How To Find a Copywriter You Love
I don’t know about you, but copywriting sure seems like the new MLM! With an estimated 131,200 copywriters in the United States. Career Explorer says the copywriter job market is expected to grow by 7.6% between 2016 and 2026. You may be asking, how in the world do I find a qualified, reputable copywriter to work with? Well, I have a few ideas to help you find a copywriter you love!
Look for a copywriter with reviews or testimonials
An easy tell-tale sign of someone who knows what they are doing is that they have worked with other people! If you can’t find someone who readily has reviews or testimonials posted on their website, always feel free to ask. While their portfolio will speak for the quality of their work, their reviews will speak to the experience of what it’s like to work with that person.
If someone doesn’t have reviews or testimonials, proceed with caution. That doesn’t mean they are bad at what they do; however, they may have less experience or more niched experience as they haven’t worked with a large variety of clients.
Get to know them before agreeing to anything
An easy way to get yourself frustrated is to get into a contract with a copywriter who isn’t a good fit. Take time to converse with them via email and get on a phone call. Are the two of you able to communicate in a way that allows you both to be understood? Do they respect your office hours and your boundaries? Are they needy? Do they need you to review something every few minutes? These are the questions you’ll want to ask them and yourself before you commit to working with a copywriter.
It’s easy to believe that the personal side of working together won’t make an impact when it comes to someone you’re outsourcing work to; however, it’s hard to work with someone if they are impatient or don’t have good people skills.
Look for a copywriter who can match your brand's tone
It’s hard to work with someone who doesn’t speak the same language you do! The same works for tone. If what someone writes is good but doesn’t sound like you, you won’t love it. It’s essential to find someone who can seamlessly integrate themselves into the identity you have created for your brand. If you’re planning on spending hours and hours making wording changes to make something sound like you, it’s probably not a great fit.
If you find a copywriter you love, they will be able to slip in, and out of the tone and voice you have created. Their content will look and sound as if you made it yourself!
Don’t be afraid to ask them to write a sample
Unsure if they have what it takes? Ask them to write a brand-specific sample! I wouldn’t make it anything too long, but asking for 1-2 paragraphs on a topic you assign may give you the peace of mind you need to commit to a working relationship with a copywriter.
Remember, when you hire a copywriter, it’s to make your life easier! The goal is for them to create content that sounds like you. The longer you work together, the easier it will get for them, so don’t be discouraged if you spend a little bit of time making minor edits and coaching them in the beginning.
Search for a copywriter who specializes in the content you’re looking to create
With so many forms of content sitting around the internet, hiring a copywriter who writes the kind of content you’re looking for is crucial. Don't hire someone who writes headlines if you’re looking for blog content. If you want headlines, don’t hire someone who writes Instagram captions.
There really is a writer out there for all of it, so take some time and dig a little longer to find a copywriter who is niched in your ideal content format.
You get what you pay for
Being good at copywriting isn’t something people pick up quickly; it takes years of practice and dedication to develop strong copywriting skills. If you’re looking for someone to create quality content that converts to the metrics you’re watching, you’re going to have to pay for it.
While copywriters start around 20-35 dollars an hour, if you’re looking for anyone with expertise in the area, you’re looking at somewhere between 60-80 dollars an hour.
Find a rate you feel comfortable with
Depending on the type of content they create, some copywriters charge per word, and others charge per post. If you’re looking for punchy short-form copy, you’ll likely end up paying per headline or per hour. Longer forms of content tend to lean towards hourly rates or a per word rate.
There isn’t one way to charge for copywriting, so take time and find someone who charges you in a way you feel comfortable with.
Finding a copywriter you love can be a challenge, but if you stick to your values and you trust your gut, with time, you’ll find a copywriter you love!
Are you looking to level up your content this year? I’m still taking clients for the year. Reach out soon!
