You’ve seen the candiates, made an offer and the contract is signed. Job done? Not quite. For publishers, the first 90 days are where a new hire decides whether they’ve made the right choice, and where the best employers quietly win on retention.
Start before day one
In publishing, notice periods can be long, and the gap between accepting an offer and starting is a risky one. Therefore we advise to keep your new starter warm. Send a welcome note, tell them who they’ll be working with and share a simple plan for their first week. It reassures them they’ve made the right move, and it keeps you front of mind if their current employer comes back with a counter offer.
Make week one structured, not overwhelming
Nothing says “we weren’t ready” like waiting days for a laptop or CMS access. Have logins, systems and equipment sorted before they arrive.
Then think about introductions. Publishing roles rarely sit in a silo. A new commissioning editor needs to meet production, marketing and sales early on. A new digital producer needs to understand how editorial workflows really run. Planned introductions save weeks of awkward guesswork, and a named buddy gives them someone to ask the small questions.
Set expectations early
A simple 30-60-90 day plan makes a big difference. Spell out what you’d like them to learn, what you’d like them to deliver and how you’ll measure success. Give them a small, achievable project early on. An early win builds confidence on both sides.
Check in, and really listen
Regular one-to-ones matter, but so does the 30-day conversation. Ask what’s working, what’s confusing and what they wish they’d known sooner. Small frustrations are easy to fix in week four and much harder to fix in month six.
Don’t stop at week two
Induction may end after a fortnight, but onboarding doesn’t. The best publishers treat the first three months as one continuous welcome, with the manager staying involved throughout. The CIPD’s employee induction guide is a useful starting point for building your own framework.
The takeaway
Hiring the right person is only half the job. Helping them settle, understand their role and feel part of the team is what turns a good hire into a long-term one.
Hiring in editorial, production, digital or scientific publishing? Our team at Redwood Publishing Recruitment would love to help. Get in touch for a conversation.