How to make the most of your freelancers

A handful of editors share tips on building successful relationships with freelance writers

At some organizations, freelancers are like family.

“We have two excellent freelance writers who we’ve used for several years—we consider them part of our team,” says Laurie Meyer, corporate communications divisional vice president at Walgreen Co. “One of our writers has even ‘lived’ in our offices twice during employee maternity leaves. The other is excellent at taking complicated material and organizing it into interesting, understandable copy. We love them both.”

But “love” is not always the sentiment used in such company-contractor relationships—especially when those contractors are consultants.