Okay, so you’ve decided you probably want to hire a freelance writer for your project, but what exactly will that look like? What’s the specific process? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.
Example – A standard writing project with two included rounds of editing:
- You send in an inquiry for a quote.
- I reply via email, we negotiate the price and schedule, then sign a digital contract.
- I write a draft and send it to you for review.
- You return the draft with any edits, comments, or general feedback about what you’d like changed.
- I edit the draft accordingly and send it back.
- If you want additional changes, we do one more round of review.
- I send the final version and an invoice for the project.
That’s it! The schedule for each step is spelled out in the contract depending on your project’s needs. Pretty straightforward, right?
Okay, but can you walk me through every single detail of the process of hiring and working with a freelance writer?
Of course! I’m always happy to explain any aspect of the writing process. All you have to do is ask. Here is a detailed, real-life example from start to finish.
Example – Bob wants a press release for the opening of his restaurant’s new location:
- Bob sends me a query asking for a quote for a press release.
- Bob includes the details of what it will be for (his new restaurant location) and when he needs it by (three weeks from the date of inquiry).
- I quote Bob $395 for writing a standard-length press release (400-600 words).
- This price also includes editing Bob’s existing “About the Restaurant” boilerplate to fit the press release and two rounds of revisions.
- Bob agrees to the quote, provided I can have the press release completely finished (including all revisions) within two weeks.
- I send a simple, plain-language contract for us both to digitally sign agreeing to the price and schedule.
- This contract spells out the schedule and payment, specifies that I will format the press release according to AP style, and includes a confidentiality agreement and a waiver of any copyright by me.
- Bob wants to take time to think about what he wants the press release to say and talk it over with his second-in-command, so instead of conducting an interview I send Bob a short questionnaire to fill out.
- The questionnaire asks what Bob would like the main hook to be (the location is more accessible for students), who the main quote will be attributed to (Bob), and what else he’d like to highlight (popular menu items).
- Bob returns the filled-out questionnaire and also sends me copies of some past promotional materials and sections of the restaurant business plan to use as resources.
- I read through the provided materials and look for any details that stand out to me as likely to be of interest to the target demographic of students.
- I also get a feel for Bob’s “voice” so I can ghostwrite the main quote, which will be attributed to him.
- I write the first draft and send it to Bob.
- Bob shares the draft with his team.
- Some of the team edit the draft directly in Word to add comments and some of them have verbal feedback, particularly on the “About” section as it will be re-used for future press releases.
- Bob emails me the feedback and edited document.
- Bob specifies which changes he definitely wants made and which I should use my best judgement on.
- I edit the press release according to the feedback, then email the new version back to Bob.
- Bob again shares the document with his team.
- The team only wants to change a couple words but are otherwise happy with the current version. They decide to make those edits themselves and forgo the included second round of revisions.
- I send my invoice. Bob has 30 days to pay it as specified in the contract.
- Bob is able to use the press release to get coverage for the restaurant’s opening from the college newspaper, the regional weekly paper, and the local news station!
In keeping with my policy of being as open and straightforward as possible, I have a list of pricing examples as well.