A couple of years ago, I started working with a team of writers. I had good and bad experiences with that team, and the team continued to grow. Then I realised something. It wasn’t working for me. Here’s why.
I was spending more time chasing other writers for work than doing my own writing.
I was spending a lot of time checking work submitted by people who had mislaid the writing brief.
I spent some time redoing work that was not submitted on time or had been plagiarized.
Don’t get me wrong. I also met and worked with some talented and reliable writers and I’m still in touch with them today, but I reached the conclusion that managing a large team of people wasn’t for me.
Instead, it’s better for me to work with a smaller group whom I can get to know. That gives me more time to spend on helping them to develop and much less stress. Three of the writers in my original team now have successful freelancing careers. A couple more people have other priorities, such as full time jobs. Then there are a few who have turned in shoddy work and whom I won’t be contacting again.
That leaves a core of about five writers whom I work with regularly, and five more whom I call upon for jobs they are specially qualified for.
I work better with a small team. How about you?
Article by Sharon Hurley Hall
Sharon Hurley Hall has been mentoring writers here at Get Paid To Write Online since 2005 to help them improve and build sustainable and successful writing careers. Check me out on sharonhh.com. Feel free to connect with me online on Google+.
Sharon has written 659 awesome articles for us at Get Paid to Write Online
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We’ve done both, large and small, and our numbers fluctuate all the time. Essentially, it boils down to taking the time to choose the right people to work with.
Headhunting is the way to go – you observe, get a feel for the person, see what they can do, their level of maturity and responsibility, their abilities… then you select. It usually forms a nice, tight team of solid people to work with.
Sharon,
I am still new to freelancing full time (it’s been about a year). Business seemed to boom overnight at one point and I decided to start outsourcing work while I concentrating on other projects. I took the time to ask for samples before assigning work to a couple a writers and was so disappointed. I had one writer literally begging me for an opportunity to do some work only to have her never complete the assigned project. Another writer turned in work that was so poorly written I had to go back and rewrite her part of the project. I did eventually find two reliable writers who have done a great job and are so professional in their work ethic.
I am a perfectionist in a lot of ways. I break my back to keep my word, especially to my clients. They are my bread and butter. I know that the work I produce for them represents who I am – especially since most of my work is virtual and we may never actually meet.
I am greatful that I have a couple of writers I can count on when things get crazy, but like you I’m not sure I like having to micro-manage a group of writers. I expect the writers I contract for projects to be able to manage themselves as professionals – that means producing quality, error-free work and sticking to negotiated deadlines. Okay, I’ll step off my soap box now…
Kimberly’s last blog post..Does Your Business Work When You Don’t?
Sharon,
I spent many years owning a business with up to 18 employees. When I sold that company, I was ready to quit supervising people. In twelve years as a freelancer, I’ve worked with other writers only a handful of times … and those experiences reinforced my decision to keep working alone. I guess I’m not a good team player.
Twitter: danaprince
July 1, 2008 at 10:55
Hi Sharon,
I agree with you. After following in your footsteps with managing a team I got to about 11 people and it got so nuts that I was never writing anymore and was getting tired of managing a team. I’m back to a smaller team of people and it’s working much better, especially now in the summer months when things are a bit slower. My team isn’t as well rounded at the moment as I like so I’m doing more of the writing myself that I’d typically pass on but during slower times, that works better for the team anyway. I hope everything worked out ok with the kerfuffle you had on the weekend!
Dana
Dana Prince’s last blog post..Happy Canada Day
I don’t really run a team. I just do my SEO/SEM stuff and outsource or send people to other writers. I had a hard time managing teams at http://www.inspiredauthor.com and am not looking forward to starting them up in the fall.
gracepub’s last blog post..Can Television Make the Transition to the Internet?
Twitter: LoriWidmer
July 1, 2008 at 12:16
Excellent post, Sharon. There are some writers whom I’d leave the keys to the kingdom with. Then there are others whom I’d hire security to check up on. You know from experience which writers are to be trusted and to what degree. Sadly, it’s only experience that teaches you about the others. Oy. No easy way, is there?
Lori’s last blog post..Seven Truths of Freelancing
I feel bad for people who have teams because I know how unexpected things can be! I mean, I do my best to meet deadlines and be reliable but there are STILL things that come up. However, I usually realize it a few days before the deadline and work with the client to get it extended, but still…
At this point in my life, I would not have a team of my own!
katherine’s last blog post..Why I Love Working from Home
Twitter: shurleyhall
July 2, 2008 at 08:45
It’s good that you’ve worked that out, Katherine. It’s always sensible to work out what you can cope with so you don’t become overburdened.
There are freelance writers and there are managing editors. Sometimes one person can wear both hats in comfort and with grace… but I am not one of them, given a choice! Still, a small hand-picked cadre is definitely the way to go. And I suspect that you’d be a very effective team leader, Sharon: your blogging tone and whole approach to your own freelancing career tells the story.
rjleaman’s last blog post..Father Hugo’s Yellow Rose
Twitter: shurleyhall
July 3, 2008 at 16:04
Thanks, Jen. I’ve led small editorial teams before reasonably effectively, though my first love is writing. Keeping the team small lets me have the best of both worlds.
Twitter: shurleyhall
July 1, 2008 at 14:31
@ James: I think you’re right, James, and sometimes you don’t know till you have given someone a try. I’ve been lucky and have only had a few missteps. Luckily, I caught onto those early. The people I work with regularly are a great bunch and are totally reliable.
@ Kimberley: I think the trouble is that when you’re busy yourself (which is usually the reason you outsource) you don’t have time to manage others the way they need to be managed. When I started the team I started small and could provide more attention for the writers when they needed my input. Once the team got larger, that was more difficult and more time-consuming, until it wasn’t practical any more.
@Lilllie: It’s always good to find out these things early.
I like working with others, but it needs to be manageable.
@ Dana: Yes, it all worked out, thanks, and the client wasn’t too upset. I know you and I have had many discussions about working with teams. I guess the trick is to find a way that works for you. Some people thrive on working with large groups, but I’m definitely a small group girl.
@ gracepub: It’s not as easy as it looks, is it?
@ Lori: I love the way you put that. I’ve worked with the odd writer who need to be escorted from the building, but many of them are reliable and have helped me out in a pinch. It’s been a learning experience, that’s for sure.
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