The Power of Collaboration when Co-Writing
Let's talk co-writing! We know working with someone else can be awesome, but keeping everything organized when you both have different approaches? That's where things can get a little…messy. (Cue scary flashback to group work in school)
I usually work alone, which means my favorite cloud document platform (Dropbox) and my file structure preferences. But lately, I've been working with my fellow NAPO-DFW colleague on the documents, and organization, of our shared Google Drive.
We both have our ideas about where things should go and what they should be named for easy understanding by everyone who accesses them. But with good communication and some compromise, we're figuring out a working plan.
If you're ready to write with a collaborator, be it for a blog post, an article, or a novel, let's talk about how to streamline the fun!
Ditch the Desktop and Head for the Cloud!
Now's the time for Google Drive, Dropbox, or whatever online platform works for you both. It's setting up a shared space for all your drafts, research, and more - a private virtual office. Plus, you can both edit files at the same time, which is super convenient!
Create File Names That Won't Make You Cry:
Always keep things simple. Think "Project_Date_WhatItIs_Version." So, something like "Blog_July10_Draft_v3." Easy, right? Keeping track of version numbers is as important as the actual file name. Nobody wants to waste time working on old documents.
But don't forget to make those file names something your collaborator can understand. The less time they spend searching for your latest and greatest, the more time they have to work. (I love naming conventions...seriously, ask me anything!)
Chat It Out, Give Feedback:
One of the great parts of online document collaboration is the communication feature! Don't be shy about using the comment boxes to leave clear, helpful feedback right where it's needed. And set up regular check-ins! Even a quick chat about where things are at can make a huge difference. You might be surprised at what can happen when you are live editing with your partner.
So, where do you start?
Pick a Cloud Home: Decide on a cloud platform and get your shared folder structure set up.
Name Those Files: Nail down a simple file-naming system - that makes sense to both of you - and stick to it.
Stay Connected: Figure out how you'll communicate and schedule those check-ins.
Let's make co-writing a breeze, not a headache. You've got this!
(Have we talked yet about getting your writing life organized? If not, now is the time to schedule a Discovery Call ).
Questions? Let me know! Otherwise, I’ll see you next time!
