Using subcontractors as a freelancers or agency is a great way to expand your services and scale your business. But subs aren't just cost effective. The real strategic opportunity is getting your subs to commit to the success of your business and of your clients. Here's the approach my firm has used to turn my network of subs into my team.

1. BUILDING
YOUR
FREELANCERS
INTO AN
EFFECTIVE
TEAM
ROBERT MCGUIRE OWNER
OF MCGUIRE EDITORIAL
AND FOUNDER OF
NATION1099

2. Aim to be
your subs'
best client
M C G U I R E E D I T O R I A L S L I D E 0 2
C O M M U N I C A T E B E T T E R
O N B O A R D B E T T E R
E N G A G E M O R E

3. The ultimate
goal is a
closely held
and curated
team of
subs
M C G U I R E E D I T O R I A L S L I D E 0 3
A P P R O A C H C L I E N T S
W I T H C O N F I D E N C E
T H A T " W E C A N G E T
T H I S D O N E . "
L O O K B I G G E R T H A N
Y O U A R E
A S S E M B L E A N D
D E P L O Y Q U I C K L Y

4. Use Your Own Site As a
Test Bed
M C G U I R E E D I T O R I A L S L I D E 0 4
M A R K E T I N G B U D G E T + Y O U R O W N S I T E ' S E D I T O R I A L
C A L E N D A R + T H E S U B S Y O U N E E D T O T E S T
Treat yourself as the Nth + 1 client.
Have a creative brief for your business.
Have a wish list of content you need for your marketing.
Pay prospective subs to create that content.
Evaluate for quality, alignment and how you work together.

5. Onboard
your subs
M C G U I R E E D I T O R I A L S L I D E 0 5
S E T T H E T O N E
C R E A T E C O N D I T I O N S
F O R S U C C E S S
T H I N K O F T H E L O N G -
T E R M R E L A T I O N S H I PThis is
where you
stand out.

6. Everything the sub needs to
know about your business
M C G U I R E E D I T O R I A L S L I D E 0 6
Your mission, vision and strategy (your creative brief)
Where the sub's work fits in
Process documentation
Collaboration tools; software; passwords; guidelines; house style; etc.

7. Everything the sub needs to
know about your clients
M C G U I R E E D I T O R I A L S L I D E 0
The client's mission, vision and strategy (the client's creative brief)
Where the sub's work fits in
Individual assignment guidelines

8. Engage and
retain your
subs
M C G U I R E E D I T O R I A L S L I D E 0 8
B E A V A I L A B L E
B E R E S P O N S I V E
B E P R O A C T I V E
Communicate
. . . a lot.

9. Manage the
team
C O N N E C T S U B S T O O N E
A N O T H E R
C O N N E C T T H E M T O T H E
C L I E N T
E M P O W E R T H E M
O F F E R F E E D B A C K A N D
T R A I N I N G
M C G U I R E E D I T O R I A L S L I D E 0 9
Manage the
project
G I V E C L E A R A S S I G N M E N T S
S E N D R E S O U R C E S
C H E C K I N A L O T
S E N D U P D A T E S
I F Y O U K N O W A W A Y T O
I M P R O V E T H E W O R K ,
O F F E R I T

10. Whatever employers do to
engage employees, try to
create an appropriate
parallel for your subs.

11. A N N U A L " B O N U S E S "
O N L I N E L U N C H A N D L E A R N S
B U D G E T F O R O N L I N E C O U R S E S
T E A M N E W S L E T T E R
B R A N D E D E M A I L A D D R E S S E S
S O C I A L B O O K M A R K I N G
S H A R E D F O L D E R S
B U D G E T F O R A D M I N S U P P O R T ( E . G . T R A N S C R I P T I O N )
F L O A T T H E M I N D O W N T I M E B E T W E E N C L I E N T W O R K
M C G U I R E E D I T O R I A L S L I D E 1 1
A few ideas

12. S T A Y I N T O U C H
G I V E R E F E R E N C E S
G I V E R E F E R R A L S
S U P P O R T T H E I R O T H E R I N T E R E S T S A N D P R O J E C T S
M C G U I R E E D I T O R I A L S L I D E 1 2
Support them outside of
your client work

13. Your goal: Subcontractors who
answer your emails first,
proactively communicate with you,
work hard for your clients and
make themselves available when
you need them.

14. THANK
YOU!
MCGUIREEDITORIAL.COM
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