#552: How To Find, Hire, & Onboard A Content Support Contractor

Grab the freebie for this episode by heading here!   There’s a lot that goes into hiring a content support contractor – here’s where to start If you’re at a point in your business where you could use a little extra help creating content, you should 100% consider hiring a contractor.  Not only will it allow you to spend more time in your zone of genius, but you can also bring them on for just a few hours or on an as-needed basis, which isn’t an option with a full-time employee.  Over the years, I’ve relied on skilled content contractors to create content for my audience. Under my (and my team’s) direction, they’ve done everything from writing email copy to producing high-traffic lead magnets, and more! But here’s the thing. It takes quite a bit of work and lots of communication to bring on a content support contractor and have it work successfully.  Luckily, I’ve got it boiled down to a fine science – so I know exactly what I’m looking for, where to find that person, and how to onboard them so the relationship is a win/win for everyone involved.  And that’s what I’m diving into in this episode. You’ll hear: Why hiring a contractor over a full-time employee can be more beneficial in the beginning The importance of providing lots of support and resources for your contractor The best places to find a content support contractor, and how to vet them How to onboard contractors and offer constructive feedback So if you’re thinking about hiring a contractor to help you create content, be sure to tune in – because these strategies will definitely set you in the right direction.  Here’s a glance at this episode... [08:28] Set realistic goals and timelines with contractors, because they will have other clients. Be clear on how many hours you will need them.  [11:13] Doing everything yourself will lead to grief and overwhelm. When it's time to scale, you have to believe other people can do it better than you. [15:33] Another person can offer a fresh perspective with your content.  [16:29] We've found some people on Fiverr, Create & Cultivate, Creative Mornings, and LinkedIn, but referrals are my favorite way to find contractors.   [19:23] Ask for samples or a paid project test run. Give them time to ask questions and set a deadline. Assign a task to familiarize them with your content.  [23:05] We have an Asana checklist to make sure we have everything we need from our contractors, and that they’re provided with access to what they need. [27:00] Agree on how often you'll meet and if it will be virtual or in person. Provide your voice and brand guides up front to avoid extra editing.  [30:34] Ask how they prefer to receive feedback and share your feedback style.  [39:45] We use Asana to set up projects and tasks for contractors. Include all of the necessary support documents and be as specific as possible.  [45:16] Make sure they create their work on your Google drive. You want access to all of your stuff created by them.  [48:27] Action steps: Get clear on the hours and budget. Begin your search and onboard with everything I've shared. Give them a project test run. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy."