How to Pick the Perfect Copywriter for Your Business

how to pick a copywriter

There are a whole range of copywriters out there but finding the right one to work with doesn’t have to be a difficult task!  However, it does mean you might need to take a few minutes to really evaluate your options (and I promise it will save you a lot of time, and stress, in the long run). 

Before we start, if you’ve only just started to think about hiring a copywriter, have a read of my previous blog post about the 6 questions you need to ask yourself before hiring a copywriter. 

But without further ado...Here are the top 6 things to think about to ensure you hire the right copywriter for your business:

1: Know the difference between copywriters and content writers.

Because yes, there is a difference and yes, it’s a very important one. 

Copywriters specialise in writing copy such as websites, sales pages and emails. This copy is often written with a sales-led approach, helping you to connect and sell to your target audience. The goal is to get your reader to take a specific action - this is the type of copywriting I specialise in. 

Content writing on the other hand is more conversational and mainly revolves around connecting and engaging with your audience. Content includes blogs, social media posts, newsletters, etc… Bear in mind that some copywriters do both, but others choose to hone in one or the other. So before deciding who you want to work with, make sure to check the type of copy they actually write!

2: Are you after conversational copy or SEO driven copy?

In the same way that making the distinction between a content writer and a copywriter is important, identifying whether you’re looking for more SEO driven copy or conversational copy, is also important.

how to pick a copywriter

You’ll often find more SEO driven content on websites and in blogs. The goal of this type of writing is to help web pages rank higher on search engines and to boost the general searchability of sites. 

Conversational copywriting is more focused on building relationships, keeping things relatable and driving action from the reader. It’s great for getting them to sign up to your email list or encouraging them to work with you! (and TBH this is the type of copy I like to write and read).

3: What writing relationship are you looking for?

Generally speaking, there are two main ways to work with a copywriter; retainer packages and one-off packages. If you’re looking for frequent, monthly copy and for the copywriter you work with to become a part of your business, you’d be better to work with someone who offers retainer packages. 

On the other hand, if you’re looking for someone to come in, write what you need and then part ways, someone who specialises in project-based work (like me) would probably be a better fit!

4: Do you think you’d get along well?

Whether it's a one-off project or a retainer basis you’d be working on, chances are you’ll be talking to your copywriter a fair bit (especially during the early stages). So it definitely helps if they are your sort of person. how to pick a copywriter

One of the best ways to figure this out is to have a stalk of their social pages, read their content and never be afraid to pop them a message! Think about whether your business values align with theirs and if you’d be happy to have a conversation with them over a nice cup of tea.

5: Do they understand your industry?

More often than not, copywriters have a niche they specialize in. This helps provide us with a bit of general knowledge regarding the subjects we choose to write about as there is only so far our research will take us! So I highly recommend hiring a copywriter who already has a bit of knowledge about your industry as it will lead to better aligned, more well-crafted copy.

6: Look outside the copywriter

One of the best ways to see if a copywriter is the right fit for you is looking at their past clients, reading testimonials, seeing if your values align and taking the time to look around the person themselves. This often gives you a nice idea of what they’re like to work with! Who they’ve worked with before can also be a great indicator of whether or not you’d be a good fit.

how to pick a copywriter

I hope this helps give you a bit of direction when it comes to hiring a copywriter, and if it has, don’t forget to share it with your friends in business who might also be on the hunt for a copywriter themselves!

And if you’re after a copywriter who specializes in producing one-off, sales led copywriting for women working in the operations industry, I might just be the copywriter you’re after (and my sales funnel packages might be exactly what you need) 😉

If you enjoyed this post and want to know more about How to Find & Hire the Perfect Copywriter for Your Business then grab my free training that dives deeper into how to find that copywriter without spending hours on Fiverr or Upwork (it's not a pitchy webinar - it's all value, no fluff - I promise!)