How To Work With Other Writers

It happens to all freelance writers at some time. Since writers always have to plan ahead to manage their workload, they may find that a rush job comes in to disturb their well organised schedule. For example, an established client may need something in a hurry, and you may not want to refuse because it’s a valuable contact. When that happens one of the choices is to sub out work to other writers. This is not something that should be done lightly. After all, your clients are expecting your usual standard of work and there’s just no guarantee that another writer can produce that. It pains me to say so, but not every freelance writer is as good at meeting deadlines as you are, or takes the same care over meeting the brief. I know this from bitter experience. However, with a bit of care, you can find writers you can work with who won’t ruin your rep and will help you out of a tight spot.

Finding The Right Writer

If you have been connecting with other writers on social sites and forums, then it probably won’t be difficult to find another writer to work with. In fact, you may have more applicants than you know what to do with. It’s essential to whittle these down to those who will provide the best fit for you. One tip is to Google the writer and see if they have a blog or have ever submitted articles to an article directory. The reason this is a good move is because that work is likely to be unedited and will give you a clear picture of their writing style and attention to detail.

Follow that up by asking for samples that relate to the type of writing you are subbing out. A writer should be able to provide these fairly quickly, or something else that will work as well. Even if you’re in a hurry, don’t skip this step. It will help you to determine whether this writer can really help you. Remember that you may have to sub out work again, and it’s good to have a relationship with a writer (or a few writers) who can help you out in a pinch.

Briefing The Writer

Next, provide a detailed brief. If you have been working with a client before, you may know lots of things that are not in the original brief provided. If you do, add these to the brief that you give to the writer. I don’t know about you, but I always find that in seeking to clarify a client’s brief, I have lots of additional notes that came in via email. I always add these to the brief so I’m sure I have all the info — and that’s what I provide to anyone who is doing the work. Encourage the writer to ask questions about anything that’s unclear. It’s always better to clarify things at the start rather than try to repair the damage after mistakes have been made. (If you’re subbing out because you are overburdened, then you don’t have the time to waste.)

Give the writer a deadline that is a day or two before the client deadline. That gives you time to fix things if the work doesn’t go according to plan. If you give the writer the actual deadline, there is no leeway if there is a problem, and you will end up burning the midnight oil to make sure that your client’s deadline is met. (You can add this to the list of things I learned the hard way.) Tell the writer when you expect to be able to pay for the completed work.

Quality Control

When the work comes in, check it carefully to make sure it’s something you would be happy to put your name to. As far as the client is concerned, you are writing it and you owe it to the client to make sure that the brief is met. Check the work for plagiarism as not all writers are as good at citing their sources as you are. If you are happy, send it off to the client. With any luck, the work will be fine, you will get paid and you can pay the writer — and you will have made a contact who can help you in the future.