Evaluating a Professional Freelance Writer
Most human beings can write, so it can be confusing when it comes time to choose one writer for your project. The following are professional qualities to look for when evaluating a prospective freelance writer:
Word Output Capacity - The writer should tell you how many print-ready words per hour they can deliver. For example, a one-page word document is around 500 words long. How long will it take the freelance writer to create and edit one page? If you need a 50-page document written, the writer should be able to give you a clear estimate for the final price.
Prompt Communication - The writer should respond within twenty-four hours to all email and phone communication. Your project is important. Freelancers do work on more than one project at a time, but if they are too busy to answer your questions, they may be too busy to complete your project. Trust your instincts about how credible a writer is when they communicate with you.
Past Track Record - Can the writer produce a list of clients, references and writing samples? The best way to evaluate the caliber of someone’s writing ability is to read their work and understand if their clients have been repeat business or mostly one-off projects. If a writer has repeat business, it means the clients have been satisfied and trust the writer’s ability.
Training - Has the writer had formal education in their field? Look for the writer to have taken writing workshops, college courses, or received their degree in writing. Most people can write an emails and memos, but taking a writing class shows that the writer has practiced complex documents, honed their skills, worked on deadline, and been evaluated by the best teachers in their field.
Ability to Work on Deadline - Writers should be able to tell you how long a project will take them. If they can write 500 words an hour, and you need a 750-word document created, then the project should take an hour and a half to complete. A professional writer should then be able to look at their editorial calendar and tell you exactly when the project will be delivered. A two hour project might have a fast delivery date, while a forty page website might be delivered on a specific date in the following month.
Details Make Strong Documents - When you give a project to a writer, give them specific ideas you want them to write about. For example, if you were to say, “I need an article about designer hats,” the writer has a very broad base of information and story ideas to work with. But if you want your writer to create an article about 1945 baseball caps being housed in the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, well then you need to tell them that up front.
Writers Ask Questions - Conversely, a writer should ask detailed questions about your project. Most college-educated writers have been trained to find valuable information by asking questions. That’s how they decide what tone to use when creating your project. Make sure they are asking questions like:
1. Who is the target audience?
2. Is this going to be used in marketing literature?
3. Are you looking for a professional voice or a friendly conversational tone?
this is a great article! very thoughtful, very articulate. now post again! post again! it's been too long!
:)
bethany
bethanyhensel.blogspot.com
A Blog Celebrating Arts and Entertainment
Posted by: bethany | June 26, 2008 at 10:37 AM