Would you hire a copywriter?

[Sparkie]

I'll soon be launching a web site that focuses entirely on copywriting. It has occurred to me that there are quite a few people and industries who could benefit from this service, but many people either don't know that there is such a thing, or can't see themselves using it. In the past, the only people to use copy writers were involved in advertising/sales. I'd like to move beyond this and make copywriting services affordable to the small business owner as well.

So my question is.. Would you hire a copywriter for your website/marketing campaign? Why or why not?

(FYI: A copywriter is someone who researches your product/service/industry and writes content designed to persuade your readers to sign up/buy/call, etc. They also "design" your copy to be compelling and help the reader learn more about what it is you do).

In other words, instead of saying "Welcome to XYZ Home Page. We are the world's number one seller of widgets... contact us today to see what we can do for you."

You'd have, "If your widgets are breaking, splintering or dulling around the edges, and you're looking for a stronger product that holds up to rigorous use in the toughest conditions, look no further than XYZ..."

So... would you hire a copywriter?

[Hallie]

I personally would love one...but, is it affordable to a business in the process of starting up?

By the way...I submitted for a quote on your site for web design. I like your work

Hallie

[Sparkie]

Hi Hallie,

I got your quote - thank you for your interest I'm going to look over the links you gave me and get back to you soon.

My current copywriting rates are nearly half of what most copywriters charge. I just don't see the sense in that most of them require a minimum purchase of $1,000-$3,000 (or more - ouch!) - Plus, I'm a small business owner too, so I've been where you are!

Here are the rates in case you or anyone else would be interested (Moderators, if this isn't allowed in the forum, please edit at your discretion - those who are interested are welcome to e-mail me directly - sparkie at ielectrify dot com)

Website Content - $250 per 8.5 x 11" page (about 400 words) - $200 per page if editing existing work. (Regular price for most copywriters is $500/page)

Sales Letters, Direct Mail Pieces, Brochures - $500 per 8.5 x 11" page (so for brochures, it would be about half that so only $250 for those) (Regular price for most copywriters is $1,000-$3,000/page)

Copy Review - Involves looking over your existing sales letter/direct mail package/website and providing an insightful review of your work, plus actionable steps you can take to boost your sales and get customers interested in your product/service - $150 per page. (Regular price for most copywriters is $250/page)

[superfaith]

I woulld not, you can read books on how to do this effectively while saving you money in a start up. On the other hand if you just so happened to be different from most of us and would have a ton of extra cash, then do it...

[Peter T Davis]

I absolutely plan on hiring someone to help with copy on some of my websites. Especially so with ecommerce websites, where I'm making a sales pitch. To me, it's just a matter of getting it in the budget. I'm a bit pinched for cash this month..... /scurries off to chop up wife's credit card.

[aangelica]

I have a small copy writing business and, from one copy writer to another, let me tell you . . . competition is fierce! Your bread and butter is in all likelihood not going to come from marketing directly to small businesses in general. It's going to come from partnerships.

If you're not going to go the route of marketing/ad agencies, then you'll definitely want to partner with web and graphic design firms. The smaller ones, especially, will be happy to add copy writing as a value-added service. In this way, you'll be able to get a somewhat steady flow of work and best of all, you can keep your marketing costs down, because the web/graphic design company will be doing the marketing for you in a sense.

You made a good point that many people don't know there is such a thing (copy writing service), but they sure do know about web design and development firms. And they know about getting graphic designers for their marketing collateral. So it makes good sense to offer your service thru these venues. And in my experience, I have found an added benefit to marketing to these designers--they also make great customers. Web designers tend to be creative in the graphic dept, but not necessarily so when it comes to wordsmithing. So you can make customers out of them by redoing the content of their existing sites.

[Morgan]

I don't know where you acquired your information, Sparkie, but the standard fee for copywriting services is $100 per hour. Some writers also charge per letter and per page. However, fees charged per page is less common than the hourly fee since it is an inaccurate pricing scheme and transforms the copywriter into a craftsperson from a services provider, which is harmful to business. I've only seen fees per letter charged by upscale firms whose primary business is not copywriting, by highly-decorated copywriters, and calligraphers.

>> Would you hire a copywriter for your website/marketing campaign? Why or why not?
Previously, we've worked with several copywriters on various projects during heavy workload periods, however, we have an in-house writer who's capable of various copy types. I've yet to be satisfied with the quality of the writings produced by freelance copywriters.

[kellymccausey]

Can I recommend a writing for the web for profit forum that I have just found? You copywriters may be interested. http://www.webwritingprofit.com

I write my own copy for my sites but I see good value in hiring someone with experience for sales letters, etc.

Kelly

[Morgan]

Also, FictionAddiction.net for general writing.

[marcsiegel]

I had a writer design most of my website.
I am a start up company, but If I am going to run a company
I want to do it in the best way possible.