Re-Writing Material Often Due to Poor Communication

While minor revisions for detail clarification are somewhat expected in written work for hire, a complete re-write is often due to poor communication. In my experience, it takes more than note-taking during discussion and reference material to ensure a great end result.

Here are a couple of areas to discuss in detail when hiring a writer or accepting a project:

• Tone of the piece, and expected response
• Discuss the time-frames for approval. If the work is needed by a deadline, revisions need to be addressed in ample time to print or go live.
• What emotion is being evoked? Make sure the call to action is fitting.

Not every working relationship between a client and freelance writer is handled face-to-face. Many times the only communication is e-mail, telephone, social connection and PayPal! When the majority of your communication will be handled over the Internet, it’s uber-important to make those extra points that relate to great product completion. If you will be communicating this way, read your letters, inquiries and documentations out loud before hitting send. Write notes with bullet points to cover during phone calls. The last thing you want to do in this scenario is ignore pertinent information that was previously divulged, or carelessly offend with your own tone.

Good communication will always trump a negative vibe. Ask the questions and be sure to listen to every nuance of the response without over-analyzing the situation. These practices will build necessary confidence in the whole situation, a much better way to work.