8 reasons why you need to hire a copywriter

Building, running or promoting a business but don't think you need a copywriter on your team?

I’ve got 8 reasons why you need to change that mindset right now, because a good copywriter can not only make your business look good, but also save you from looking really, really bad...

Are you guilty of any of these reasons for going DIY with your writing and stuff?

Reason #1. You can't (or don't want to) see any problem within your own work.

Whenever we take on a labour of love, we should rightly be proud of our efforts and pleased with the results. However, when we're wrapped up in our own brand and what we know we want to say, it’s too easy to miss errors, gaps or concerns that any potential client may pick up on in our work. It’s natural to think that a quick double-check will be fine. It won't. Don’t worry, though - you’ll spot the problems eventually. Or a competitor will point them out for you. Your call.

Reason #2. Your mate wrote your stuff for you.

It’s fantastic that you’ve got a friend to dabble in a bit of writing for you, but is writing for your purpose in their formal skill-set? I really need some tiling done in my bathroom right now, but I’m not going to get a mate to do it unless they're specifically good with grouting and talented with tiles. (NB - having watched a YouTube tutorial or two doesn’t count as qualified experience).

Reason #3. Your mate wrote your stuff for you... as a favour.

If someone is doing something for you as a favour, there is surprisingly little motivation for them to do a fully exceptional, timely or even complete job. The fact will always remain that, even if you’re unhappy with the outcome and what they’ve produced for you, they were only ever trying to help you out, and so it’s you who will look like the bad guy/ bitch/ total a-hole if you complain. Also, you're pretty much obliged to stick with what you've been given, too. Friendship, right?

Reason #4. You've spent "a small fortune" on your website/ graphic design/ printing.

Let's say you drive a great car and spent good money on the purchase. You wouldn't dream of ruining the entire look and performance of the vehicle by littering it with old Subway wrappers and filling the tank with dodgy fuel. I don’t usually love metaphor, but I feel this drives my point forward when talking about having pride in your project for your business. I won't apologise for the pun, by the way.

Reason #5. You've spent "next to nothing" on your website/ graphic design/ printing.

Oh okay, so you don't want to change your approach now by throwing good money away on good written content? You may want to re-think that one owing to the points already mentioned. And remember, you've got lots of spare cash now, seeing as you made all those great savings in the first place. Make sure your substance makes up for the style. Invest in a copywriter.

Reason #6. You're stating the obvious.

By not going into any real detail in your writing, you’re not giving potential clients, partners or buyers the opportunity to learn and discover anything about you. Don’t just tell your audience who you are, tell them why you’re brilliant. Don’t just tell them what you do, tell them how you do it! If you’re assuming that everybody already knows who you are and what you do, then you’re preaching to an existing audience, rather than grabbing the attention of a new market. Can you afford to do that?

Reason #7. You're NOT stating the obvious.

Telling people all about your latest ventures without giving them any hint about what you do the rest of the time is a serious no-no and a very common mistake. You’ve got a sale on? Brilliant! Quick question, though – what is it that you’re actually selling...?

Reason #8. You're human - you will make mistakes (but these may cost you)!

The attention to detail that a good copywriter will provide you with will pick up on/correct even the slightest of errors that could be holding you back from building your business and brand recognition. For example, if your tagline is “No job to small”, you’ve just proved that proofreading your advert was, in fact, too small a job for you to bother with...

So, be honest. Do any of those points apply to you or your venture?

I’m not suggesting that you hire a copywriter for every time you write a memo or send an email, but if a written project of any sort is really important to you, your business or your branding in any way, please do consider investing in a professional, skilled and objective opinion.

A good copywriter can write your stuff for you, edit the stuff you've already written, or even train you to write your own stuff from scratch.

If only I knew where to find one...