This document provides tips for hiring freelance writers. It discusses defining expectations such as acceptable content types, topics, and quality. It recommends creating guidelines, evaluating writers based on samples and background, and onboarding them with content briefs and by introducing company policies. The overall message is that hiring and managing great writers requires clear expectations, a fair selection process, and onboarding to set them up for success.

1. The Fundamentals of
Hiring the Best Freelance
Writers
By Shayla Price

2. About Me
• B2B Content Marketer
• Entrepreneur and Huffington Post
Contributor
• Speaker at 2016 WooConf and
WordCamp Miami
• Twitter: @ShaylaPrice

3. Why You Need Great Writers

4. “Being aware of your fear is
smart. Overcoming it is the mark
of a successful person.”
—Seth Godin

5. Focus on Your Strengths
Product
Sales
Marketing
Public Relations

6. Improve Your Existing Content
Update blog posts for relevancy
Correct typos and grammatical errors
Transform old content into new formats

7. Attracting New Customers
Integrate content into your lead
generation strategies
Use content to convert consumers
Add content to your brand
loyalty programs

8. Quick Tips
Talk with your team about why you need great writers
Discuss which department will benefit the most
Take notice of your fears and weaknesses

9. Defining Your Expectations

10. What Do You Need?
Content Types
a. Blog Posts
b. Ebooks
c. White Papers
Content Topics
Content Levels

11. What’s Acceptable Content?
No Plagiarism
Author Credit or Ghostwritten
Formatting Guidelines
Citations

12. HubSpot Example
Source

13. Spreading the Word
Referrals
Social Media
Job Boards
Top Publications

14. 43% of freelance writers
look for new writing jobs
every day of the week
Source

15. Source

16. Source

17. Quick Tips
Create guidelines outlining your expectations
Jot down your ideal job duties for the first 30 days
Always seek new writers, even when you’re not hiring

18. Evaluating & Selecting Great Writers

19. “You need to have a collaborative
hiring process.”
—Steve Jobs

20. Create A Rubric
Tone
Word Choice
Organization
Sentence Structure

21. Source

22. Writer’s Background
Read Bios
Linkedin
Personal Website
Check Writing Samples
Copyscape
PaperRater

23. Good Housekeeping
Email Receipt of Application
Selection Timeline
Paid Trials

24. Foundr Example

25. Quick Tips
Involve multiple team members in the selection process
Develop a rubric that meets your company’s needs
Establish a timeline to contact all applicants

26. Onboarding Great Writers

27. Content Briefs
Customer Lifecycle
Buyer Personas
Editorial Calendar

28. Source

29. Writing Process
Weekly Meetings
Collaborative Editing
Publishing Duties

30. Overall Company Policies
Cultural Norms
Payroll Schedule
Access to Resources

31. “Content builds relationships.
Relationships are built on trust.
Trust drives revenue.”
—Andrew Davis

32. Quick Tips
Give your writers content direction
Create a flexible writing process for growth
Introduce writers to your company’s values

33. Questions?
@ShaylaPrice