Hiring A Writer FAQ
Why is Freelance Writer Search a good first step in finding the right professional for my project?
Freelance Writer Search taps you into the professional association of freelance nonfiction writers. Whether you've never hired a freelance writer before or have worked with them routinely, Freelance Writer Search is the best source of professional writers for any project.
I want to post my job listing. What's the next step?
Think about the project as if you were doing it yourself. Start with this basic list of questions you'd need to answer on any assignment:
- Describe the project.
- Who's the audience?
- What's the time frame in reaching that audience?
- Is there any particular expertise necessary to handling the subject at hand?
- Who else is involved in the review and approval process for this project? Will their participation add more time to the process?
- What media will this project require? Do you have people to handle all aspects of production, or will you need help with that?
- Are there key tasks within this project that need to be done by specific deadlines?
- Will the person who does the work need to be on site, or can she or he work remotely?
- Is there a rough budget figure in mind for this project?
These are the questions professional freelancers ask to understand the scope of work involved and so they can give you a fair quote on your project. Go to Setting Fees for more information.
Do I need a contract with the writer I hire?
Yes, absolutely. And while we can't advise you on what your particular agreement should say — that's between you, your legal counsel and your freelance professional — creating a work agreement with specific details on the project, its timeline and its financial details forces both sides to discuss and understand the work that needs to get done before the project starts.
Circumstances can change in any work assignment, but crafting a detailed document outlining goals and pay at the outset can help you avoid many problems later. And that's the real value of any agreement.
What are my responsibilities when a project gets going?
ASJA members are professionals and want your project to succeed. To help them help you, it's good to remember that communication is a two-way street:
- Keep the writer, editor or project manager in the loop on any changes or developments.
- Introduce your freelancers to key members of your project team so everyone is clear on the assignment and there are clear lines of communication.
- If you have a proprietary style manual for your organization, furnish a copy.
- Make sure everyone on the project is agreed on the focus, format, audience and tone of the assignment.
- Make sure reviews and approvals stay on the schedule both sides have agreed to.
I have other questions about the process. Where can I get more information?
Want to talk with a professional before you get started? FWS Premium may be right for you. Click/Tap here for more information.