For some business owners, outsourcing is an economical way to save time and effort while expanding their potential client base. The convenience of being able to outsource certain tasks – such as copywriting – can be invaluable, especially considering the time and financial constraints many businesses face today.
Is outsourcing copywriting right for your business? How much does it cost – not just in terms of money, but in terms of resources, productivity, and creative freedom – to outsource copywriting? Let’s take a look.
The Cost of Copywriting
As a business owner, you’re probably aware that the costs of copywriting can vary from project to project. But even if you’re not, the costs involved in creating written marketing content – such as sales letters, press releases, and informational documents – can be daunting. Depending on your needs, the price for copywriting can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per project. The more complex the copy, the more expensive it becomes.
It’s important to note that the price of copywriting does not include the cost of creating the content. This includes researching and defining the needs of your target audience, as well as selecting the right tone and format to convey the right message.
The Impact of In-House vs. Out-House Copywriting
Traditionally, businesses that needed to promote their products or services paid for advertising and used in-house copywriters to produce content. While this may still be true in some instances, more and more companies are choosing to outsource their copywriting needs. Why? Consider these advantages:
- Reduced Costs – Having written content – whether it’s for an ad campaign, sales letter, or informational piece – takes time to create. Consider the opportunity cost – the time and resources spent creating content that no longer need to be invested in costly printing, mailings, and other promotional activities.
- Creative Freedom – When you outsource your copywriting needs, you’re no longer tethered to a rigid editorial calendar. This gives you the creative freedom to pursue other projects – like design, video, or content strategy – without the pressure of having to meet specific deadlines.
- Predictable Cost – Since you’re not expected to deliver the content immediately, you can set your financial expectations accordingly. While this can be valuable, particularly if you need the content for a specific campaign or project, it’s also important to keep in mind that you may be charged for additional revisions or for content that doesn’t meet your standards.
- Final Takeaway – When you outsource your copywriting to a reputable agency (more on this below), you can be confident that the work will be of good quality, and that you’ll be able to keep control of the project’s creative direction.
These are just some of the advantages of outsourcing copywriting. Keep in mind that not all businesses are suited for this type of arrangement. If you’re worried about the quality of your content or feel that you need a creative voice to guide your content strategy, then in-house copywriting may still be the best option for you.
Consider the Options
So, if you’re considering outsourcing your copywriting needs, consider the following questions:
- How much does it cost?
- How much time do you need to deliver the content?
- How many projects do you plan to have in the next six months?
- How important is it to you that the content be highly professional?
- Do you have a clear picture in mind of what the finished product should look like?
- What are your expectations for the content’s quality?
- What is your budget?
- Do you need the content for a single ad campaign, or are you expecting to use it across multiple platforms (i.e. digital, social media, and email marketing)?
- Do you need an editor to go over the content before it is published?
- Do you need somebody to proofread it?
- Do you want to be able to track the content’s progress through the editorial process?
- What is your deadline?
- Where do you plan on publishing the content?
- Is English your first language? If not, do you feel confident you can handle English-language content? (If not, consider seeking help from an English-speaking professional.)
- Can you provide feedback throughout the process? (This will help ensure the content is delivered in a timely manner and helps improve the overall quality.)
- What is your corporate reputation?
Like any other form of outsourcing, this is a decision you need to carefully consider. By answering these questions, you can be sure that you’re making the right choice for your business.
The Best Way to Outsource
There are several ways to outsource your copywriting needs, and it really depends on what you’re looking for. To create the best possible product for your business, you need to consider a number of factors, including but not limited to the following:
- Quality of the Content
- Creative Freedom
- Budget
- Time
- Additional Needs
- The Experience
- Feedback
- Stability Of The Outsourcing Partner
- Pricing
- Suitability Of The Location
- Agency License
- Reporting
- Delivery Method
- Language
To find the best possible provider for your copywriting needs, you have to consider the answers to these questions:
- How much does it cost?
- How much time do you need to deliver the content?
- How many projects do you plan to have in the next six months?
- How important is it to you that the content be highly professional?
- Do you have a clear picture in mind of what the finished product should look like?
- What are your expectations for the content’s quality?
- What is your budget?
- Do you need the content for a single ad campaign, or are you expecting to use it across multiple platforms (i.e. digital, social media, and email marketing)?
- Do you need an editor to go over the content before it is published?
- Do you want to be able to track the content’s progress through the editorial process?
- What is your deadline?
- Where do you plan on publishing the content?
- Is English your first language? If not, do you feel confident you can handle English-language content? (If not, consider seeking help from an English-speaking professional.)
- Can you provide feedback throughout the process? (This will help ensure the content is delivered in a timely manner and helps improve the overall quality.)
- What is your corporate reputation?
Isolating the factors that are most important to you will help you find the best possible deal for your business. When searching for a copywriting provider, be sure to look for those who can combine the skills you need with the services you can afford. For example, if you need content developed for a digital campaign, but also need someone to proofread and edit the copy before it is published, then a web-based agency might be the best choice.
How to Outsource Copywriting
Whether you’re looking to outsource your copywriting needs for a single ad campaign, or are planning on using the content across multiple platforms (i.e. digital, social media, and email marketing), there are a few steps you can take to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.
The first step is to determine how much you’re willing to spend on the project. Just because you’ve decided to outsource your copy doesn’t mean you need to limit yourself to only one agency or provider. There are plenty of reputable agencies out there that can help you with content creation, from the initial pitch all the way through to the finished product. So, instead of limiting yourself to only one source, try reaching out to several different agencies to see what they can offer. (You can also do this yourself by putting out a call for writers on freelance websites like Upwork or Fiverr.com)