Recruiting the Right Talent: Emily Krivograd, Associate Editor at Business Insider, oversees a global network of over 200 freelance writers specializing in lifestyle and entertainment topics. When recruiting new writers, Krivograd seeks individuals with niche expertise. “For example, we have a Costco employee who writes about the best things to buy in the store right now, and a contributor living in Italy sharing local insights,” she explains. Social media platforms like Twitter (now X) and TikTok play a significant role in finding fresh talent, with Krivograd regularly discovering writers through their content.

Streamlining Assignments and Communication: Clear communication is essential for successful collaboration. Krivograd outlines her process: “I use email to explain roles, provide examples of published work, and share details about submission through Google Drive and invoicing via our ops team.” She uses an email template to standardize communication, which helps freelancers understand expectations upfront. “Sometimes I might hop on the phone with them, especially as more bots are responding to pitches,” she adds, emphasizing the importance of personal interaction when necessary.

Ensuring Accuracy and Style: Fact-checking is a critical part of Krivograd’s editing workflow. “If someone writes about a hotel stay, I verify details on the hotel’s website and require booking confirmations or receipts,” she says. Her team does not have separate fact-checkers; instead, editors like Krivograd handle the verification process themselves. Balancing a writer’s unique voice with maintaining Business Insider’s conversational, lighthearted style is another priority. “For creative pieces like Grocery Diaries, there’s more flexibility. For structured lists, like Aubrey Plaza’s best performances, we follow a set template,” she adds.

Advice for Aspiring Writers: Krivograd emphasizes pitching strategically to stand out. “Make sure you’re contacting the right editor and keep your pitch concise. A two-paragraph email with a clear topic and headline format is ideal,” she advises. She suggests researching an editor’s beat by looking at their Twitter profile or previous work on the site. Including “PITCH” in the subject line, written in all caps, ensures submissions catch attention. “Sometimes I get pitches that are five paragraphs long, and to be honest, I don’t read all of those,” she notes.

From recruitment to editing, Krivograd’s meticulous process reflects her commitment to quality and collaboration. Her approach ensures that Business Insider consistently publishes engaging and accurate content, while also fostering strong relationships with its global network of freelancers.