How do you work with other writers?

1 Establish the scope and purpose

Before you start writing, make sure you have a clear understanding of the scope and purpose of the project. What is the main message, tone, and goal of the copy? Who is the target audience and what are their needs and pain points? How will the copy be delivered and measured? How much time and budget do you have? Discuss these questions with your client and your fellow writers, and agree on a brief that outlines the key elements of the project.

2 Divide the work and responsibilities

Depending on the size and complexity of the project, you may need to divide the work and responsibilities among the writers. For example, you may assign different sections, topics, or formats to different writers, or you may have one writer as the lead, who will coordinate and edit the work of others. Whatever you decide, make sure you communicate clearly and frequently, and use tools like Google Docs, Trello, or Slack to share your progress and feedback.

3 Respect each other's style and voice

One of the biggest challenges of working with other writers is to maintain a consistent style and voice across the copy. You may have different preferences, habits, or opinions on how to write effective copy, but you need to respect each other's style and voice, and adapt to the project's requirements. Don't try to impose your own style or voice on others, or criticize them harshly. Instead, focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the copy, and how to improve it for the audience and the client.

4 Give and receive constructive feedback

Feedback is essential for improving your copy and ensuring it meets the project's goals and expectations. However, giving and receiving feedback can be tricky, especially when you work with other writers. You need to be honest, but also polite and respectful, and avoid personal attacks or defensiveness. Use the sandwich method: start with something positive, then point out the areas that need improvement, and end with something positive again. Be specific, objective, and actionable, and use examples to illustrate your points.

5 Revise and proofread together

Once you have written and reviewed your copy, you need to revise and proofread it together with your fellow writers. This is the final stage of the collaboration process, where you polish your copy and make sure it is error-free, clear, and consistent. You can use tools like Grammarly, Hemingway, or ProWritingAid to check your spelling, grammar, punctuation, and readability. You can also read your copy aloud, or ask someone else to read it for you, to catch any mistakes or awkward phrases.

6 Celebrate and learn from the experience

Working with other writers can be a rewarding experience, if you follow the tips above and have a positive attitude. You can learn from each other, improve your skills, and create copy that delivers results. Don't forget to celebrate your achievements, thank each other for the collaboration, and ask for feedback on how to improve your teamwork. You never know when you may work with other writers again, so make sure you leave a good impression and build lasting relationships.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?