In 2020, there have been 59 million freelancers working in america alone, and that quantity is more likely to develop with the onset of the Nice Resignation. Right here’s the excellent news: freelancers can assist supercharge your content material operations by providing a possibility to create content material at scale whereas minimizing the expense of hiring a full-time employee.
A very good freelancer is value their weight in gold. They can assist you rapidly scale up large initiatives and are invaluable for creating high quality content material that lasts. However there’s undoubtedly a studying curve to including freelancers into your editorial workflow, so keep in mind these six guidelines for working with freelancers in probably the most streamlined and environment friendly method doable:
1. Get clear in your wants
First, ensure you perceive what sort of content material you’re attempting to make, and assess your present talents to create that content material in-house. The place are the gaps? The extra exact you’re by yourself priorities and bounds, the higher you’ll have the ability to discover the freelancer you want and clarify to them how they will greatest enable you.
“Be thorough,” says Anna Schults Held, an skilled freelance author, editor, and advisor. “Set up expectations and methods of working upfront. Freelancers shouldn’t have to make strategic selections except that’s what they’re explicitly employed to do, so be as clear on scope as you possibly can. ”
Many content material managers discover success in creating detailed mission briefs that information the freelancer. Thorough mission briefs forestall an excessive amount of back-and-forth, shorten the method, and lower your expenses for each events. Most significantly, everybody can refer again to it in the course of the modifying course of if there are any questions or disputes. Additionally clearly define (in writing) the deadline, flat price payment, and phrase depend as you deliver the freelancer on board.
2. Streamline Your Processes
Rent a freelancer as soon as, and chances are high, you’ll rent one other. So do your self a favor and set up your onboarding and off-boarding course of. When utilizing Contently, that may very well be so simple as informing new writers about your viewers, model voice, and content material technique.
For those who’re not utilizing the platform, you’ll possible have to create a to-do listing for the varieties, data, and key insights you want from new freelancers. You’ll additionally have to deal with sending out a contract, negotiating fee, and clarifying task particulars. And after the freelancer completes the task, keep in mind that you’ll have to find time for edits. You’ll additionally wish to pay the freelancer on time. And if you happen to intend to present suggestions, add that to your normal working procedures as properly. You’ll thank your self later for the time saved.
3. Keep Versatile with Timelines
Most freelancers work for a number of purchasers. Except they’re absolutely on board for a mission together with your workforce, they’re possible juggling different deadlines that you realize nothing about. So whenever you’re planning freelancer-created content material, make room in your editorial calendar for a barely longer editorial timeline than you’d require for a workers author.
“Legally, I can’t inform a freelancer when or methods to work,” says Melanie Padgett Powers, a contract author and managing editor for membership affiliation magazines. “However past that, it’s about respect. I acknowledge that freelancers are operating their very own companies. The perfect relationships are when each side see one another as companions.”
Talk with the freelancer upfront about deadlines to make sure that your turnaround time works for them. If that you must rush the task, take into account providing a rush payment to account for the opposite work they could should put apart to prioritize your mission.
4. Search for Constant and Communicative Freelancers
A very good freelancer will present constantly good copy that meets the task particulars or content material temporary standards. As well as, they may talk once they have questions, flip assignments in on time, and tackle edits in a well timed and easy method. In two phrases, freelancer is low drama.
“After all, I desire a freelancer who has the experience we want, however past that, I need freelancers who make my life simple,” says Padgett Powers. Maintain onto the freelancers who meet your requirements by providing them common work every month or offering suggestions that reveals how a lot you worth their experience and methods of working.
5. Present Actionable Suggestions
At all times keep in mind that a freelancer just isn’t a full-time workers member, and they don’t have the advantages of being on workers. With that in thoughts, you shouldn’t robotically anticipate them to attend workers conferences or work on the turnaround occasions required of staffers except beforehand mentioned. Suggestions ought to nonetheless someway stay a part of your system in managing freelancers, nonetheless.
Typically, it is sensible to supply freelancers details about their efficiency and the way they will enhance, particularly if you happen to plan to work with them once more sooner or later. For those who discover a freelancer you like, make certain to incorporate good suggestions so that they know that they’re valued and appreciated. Talk this suggestions in a direct method in the course of the modifying course of after the freelancer completes their task. For those who select to spend money on a freelancer since you see them working together with your workforce long-term, train them methods to succeed inside your world.
6. Lean Into Strengths
Identical to you’ll with a full-time staffer, take time to note a communicative, low-drama freelancer’s strengths. Many freelancers come to the desk with deep experience in sure kinds of writing or design. Use that to your workforce’s benefit by tailoring assignments to their strengths and asking for (paid) memos that designate the way you may combine their experience into your workforce’s workflow, even absent the freelancer’s presence.
The underside line:
Holding good freelancers in your arsenal pays large dividends, but it surely’s as a lot about setting your self up for fulfillment as it’s about anticipating them to do their greatest work. If you discover a good freelancer, maintain them shut by providing actionable suggestions and deadline flexibility. Supply mutual respect by acknowledging that they produce other assignments they’re possible engaged on. Watch for his or her strengths and lean into them. Arrange streamlined processes, and convey clear communication and direct necessities to the desk. All of this may set you up for a win-win.
