By Apryl Motley, CAE
This is a follow-up to the last time I addressed this topic in January 2011. During the year, I learned some additional strategies that will help association publishers save time when working with freelancers. Here are five more timesavers most freelancers hope will be among your resolutions for 2012.
- If any sources are "must be interviewed,” designate them as such before we start working. That way we can prioritize our work and let you know sooner or rather than later if there's been a problem getting in touch with these individuals because they don't return phone calls or respond to email. We'll also keep careful records of our attempted contacts, just in case you need them later to provide an explanation for why the greatest members ever weren't included in the article.
- Provide some context. For instance, if the article that we've been assigned to write is part of a series or package of articles that you are putting together on a specific topic or around an overarching theme, let us know. That way we can avoid duplicating content that you already have in development and make every effort to ensure that our work contributes to your overall editorial vision.
- Give us clear directions. We would rather wait longer for the details of the assignment and have them be fairly set in stone than try to work our way through writing a wishy-washy article that seems to lack focus and purpose. Freelancers understand that priorities change, but they shouldn't be adjusted every five minutes.
- Permit us to access to information/data as is needed and appropriate. Nobody knows better than freelancers how sensitive associations are about sharing data of any kind with "outsiders.” We understand the need for confidentiality, and in most cases, we've signed a document saying that we will not divulge any trade secrets. By the same token, there are times when it would be extremely helpful for freelancers to have access to your membership database and/or survey data. For us to get the job done effectively and efficiently, you have to be willing to let us inside your organization.
- Discuss style matters with us. While associations don't generally update their style guides that often, when you do, make sure we have a copy. Imagine our surprise when we get a terse email from an editor chastising for not following some style matter when we weren't even aware of it to begin with. In addition, if we are making the same style errors repeatedly, please let us know. We want that feedback. Ultimately we want to help you save or make up time by providing your with "clean copy” rather than making your job even harder because you have to edit our work to address style issues.
Unfortunately, as 2012 is well underway, some of us are already feeling the time crunch of aggressive deadlines. These additional steps that you take in communicating with freelancers will help you get the New Year off to a less stressful start.
Apryl Motley, CAE, is a communications consultant in Columbia, Md., and former Association Media & Publishing Board of Director.
