This month’s issue covers what you should look for when hiring a freelancer and AP updates related to recent geographical name changes.

What to Expect When Working With a Freelancer

Your choice to work with a freelancer might be because of time constraints, a burgeoning workload, or staffing issues. Regardless of the reason, your goal is to fill a need. And I’m guessing you’d like the process to be as easy as possible for you.

Here’s some good news: It should be!

You’re paying a freelancer—whether writer, editor or proofreader—to provide a service. It doesn’t need to be difficult or unpleasant.

Rather, it should be a collaboration where you each appreciate what the other person brings to the table. When this takes place, the client-freelancer relationship can become a solution that makes your life easier, takes some of the load off of your shoulders, and—best of all—makes you look good.

When you choose to work with a freelancer, you should expect that they will:

• Talk with you about clearly defined project parameters before beginning a project
• Take your direction and guidance and follow through on it
• Be open to making requested revisions
• Use their background to bring up ideas, suggestions or questions that will help solve your problem
• Value the work you and your organization do
• Turn assignments in on time, and/or give advance notice and explanation if a project is in jeopardy of being late
• Adhere to your organization’s preferred or in-house style guide

When the freelancer you choose checks all those boxes, you should be in a place where you can breathe a sigh of relief. In fact, maybe that should be the first question you ask them: “Are you going to make me breathe a sigh of relief?”

The resounding answer should be “Yes!”

Check It Out: Updates from AP

With recent geographical name changes in the U.S., AP has weighed in: It's Gulf of Mexico and Mount McKinley when you're following AP style. Learn more here.​

Something You Might Not Know About Me... I enjoy convenience store hot chocolate. Very much.

What's Been On My Plate Last year my husband and I spent an afternoon taking a lesson in how to curl. This year I got to write about the club where we learned. So fun! ​ Here's the story: Grassroots effort brings the sport of curling to the Queen City​

What’s up? I'd love to hear from you! Some things you might want to share: When is the last time you breathed a sigh of relief?​ What type of hot chocolate is your favorite?​ Have you ever curled?​ Reply to this email or comment here. Thanks for reading! Kate Harold Writer | Editor | Proofreader Kate Harold Freelance Writing LLC February 19, 2025 | Issue 5

Find me on LinkedIn. If that's your thing.

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