Here's how you can effectively collaborate with freelance writers in content marketing.

As a former president of the largest group of freelance writers in the U.S., I'd encourage everyone to think as a freelancer as their best partner. Those who work with freelancers can easily expand their business without paying additional employee salaries. It's a magical equation. Treat freelancers with respect and they will give you the same.

Ask for your freelance content team to serve as consultants, ask for their input as well. If they just want to take orders from you, you could be missing a chance to improve, too.

Defining goals is like setting the destination to your journey. In this journey it's important to involve the content writers. They might have valuable insights and ideas that you haven’t considered. By collaborating and setting goals together, we can create more effective content that truly resonates with the audience.

Freelance writers and content creators should be able to grasp and convey your brand vision quickly and skillfully, but they can't do that if you're unclear yourself. Defining a cohesive mission and values with all stakeholders before assigning content will ensure branding efficacy.

Knowing the proficiency of the freelance content writer is vital for your project. You must have set a goal and strategy for marketing your brand. Explain it to him, and let him know about your business and your buyers' expectations. Ask him to be more attentive to tone, style, and flow to attract buyers following your brand voice. Provide him with a complete outline including target keywords, headings, and subheadings. With the right guidance, strategy, and goal, the freelance writer can create content that aligns with your requirements and brand promotions.

I've found that there are two critical elements to effective communication with freelance/content writers. Be sure your written communication remains positive, open, and clear. It's your job to cultivate a culture of collaboration. Also, be adaptable in your use of tools. I have project contributors who prefer very different forms of communication.

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful partnership. Establishing a reliable channel for discussions, feedback, and revisions with your freelance writers is crucial. Whether through email, a project management tool, or instant messaging, select a method that suits both parties. Regular check-ins ensure everyone remains aligned and content progresses as planned. This approach fosters collaboration, minimizes misunderstandings, and enhances the quality and efficiency of your content creation process.

Effective communication is essential between stakeholders and content writers. Stakeholders should provide clear briefs, outlining goals, target audience, and key messages. Regular check-ins through emails or calls help address questions and keep everyone aligned. Content writers should ask questions to clarify expectations and update stakeholders on their progress. Open, honest communication ensures smooth collaboration and high-quality content.

For most freelancers, writing briefs is easy. They can get them done in short time. They can fill your holes or help you when you are on a time crunch to get information out there. Also, with attention spans decreasing, briefs are the perfect read. Like shorts on video content, they allow visitors to read an entire item without having to spend much time or to have to digest a long article.

People perform better with clear expectations and a sense of ownership. Create a template that outlines key information like target audience, content goals, brand voice, and desired tone. Involve freelancers in the initial briefing process to gather their input and suggestions. With a sense of shared ownership, they're more likely to be on the same page as you.

I will always be an advocate for having a clear template for each piece of content. This saves time on editing later and it mostly aligns with the viewpoint of the client.

I'd recommend that you invest a little extra time and money on the front end to recruit talented, experienced writers with established track records. There's a plethora of capable writers in the market, but those who can deliver superior service, receive and respond to feedback, and ultimately weave keywords into compelling messaging that conveys your ideas are more rare. I've experienced first-hand that spending more effort on identifying the right writer pays off.

Build checkpoints into the overall project plan. Even a quick checking-in email presents the opportunity to bring up questions and concerns. Ultimately, staying in touch throughout the project, not just at the beginning and end, will keep result in better quality.

How to make your comments count? Stakeholders should take a bit of time to review the writer's work and give honest feedback. Clear and specific comments help writers know what’s working and what needs a tweak. This makes the content better and keeps the collaboration smooth and positive.

Before you set a deadline, look at the complexity of the project and the writer's experience. Communicate expectations clearly, but be willing to show flexibility for unforeseen circumstances.

It's best to establish mutually agreed upon deadlines. Chances are any freelancer you're working with is juggling several projects at the same time and needs some flexibility to successfully complete the overlapping deliverables for all of their clients/partners.

Get feedback from the writers. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their work, and give constructive criticism to help them improve. Evaluate their work based on quality, adherence to deadlines, and communication. With this information you can find writers who consistently deliver high-quality work and build long-term partnerships with them.

Embrace the concept that collaborating with freelance writers is an ongoing learning process. Remain open to the fresh ideas and perspectives they offer, as their expertise can significantly enhance your content marketing strategy in unexpected ways. Regularly reassess and adjust your collaboration approach to maintain a dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship. This continuous learning mindset not only fosters innovation but also strengthens the overall effectiveness and adaptability of your content marketing efforts.

Consider the long game. Take the time to debrief with your project partners so that everyone can learn from the experience and build a working relationship. Chances are you will (and will want to) work with these same people again.

When working with freelance content writers, consider creating a shared document or platform where both parties can track progress, share resources, and exchange ideas. Building a rapport and showing appreciation for their work can also go a long way. For instance, celebrating milestones or acknowledging their creative contributions fosters a positive working relationship. Finally, be open to their creative suggestions - they might offer fresh perspectives that enhance your content in unexpected ways.

Freelance writers are not a cheap alternative to in-house writers, and what you pay for is what you get. If you expect to get ten articles a week for $400 a month, you're not being frugal, you're being exploitative. Think of it this way. You want to pay your writer enough that they are able to focus on your project, not scrambling for any work they can just to keep the lights on. You will always, always, always have a better end product if you're taking care of the writers on the front end.