Freelance copywriters are a dime a dozen these days. Don’t believe me?
Type that phrase into Google right now. In mere seconds, you’ll get thousands of results. You could easily spend a whole afternoon browsing through hundreds of copywriter portfolios.
Still not convinced? Post a job request on a platform like Freelancer or Upwork. You’ll be inundated with tens if not hundreds of replies within the hour. Most of them will be eager to tell you just how ‘qualified’ they are for your project.
This is where the problem lies. With so many ways to find and hire freelance copywriters these days, how do you know which one is right for you?
Hopefully, this article will help you spot the key traits to look for in a good writer. By doing so, the recruitment process will be a lot smoother, and you will find a writer that adds value to your business.
1. Make sure they have relevant industry experience – or a proven ability to adapt quickly
Every industry is unique. People who work in certain industries speak their own language. They have customers with particular needs, concerns, and wants. And they have a decent grasp on what these customers want from them.
With this being said, you want a writer who ‘gets’ your industry. Sure, your writer doesn’t have to possess the same level of technical knowledge as you. However, they must be able to communicate with your readers on a level that makes sense to them. Plus, they should have enough technical knowledge about your product or service, so that they can sell it to your target audience in the most effective way.
Another benefit is time and cost savings. When you hire a copywriter with industry experience, you won’t have to pay them to play ‘catch up’ (i.e. conduct research, interviews etc), and you will save a bunch of time. As a result, you can simply bring them on board, confirm the project requirements, and let them get to work. Too easy!
But, what if you find a good writer, yet they lack relevant industry experience? Don’t dismiss them just yet. Instead, ask for writing samples that closely match your industry. This way, you can get an idea of their writing style and approach, and decide if they meet your criteria.
This also applies if your field is highly technical. That is, if the writer has a proven ability to write about one technical industry, they might be a fast enough learner to write for you – with little to no hand holding required.
2. Great communication and personality is everything
In your search to hire a copywriter, you’ll obviously want someone with great technical skill. Sure, this is important. But there are two other key traits any good writer will possess: strong communication skills and a positive personality.
First, let’s talk about communication. You want to partner up with a writer that is easy to understand. They are able to express their ideas and solutions in a way that makes sense to you. Whether it be over the phone, via text, or in-person, you always get what they are trying to say.
Most importantly? A good writer will be quick to respond to inquiries, as it shows that you are their No.1 priority.
Secondly, a good personality will make your life a lot easier. In other words, you want a writer who is genuinely enthusiastic about your business, your goals, your products and services, and the long term success of your business.
Why does this matter? For one, they will have a positive influence on you and your team, which will help boost morale. Secondly, their level of enthusiasm and dedication will shine through in their writing. Which means your sales copy will be stronger and more effective at selling. Lastly, you will feel good about keeping them around for longer, meaning reduced employee turnover.
3. Hire a copywriter that fits your budget
Price should not be the sole deciding factor. But it’s still an important one. After all, good copywriting is an investment, not something you just tick off a checklist. So, you want a writer who has a good chance of generating a strong return on your investment.
For this reason, it’s worth getting a clear idea of their average rates and fees.
Keep in mind, every copywriter has their own fee structure. Some charged based on an individual project, while others charge based on an hourly rate or word count. Either way, you should have a clear idea as to how each candidate structures their price, and whether they meet your budget.
Remember, a good copywriter will ask for a lot of info before you get a quote. Why? Because they want to know exactly how much work is involved before they settle on a price.
If the ballpark figure is too high, you might write them off as too pricy. If it’s too low and you accept, they are stuck in a corner, working on a project at a much lower rate than they wish. As a result, their quality of work could suffer.
I hope these tips will help you hire a great copywriter for your next project. If you have tips of your own that have worked in the past, feel free to share them in the comments below.
To request a FREE no obligation quote for your next copywriting project, contact me today.
Have a great day!