I subscribe to a number of e-newsletters. One of them is put out by a company called Marketprofs (www.marketingprofs.com). The other day, the e-newsletter had an article on how to select a copywriter.
The article gave me pause: It occurred to me that unless you are in publishing, you will not have a lot of experience hiring someone to help you with your writing or editing projects. So, I’d like to offer a few suggestions on how to select someone to help you with your projects:
Know what you want the person to do. Refine your vague ideas before you start looking. It’s like hiring an employee: Write a job description before you start recruiting.
- Start your search.Some suggestions: Post your job on a number of Web sites dedicated to freelancers; place an ad on craigslist.com; Google the type of freelancer you want to hire; or network among friends.
- Narrow the selection.Look at samples ofthe individual’s work; read them carefully. Does the person have expertise in the area you require? Does he or she write in the style you prefer? Is the sample “clean”? Do you understand what the individual is saying? If you aren’t happy with the samples, then move on.
- Be specific in your assignment. Because you already defined what you want the person to do, this should not be a problem. But, put everything in writing, including terms of the contract (amount of pay, due date, manner in which the copy should be delivered, etc.). If it is an extensive project, be specific about when you should connect to review progress and how corrections and clarifications should be made.
- Pay a fair price. Writers and editors are skilled individuals. Value what they do. Pay a fair, competitive rate for their work.
A writer can take ideas and put them into words. An editor can take your words and give them a polish that will make you shine. Whether you have a short press or product release, a white paper, Web content, a business report, or a book, you can make a great impression and be perceived for the expert you are — provided you hire the right writer or editor.
Until next time,
Linda Segall
Segall Enterprises: Writing and Editing Solutions
www.SegallEnterprises.com
Linda@segallenterprises.com