Freelancer Brief Template

Provide a concise brand overview: who you are, who you serve, your value proposition, and your competitive positioning. Update this for each freelancer but keep it reusable. Include links to your style guide and 2-3 example posts that demonstrate the target quality.

Specify: topic, target keyword, secondary keywords, word count, content type, and deadline. Include the specific angle or thesis — don't leave the direction to the freelancer. The more specific the brief, the fewer revision rounds needed.

Tell the freelancer exactly who they're writing for: job title, experience level, and what problem they're trying to solve. Include the search intent behind the target keyword. Context about the reader prevents generic, unfocused content.

Provide a detailed outline with H2s and key points per section. Don't make the freelancer guess your structure — specify it. Include which points are mandatory and which are flexible. This is the single most important section for quality control.

List specific requirements: keyword placement rules, internal links to include, meta title and description formats, image requirements, and FAQ section expectations. Make these a checklist the freelancer submits alongside the draft.

Define: where to submit (Google Doc, CMS), how revisions work (one round included, additional rounds at hourly rate), timeline for feedback, and acceptance criteria. Clear process expectations prevent scope creep and frustration.