No one ever says teamwork is simple. Even when your colleagues are easy-going and friendly, at some point, you’re bound to encounter disparities in thought or execution methods for a given task.
When it comes to outsourced team members, such as freelancers and consultants, communication and engagement can be even trickier. Likely, you won’t have the same direct contact as you would with an in-house team, and it will take some extra effort from both parties to get the processes flowing.
But diverse perspectives are exactly what makes team collaboration so resourceful and efficient. We want all the hands and all the different points of view we can get to deliver the best version possible of a project. Outsourced workers can provide all that and more.
Luckily, maintaining a whole marketplace of 15,000+ freelancers taught us at least one or two best practices over the years. Let’s go through the ins and outs of briefing, guiding, and managing freelancers to guarantee high-quality deliverables every time while reducing the need for revisions and re-dos. Tag along!
Understanding the Project Goals and Expectations
Effective project management, irrespective of the methodology — be it Agile, Waterfall, Scrum, you name it — requires laying a solid foundation by understanding your goals and expectations clearly.
When it comes to outsourcing a content project, this principle is still applicable. Defining the project’s main purpose and specific objectives serves as the base for effective communication with your freelance writer. It aligns the expectations of both parties, ensuring that the deliverables will be up to them (or close enough).
The nitty-gritty details like desired traffic volumes or projected ROI from a single piece of content may not be necessary for your freelance writer.
However, as the brand representative or content manager, having this insight is essential. It allows you to establish realistic expectations and, crucially, prevents potential frustration down the road.
At this stage, you should have a well-defined project scope, realistic deadlines, and a budget set in place.
These fundamental elements will serve as your North Star as you move forward to create writer briefs and carefully select the ideal freelance writers tailored to your specific project needs.
Crafting a Clear Content Brief
Creating a comprehensive content brief is an art that can significantly impact the outcome of your freelance writing project. A well-crafted brief not only ensures that your expectations are met but also helps writers deliver content that aligns with your vision.
We’ve detailed every step of the briefing process in our “How to Write a Creative Brief?” article, but in sum, it must contain:
- Basic information: main topic, due date, length
- Company and brand details
- Core objectives and expectations
- The key message and call to action
- Target audience
- Critical keywords, tone, and voice
- Creative inspiration
- Competition analysis
- Existing materials
- Execution and project management details
- Distribution details
Most of the information will remain the same through every project, so if you create a brief template once, you’ll save time when ordering content in WriterAccess. You can even order a creative brief through the platform, and the selected freelancer will come up with a whole idea based on your chosen topic.
The platform also offers four features to assist you in this process: the Content Idea Generator, the Content Wizard, the Creative Brief, and Templates.
AI Content Wizard
The Content Wizard is your go-to tool if you need to create a content idea and brief from scratch.
After analyzing your website and competitors, it proposes the best keyword opportunities and generates an outline idea that you can then send to one of our freelancers.
Your outline will look similar to this one:
This blog post will provide valuable insights and guidance on effective keyword-targeting strategies. It will explore the factors that make a keyword wrong for a strategy and offer tips for optimizing keyword research and content production. The post will focus on the low-difficulty index and informational search intent long-tail keywords to increase organic traffic and improve SEO performance. These are the subheadings for the order: H1 Unlocking the Power of Effective Keyword Targeting Strategies H2 Understanding the Importance of Keyword Targeting H2 Identifying the Factors that Make a Keyword Wrong for Your Strategy H2 Optimizing Keyword Research for Low Difficulty Index H2 Leveraging Long-Tail Keywords for Informational Search Intent H2 Implementing Effective Keyword Targeting Strategies |
AI Content Idea Generator
The Content Idea Generator is as straightforward as it sounds: by inputting your website into the tool, it will suggest a few ideas that you can later turn into orders.
It is great for when you need some extra help finding a new content topic to produce and already have a content brief template in place that you can easily fill out with the idea.
Creative Brief Creator
If you already have most of your brief information in hand and just need some help with the structure, you can use the Content Brief Creator. Once logged in, you can access it from the Tools Portal > Order Guidelines > Creative Brief > Create New Brief.
Templates
When you have your brief in place with the main information, you can also save it as an order template to ease the process when you make a new order.
Once logged in, go to Tools Portal > Order Guidelines > Order Template > Create New Template, or save a new one when creating an order.
Finding the Right Freelancer
Finding the perfect freelance writer for your project can make all the difference when it comes to achieving your content goals. WriterAccess offers a diverse and talented pool of writers, each with their unique specialties and strengths. Here’s a systematic approach to finding that perfect match:
Explore Writer Profiles
Delve into the profiles of potential writers through the Advanced Search. These profiles serve as windows into their backgrounds, experiences, and distinct writing styles.
Pay close attention to the bios, as they often provide valuable insights into a writer’s unique abilities and perspectives.
Review Their Portfolios
Examine their portfolios closely. A writer’s portfolio is like a showcase of their best pieces. It’s where they put their finest work on display. By diving into their portfolio, you can see how they handle different types of writing projects.
Maybe you need a blog post that’s conversational and friendly, or perhaps you’re after a formal report. The portfolio gives you a firsthand look at how versatile and skilled the writer is.
Assess Ratings and Reviews
WriterAccess boasts a robust rating and review system. Take the time to read through feedback from other clients, providing invaluable glimpses into a writer’s reliability and performance.
The feedback you’ll find is from actual clients who’ve worked with the writer. Reading reviews gives you a sense of what it’s like to work with the writer, which can be invaluable in making your decision.
Initiate a Conversation
Before committing, engage in a conversation with the freelancer. Introduce your company and project, and gauge if they are the right fit. A brief interaction can often reveal a lot about their responsiveness and suitability for your task.
Leveraging AI-Powered Writer Search
If you’re still uncertain after exploring the options, utilize our AI-powered tool. Simply drop in a sample of the text with the desired tone and style, and our algorithm will swiftly analyze it.
It predicts the psycho-demographic profile of its author and matches you with writers who have excelled in similar content at WriterAccess. All that’s left is for you to choose your favorite and begin your collaboration.
Bringing Your Own Talent
If you already have a trusted freelancer, you can seamlessly integrate them into your outsourcing management workflow on WriterAccess. Invite them to the platform, allowing you to exclusively work together, and ensuring a smooth and efficient collaboration.
Guiding the Writer Throughout the Project
Once you’ve found the right freelance writer, establishing a strong partnership through effective communication and collaboration is essential for a successful project outcome.
Choosing the right way to communicate can make a big difference. When you and your writer agree on the best way to talk, you’re setting clear expectations. It’s important that both you and the writer feel comfortable with the communication method.
If there’s something the writer doesn’t understand, likely, they won’t live up to your project expectations.
Creating an open environment for questions and clarifications is key to avoiding misunderstandings during the writing process. Make sure to remind them that they can contact you through WriterAccess messages anytime.
Debriefing and Giving Feedback
Once the writer has submitted their work, it’s time to assess how the partnership worked and give feedback. Tell them what worked well and provide specific suggestions for improvement. Positive reinforcement and guidance can lead to better revisions.
- Pointing Out the Good Stuff: Start by highlighting what works well in the writer’s work. It’s like giving a pat on the back for a job well done; it boosts the writer’s confidence.
- Specific Suggestions for Improvement: If there are areas that could be better, provide specific suggestions. It’s like giving someone a map when they’re lost; it shows them the way.
Be open to revisions and revision requests, they’re unlimited and free on WriterAccess’s platform! It’s common for writers to refine their work based on feedback. Clearly outline your expectations for revisions, including deadlines and scope.
The debriefing stage is also a great time to ask for feedback. Learn from the freelancer if your content brief was clear enough if you gave them all the information they needed, or if there’s room for improvement.
Rewarding and Establishing a Long-Term Relationship with the Freelancer
Building a long-term relationship with a freelance writer requires engagement and nurturing. It’s not just about completing a single project but creating a lasting connection that benefits both parties.
Recognizing Exceptional Work
When a writer consistently delivers outstanding content that aligns with your goals, don’t hesitate to acknowledge their efforts.
A simple thank-you note or praise can go a long way in boosting their motivation, solidifying your partnership, and prioritizing their availability for your projects.
Offering Recurring Projects
If you have ongoing content needs, consider offering the writer recurring projects. This provides them with a sense of stability and ensures that your content remains consistent over time.
Encourage the writer’s professional development by giving them opportunities to explore new topics or formats. This not only keeps their work fresh but also enhances their skills.
Scaling Your Content Operations Sustainably with WriterAccess
The growth that comes from scaling content operations is undeniable. Investing in organic traffic will bring more people to your site, boost your branding, and ultimately improve your conversions. There are too many benefits to leave this strategy hanging.
However, enlarging your in-house team can be expensive and take a long to happen, while hiring and managing professional freelancers also requires some extra effort. That’s why WriterAccess is your valuable partner, providing you with a complete freelancer marketplace and well-hounded support.
With the help of our support and customer success teams, we make sure to create a smooth experience of finding the right freelancer, creating content projects, and managing your relationship with the workers. We’re here for you!
Get started right now with our free trial and get a glimpse of what is like to boost your content operations with ease.
