A lot of times, it can be difficult to know how to approach copywriting clients for an interview. After all, you’re not exactly sure how they’ll react to you, the person writing the check. Some clients may be very demanding, while others may not care at all about the quality of their copy. When meeting with potential clients for the first time, it’s always a good idea to prepare some questions; this way, you’ll know what to expect and can adapt your approach as needed.
Set The Tone From The Off
It’s important to set the right tone from the beginning, so make sure you do that by being professional but not stuffy. You want to establish a good rapport with the client, and being overly formal may put the client on edge. Instead, be personable and engage the individual in a conversation about their brand and how you can help them succeed with it.
Research The Client’s Industry
As a copywriter, you’ll likely be working with various industries. Depending on the size of your business, you may be working with several different industries at once. In each case, it’s important to understand the specifics of that industry so you can tailor your approach and offer effective, strategic advice.
To start, it’s smart to do some research into the client’s industry. Simply search for them on Google. Alternatively, you can call their customer support line and ask for their industry analysis. In these cases, you may want to reiterate the importance of specific targeting and avoiding generalized claims about a product or service. For example, you might say, “The key to successful email marketing is to target the right audience and to prove that your product or service will solve their problem.”
Know Thyself
As a copywriter, it’s your job to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Simply put, you’ll want to make sure you’re equipped to handle the work that you’ll be asked to do. While you may be an excellent copywriter, if you’re not sure how to approach certain types of copy then it may be best for you to pass on that particular project. Also remember the advice given by William Shakespeare: “To thine own self be true.” As a copywriter, it’s your job to offer objective advice that will help your clients succeed. Make sure you’re always the voice of reason, keeping the client’s best interests in mind at all times.
Being a copywriter is all about communication. You’ll be expected to string words together to form compelling, engaging copy. To that end, you’ll need to be a good communicator.
Be Prepared To Work With Different Teams
If you work in an agency then, undoubtedly, you’ll be called upon to collaborate with other departments, such as marketing, design, and development. If you’re ever stuck for ideas, then it’s time to call in some favors and get some teamwork going. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh set of eyes to see the problem from a different perspective. So, make sure you’re ready to work with different teams to bring about innovative ideas. Even if you’re the sole copywriter at a company, you may be called upon to pitch in where necessary.
Dont Forget About The Biggest Name In Marketing
In the world of marketing, there’s only one name that really matters. That name is: Google. Whenever you want to know about a product or service, you’ll likely be directed to Google, and from there you’ll find the information you need. In today’s world, being named after a company as big as Google is practically a guarantee of brand recognition. To that end, make sure you’re familiar with Google rankings, and try to achieve a position of some esteem on the World Wide Web.
Above all else, make sure you’re a good communicator. If you can string words together to form compelling, engaging copy then you can be certain you’ll be able to communicate effectively with your clients.