How can you build long-lasting relationships with freelance writers and contributors?

Building long-lasting relationships with freelance writers and contributors in public relations involves demonstrating respect and setting up opportunity for collaboration. Start by actively listening to their needs and preferences. Get to know their writing style, topic preferences, and deadlines. Communicate clearly and promptly, ensuring that you respect their time . Show appreciation for their work through fair compensation and recognition of their contributions. By valuing their expertise, respecting their individuality, and fostering a mutually beneficial partnership, you can build trust and establish a lasting working relationship with freelance writers and contributors

Be genuinely interested in their work and their development. Read their work, share it and engage with them on discussions even if you're not strictly working on that particular topic. Share fellowships and other professional development opportunities with them. Be generous with introducing them to sources and people who can contribute to stories they're working on if it's not strictly an article about your organisation.

Media, including freelance writers, have a job to do, i.e. writing stories. So, the bottom line of their daily grind is a story. How easy or interesting you make it for them is how deep the relationship will go. Here are key points to get you started: 1. Research about the media that your audience reads. 2. Identify key journalists in those publications or channels and research their work. 3. Reach out to them to start a conversation based on credible information that can lead to a story. 4. Have one-to-one meetings to know each other better. 5. Gossiping may look like a shortcut to creating deep relations but it's a double-edged sword. Don't indulge in it.

Text content is an important component of PR communications. The quality of content depends on the collaboration of the content creator (copywriter) and the PR specialist. If you work with a freelance writer or contributor, it is important to build the most comfortable and transparent interaction process for both parties: - Discuss the plan and deadlines in advance; - Provide clear briefs and references; - Stay in touch for additional comments; - Provide full feedback on the match of expectations and received texts; - Involve the copywriter in your global goals (why do you need this text and what would you like to achieve?) so that the tasks are more clear to your freelance writer.

Be respectful of their time and expertise. Ensure to provide straightforward project details, reasonable deadlines, and fair pay. Value their work and input. Maintain open and frequent communication. Check-in regularly, provide feedback, and keep them updated on any changes. Make yourself available to answer questions. Be flexible and understanding. Freelancers juggle multiple clients and projects. If possible, accommodate changes in their availability or project needs.

Crafting a comprehensive brief is so important to establish amazing partnerships with writers & contributors. It should include key elements like purpose, target audience, tone, format, length, keywords, sources, and examples. Plus, don't forget to specify deliverables, deadlines, and revision expectations. A detailed brief not only conveys your vision and objectives effectively but also streamlines the creative process, avoiding any potential confusion or frustration. So, a well-structured brief is the linchpin for an effective collabs with freelancers. It provides a roadmap to align content with your goals and brand, making sure writers get what you're expecting and produce top-notch material that really connects with your audience.

The #1 reason why freelance writers & contributors struggle is due to clients not providing a clear and detailed brief! As a client, writing a detailed brief will be time-consuming. But it will significantly improve the quality of freelance writing deliverables. Keep in mind that freelance writers will need a lot more context to deliver high-quality work. By providing them with a brief, you'll ensure they have the context they need to be successful.

In addition to providing factual information, a good brief should also inspire and guide the creative or strategic thinking of the team. It should offer insights, share the brand's tone and style, and suggest potential directions. A brief that inspires can lead to innovative solutions and ideas. It should allow for creativity while staying within the project's defined parameters.

Giving constructive and timely feedback is not just about pointing out mistakes; it's about fostering growth and development of the working relationship between you both. When given with respect and specificity, constructive feedback serves as a roadmap for improvement. It empowers writers and contributors to understand their strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to refine their skills and produce even better content in the future. Moreover, the timeliness of feedback is crucial. Prompt responses shows professionalism and respect for the writer's time and effort and keeps the creative momentum alive.

To help with timeliness, don't guard the gates. Allow the contributor direct and quick access to all of the sources and experts who can help them craft their work. It saves time and boosts quality.

Giving a respectful and constructive feedback is the only way to ensure a good relations with a copywriter. We are not in school, the client is not the professor, feedback is not assessment. Feedback is part of the creative process.

The freelance writer is just like member of the team - motivation, appreciation, Christmas party - all of the tools that stimulate an on-site worker are good for the freelancer too.

Here's a great way to reward an experienced freelance writer: give them more creative freedom! As you work with a freelancer writer on different projects, over time they'll start to understand your business and your target audience. At that point, you should involve them in the creative process so they are coming up with ideas, topics and even campaigns! This will help the freelance writer feel invested, stay engaged and be a true contributor to your company's success!

As others have mentioned- regular and open communication is a must have. However, I think it goes beyond that ... the communication needs to be sincere and genuine, even it is is brief. Often times freelancers and sporadic contributors can feel like they are working in limbo. While everyone enjoys their creative space, it is important to also have everyone feel like they play a key part of a team - whether they are contributing as a full-time, part-time or contract member of the group.

Building solid relationships with freelance writers is key. It's all about human connection. Treat them like valued team members and friends, not just contractors. Follow their journey on social media and engage authentically. Show interest in their work beyond assignments. Remember, it's about real connections. This not only fosters great work but also loyalty and trust.

This is key. Freelancers depend on the gigs that corporates/larger companies award them. Don't lowball them or try to negotiate super low prices, it won't make a big difference to a corporate budget if you got it down by few thousand, but to a freelancer that same amount means months rent. Be sincere, keep them involved in the decision making process and most importantly: MANAGE THEIR EXPECTATIONS. If you tell them you get them a decision by 1st of Nov, then you must deliver on that promise.

Take a genuine interest in their lives and stay in touch! Stories and messages come and go, but the relationship built lasts beyond any assignment, key issue or message. A good story is always a solid foundation, and that's what relationships are built on.

By engaging them in a gamified, fun way (unless you're a research site that has to maintain a serious tone), I'm a fan of what LinkedIn has been doing with the Top Voice badge. The next step could be 'Onchain' badges, which the contributor could port to other platforms. I also feel there could be interest-based sub-communities to which the contributor could be suggested to join.

To build long-lasting relationships with freelance writers and contributors, it's essential to prioritise effective communication, mutual respect, and clear expectations. Regularly provide constructive feedback and recognition for their work, fostering a positive and supportive working environment. Pay fair rates for their contributions and offer consistent work opportunities when possible. Be flexible and understanding of their schedules and needs, which can lead to a more loyal and committed partnership. Additionally, maintain open channels for collaboration and input, ensuring that their creative ideas are valued and integrated into your projects.