Adding a collaborator to a post after it's been published might seem tricky, but it's entirely possible, depending on your platform. This guide provides tangible steps for several popular platforms, ensuring you can easily share authorship and credit where it's due.
Understanding the "After the Fact" Collaboration
Collaborating after a post is live differs from initial collaboration. You're not co-creating from the start; instead, you're adding a collaborator to an existing piece of content. This often involves updating authorship, adding credit, or even making changes to the content itself based on the collaborator's input. It's crucial to properly credit the collaborator to avoid plagiarism concerns and build positive relationships.
Why Add a Collaborator After Publication?
There are several reasons why you might want to add a collaborator to a post after it's been published:
- Missed Credit: You might have initially overlooked a significant contribution.
- Subsequent Input: A collaborator may have provided valuable insights or edits after the post went live.
- Content Expansion: You might want to add a section or expand on a point with the help of an expert.
- Promotional Collaboration: A post could benefit from another person's audience through a collaborative effort after publication.
Platform-Specific Steps: Adding Collaborators After Publication
The process of adding a collaborator varies significantly between platforms. Here's a breakdown for some of the most popular options:
WordPress
Note: The exact steps for WordPress depend on the themes and plugins used. However, the general principles remain the same.
- Access the Post: Log in to your WordPress dashboard and locate the post you wish to add a collaborator to.
- Edit the Post: Click on the "Edit" button.
- Author Attribution: Many WordPress themes allow you to change the post author directly within the post editor. If this isn't an option, you'll need to explore your theme settings or relevant plugins. Consider adding a "Collaborator" section within the post content itself, clearly identifying the additional contributor.
- Update the Meta Description: Modify the meta description to include the collaborator's name. This might help increase the reach and visibility of the post.
- Internal Linking: If the collaborator has their own content on your website, link back to their posts to establish further connection and relevance.
Medium
Medium's collaborative features are primarily focused on co-creation during the writing process. Adding a collaborator after publication is more challenging. The best approach is to:
- Create a New Post: The most straightforward method is to create a new post acknowledging the collaboration and linking back to the original post.
- Use Comments: Include a comment on the original post, crediting the collaborator's contributions.
- Contact Medium Support: While not always guaranteed, contacting Medium support may yield options for updating authorship or credit.
Other Platforms
For other platforms like LinkedIn, Substack, or your own website, the approach will vary significantly. The key principle remains consistent: clearly identify the collaborator within the post content itself, and possibly in meta descriptions or metadata, where feasible.
Best Practices for Post-Publication Collaboration
Regardless of your platform, follow these best practices:
- Communicate with your collaborator: Get their permission and ensure they're comfortable with the added credit.
- Be transparent: Clearly state the collaborator's contributions within the post.
- Use consistent attribution: Use their name and potentially a link to their online presence.
- Maintain a professional record: Keep a record of all collaborations for future reference.
- Avoid misleading information: Do not overstate a collaborator's contributions.
By following these steps and best practices, you can effectively add collaborators to your posts after publication, ensuring proper credit and building strong professional relationships. Remember that the method you use will largely depend on your publishing platform and the nature of the collaboration.
