How to find the right copywriter for your web design business

So you're ready to take the leap and outsource some of your workload to a copywriter? 

Or maybe you've worked with a copywriter in the past and it didn't work out as you hoped — this time you want it to be different.

In this article, I'll share my experience, and hopefully, some useful insights that will help you to find the right copywriter for your web design business.

Match the right expertise with the needs of your client

When you're looking for a copywriter, the first thing to consider is what expertise you need. Copywriters specialise in many different areas, for example, eCommerce, SEO, technical writing, print, brochure, social media content, blog writing etc. 

I specialise in writing website copy for service-based businesses, a very different skill set to a product-based or technical copywriter, for example. My strength lies in writing sales copy that persuades the reader to take direct action, but not in product descriptions, technical writing or social media content. 

There are plenty of other amazing copywriters out there who will perfectly match the expertise you're looking for, so be sure to start your search with a clear understanding of what exactly you need. 

What about the cost?

Expertise and cost often go hand in hand so if you've found a cheaper copywriter it's likely they haven't quite found their niche yet. This might be the right solution for a client who has a low budget but be prepared to get what you pay for.

Of course, this generalisation isn't always fair, so keep reading if you want to be sure you're getting the best value copywriter for your web design business.

Ask the right questions

Whether you've stumbled across a copywriter from a Google or LinkedIn search, or you've had your eye on one particular copywriter for a while, you need to ask the right questions if you're going to find the right fit. 

Here are some of the questions I get asked...

• Can I see your portfolio?
• Do you charge per page or quote by project?
• How much do you charge?
• How far in advance do you get booked up?
• What's your area of expertise?
• Do you have experience of writing for service-based/eCommerce/SaaS/Print?

I can give clear, detailed answers to all of the above, and so should any other half-decent copywriter. Beware of vague or waffly answers; an inexperienced copywriter might want the work even if it's not in their area of expertise. 

Find out how the copywriter will be working with your client

Your clients are the most important assets to your business, and you need to know how any copywriter will interact with them. Find concrete answers to the following questions before introducing the copywriter to your client.

• Will you need to speak with my client? 
• What's your invoicing policy? 
• How long will it take you to write the web copy/article/brochure/email sequence etc.?

I've worked with service-based business owners for five years, and over that time, I've refined my customer onboarding process to a point now, where I get complimented on how smooth my process is. Observe how your copywriter deals with your enquiry; if you feel like the process is smooth and efficient, your clients are likely to feel the same. 

However, this is still not enough. You need guarantees of how well a copywriter will work with your clients. That's why you should ask to see the copywriters reviews and testimonials before you work together. 

Let me know in the comments how you've found working with copywriters, the good the bad and the ugly! Although no naming and shaming, please.

After reading this article, you might be interested in finding out more about my copywriting style and the way I do business. If you have any questions, you can book a free 15-minute call or email [email protected]