Receiving briefs from clients as a freelance writer is a sign of trust and an opportunity to continue growing within your career. Each brief is an opportunity, but it is critical to know how to stick to the brief to deliver top-notch content that clients are seeking.
Analyzing the brief paves the way for creating an outline that delivers on the ultimate goal of the finished article. Learning how to stick to the brief ensures that clients are satisfied and that the work continues to flow. Here’s a closer look at the things you can focus on when tackling your first brief.
Analyze the brief
Before diving into your writing, take a moment to analyze the brief. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of what the client wants in terms of the project’s goals, key deliverables, preferred tone and writing style, SEO details, and the piece’s target audience.
Tailoring the article to meet those key points will go a long way toward providing the quality of content the client wants, which can lead to more briefs in the future.
Clarify expectations
It’s also wise to clarify the client’s expectations before you begin writing. You can save yourself time and stress by going the extra mile to get a clearer picture of what the client wants rather than making assumptions.
Getting on the same page as the client will ensure you’re sticking to the brief and delivering the kind of article the client wants. Take the extra time to clarify anything you’re unsure of before you begin.
Create an outline
After getting clarification on any points you’re unsure about, you can proceed with creating your first outline for the brief. Use the information provided about the piece’s target audience and the key deliverables to tailor the outline to support the argument or share the desired information with readers. It’s also beneficial to check the outline for its flow and to ensure that all of the main points are made.
Reference the brief
Creating an outline is an excellent start, but be sure to frequently reference the brief as you write. You can use these references as a course correction to stick to the client’s requests and desires.
The frequent checks are also beneficial because they can reduce unnecessary stress from potential edits and revision requests from the client. You’ll stay on track and produce a well-written piece that hits all of the main points.
Focus on the audience and client
The primary goal of the brief is to write an article that reaches and resonates with the target audience on behalf of the client. You want your writing to convey the value that the audience will receive by hiring the client’s services or purchasing their goods.
Write the brief in a way that builds trust and credibility, but also demonstrates the benefits the audience will get from choosing to work with the client rather than competing brands.
Perform a final check
Upon reaching the end of the written article, perform a final check to ensure that your piece has met all of the requested SEO details, used the proper tone, and met the goals the client has set.
The best approach is to read through what you’ve written while checking the brief’s details. Look for any parts of the article that do not align with what is outlined in the brief and be willing to make adjustments. It’s also the ideal time to look for any grammatical and spelling errors to submit an error-free piece, at which point you can submit the article to the editor.
Submission and feedback
After submitting the article to the editor, you may need to make revisions. At the very least, the editor is likely to provide feedback to help you continue growing as a writer and tailor your work to suit the client’s needs.
Remain open to the feedback and avoid taking it as criticism. The feedback is a fantastic chance for freelance writers to learn new skills and further their growth.
If revisions are necessary, communicate with the editor or client to ensure that all desired changes are implemented. Repeat the final check process before resubmitting the article.
A demonstrated ability to stick to a brief and provide high-quality content is the hallmark of a successful freelance writer. Follow the tips above to receive more briefs and enhance your writing career.