How to choose a freelance copywriter
by Amber McNaught
You already know that
professional copywriting is worth its weight in gold. You know that a good
copywriter can help both to drive traffic to your website, and to keep it there
once it arrives.
What you don't know is how to find that copywriter.
Don't worry, you're not alone. The problem with copywriting is that, unlike,
say, soda or bathroom cleaner, it's not something you buy every week, or even
every month. And unlike the products and services you're familiar with, it can
be difficult to know what to look for - or to spot a good thing once you've
found it.
Luckily, as with most things in life, finding a copywriter is easy once you know
how. And this article is here to show you how.
What to look for in a copywriting service
If you're like most people, the first place you'll turn to in your search for a
professional copywriter is a search engine like Google. Wise move. Your
copywriter's website is probably the biggest clue of all as to just what kind of
service you can expect. Here's what to look for:
1. Client testimonials Any good copywriter will know that testimonials are one
of the most powerful sales tools you can use to create copy that converts site
visitors into buyers. (If they don't know this, then they're not a good
copywriter. Hit that "back" button fast...). You'd expect your copywriter to use
testimonials on their own site too, then, wouldn't you? Look for a link that
states "testimonials" or "customer comments" or similar. If it's not there, ask
yourself why...
2. A portfolio No decent copywriter will expect you to commission them for a
project without seeing some examples of their work. A copywriter's portfolio is
his or her calling card: without it, they're going nowhere. Spend some time
looking at the portfolio on your copywriter's website. How does the copy read?
It should be crisp, clear, and easy to understand. It should also prompt you to
take some kind of action once you've read it, whether that action be making a
purchase, joining a mailing list, or simply reading on. If the copywriter's
portfolio doesn't persuade you they're worth using, nothing will.
3. Client list / resume There are no particular qualifications a copywriter
needs to begin practicing. Some copywriters have English or journalism degrees,
others are completely self-taught, having learnt their craft from the ground up.
Instead of asking your copywriter about their qualifications, then, ask about
their experience. Who have they worked for in the past? What have they done for
those other clients? The answers to these questions should tell you all you need
to know about how well-equipped the copywriter is to work on your project.
4. Fees Some copywriters state their fees up front, others prefer to give quotes
only on enquiry. No matter how your copywriter prefers to reveal their rates,
though, make sure you have something to compare them to. Shop around. You
wouldn't buy the first house or car you laid eyes on, and neither should you
settle for the first copywriter you find either. Once you have some quotes to
look at, however, don't make the mistake of assuming that the lowest quote must
be the best value. Make sure you're comparing like with like. Beware of "article
mills": companies who sell articles for just a few dollars per time. These
companies tend to employ amateur writers, many of whom don't even have a good
grasp of English. Remember, you get what you pay for, and if a quote sounds too
good to be true, it probably is. The going rate for website copywriting is
around £30 GBP / $60 per hour. If you're being quotes significantly less than
this, ask yourself - or your copywriter - why.
About the Author:
Amber McNaught is a professional
copywriter and freelance journalist. Amber runs the
UK copywriting service,
Custom-Copy.com, offering sales-based copywriting, website content, and press
release writing and distribution.
Source
of article:
www.goarticles.com
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