Hiring a Freelance Writer or Designer? If They're Not Asking You for This, You're Wasting Your Marketing $$s!

When I get a new client I’m ALWAYS anxious to dive into their business! Learn their story, their vision and marketing objectives. I can’t wait to hear what makes their business unique from their competitors, who their target customer is and what their problems are.

All that wonderful stuff that’s SOOO VERY critical to producing valuable content that will enhance their brand and engage their customer! 

Yet…I find myself filled with a little guilt when I almost apologetically ask my clients to fill out my 3 page Marketing Questionnaire. Their days are full and  they’re struggling to stay above ALL this content they have to produce!  Or they’re in a hurry to get their website up and promote their brand and they want a life too!

Here they’ve hired me to take some of the pressure off and give them back some of their precious time - and instead - I’m adding one more thing  to their to-do list!

On the other hand, I KNOW I can’t do my best work, and they’re NOT getting the most of their marketing dollars if I don’t ask them for this vital information!

In this 2012 (yes, a few years old but I think MORE relevant today in our content-driven world than ever!) post for the Content Marketing Institute, Anne Meany, then Managing Editor at Brandpoint details WHAT to look for in your freelance writer and WHY you MUST MAKE SURE you’re freelance help demands that you take the time to answer these many important questions about your business!

YES…it takes some time now, but as Anne points out…  “once a writer gets to know you and your brand, he or she can take your ideas and run with them, and provide good ones also. This has the wonderful double benefit of reducing your workload and making you look good at the same time.” And translation….increased ROI for your marketing investment!

As a business owner, do you resent taking the time to provide so much information to your freelancer? As a freelancer, do you ever hesitate to ask for it? Love to hear your thoughts and tips for streamlining this info gathering process!

In the meantime…read the full article here.