There are times when you may need to have some writing done, but as a busy small business owner you may not have time to give it the attention it deserves; or, you may not view writing as one of your stronger skills and you’re reluctant to tackle a writing project for this reason. Regardless of the reasons why you might be looking for someone to perform copywriting services, it’s important to know how to find the best copywriter for your needs.
What a copywriter does
A copywriter does just what the name implies; they write copy. It might be marketing or advertising materials, it might be web site content, it might be articles, newsletters, reports, or the like. In general, anything that involves writing content of some kind can be done by a copywriter.
Many copywriters work on a freelance basis; that is, they are a professional writer (or writing service) who takes on projects for clients and charges for their services based on the number of words, number of pages, and/or any other critical aspect of the project.
The advantages for you as a small business owner are many, primarily that you can access the services of a professional writer for what is generally a reasonable cost. Especially when you consider what it would take for you to do the same writing project yourself, it is often the case that using a professional copywriter will end up saving you money (and produce a better quality product) in the end… not to mention saving your sanity!
How to choose a good copywriter
All you have to do is conduct a quick online search and you’ll find literally thousands of different copywriters and copywriting services available. With all of these choices, then, how can you be sure to choose a good copywriter for your project?
Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
- How experienced is the copywriter, especially in the specific type of writing you’re going to need?
- What kind of writing samples and portfolio examples does the potential copywriter have to show you?
- Is their writing style and readability a good match for your specific project and what you’re trying to accomplish?
- Are their contract requirements, fees, and terms reasonable?
- Do they have references and positive feedback for you to review and evaluate?
These might seem like obvious things to check on, but you might be surprised at how many small business owners skip these important steps when finding and selecting a professional copywriter. Not all copywriters are the same … just because someone can write does not make them a writer.
Other things to consider
As a small business owner you know how important it is to be reliable and on time when dealing with your customers; unfortunately, many freelance copywriters struggle in this area. There are a variety of reasons why this might happen, ranging from poor self-discipline to a tendency to over commit their time to simply not being “tuned in” to deadlines in the same way that you are.
But it may also be due in part to a lack of communication or lack of clarity on what the project entails.
The best way to prevent this problem is to provide whatever copywriter you choose with a very specific project outline and brief, clearly stating the work to be done and the deadline for completion and submission to you. It’s also a good idea to be very specific in advising your writer of things such as the aim of your writing, the target audience and even whether you want your project to be written US spelling and grammar or not if you’re not actually based in the US.
By being clear in what you require and communicating regularly throughout the project you can soon build a good relationship with a copywriter who understands your needs and will be a huge benefit for your small business.
