I’m a freelance writer now, but before that, I was a content marketing editor. I’ve been on both sides of the content writing equation: the one editing freelancers’ work and the freelancer receiving edits.
Spending time in both roles has made it clear that there are a lot of opportunities for communication breakdowns to happen between editors and writers. This is especially true when all communication is digital, making tone harder to read.
There were several things I wished I could tell every freelance writer when I was an editor, and now, as a freelance writer, there are a few things I wish all editors understood. Here’s a brief list, based entirely on my personal experiences, of things I’ve wanted to tell the person on the other side of the email exchange.
What Editors Wish Content Writers Knew
It’s Better to Ask for an Extension than Turn in a Rushed Draft
In an ideal world, you’ll always be able to turn in a quality draft on time. But life happens, and sometimes you have to choose between good quality and timeliness. In those cases, good quality is usually the preference.
From an editor’s perspective, a rushed draft can ultimately lead to more delays because it takes longer to edit, and there’s a greater chance that it’ll have to be sent back to the writer for revisions. A clean draft can be turned around relatively quickly. Besides, most good editors or project managers will build some buffer time into publishing schedules that allow for unexpected delays.
So unless you have an unmovable publication date breathing down your neck, occasionally requesting a one- or two-day extension so you can turn in your best work is not only fine, but even appreciated.
Clarifying Questions Are Expected and Welcome
It can be a little uncomfortable to ask a question that seems obvious, or to imply that a brief wasn’t clear. But any lack of understanding is going to reveal itself in the final product no matter what. Most editors would much rather have an email exchange to clarify things than receive a submission that misses the mark.
Half of Edits Requested Are Related to Pub-Specific Guidelines
Or, in other words, it’s not you, and it’s also not me—it’s my style guide, my client’s stipulations, my manager’s subjective preferences, and so on.
Almost half the time I had to request edits from a writer, it wasn’t because the submission was “bad” in any objective sense. It just didn’t match the specific, borderline arbitrary rules of the publication.
Editors Are Often Beholden to Office or Client Politics
When you’re only emailing one person in an organization, it’s hard to remember that the rest of the organization exists. But the editor can’t escape it.
Sudden changes in assignment volume or unexpected delays in production don’t happen because the editor is capricious. They usually happen because of any number of upheavals within the publication, agency, or client company. (And odds are, the editor is as frustrated as you are.)
What Content Writers Wish Editors Knew
We Appreciate Regular Updates—Even When There’s No Work
Every freelance writer has been ghosted by a client or waited in vain for promised assignments that never materialized. It’s an agonizing position to be in, not knowing what your budget next month is going to be because your emails are going unread.
Updating freelancers on the status of upcoming work is more than just good etiquette. Knowing what work we have in the pipeline means knowing what our cash flow is going to look like in the near future—something that has ripple effects for everything from our marketing efforts to our grocery budgets.
Often, when I was an editor, I would only remember to reach out to writers when I had work for them. Now, I know that regular communication—even if that communication simply states that no work is available—is immeasurably helpful.
We Usually Can’t Handle Sudden Requests
I generally have about six or seven active clients at a time, and each of those clients has their own project schedules to keep track of. Needless to say, that gets a little hectic.
So when a client asks if I can turn around an assignment in two days, my initial response is usually to laugh. I can absolutely write a blog post in two days if I have nothing else going on. But I almost never have nothing else going on. In fact, I usually have the next two business days fully scheduled.
Sometimes, tight deadlines are unavoidable, and I have a rush fee policy to account for those instances. My advice isn’t necessarily to never make time-sensitive requests. It’s just to make them in a respectful way, understanding that you’re working with someone who’s probably very busy, and to not be surprised if the answer has to be no.
We Appreciate Regular Feedback
Sure, no one wants to be told that their work stinks. But not being told anything is almost as bad. We want to know if our work is meeting expectations, and if it’s not, we want to know what we can do to improve it. Few professional writers will take criticism personally if it’s delivered in a constructive, respectful way.
We Want Specific Instructions
Freedom to be creative is great for hobby writing. For professional writing, I want to know exactly what’s expected of me in unambiguous terms.
Specific instructions in clear briefs help me make sure I deliver exactly what you’re looking for. That saves me time, saves you time, and generally makes everyone’s lives easier.
A writer working in isolation and an editor enmeshed in a corporate environment are approaching the same content projects from two wildly different lenses. But a little understanding and extra communication can make the partnership work smoothly regardless.
If you’re looking for a writer who already understands your job and is committed to clear communication, you know where to find me.
Nicole D'Angelo 