What Are Copywriter Duties?

Have you been considering bringing on a freelance copywriter to help you with your brand messaging and content marketing? We’re a really good option to help you in so many ways.

But you’re probably wondering: what does a copywriter do? How does a copywriter work with you?

Well – wonder no more.

I’m here to explain what a copywriter’s duties are and how to get the best outcome together.

A professional marketing copywriter is a creative, just like a graphic designer, videographer or website builder.

Your business needs these kinds of creative people and services to make up all the parts of your marketing strategy. Sure, you can hire them inhouse, but most businesses take the more effective option of hiring a specialist, like a freelance copywriter.

Why?

​Because they offer you so much more experience and expertise, and you can use a freelancer around your specific needs – rather than having them around full-time. 

But it’s not so much WHY you need them, but HOW to use them

What is a copywriter?

​A copywriter is (or the one you choose should be) a Marketing professional who knows how to convert your brand’s true essence into words that offer your customers value which, in turn, inspires them to take action.

While you can recognise the importance of what they do, you may not know where your job ends and theirs begins, and vice versa.

So, to help, here is a quick rundown.

What are copywriter duties?

Here’s what a copywriter should be doing when taking on a copywriting project with your business.

1. An initial chat
   
   When you reach out to a Copywriter, it’s their duty to facilitate in initial chat. This is to get to know each other and see if you’re both the right fit. Not everyone is perfect for everyone, and you need to feel a sense of comfort that the person you’re looking to hire is the right match. So, have a chat and ask each other questions to get a sense of one another.
   
   
2. Providing you with a briefing document
   
   If you’re happy with your Copywriter, then they should be sending you a creative briefing template. This is absolutely crucial. They will be working from the information you provide here, which means that it’s on them to prompt you for the details they need to deliver the project. But equally, we need you to fill it out completely too.
   
   For more, read: How to brief a copywriter to get the best outcome the first time.
   
   
3. Asking you questions to clarify
   
   After this, they should reach out and ask you more questions. Please don’t see this as a negative or an annoyance. It’s great that they care enough to want to confirm their understanding and check they’ve grasped everything.
   
   
4. Providing a quote based on the project
   
   Ok, so now is when they should be sending you a quote detailing out their costs and the breakdown of the deliverables, as well as their terms and conditions. It’s up to you to accept this before the project goes any further.
   
   Discuss this with them but know that it’s the copywriter’s duty to have allocated enough hours or budget to deliver on the brief you’ve provided. If you don’t like the quote, then give them your feedback.
   
   
5. Doing research on the topic
   
   Now, if you accept the quote, the project is activated. At this point, the copywriter must venture out and begin researching your industry and the topic you need them to write about. Research is a big part of a copywriter’s duty and must be done thoroughly.
   
   
6. Undertaking the copywriting
   
   Here is where the magic begins, and is arguably the most important duty a copywriter has: to actually do their copywriting! Sure, everyone can write – but it’s a skill to write like a Copywriter.
   
   
7. Proofreading and spell checking
   
   The onus is on the Copywriter to ensure that, after they’ve written the copy for you, that they’ve spell checked it, read through it, had another set of eyes check it and done more checking before they submit it to you. We are human and we can all make mistakes, but spelling and grammar checks are definitely high on the list of copywriting duties.
   
   
8. Provide you with the draft for your review
   
   This should be obvious, right?
   
   
9. Make your changes and finalise the copywriting
   
   Now you have the opportunity to provide your feedback and edits. Remember to not just strike out everything that’s written. You’ve approached a copywriting professional for a reason – to tap into their experience and their external perspective.
   
   But it’s a Copywriter’s duty to also explain how they approached your project and open you up to different ways of thinking about how they created your content. The ultimate goal is collaboration – so work together to get to the final version.
   
   
10. Hand over everything to you for use
    
    Project complete! Now that you’ve given the final approval, it’s over to you to use the content in your marketing and get the results you deserve.
    
    
11. Delight!!!
    
    The most overlooked copywriter duty is to delight clients and continue long term relationships with them. It’s a win/win, really. Your copywriter should reach out and ask how the project is going, what’s happening and if you need further assistance.

What a copywriter isn’t expected to do

1. Read your mind
   
   We’re good, but we’re not that good! We can’t work with things you don’t tell us. Clients generally have so much knowledge because they’re working with their brand every single day - but unfortunately, they don’t always share it.
   
   Then, they get annoyed because the copywriter didn’t just know. Remember, what you write in your brief is what a copywriter uses – if there are parts missing or gaps in the information, then you can’t be upset that it was missed. The same goes for edits and changes – we rely on your direction to guide us.
   
   In the end, we want the same successful outcome you do – so work together rather than against each other and we’ll both get the to the final result much quicker.
   
   
2. Chase you for invoice payments
   
   As a copywriter, we’re providing a professional, paid service. We’re paid to write, not to chase invoices. If you accept the quote, then make sure you pay the invoice on time.
   
   You wouldn’t like it if we held the copy; please don’t hold the payment.
   
   
3. Be responsible after you approve the content
   
   A copywriter can only know so much about your brand, your industry and the rules and regulations you have to abide by. This means a copywriter relies on you to tell us when there are things we can and can’t say. So, the onus is on a client to ensure that the copy we’ve written is compliant.

So, what are copywriter duties?

In the end, it’s all about collaboration to get you results.

A good copywriter will work together with you, in a harmonious relationship, to write excellent copy that’s well researched and well thought out, targeting the right audience in the right context, to stimulate the right reaction.
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If they do all of this, then you’re onto a winner and you should keep them around.

How Can Melotti Media Copywriting Help You?

To engage your customer and achieve ongoing business success today, you need quality copywriting and consistent content. However, we understand that this is easier said than done.

You’re time poor and spread thin, and writing isn’t your expertise. So, focus on what really matters, while we take care of all of your copywriting and content marketing needs!

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
 
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