How to Work with Freelance Writers

After finding and hiring a freelance writer that fits your content marketing strategy or business model, what’s next? There’s more to it than giving them the project and then paying them for their services. Working with a freelancer is a process. Whether it’s a one-time, in-depth article or you intend it to be a long-term collaboration, here are some strategies for successfully working with freelancers.

Effective Onboarding

Yes, you’ve hired them to write something. However, there is an administrative aspect of the process that can’t be overlooked. Streamline onboarding as much as possible. Take the time to:

• Give an overview of the company

• Explain your work culture

• Establish expectations and goals

• Provide past content examples of similar projects you hired the freelancer for

• Provide documentation and any other resources that will be useful in completing the project

Communicate Clearly

Let your freelancer know:

• The article’s purpose and audience

• What you want from the article – sell services, explain company policy, get others involved in your give-back initiative

• What is unique about your company or brand, so the freelancer can organically share that perspective in their writing

• Time restrictions and deadlines

• The minimum requirements - word count, SEO keywords, style guide protocols, citing sources, etc.

• Any specific communication requirements – attend in-person meetings, correspond only through email, scheduled phone calls and/or virtual meetings, give progress updates once a week

• Who they report to – you might have hired them but tell them the name and title of the person they should report to if it’s someone else

It is crucial to the successful outcome of your project that you communicate clearly.

Encourage Input and Creativity

You have a vision for the project and what you want to achieve. However, each individual brings their own unique perspective to the table. Encouraging the writer to give constructive feedback and share their ideas helps a writer's creative process. Empowering a freelancer can only improve the project’s final outcome.

Respect Their Workflow

In addition to your project, freelancers have other clients’ concerns to address and projects to deliver. Respect their workflow. While you are their employer, freelancers aren’t employees. Treat them as self-employed professionals who will execute all project components in the timeframe specified in the contract you both signed.

The Importance of Feedback

Particularly in the early stages of working with a freelance writer for the first time, building trust and credibility is important in developing a collaborative relationship. Provide constructive feedback. Present it in a positive and non-threatening manner. A good strategy is to point out what is working, then identify what isn’t. It is important to differentiate between criticism and feedback – be very clear that your feedback is intended to improve the quality of the project while keeping it on track.

Keep Freelancers Coming Back

When you find a writer that you enjoy working with and know that you will be hiring for more projects in the future, keep freelancers coming back by making it a good experience for them.

• Have a formal agreement in place after discussing a project and before starting it

• Refrain from scope creep

• Respond to emails etc. in a timely manner

• Don’t micromanage

• Don’t ignore their advice – you hired them for their expertise

• Be prepared to pay for “extras” – samples, brainstorming, rush deadlines, test projects

• Keep them in the loop – if something about the project changes, let them know

• Pay on time

Writers are constantly looking for clients that are good to work with. Make sure you’re one of those clients by respecting a freelancer’s knowledge, creativity, and expertise.