As a business owner, marketer, or brand manager, you’re no doubt aware of the importance of having a good grasp of the English language. You may even be wondering how you can find a copywriter to help you bring your vision to life through words. Though it might seem easy enough to find someone who knows how to write, what you really want is a copywriting team who possesses not only talent but also the drive and passion to see your project to fruition.
If that’s you, consider this article your guide to finding the best possible copywriter for your needs.
Identify Your Needs
Before you begin shopping for a copywriter, it’s important to sit down with a notebook and identify your needs. Consider what you want to say, how you want to say it, and who you want to say it to. While it might be tempting to just go with the first person who responds to your ad, that’s often not the best course. Sometimes those people aren’t the best fit for the job. If you have specific needs in terms of the style of writing you want, the tone you want to use, and the like, you’ll find a much better match with your ideal collaborator who happens to be a copywriter.
For example, if you’re looking for an SEO-friendly copywriter who can incorporate lots of keywords and phrases into their work, but you also want the copy to be entertaining, then you might want to consider an adventure/fantasy writer who can bring the exact words you need to the table in terms of content, but who may not be the best fit for, let’s say, a corporate website.
The Copywriting Process
Once you have your needs and a potential collaborator identified, the next step is to create a project plan. Consider what you have so far and what you need to do to achieve your goal. You might want to start by taking a look at the end product, the website or piece of content you’re aiming to create. It’s important to plan out each step of the way, so that nothing gets lost in translation.
For example, if you’ve got a budget in mind for this project and you know your needs, you might want to create a work plan that includes a breakdown of materials and costs. This will help you stick to your guns if you do find yourself in a creative dispute with your collaborator and ensure that deadlines are met. It’s also a good idea to put a deadline on yourself. If you commit to X amount of content by Y date, you’re more likely to meet that goal. It’s a good idea to set a specific weekly or monthly goal for yourself in terms of content published, as this will keep you motivated and on track.
Once you’ve got a complete work plan in place, it’s time to get to work. You and your copywriting team should sit down together and work through each step, checking off each task as it’s completed. This will help ensure that nothing gets overlooked and that all the little details are taken care of.
Where To Start
Now you’ve got a workable project plan in place, it’s time to get to work. One important thing to consider is where you’re going to start. Bear in mind that not all copywriters are made equal, and you’ll want to start your search by finding the best possible fit for your needs and project.
If you’re looking for someone to help you bring your vision to life through writing, then start by brainstorming with a few trusted friends or colleagues. Brainstorming with a few people who know and trust you is an excellent way to come up with some fantastic ideas. As you explore different possibilities, not only will this help you decide what to do next, but it’ll also highlight the various strengths and weaknesses of each proposal.
For example, if you’ve got an exciting project in mind involving mermaids, it might be a great idea to write up a quick pitch to get someone in mind to help bring your idea to life. Though this might seem like an easy enough task to do alone, putting yourself in the position of reader can help you pinpoint the exact words and phrases you should use, the structure of your sentences, and the like. Having a fresh pair of eyes look over your work can also highlight any awkward phrasing or poor sentence structure in a clear, objective manner. This is extremely valuable, as you’re sure to find that particular piece of content difficult to edit later on.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you might find that a business write up feels more suitable to your needs than a blog post. Though these are both forms of written media, the structure is very different. A business write up might require a more formal tone and more concise language, while a blog post could use a bit more spontaneity and a much looser, conversational tone. The copywriter you choose should be able to pull these different elements together, creating a cohesive piece that entertains as well as informs.
What To Look For
Once you’ve gotten your feet wet with an initial collaboration, it’s time to dive into the nitty-gritty of the project. The best copywriters for hire will not only be able to work within your strict guidelines but also bring their own flavor to the table. Though this might seem like an easy enough task to do alone, putting yourself in the position of reader can help you pinpoint the exact words and phrases you should use, the structure of your sentences, and the like. Having a fresh pair of eyes look over your work can also highlight any awkward phrasing or poor sentence structure in a clear, objective manner. This is extremely valuable, as you’re sure to find that particular piece of content difficult to edit later on.
If you see a writing sample or portfolio the potential collaborator has done, it’s important to consider whether this is written content by itself or if it’s part of a much larger project. Though it might be tempting to just go with the first person who responds to your ad, that’s often not the best course. Sometimes those people aren’t the best fit for the job. If possible, look for a collaborator who’s been involved in multiple projects and who can demonstrate their versatility by providing you with samples of their previous work.
The last thing you want to do is hand your project over to someone who doesn’t have the skills or experience to pull off your ambitious plan. Even if you’ve got a blank slate, it’s still a lot of work to transform that idea into a functioning website or piece of content. The last thing you want to do is drag someone along who doesn’t have the skill set to complete the project. Though it might be tempting to just go with the first person who responds to your ad, that’s often not the best course. Sometimes those people aren’t the best fit for the job. If possible, look for a collaborator who’s been involved in multiple projects and who can demonstrate their versatility by providing you with samples of their previous work.
As You Begin To Integrate Digital Marketing With Traditional Marketing
As a marketer, you’ve undoubtedly heard of, and perhaps even used, digital marketing. If you haven’t, now might be a good time to educate yourself on this topic. Consider what digital marketing entails and how it differs from traditional marketing. Though it might seem like a new development, digital marketing actually combines many different media and techniques, allowing marketers to reach potential customers where they’re most likely to be found: online.
This is a lot more effective than trying to reach people where they are physically. Though it might seem like a new development, digital marketing actually combines many different media and techniques, allowing marketers to reach potential customers where they’re most likely to be found: online.
Let’s say you’re a shoe retailer looking to promote your spring line. You might decide to take the traditional approach and place a series of advertisements in major newspapers; however, you can also choose to take the digital approach and place an online banner on popular websites like Google, Facebook, and Twitter. Though both of these approaches can be effective, the latter allows you to target the right audience and make the most of your budget. It’s also a good idea to consider social media marketing. Though the concept behind social media marketing is fairly simple, putting out content regularly and engaging with your followers can have astounding results.