When you outsource content to a content provider, you give up certain control over your content. In order to make the process successful and ensure it is going the right way, you need to establish effective communication with your content providers so that they can produce content that aligns with the brand’s messaging and goals. What are the key steps you should follow to improve the communication process between you and your content provider?
We already discussed the significance of creating a comprehensive content brief and outlined how you can write it effectively. When starting your work with a content provider, make sure to give them a detailed guide that includes your style, voice, and formatting requirements. That way, your provider will be able to produce content that is consistent with your brand and matches your needs. Also, inform your content creator about the project’s goals, target audience, and key messages, as well as clearly define the marketing goals and tactics, to ensure that the final content result is consistent with your overall marketing strategy.
While it is essential to provide guidelines on your project, it is also important to give creative liberty to the content creator so that they can produce content that resonates with your target audience and helps achieve the marketing goals. Additionally, providing enough time for the content creator to create quality content is important, so set realistic deadlines if you want to receive high-quality content that matches your requirements and professionalism.
First of all, agree on communication channels and the frequency of keeping in touch throughout the whole project to keep track of your content production process. Along with this, clearly define the roles and responsibilities for both: content provider and yourself. That way you can avoid misunderstandings and unfulfilled expectations.
Staying in control of meeting your brand’s goals is important, especially when you outsource content to a third party. We recommend you to organize a content calendar where you can outline the deadlines and determine the approval process of the content produced.
Before you begin your collaboration, make sure you and your outsourcing partner have agreed on a budget and rates for their services so that you both have the same expectations.
By following these keys, you can establish effective communication with content providers and as the result, start receiving content that resonates with the target audience and meets marketing goals.
Sharing feedback and listening to feedback is crucial when working with a content provider as it contributes to getting the effective results in the end.
When establishing a communication process, you will definitely need some tools. We want to share some useful communication tools as well as general suggestions regarding the tools and channels that you interact with every day.
You should be aware of the challenges that you may face when setting up a communication process with the content provider so that you can prevent them before they arise.
If your content provider is located in a different time zone, it can be difficult to find a time that works for both parties to discuss project details or resolve issues. Additionally, if you need to make urgent requests or changes outside of their working hours, there may be delays in getting a response.
Communication styles and expectations can vary greatly across cultures, and this can create misunderstandings or misinterpretations. For example, some cultures may value direct and assertive communication, while others may place more importance on politeness and diplomacy. It’s important to be aware of these differences and address your communication style accordingly.
Even if your content provider has good command and understanding of your language, there may still be nuances or idioms that they are not familiar with. That’s why you should try to be patient and clarify any misunderstandings that may arise.
Finally, it’s important to make sure that both you and your content provider have a clear understanding of each other’s expectations to avoid misunderstandings and delays in the project. Clearly state your expectations, including deadlines, quality standards, and project scope.
Although establishing a communication process may seem difficult, it is a critical aspect of your future collaboration with a content provider. We recommend that you invest significant time and effort in developing a proper communication process with your outsourcing partner in order to receive content that meets your quality expectations and pays off in the end.