Perhaps you prefer a collaborative approach to copywriting or are considering new ways to elevate your creativity. Whatever the circumstance, Google Docs is an excellent option for achieving effective collaborative copywriting with no extra cost. 

In this article, we'll consider the importance of Google Docs regarding copywriting and collaboration, providing solutions for more reliable ways to share ideas and receive feedback from your clients. 

What is Collaborative Copywriting? 

The role of a copywriter requires you to be adaptive, as you'll often deal with subjects you may not know much about. Whilst a dedicated, open-minded approach blended with advanced research will result in a good-quality article, collaborative copywriting allows you to join forces with other writers who may already have the required knowledge, filling in the gaps and saving you time.

However, collaborative copywriting isn't limited to just the above way; you probably already do some level of collaborative copywriting without thinking about it. For example, do you ever discuss content with your client, considering the best ways to bring their brief to life or by asking for feedback and areas for improvement?

If you answered yes, then you're doing collaborative copywriting. Collaboration doesn't only have to be between writers, and having a consistent stream of communication between your client helps to ensure you're meeting their needs whilst also providing solutions to any issues with their desired content.

The only issue with collaborating with clients is that it can be challenging to do so, handing back drafts with separate notes that take time to locate within the main body or other time-consuming methods of communication that take time away from writing.

That's where Google Docs comes in. 

How Google Docs Can Make Collaborative Copywriting Easier Than Ever

If you don't already use Google Docs for your writing, we recommend giving it a go. With Google Docs, you can write hundreds of articles without needing extra computer storage, providing a cost-effective and easy way to keep track of projects and write on the go.

You can write independently in Google Docs as you would with any other writing medium, with the platform automatically saving your work to prevent your progress from getting lost. Additionally, you can use Google Docs for collaborative copywriting in several ways. Let's take a look;

Leave Feedback 

Receiving feedback is vital to being a copywriter and is fundamental to building a good rapport with your clients. Whether feedback is positive or negative, both kinds can help you reach a brief more accurately while improving your writing and awareness.

Google Docs is great for feedback, as anyone with a Google account can be granted edit access to your document, enabling your clients to leave comments within the document. When leaving comments, the specific part of the text the client refers to is highlighted, ensuring you understand your client's comment and know which part of your text needs editing. 

You can mark comments as resolved or respond to the comment if you need further clarification. Overall, this streamlines client communication, preventing you from needing to continuously reach out to the client, as all comments will be kept in the same place. 

Leave Suggestions

If you work in a team of copywriters and read someone else's content and notice a section that could be improved or adjusted, Google Docs allows you to make this suggestion without editing the text. In suggestion mode, you'll cross out the section you think should be changed, adding the new text. 

This way, the writer can see their version alongside your suggestion and weigh up which they feel is most appropriate. Suggestions are a great way to build a collaborative, team-building approach. 

Efficient Sharing and Storing

Instead of manually downloading your documents and attaching them to emails, Google Docs allow you to share your articles with a link. You can change who has access to your link within share settings, with access set to 'anyone with link' being the most practical for sharing with clients, as the whole company can view and add comments if necessary. 

Not needing to download files means your laptop won't burst with files, therefore having more free storage. You won't need to keep saving new documents for different drafts, saving you time and space. 

Add-ons

Using add-ons can be helpful to ensure your client sees you’re actively taking their feedback onboard and following their style guide and brief. Google Docs allow you to add the likes of Clearscope to your document, in which your client can select filters such as keywords and their desired readability score.

As you write your article, the Clearscope score will rise as you use the requested keywords. Once your piece is finished, you'll have a readability score that should align with your target audience and client requests.

When you send your Google Doc to the client, they can check Clearscope and see that you've optimised their content. 

Edit History

Perhaps you write an almost perfect article, and your client changes one title or a small phrase themselves. With Google Docs, you'll be able to see the edit history within your article, ensuring you can have better visibility for any minor slip-ups your client adjusts so you can prevent them in future or ask about them. 

Final Thoughts

Collaborative copywriting is incredibly beneficial, whether collaborating with fellow writers or taking a more hands-on approach with your clients. Google Docs provides an efficient method that makes collaborating more straightforward than ever, ensuring you have maximum visibility for free without taking up your computer storage. 

FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions regarding collaborative copywriting and Google Docs;

Can Two People Simultaneously Edit in Google Docs?

Google Docs can be opened in up to 100 tabs for editing. Of course, this will cause lagging, and the document will run slowly. However, with only two editors simultaneously working on the document, Google Docs runs smoothly and allows quick, efficient editing.

How Do You Make a Google Doc Editable with Multiple Users?

You can make your Google Doc editable to multiple users by changing edit access to everyone and ensuring your document has access set to 'anyone with the link' to grant every person you send the link viewing and editing access to the document.  

How does Collaboration Work on Google Docs?

On Google Docs, you can collaborate with whoever you send your document to by adjusting edit and share access. From here, your collaborators can add comments, edit your work or add suggestions for any parts of your content they need clarification on.