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Most people who don't know how to best-use freelancers end up tarnishing us with the same, "freelancers don't get it!" brush (speaking from experience.)
Hiring freelance writers? Here are my best tips to make working w/ them a breeze
Hiring freelance writers? Here are my best tips to make working w/ them a breeze
1/ Create a library of existing content to pull from. Build a G Drive folder of webinars, transcripts, podcasts, blog posts + eBooks to make your freelancer's life easier.
It makes for a better end product, too, since new content fits perfectly w/ your existing library.
It makes for a better end product, too, since new content fits perfectly w/ your existing library.
2/ ALWAYS create a brief. Info on your target customer, style guide, suggested headings, and company opinion always gets a better end product than: "hey, we want to target this keyword. Can you write something for it?"
Related resource from @kaleighf
https://www.kaleighmoore.com/blog/2020/11/19/how-to-create-writing-briefs-for-freelance-writers
Related resource from @kaleighf
https://www.kaleighmoore.com/blog/2020/11/19/how-to-create-writing-briefs-for-freelance-writers
3/ Treat your freelancers like an extension of your team... because they are. Working solo is lonely. Get them motivated about a project by proving their work is valuable to it.
Make an effort to chat non-work stuff with them--even if it's what they're doing at the weekend.
Make an effort to chat non-work stuff with them--even if it's what they're doing at the weekend.
4/ At the same time, they're not an employee of yours to micromanage. Let them get their work done. Your only concern re: time should be them hitting the deadline.
5/ See also: don't expect them to be available for a "quick chat" at the drop of a hat. They're probably balancing other projects/clients, as well as you. Respect their time.
6/ Don't expect writers to do all of their research on Google. Intro them to other people on your team for mini-interviews. Another great way to get your company's opinion/processes in a piece of outsourced content.
7/ Pay on time (or even better: early.)
8/ Give quality feedback. It's tempting for editors to make changes and ship it off to publish. That = a writer who doesn't get the chance to learn what *perfect* content looks like to you.
This post from @MarijanaKay sums up what to do (and not do) https://marijanakay.com/blog/content-writer-feedback
This post from @MarijanaKay sums up what to do (and not do)
https://marijanakay.com/blog/content-writer-feedback
9/ Maybe this is personal preference, but stick to one line of communication.
Remember: freelancers can juggle multiple clients at a time. It's hard enough to remember who said what. Don't make them sieve through Slack, email, etc to find a specific conversation w/ 1 client.
Remember: freelancers can juggle multiple clients at a time. It's hard enough to remember who said what. Don't make them sieve through Slack, email, etc to find a specific conversation w/ 1 client.
Freelancers: I'd love to hear if you'd add anything else
