Make Sure You Hire the Right Freelancer
I’ve been helping my youngest daughter recently as she works on her first high school English paper of substance. Two-and-a-half pages about Romeo and Juliet.
Some observations:
- No Fear Shakespeare is a lifesaver and I wish it existed when I was in school! If you’re not familiar, these versions of Shakespeare’s work feature the Shakespearian English on the left side of the book, with a modern version (a translation of sorts) on the right side.
- I found that I actually understand some Shakespearian English now (without the translation!) and appreciate the language so much more than when I studied it in school.
While I was guiding my daughter on her thesis statement and topic sentences, she said at one point, “I don’t understand how you enjoy this.” I got a big smile on my face and said, “Oh, I really do enjoy this.” And I talked to her about the great feeling I get when I’ve written something that I know hits well and will make the message clear for the intended reader.
She Didn’t Get It
I got something like an “Ohhhh-kayyy” from her after I explained all of this.
That’s all right. Not everyone needs to get excited about writing and editing. But if you’re hiring a freelance writer, I suggest making sure that they are one of these people.
There are a lot of people marketing themselves as freelancers these days but not all freelancers are the same. You’ll find those that specialize in communications plans, search strategies, marketing tactics, or social media. Note that all of those fields are related to writing and communications; however, not all of those service providers may know how to use the semicolon with the word “however” correctly, as I just did.
Look for the Right Skills
When you’re looking to hire a freelancer, dig into what service you actually need — what is your end goal that will get you there? — and make sure you get the right freelancer for the job.
I’m thinking I’ll reread Romeo and Juliet once my daughter is finished with her copy. The great tragedy awaits!
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Check It Out: Health Literacy Conference Coming Soon
The virtual Health Literacy Conference put on by the Institute for Healthcare Advancement is coming up next month, May 11-14. This is a great conference for those in the healthcare field with a particular interest in health literacy. I’m already registered for it and am looking forward to what I’ll learn in this year’s sessions.
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Discussion Questions
What’s up? I’d love to hear from you! Here are some things to consider sharing:
- When is the last time you read Shakespeare?
- What do you look for when hiring a freelance writer?
- Have you seen any good handmade signs recently?