So, you decide to hire a copywriter. But how? Where do you start?
Here is a 7-step guide on how to hire a copywriter to help you get it right and find the best copywriter for your needs.
Your customers’ appetites for information, answers and entertainment is absolutely insatiable and you have to meet this demand if you want to be anywhere on their radar when they’re looking for relevant solutions that your business can fulfil.
It’s about being in the right place, at the right time, with the right value to offer them.
- Emails
- Blogs and articles
- Website pages
- Social media posts
- Presentations
- Video scripts
- Webinar content
- Sales pages
- Forms
- Collateral
- and the list goes on.
It’s no surprise businesses search for copywriters! But…
Hiring a freelance copywriter can be a huge asset to your business (and you) by providing you with a lot of benefits (which you can read here), but to obtain those advantages, you need to choose your copywriter wisely.
So, here is a 7-step how-to guide to select the right copywriter.
Step 1: Decide if you need a copywriter in the first place
Now, thankfully – I have a marketing background, so I can actually fill that gap by providing guidance, direction and support here; even if it’s as simple as putting a business on the right track for them to develop a content marketing plan, or as involved as devising a complete one from scratch.
My point is, you can’t hire a regular copywriter unless you have a strategy first. This means mapping out who your customer is, what needs they have, how your product addresses this, and most importantly, what’s your plan of attack.
If you hire a copywriter and say to them, “ok, what do we do?”, chances are you’re going to get a blank face. Just like if you were to hire a software developer and ask them “what software do we need?”
Take the time to pull your strategy together so you have your goals and tactics in mind that the copywriter can then help you implement by writing, say, the marketing collateral for the sales team, and those EDMs to reach your database.
Step 2: Know where to look for a copywriter
So, what do you do?
There are many places to find a copywriter, but I believe word-of-mouth is the best way. This is because your colleagues have already worked with the writer and have had a great experience, to then be able to vouch for them. People are generally happy to connect great people with each other if you simply ask around – and today with social media, everyone knows everyone.
The majority of my copywriting work comes from my current clients referring me to other businesses – and that speaks volumes.
My suggestion is that you meet with your copywriter in person if possible. There’s just something about speaking face-to-face despite the digital world, because you can get a real sense for a person when you’re talking to them at a café.
Step 3: Screen your copywriter
- Can I see some samples of your work?
- Can you put me in touch with your previous clients?
- What experience do you have in my industry?
- What can you offer me?
- Why should I hire you?
- What are your thoughts about my business?
- What do you think about my project?
Also, do the usual checks of seeing how prepared they came to your meeting, what information and background they provided about themselves, what their website is like and so on.
Once you’re happy, it’s time to discuss the project in a bit more depth.
Step 4: Provide a detailed brief
A quality copywriter will actually provide you with a brief template that helps guide you.
I do this for every client as I understand that you’re working within your business and you probably take your level of knowledge for granted! You’ve probably never had to think about explaining who your customer is or how they act because you know it all back to front.
My brief asks the questions I need to know to write copy that works well.
Step 5: Did they ask lots of questions?
They should always ask you for more detail about your project because if they don’t, chances are what you’re getting back is not going to be what you hoped.
I always ask a tonne of questions during a brief – not because “it’s the thing to do”, but because both your time and mine is precious and so a few minutes of questions will save both of us a lot of time in rewrites later. We BOTH want this.
Step 6: Did they seem excited?
I come across some super exciting brands and copywriting projects all of the time and this drives me to produce phenomenal copy that my clients really love. Now, granted, I’m an eccentric passionate person normally, but if I’m really pumped about a project, you’ll know it and that should help you decide.
Step 7: Get them to quote and negotiate terms
This is impossible to answer. Every copywriter’s fees and price card will be very different and there is really no right or wrong here.
Some copywriters charge $50 for a project, and others charge thousands.
So, my best tip here is, set your budget and your expectations, and then get them to quote off your brief. Hopefully, these two align nicely.
If not, ask yourself:
- Do they offer you a range of prices?
- Do their prices seem to match their experience level? (Remember that quoting too low can be as much of a worry as too high!)
- Did they suddenly offer you a massive discount? (this can be a red flag)
- Are they collaborating with you as you discuss the project, or are they wanting it only their way?
- Do they respond well and quickly to your comments, questions, and suggestions?
See if you’re able to negotiate, but remember – a lot of the time, you get what you pay for.
I know that my prices are cost-effective for what I’m delivering, yet they’re still at a premium (but not ridiculously expensive). I find this a nice compromise and my client’s sense that I’ve read the situation well and priced it accordingly.
I personally would avoid copywriters who charge per word or per hour – why? Because it becomes quantity over quality. You never want that.
Pricing per project competition with a round of changes means that they’re working hard to deliver quality work at the agreed rate, and it’s not going to go on and on forever. I do this and it means that my clients are confident I will deliver what was briefed and there are no costly surprises or sub-par deliveries.
To summarise
If you follow my 7-step guide on how to hire a copywriter, you’ll do just fine.
How Can Melotti Media Copywriting Help You?
For more information or to speak to a quality copywriter to get the results your business deserves, contact me now at chris@melottimedia.com.au.
I can sharpen your words to achieve your goals, today!
Christopher Melotti
Melotti Media Copywriting and Marketing Solutions
www.melottimedia.com.au
Click here to view the Copywriting FAQ page for all you need to know