What to Expect from Freelance
Editors and Writers
by Judith Broadhurst

I get frequent calls from recruiters about tech writing jobs. When I explain that I'm not a tech writer and don't want to be one, but that I do tech editing sometimes, some of them are honest enough to ask, "What's the difference?" Well, one writes, the other edits what the first one wrote, for starters.

Don't expect editors and writers to be interchangeable

Not all writers are good editors, particularly copy editors, because they're a lot of nitties and rules that they never had to or bothered to learn when someone else took care of that. Nor are editors necessarily good writers. They may be good at developmental editing (revising, even rewriting), but not when they have to write something from scratch. You owe it to yourself, your company, your project — and even the person you hire as staff or as a contractor (freelancer) — to make sure you're hiring the right person for the right job.

When you tell someone you're an editor, most people assume that means proofreading. But there are different levels of editing that are familiar to most editors. It's good for everyone involved if you make sure the editor knows what degree of editing you want.

When you tell someone you're a writer, they often think that means you can write anything, from fiction to white papers to marketing copy. Some will claim they can, too, but that's usually a clue that they're still novices.

I don't claim to be able to be all things to all people. Here's how I work, just as an example (most seasoned writers and editors have learned to focus on their strengths, too):

As an editor, I don't do proofreading except as a favor to regular clients, because I prefer to do substantive copyediting or developmental editing, which allow more leeway in making changes or suggestion and challenge me more. I can edit almost anything, from technical documentation to marketing copy to Web sites and newsletters (I edited a beach towel for a Cisco conference once). But all editors do a better job when they're familiar with the subject matter, from lingo to concepts and issues.

As a writer, I generally don't write marketing communications copy (or marcom, as people in the biz call it). My background is in journalism, so that's still my mindset. I think about objectivity and accuracy rather than benefits. I stick to writing articles, newsletters, some kinds of Web content and reports, where clear, accurate, balanced communication is the objective, so I can do a better job for you.

It's okay to ask for referrals for special projects

When I'm not the right person for a particular project, I'll refer you to someone who is if I know someone I trust to come through for you and whose work I respect. As a client, you have the right to expect that kind of professionalism from anyone you hire or consider hiring. What goes around comes around, as we say, so who gets the contract which time evens out eventually, and this approach works out better for everyone in the long run.

Communicate clearly, thoroughly and often

Managers most often hire contractors when they're facing a critical deadline, so they don't have time for handholding or getting someone up to speed. Yet, although it's true that contractors need to be "low maintenance," it's important that freelances feel welcome to ask for clarification or guidance and that you don't hesitate to ask them "How's it going? Are we on track?"

That seems too obvious to mention, but it happens only about half the time, especially during a crunch.

A freelancer's perspective on how to keep clients happy

Finally, here are my 17 Secrets of Keeping Your Clients and Yourself Happy, just to help project managers see it from the freelancer's viewpoint — and to assure you that we do try to make your life and job easier, less stressful, even enjoyable. Really.

Copyright © 2002, Judith Broadhurst. All rights reserved.