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Best Practices for Publishers in Working With Freelancers and Contractors

by Media

This article was written especially for the AMPlify newsletter by Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, AM&P Associate Member and Freelance Connection Member

Congratulations! You’ve decided to use a freelance writer, editor, proofreader, designer, photographer, indexer or other service provider for a project, and you’ve found the ideal contractor through the AM&P Service Provider Directory or Freelance Connection or another service/recommendation.

What should you do next to make sure it all goes according to your best expectations? These “Four Key Elements to Ensuring Successful Relationships with Your Contractors” should help.

Define the project’s scope.
Provide as much detail as possible about what you will need and expect, from number of words for an article to types of images for photos or illustrations, scope of entries for an index, pages in a layout, and any other aspects that will shape the project.

Set deadlines.
Consider asking for an outline or sketches first, especially the first time working with a new freelancer/contractor. It also can’t hurt to set a “false” or early deadline for a first-time contributor, just to be safe.

Create a contract or agreement for all parties to agree to.
It doesn’t have to be complicated or full of legalese, but it should spell out all important points:

  • Scope/definition of project;
  • Rate/fees;
  • Deadline(s);
  • Copyright;
  • Kill fee (what you’ll pay if you can’t use the submission for some reason);
  • Publicity (whether the provider can post a link or the actual project to their website or announce it in their social media channels);
  • Payment policy (on acceptance, on publication, 30-60-45-90 days after invoice), etc.

Share your communications preferences.
Do you want to discuss the project by phone (what a concept!), email, Zoom, Slack or some other option? How often do you want to hear from the service provider? And be sure to notify providers if you change your contact information!

Tales from the trenches

Publishers can create great relations with AM&P Network service providers by establishing clear communications and expectations. These lessons-learned illustrate how the “Four Key Elements to Ensuring Successful Relationships with Your Contractors” can help avoid headaches for all concerned.

1. A freelance writer was self-editing and proofreading an article before submitting it, and the association editor called to ask where it was—she expected to see it as soon as she walked in the door on the day it was due, but the writer thought they had until 5 p.m. of the deadline day to send it.

Lesson for clients: If the time of day matters to you, communicate your specific preferences about when you expect to see finished work.

2. The CEO of an association in a heavily male-dominated industry told a graphic designer never to use lavender, lilac or other light shades of purple in suggested illustrations for the association magazine—but every issue included at least one sketch with such color elements. The CEO gave the designer several chances to follow this very specific direction before firing them.

Lesson for freelancers: Follow directions!
Lesson for publishers: Make your expectations clear, consider asking the provider why they have ignored those expectations and respond appropriately if problems continue.    

3. A freelancer sent an email message to let an association publisher know that they were running late on an assignment because sources weren’t responding to interview requests. Two days later, the email message bounced back as undeliverable. The freelancer didn’t know that the publisher had changed email addresses, and the publisher hadn’t gotten in touch to ask why the assignment hadn’t shown up yet.

Lesson for freelancers: Ask clients for backup contact information to use if you don’t get a prompt response to an urgent message.
Lesson for publishers: Give freelancers/contractors more than one way to reach you or at least new contact information as appropriate.

4. A consultant entered a newsletter they had worked on for a critique of its content and design. The critique was positive, but the client misinterpreted some of the comments and was—understandably—furious that (a) they weren’t asked if it was okay to submit their publication and (b) the assessment wasn’t all roses.

Lesson for freelancers: Never share a client’s project anywhere without permission, especially the “before” and edited versions, even if it could be anonymized to hide the publisher’s identity.

5. An association publisher asked a writer to compile a newsletter index. Instead of suggesting or handing off to a professional indexer, the writer tried to handle the request—and failed miserably, to their embarrassment and the publisher’s fury.

Lesson for freelancers: Don’t take on tasks you aren’t qualified for, or at least ask clients if it’s okay to use their out-of-scope request as a learning experience.
Lesson for publishers: Invest in trained, skilled service providers even if it costs more than assigning a task to someone else.

6. A publisher assigned an article and provided 15 sources for interviews. The first few that the freelance writer tried to reach weren’t available, resulting in a panicky, “I don’t think I can include everyone; are some more important than others?” The publisher responded with, “Oh, you don’t have to include all of them; I assumed not all would be available. Just use whichever five you can reach first.”

Lesson: Make expectations clear—provide plenty of sources but tell your freelancer how many should be featured, and which are essential. And try hard to make those sources diverse.

Have you had success or headaches in working with contractors? Send your anecdotes to Freelance Connection member Ruth E. Thaler-Carter at Ruth@writerruth.com for possible use in future AMPlify articles to help colleagues create better relationships with freelance service providers. All responses will be treated as confidential and neither publisher nor freelancer/contractor names will be used.

Freelance Connection member Matthew Cibellis contributed to this article.

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New Brands, Spurred by Juneteenth, Showcase Much Welcomed Content

by Media

With the Juneteenth federal holiday yesterday, many media brands acknowledged the occasion with new written and video content and statements. Twitter even added a new Hashtag emoji that they displayed on any Juneteenth related tag this year. Tony Silber takes a look at a couple of these new initiatives and the trends they might create.

I’ve written two items in a week about major media companies that rolled out initiatives related to the commemoration of Juneteenth, which was officially celebrated yesterday.

First, Hearst Magazines and Oprah Daily announced last Monday that it’s launching the latest iteration of its sponsored “Project Tell Me” series, called Future Rising, timed to coincide with Juneteenth. It is part of a storytelling initiative celebrating the impact of Black culture on American life.

The series began just over a week ago and includes interviews with “Abbott Elementary” star Sheryl Lee Ralph; Jessica Watkins, the first Black woman to live at the International Space Station; Mickey Guyton, who went down in history as the first Black woman to earn a Grammy nomination in a country category; and architect Nina Cooke John, whose new endeavor is the Harriet Tubman Monument in Newark, set to open to the public this summer.

“Big storytelling efforts around underrepresented communities can often center on activists and politics, which is important for telling the story of social change, but is only one slice of experiences, accomplishments and people,” Alison Overholt, Oprah Daily general manager, told MediaVillage. “What I love about Future Rising is that it involves 34 pieces across a dozen brands that span every genre imaginable.”

And Friday I posted a story about Dotdash Meredith’s Parents brand launching Kindred, a digital destination and community created for the parents and caregivers who are raising the next generation of Black children.

Both brand extensions are well timed and, most likely, harbingers of more niched content to come. The Hearst and Dotdash Meredith launches deal with contemporary issues and concerns relevant to their audiences. That’s completely appropriate. But in marking this day, it’s always good to reflect on how we as a country got to where we are. In particular, “Kindred” makes a point of referring to “free” Black children, which means for parents to reject all the many assumptions, impediments and biases that Black kids especially face as they grow up.

“Culturally, we parent differently, and we do family differently,” Kindred editorial director Kelly Glass said. “There’s so much nuance in the Black family experience that parenting publications don’t capture. Kindred is filling that gap. We’re also inviting the entire village of people into the fold because we know firsthand how important the aunties, the grandparents, and those key figures in Black families are to the lives of Black children.

“All of us who take seriously the responsibility to raise Black children with a radical sense of freedom and joy are going to find community here in the news, stories, and experiences we share on Kindred.”

Kindred by Parents has four original video series created by senior video producer Kareema B. Partin. Episodes are now available on parents.com, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

I could go on literally for hundreds of pages about the contributions of Black Americans to our country and culture, many of whose stories are never told. But for now, I’ll salute Hearst and Dotdash Meredith and all the other media brands making the effort to celebrate Juneteenth and publish new content in that realm.

 

BethGreenatAMPLIFY

‘Believe in What You’re Doing’; at Brief Media, Success and Social Good Go Hand in Hand

by Media

For her keynote talk this morning titled Mission Critical: Social Good as a Core Business Principle, Elizabeth Green (pictured), CEO and founder of niche publisher Brief Media—“our purpose is to care for veterinarians”—drew immediate positive vibes by quoting the great Jane Goodall.

“What you do makes a difference; you just have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

The happy occasion is AMPLIFY, AM&P Network’s Content & Marketing Summit—our much-welcomed and well-attended dive back into in-person events. (Yes!) Green has made making a difference a core principle of Brief Media, most specifically through a partnership with Mission Rabies, an organization working to eliminate human deaths from rabies throughout the world.

“We had an audience in the U.S. [and the means to] vocalize and educate our veterinarians.” Green said, recalling her initial reaction to a partnership. With a sponsor in hand, Brief Media has done six drives to places like Malawi and Goa—where rabies has been eliminated—over seven years (with a pause the last two) and vaccinated 65,000 dogs, saving countless lives.

She spoke of employee excitement and retention, and sustained revenue growth. “Ever since we’ve been involved in Mission Rabies, our bottom line has gone up,” she said. “I can’t say it’s tied to that, but we are seeing that growth within our organization.”

Data from a recent Axios/Harris poll found that public perception of companies is deeply impacted by how much those companies can promise a better future for society. According to the poll, companies with the most momentum included those brands putting those commitments front and center—like Brief Media.

Green offered six tips for organizations looking to follow this path.

Make it matter for you and your stakeholders. And do something that’s sustainable over a long time.

Be authentic. This is not a check box; it’s something you have a passion for, Green said, telling how she got involved with Mission Rabies. “It wasn’t a big strategic process; it was much more organic and serendipitous,” taking place at an overseas conference where she was told about the problem of rabies and that it could be solved. “I then saw someone wearing a shirt with the Mission Rabies logo on it. ‘I need to talk with you. How many people from the U.S. come on these?’ ‘No one.’ ‘I can help you.’”

Form partnerships. That discussion led to the partnership. “Partnering with a not-for-profit was among the best things we ever did,” Green said.

Look for sponsorships. “You can have a coalition of sponsorships around what you do,” Green said. She told about her initial sponsor, Merck Animal Health, which withdrew after initial doubts but then came back in strongly after seeing the impact.

Measure the impact. Take a step back from “we are making a difference” to look at the overall impact your commitment is having—on staff, company growth, retention, recruitment.

Tell the world. “It really made a difference in our profession and now for Mission Rabies, where the number of volunteers from the U.S.” increased greatly,” Green said. The more you can get volunteers to tell their stories—videos work well here—the better. “So it’s not just us saying how great this is.” Their next trip will be in January.

“We’re not seeing the Great Resignation at Brief Media,” Green said, adding they’ve been recognized many times for being one of the top small businesses to work for. “The younger generation is demanding [this type of action] in the workplace.”

It matters to customers as well. Almost 85% of millennials say it’s important that companies they buy from also align with their values, and 73% of 35-54 year olds and 60% of 55+ year olds agree—so it’s not just younger folks. In a Disqus survey, people said they pay for content to “support a publisher’s mission and success.”

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you,” Goodall said.

“Believe in what you’re doing,” Green said. “And find something that really matters. We could take the knowledge of our veterinarians and save lives in the human world.”

Media Library (46)

AM&P Network’s Association Council Announces 2022-23 Advisory Board

by MediaPress Release

For Immediate Release

 

WASHINGTON, DC (June 23, 2022): The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)’s Association, Media and Publishing Network (AM&P Network) has announced the 2022-23 leadership for the Network’s Associations Council. 

“We are the only community providing programming, networking, best practices and curated content for association publishers,” said Jen Smith, Association Council Director, “The past few years have been tough on all businesses, but especially for association publishing. We are coming out stronger than ever – with gratitude for the publishing superstars whose tremendous counsel and guidance supported our membership last year.”

“The Associations Council Advisory Board is made up of publishing professionals, sharing their time and talent to make us all better and to build this incredible network. We are thrilled to announce this year’s Council leaders and members,” said Smith.

Associations Council Advisory Board 2022-23

  • President: Stacy Brooks, American Physiological Society

  • Vice President: Marlene Hendrickson, American Staffing Association 

  • Secretary: Thad Plumley, National Ground Water Association

  • At Large Member: Al Rickard, Association Vision

  • Immediate Past President, Chris Okenka, Turnaround Management Association

In addition to the officers, the following will be serving as Board Members: Rob Anderson, American Health Law Association; Stefan Bradham, National Minority Supplier Development Council; Melissa Broadus, Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA); Lilia LaGesse, Heard Creative Co.; Elena Loveland, National Association of Corporate Directors; Damita Snow, American Society of Civil Engineers; Meghan Stromberg, American Planning Association; Alexis Redmond, Manufacturers Alliance; and Nicole Racadag, American College of Radiology.

To learn more about the benefits to joining the AM&P Network, including upcoming events, educational and other volunteer opportunities, please visit: https://www.siia.net/amp-network. 

About Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA)

SIIA is the only professional organization connecting more than 450 data, financial information, education technology, specialized content and publishing companies. Our diverse members provide the critical data, content, and information that drives the global economy, informs financial networks, connects learners and educators, and drives innovation. Learn more at siia.net.

About AM&P Network: 

SIIA’s Associations, Media & Publishing Network fosters collaboration, spurs innovative thinking and builds community uniting data and content providers, specialty publishers, event producers, trade association communicators and others across the information ecosystem. We focus on sharing best practices, promoting excellence and providing solutions in the areas of talent, technology, revenue and content strategies.

 

Media Library (45)

SIIA Statement on the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (H.R.8152)

by PolicyPress Release

This statement can be attributed to Jeff Joseph, President, Software & Information Industry Association regarding the markup of the newly introduced federal privacy bill, the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (H.R.8152).

We are encouraged by the accelerated bipartisan efforts to develop a federal framework for data privacy and appreciate that the legislation has been amended in the past two weeks to address several of our concerns, including:

  • Providing clarity for covered entities and service providers working with government entities;
  • Focusing the definition of biometric information to clarify the types of data that are most likely to raise privacy concerns;
  • Introducing the term “substantial privacy risk,” which we believe can provide a basis for focusing other aspects of the legislation;
  • Improving the provisions on algorithmic assessments to focus those requirements in ways that will better advance civil rights;
  • Including clear permissible purposes for data use by a covered entity guided by more reasonable data minimization principles; and
  • Loosening restrictions on targeted ads, by removing information about individual’s online activity from the definition of sensitive covered data.

Unfortunately, the bill is not yet ready for enactment. As the House proceeds through subcommittee and committee markup, there remain critical issues that it will need to address. Among these:

  • The legislation’s treatment of publicly available information remains unconstitutional;
  • The preemption section invites the anti-consumer, anti-innovation continuation of a patchwork of state laws;
  • The legislation continues to invite litigation abuse; and
  • The legislation defers to the Federal Trade Commission to provide by regulation foundational guidance on key issues that warrant clear legislative direction.

SIIA looks forward to engaging with the Congress as they work through this draft. We remain committed to working toward – and are hopeful we will soon achieve – balanced, comprehensive federal privacy legislation.