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How to write a useful placement brief

Give a publisher search a clear starting point with a target page, audience, topic and scope.

Name the page and its purpose

Include the exact destination URL and a short explanation of what the resource offers. “A practical onboarding checklist for small software teams” is more useful than “our best page.” Check that the destination works and that its content matches the description before sharing the brief.

Describe the intended reader

State the role, problem and level of knowledge you want the content to serve. A founder evaluating a tool has different needs from a developer implementing it. Mention relevant topics and any exclusions so a proposed publisher can be assessed against something more specific than a broad industry label.

Separate preferences from requirements

Identify the preferred format, candidate domains and editorial context. Mark each as required or flexible. If you are open to either an insertion or a new article, say so. A shortlist expresses interest; it does not establish that the publisher is available or accepts your proposed topic.

Define the work you need

Explain whether you have a draft, need original writing or want help identifying an existing article. Include any factual review requirements and your realistic review availability. If you supply a budget, state the currency and whether it covers content production, placement or both. Do not include passwords, customer records or confidential supplier information.

Finish with confirmation questions

Ask which publisher and page or topic are proposed, what approval rights you have, how commercial links are disclosed, what the full quote includes and what delivery evidence will be provided. Keep these answers with the eventual proposal. The WooRanked brief builder can download a local file. Online inquiry delivery, when available, is a separate action and neither option accepts an order or payment.

Apply this guidance to your next opportunity.

Prepare your brief

Brief template

Turn a broad request into specific requirements.

Use five short statements

Describe the public target page, the reader problem, the preferred topics, the work you need and any practical constraints. For example: a guide for small software teams; an onboarding handoff problem; customer-success publications; help with topic development; and a budget range with currency. This is an illustrative structure, not a proposed price or campaign.

Check before sharing

Read the brief as though you had never seen the project. Remove unexplained shorthand, verify the URL and separate required conditions from preferences. Confirm that you have not included credentials or confidential information. Keep any candidate list labeled as a preference until availability is checked.

How detailed should the first brief be?

Detailed enough to explain fit and scope, but not a finished article unless the writing requirements have already been agreed.