As a writer, I can say that the price you pay for content depends on how much commitment you want from the writer. If you identify a good writer and pay him/ her a good rate compared to the rates charged by writers of similar competency in the specific niche, especially with a monthly retainer, you are sure to get full-time commitment from that writer. For you, that means avoiding the hassle of looking for writers every now and again; and getting content that's specially focused on your niche, since the writer will spend all his/ her time focused on your site. (If you don't know, even writers try to avoid the hassle of changing clients frequently. When they find a good client, they usually stick with that client. ) Yes, you can get a good writer charging a low rate (based on the specific niche and competency level), but you'll likely not keep that writer for too long. And you'll be back sifting through tons of crappy content to find another good writer. Unfortunately, it can be challenging for clients in developing nations or startups to pay as much as clients in developed nations or established sites, since writers have easy access to international clients. (I often write for startups and Kenyan clients. )
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