Tips for Working with Outsourced Production Partners

September 22, 2021 Stan

It’s amazing! It’s wonderful! It’s storybook!

You’ve handed campaign elements to your production partner, and now you wait for the perfect draft to be returned so you can give final approval and launch.

But wait! What’s with all these questions? Why do members of the production team pester you for so many ridiculous details? Don’t you work with these people so you don’t have to deal with any of that?! And now the campaign activation is delayed.

And so the fairy-tale turns horror-show.

But wait! Both the protagonist and antagonist—yes, each considers the other the antagonist—can be heroes. Let’s look at a few tips for making sure your story has a happy ending.

Know the Characters

Many people may be involved in developing your campaigns before they are ready to be set up in your marketing automation platform. Consider the players and the internal processes to help you build more accurate timeline. Some questions to consider:

Who provides you with the campaign elements (e.g., copy, images, etc.) that will go to your production partner?
Is a third-party agency involved? Will third parties work directly with each other or through you?
Who are the stakeholders or approvers of the creative elements? Do you have any external approvers?
Do you have any internal resources who are notorious for missing deadlines? (You know the person I’m talking about.)

You likely have a service level agreement (SLA) in place, but the clock doesn’t start ticking until your production partner has everything needed to complete the project.

Write the Dialog

Communication is the key to any good relationship. This is equally true for building and maintaining a solid working relationship with your production partner.

At the start, define how you will share information, files, updates, edits, feedback, and any other campaign details; who will be included on the communications; who will have the final approval.

Many good workflow tools are available. Your partner will often be able use the one your organization already has, or they can add you to the one they use. Whatever you choose, be consistent.

Advance the Plot

Different types of campaigns require different elements. To move forward, make sure you and your partner know what is needed for each campaign.

For example, a webinar campaign may require three emails, a form, a landing page, and reports. The details for each of these items also need to be provided (e.g., copy, subject line, audience, images, page design, form fields). And don’t forget to provide any campaign tracking codes, target dates for launch, and the information and frequency you need for the reports.

Set up a checklist for each type of campaign such as nurture engagement, live event, webinar, newsletter, drip, or use an intake form to capture and communicate the details.

The End

You’ve handed campaign elements to your production partner, and now you wait for the perfect draft to be returned so you can give final approval and launch. On time.

Relationship One’s Production Services team is happy to help you write your next happily-ever-after story.

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