Four Tips for Working with Freelance Writers
Four Tips for Working with Freelance Writers
Many projects go awry in the freelance writing market. These problems are caused by many things but the most prominent is miscommunication. Freelance writers need a job and may take on any writing projects available out there. A buyer, however, has the responsibility to ensure that he is hiring the right person to do the job.
Hiring a freelance writer is similar to hiring an employee. You need to carefully asses the person’s career history, ask questions relevant to the project, ask samples of work if necessary, and validate if the writer’s skills meet your expectations. Below are some tips to ensure you succeed when dealing with freelance writers.
1. You Need to Provide Adequate Information
It is not enough that you just tell a writer to write something about a topic. Though you do not need to be too detailed about it, the writer must have a clear direction of what you are trying to achieve.
For example, you cannot just tell a writer to write something about basketball since there are thousands of possible angles that a writer can cover. If your instruction is specific, like writing about why Michael Jordan is such an NBA legend, then the writer will have a clearer vision of how the article will be written.
2. You Need to Agree on a Schedule
Freelancers do the dirty work, so to speak. They put in the effort and you are not their only customer. You need to make it crystal clear when you need the project completed. And a good piece of advice is that you provide an allowance for yourself.
Let us say that you need an article on Friday. The deadline you must set to the freelancer is Wednesday. The extra two days will give you and the freelancer adequate time to make revisions if the work submitted to you is not up to par with your expectations.
3. You Need to Agree on Payment Terms
Freelancers get burned by unscrupulous buyers, too. They put in the work, deliver the project, and do not get paid. Not a single dime. A typical agreement is to pay half of the project cost up front then pay the remaining 50% once the article is completely delivered.
A great solution to this is using escrow services where your payment is in the custody of a third party. Once both of you agree that the project was completed to your satisfaction, you can release the money to the freelance writer.
4. You Need to Be Clear on Expectations
Not all freelance writers can write on any topic under the sun. Some freelance writers have extensive background on the technicalities of different academic writing styles. Many don’t. In fact, many freelance writers specialize on specific niches. This expectation should be clear between you and the freelance writer from day one.
If you are looking for a writer who can deliver a technical material, you need to say so. You need provide examples so the writer can validate if it is something he can do. This will save both of you the hassle that comes along with miscommunicated expectations.