Post by account_disabled on Jan 22, 2024 5:48:14 GMT
I worked as a freelancer for many years, usually I had several clients at once, that is, many different tasks with different deadlines. All projects had to be delivered on time, and if it didn't work out on time, at least it should be done so that both parties were satisfied. At that time, I came up with several life hacks that help me control deadlines and not go crazy. I also needed them during the work of the editor-in-chief, when it was necessary to release a lot of different content on time. From the editorial office. Proven tips and the most interesting cases - collected for you in one place! Subscribe to our Telegram channel and receive a new dose of knowledge and advice every week! Break tasks into stages Almost any content task can be broken down into stages. This is usually done to simplify coordination in large projects: the client can immediately say what he does not like, without having to redo the entire work. But it is also useful for calculating terms, and it works even for a single text.
The simplest example: if we are writing a long-read with a C Level Executive List company expert, we need to prepare for the interview and formulate questions, conduct the interview, give the recording for transcription, make the text, agree the text with the expert, show it to the editor, make illustrations, draft, etc. At any stage, something can happen that will shift the deadline, for example: the expert got sick or the decipherer disappeared. If you try to estimate the term for the entire work, the probability of error is higher. It is easier to divide into stages, at least for yourself, and then estimate the terms for each. How to control deadlines Make the process transparent for the client It is better when the client also understands what the work consists of and what he needs to do on his part to get the result on time. In working on one text, you can outline important stages and determine the term of each. For example, to write to the client that he needs information about the project by such a date, then there will be a text plan on such a date, and then it takes another 5 days to write the material. If he wants the text to come out on time, then he has 8 days left for approval.
When the project is larger, it is better to use visual tools, for example, tables with terms for each direction. I had this when I was working on a couple of dozens of articles on the project, for the deadlines of which I was responsible. The table contained the stages of work on each text and additional data: who from the company ordered the article, on which site we will publish it, who is writing it. I showed it on the report calls, besides, all interested persons could see what was happening with their text. Keep the client informed If the deadline is shifted, it should be said as early as possible, explaining the reason. The same should be done if nothing works and you decide to abandon the project. The more time left before the specified deadline, the better. The most unpleasant thing for a client in such a situation is when you reached the deadline, and then suddenly announced that there will be no result.
The simplest example: if we are writing a long-read with a C Level Executive List company expert, we need to prepare for the interview and formulate questions, conduct the interview, give the recording for transcription, make the text, agree the text with the expert, show it to the editor, make illustrations, draft, etc. At any stage, something can happen that will shift the deadline, for example: the expert got sick or the decipherer disappeared. If you try to estimate the term for the entire work, the probability of error is higher. It is easier to divide into stages, at least for yourself, and then estimate the terms for each. How to control deadlines Make the process transparent for the client It is better when the client also understands what the work consists of and what he needs to do on his part to get the result on time. In working on one text, you can outline important stages and determine the term of each. For example, to write to the client that he needs information about the project by such a date, then there will be a text plan on such a date, and then it takes another 5 days to write the material. If he wants the text to come out on time, then he has 8 days left for approval.
When the project is larger, it is better to use visual tools, for example, tables with terms for each direction. I had this when I was working on a couple of dozens of articles on the project, for the deadlines of which I was responsible. The table contained the stages of work on each text and additional data: who from the company ordered the article, on which site we will publish it, who is writing it. I showed it on the report calls, besides, all interested persons could see what was happening with their text. Keep the client informed If the deadline is shifted, it should be said as early as possible, explaining the reason. The same should be done if nothing works and you decide to abandon the project. The more time left before the specified deadline, the better. The most unpleasant thing for a client in such a situation is when you reached the deadline, and then suddenly announced that there will be no result.