Whether you have an in-house marketing team or you outsource your best talent by the project, working with freelance writers is becoming a daily occurrence for many organizations across all industries.
Keep everyone in your company happy with your choice of the freelance writer and save time and money—by coming to the bargaining table fully prepared. Here’s a quick guide to answering all of your selected freelance writer’s most pressing questions before he or she has the chance to ask them.
#1 What asset would you like created?
There are almost unlimited options when it comes to the marketing assets you writer can create; ranging from short narratives (like blogs), to deep-dive brochures for executive retreats, to nurture email campaigns, and even reviewing global website page copy. Be as specific as possible, please.
#2 Who is the target audience?
Determining your audience before you go to your chosen writer will cut down on a bevy of questions. Knowing and understanding your target client is the information that forms the basis of your marketing strategy. And you’re paying for quality writing services when you hire that writer, so answer this one question in order to not waste time.
#3 What is the length of this asset?
Content assets can, and do, vary in length. There are several key factors that go into figuring out how long your marketing content should be. And understanding your marketing channel and the uses of your marketing asset are just a couple of those contributing factors. Blogs can range from 400 words to 2500 words, or even more in special circumstances. eBooks can range from 5 pages to 60 pages, or more.
#4 What is the deadline?
It’s just plain thoughtful and professional to have a turnaround date in mind when you go to your writer. An open-ended, no date, “whatever” is ... sometimes a welcome project deadline. But by providing a due date, you boost the support framework around your freelancer’s schedule. And to be honest, that framework is sometimes direly needed to provide organization to a sometimes hectic and disorderly schedule.
#5 Who are the key stakeholders?
This question is closely tied to Question #2 above. Knowing who will be reviewing your writer’s work can heavily play into what the final product looks like. And knowing who those stakeholders are beforehand can shave hours off the review process.
#6 Are there established brand guidelines your writer should adhere to?
Providing your freelance worker with the appropriate brand guidelines, reference materials, and marketing resources is common courtesy and will save time in editing. Before you contact the new writer, think about what reference materials, if any, should be utilized.
#7 What’s the rate of pay?
Sensitive subject beware! Approach the conversation with care and have an idea of whether this is by-the-project or hourly. Of course, this chat becomes easier the more often you employ that favored freelancer. Nevertheless, you should touch on the topic often and transparently.
Be ready to answer these questions when you approach your content creator, but beware if your chosen freelance writer doesn’t ask any questions. Unless they have worked in partnership with you for a while and know your brand, your writer should always be asking questions—because your answers act as the roadmap to your requested marketing asset.
After years of experience in the corporate world as a writer and editor, and eventually becoming a marketing editor-in-chief at a global cloud services company, I learned that it’s important for me to stay true to my inner instincts. Now, my focus, acumen, experience, empathy, communication, and professionalism guide me as I navigate the unfamiliar territory of freelance writing and editing. Read more about my writing and editing services.
