you:
- Content strategist
- Writer
- Editor
- Graphic designer
- Videographer
- Photographer
Content formats
Our talent network can produce:
- Articles and blog posts
- eBooks and whitepapers
- Web copy
- Videos
- Ad and email copy
- Case studies and customer success stories
- Landing pages
- Social posts
- Infographic and motion graphics copy
- Product descriptions
- Press releases
ClearVoice Success Manager + content strategy services
ClearVoice clients get a dedicated Success Manager who will help them develop their freelance team and produce better content.
If you need content strategy services as well, we can help. Content strategists devise high-level, data-informed content roadmaps based on your objectives and your customers’ needs. ClearVoice’s content strategy services include:
- Comprehensive keyword portfolio
- Competitive analysis
- Persona development
- Content audit and gap analysis
- Technical SEO audit
- Web page optimization
- Content roadmap
Next, let’s look at Upwork. As we mentioned, there are many similarities, and each has pros and cons, depending on your needs.
The Upwork Platform
Upwork was also founded in 2013, as a result of a merger between Elance and Odesk. We’ll say it—Upwork is likely the most widely recognized freelance job board in the nation. Upwork offers:
- A huge database of freelance content creators (free for brands to access)
- An emphasis on ease and speed—“Post a job today, hire tomorrow” is a main message
- Enterprise-level managed solutions (for an upgrade)
Are Upwork freelancers vetted?
Upwork doesn’t vet freelancers. Anyone can create a profile and offer freelancing services via the platform. There are some wonderful, talented freelancers on Upwork, but since everyone is accepted to freelance there, there are also many who are… not a good fit for your project.
This requires more research on your part to find the good ones. There are filters to narrow candidates down to niche, business needs, and pay rate, and check for testimonials and client recommendations. But yes, it’s up to you to sift through the results.
Unless: Upwork clients can upgrade to the Enterprise Suite to gain access to what the platform calls “expert-vetted” freelancers in these subject areas: web, mobile, software development, design, creative, sales, and marketing. So if you’re not finding whom you need with your free search, you can upgrade to find pro-level subject matter experts.
Upwork doesn’t disclose the number of freelancers on its platform. We’ve seen estimates varying from 3.7 million to 12 million to 16 million. This lack of transparency may be due to the unvetted nature of the platform. Upwork is well-known for being full of new content creators who take work for rock-bottom rates. Remember the adage, you get what you pay for—there’s an element of that at play here.
Granted, Upwork offers significantly more categories of freelancers. Take a look:
Roles you can fill via Upwork’s freelancer network
- Development and IT
- Design and creative
- Finance and accounting
- Sales and marketing
- Writing and translation
- Admin and customer support
What content formats can you get produced via Upwork?
The list is pretty exhaustive. If you need it produced for your content marketing efforts, there’s an Upwork freelancer who can complete the project. In theory, every content format that a ClearVoice freelancer can produce, an Upwork freelancer can produce, too.
Can I get enterprise-level/managed content services via Upwork?
Yes, Upwork can provide you with Solutions Architect, who will develop a talent solution customized to your needs and goals. Strategy and success services that Upwork can provide include all the same ones that ClearVoice can (see list above).
How are the collaboration and chat tools on ClearVoice and Upwork?
Both platforms have robust chat tools, but ClearVoice’s collaborative editing feature is exceptional. If you want to ask someone what they think about a line or have feedback on a specific section, simply highlight the text and click the comment icon to add your notes. The comments will be visible to anyone working on that assignment.
Team members can reply to a comment or resolve it. You’ll find a full history of each comment in the Messages tab, and comments can be deleted from there, too. This feature is unavailable on Upwork.
ClearVoice price plans
All ClearVoice price plans include access to pre-vetted talent, data-driven topic ideation, creative briefs, content editing, ongoing quality control and production management.
Upwork price plans
It’s free for brands to use Upwork, which could be a big “pro” for smaller clients. As you wish to add services and features, you can upgrade.
How does each platform get paid?
ClearVoice makes its money from client subscriptions and a 25% fee on freelancer assignments.
Upwork doesn’t charge clients to post a job or filter through results. They make their money by charging the freelancer a fee (which varies) on all assignments, and by offering managed and enterprise-level services to clients.
Final analysis: ClearVoice vs Upwork
ClearVoice is better for midsize to enterprise-level clients who want strategic and unified content marketing services.
- ClearVoice vets freelancers and Upwork does not.
- On the other hand, Upwork is free and ClearVoice is not.
- Upwork is an excellent choice is you’re running a small and growing business or a one-person startup. It will likely take some time to sift through the results and gather a reliable freelance team, whereas with ClearVoice, we do all that for you. But if budget is a roadblock for you, you may be better off with Upwork.
- ClearVoice wins for the quality of creative professionals available and the level of service you get. Upwork offers more categories of roles and projects.
- ClearVoice is more of a curated, white-glove service and platform. Upwork is better for less complicated content plans and one-off, “I need this written asap” projects.
Have you had a demo of ClearVoice yet? Let us show you how we do it—request a demo today.
