How to manage your freelance copywriter

This article is intended for those looking to take on a freelance copywriter, but are unsure of how to make the process run smoothly. I hope you find it useful.

You need content writing. Whether that's web copy, a sales letter or a blog post, you need words writing and you don't have the time or experience to do it. So it's probably a good idea to find a freelance copywriter. Most copywriters will work remotely and as they are freelancers, it will be a different working relationship than you are perhaps familiar with; but it can be a great one.

How to get the most from your freelance writer

Give them a thorough brief

You know your business best – and you know what you want. A copywriter, although a valuable asset, cannot guess what you're looking for. A thorough brief is necessary if you want a good job, delivered on time without any amends required. The more detail you can give your writer, the better. Consider topics, your target audience and what you want the copy to achieve.

If you're not sure what you want, ask your writer for help. Plenty of copywriters, myself included, are happy to offer guidance and direction, we just need to know what you're thinking. And the key to that is...

Good communication

The best relationships are formed by opening, and maintaining, good communication. If required, agree in advance to regular calls for a catch-up. I keep in touch with clients via a range of methods, including email and Slack. Find what works best for both parties and stick to it.

Set clear deadlines

If it's a one-off project, be clear on your deadline from the outset. Don't say 'just send it through when you can', as that helps nobody. If you're looking for a longer-term content commitment, ask your copywriter to create a content calendar and you can insert deadlines as required.

Listen

A good copywriter will always listen to your content needs – but this should work both ways. As the writing expert, they will have ideas and can help you consider doing things differently than you have before. Use their experience and be willing to listen to what they have to say.

Feedback quickly

Constructive feedback is vital if you're going to have a strong relationship with your freelance copywriter. While a good writer doesn't need to be told what to do, they do need efficient feedback if they haven't quite nailed your company's tone, for example. Again, be willing to listen to your copywriter and take their guidance if you're not sure about something style-related. 

Pay on time

Would you delay paying your permanent staff? Hopefully not, and it should be no different for your freelancers. From a freelancer's point of view, the best relationships are usually with the clients that pay on time.

If you are nervous about taking on a freelance copywriter, don’t be. A successful and straightforward relationship can be built by following the advice in this article. A freelance writer can offer valuable advice and produce high-quality content that will enable your business to prosper.

Looking for a copywriter but not really sure what you need? Email me at katy@katyratican.com and we can take it from there.

This article originally appeared on LinkedIn.