Columnist, Commentator Onboarding Checklist

Columnist, Commentator Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Columnist, Commentator starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Media onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Columnist, Commentator, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Columnist, Commentator onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Columnist, Commentator Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to the company: The new columnist/commentator should be given a comprehensive introduction to the company, including its history, mission, values, and organizational structure. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated onboarding specialist.

2. Familiarization with company policies and procedures: The new hire should be provided with an overview of the company’s policies and procedures, such as code of conduct, ethics, social media guidelines, and any other relevant guidelines. This task is usually performed by the HR department or a designated onboarding specialist.

3. Introduction to the editorial team: The new columnist/commentator should be introduced to the editorial team, including editors, writers, and other relevant staff members. This introduction helps establish relationships and fosters collaboration within the team. The task is typically performed by the immediate supervisor or a designated team member.

4. Review of the company’s editorial guidelines: The new hire should be provided with a detailed review of the company’s editorial guidelines, including writing style, tone, and any specific requirements for the columnist/commentator’s role. This task is usually performed by the editorial team or a designated editor.

5. Training on content management systems: If the company uses specific content management systems for publishing articles or commentaries, the new hire should receive training on how to use these systems effectively. This training is typically conducted by the IT department or a designated technical specialist.

6. Introduction to company resources: The new columnist/commentator should be familiarized with the various resources available within the company, such as research databases, archives, and other tools that can aid in their work. This task is usually performed by the editorial team or a designated resource coordinator.

7. Review of industry trends and current events: To stay relevant and informed, the new hire should be provided with a review of industry trends, current events, and any ongoing debates or discussions within the industry. This task is typically performed by the editorial team or a designated industry expert.

8. Shadowing experienced columnists/commentators: To gain practical insights and learn from experienced professionals, the new hire should have the opportunity to shadow and observe established columnists/commentators in action. This task is usually arranged by the immediate supervisor or a designated mentor.

9. Introduction to legal and ethical considerations: The new columnist/commentator should receive training on legal and ethical considerations specific to their role, such as defamation laws, plagiarism, and conflicts of interest. This training is typically conducted by the legal department or a designated legal expert.

10. Review of audience demographics and target readership: Understanding the target audience is crucial for effective communication. The new hire should be provided with a review of the company’s audience demographics, target readership, and any specific preferences or interests of the audience. This task is typically performed by the marketing or audience development team.

11. Collaboration with other departments: The new columnist/commentator should be encouraged to collaborate with other departments within the company, such as marketing, social media, or video production, to enhance their content and reach a wider audience. This collaboration can be facilitated by the immediate supervisor or a designated cross-functional team.

12. Performance expectations and goal setting: The new hire should have a clear understanding of the company’s performance expectations and be involved in setting their own goals and objectives. This task is typically performed by the immediate supervisor or a designated performance manager.

13. Ongoing feedback and performance reviews: Regular feedback and performance reviews are essential for growth and improvement. The new columnist/commentator should be informed about the company’s feedback and review processes, including the frequency and format of these evaluations. This task is typically performed by the immediate supervisor or a designated performance manager.

14. Introduction to company culture and events: To foster a sense of belonging and engagement, the new hire should be introduced to the company’s culture, values, and any upcoming events or activities. This task is usually performed by the HR department or a designated culture ambassador.

15. Networking opportunities: The new columnist/commentator should be provided with networking opportunities, such as industry conferences, seminars, or internal events, to connect with peers, industry experts, and potential sources. This task can be facilitated by the HR department or a designated networking coordinator.

16. Continuous learning and professional development: To stay updated and enhance their skills, the new hire should be informed about the company’s support for continuous learning and professional development, such as training programs, workshops, or subscriptions to relevant publications. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated learning and development specialist.

17. Introduction to company communication channels: The new columnist/commentator should be familiarized with the company’s communication channels, such as email, internal messaging platforms, and any other tools used for internal communication. This task is usually performed by the IT department or a designated communication coordinator.

18. Introduction to company branding and style guidelines: The new hire should receive an overview of the company’s branding and style guidelines, including logo usage, color schemes, and any specific requirements for their role. This task is typically performed by the marketing or branding team.

19. Introduction to company social media policies: If the columnist/commentator is expected to engage on social media platforms, they should be provided with an overview of the company’s social media policies, including guidelines for professional conduct and representing the company online. This task is usually performed by the marketing or social media team.

20. Introduction to company benefits and perks: The new hire should be informed about the company’s benefits and perks, such as health insurance, retirement plans, vacation policies, and any other employee benefits. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated benefits coordinator

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Columnist, Commentator checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Columnist, Commentator up to speed and working well in your Media team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.