When it comes to hiring a copywriter or outsourcing content for your business, there are a few things you’ll want to consider before jumping in feet first.
To make sure you’re being set up for success, I’ve compiled a list of 5 things you should consider if you’re flirting with the idea of getting content done for you.
1. Are you short on time?
Before venturing off into the world of outsourcing, and especially outsourcing your content writing, it’s important to ask yourself if you are short on time. There are various types of support to help meet a wide range of content needs. If you are stuck and running out of content ideas to post, writing prompts may be just what you need. Outsourcing is a great way to improve your time management if you are feeling stretched thin or desire to create more freedom in specific areas of your life and business. I always say, if you don’t have the time, you have to have the money; and if you don’t have the money, you have to have the time to invest so you can thrive in business.
2. What level of support do you really need?
Once you understand how much time you actually have (or don’t have) to dedicate towards planning and creating content, then you’ll know where to start as it relates to the level of support you need so you can have an active website, blog, email, or social media. Consider how much time you have to participate in the process of getting “done for you” copywriting services. Every copywriter has their own unique way of pulling out all the information they’ll need from you. For example, some require you to have a kickoff call, fill out a client intake form, and undergo weekly meetings to get what’s needed. Others bounce back and forth with a number of emails and require you to submit specific documents about your business and clients to get the information they need. My clients take a 3-minute Voice Personality Quiz so I can ghostwrite for them and we spend 90-minutes on a Brainstorming Call so I can learn their brand’s story, ideal client, offers, etc more in-depth. That’s all I’ll need to pump out content for their website, blogs, email, and social media. Consider how much time you may have to dedicate towards bringing a writer up to speed on the behind the scenes of your business.
3. Do you resonate with their style of writing?
This may be seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people get buyer’s remorse from outsourcing their content to cheap labor found on a freelance writer website. The mistake they made was hiring a content writer with no samples of work, no website, or unintentionally hiring a content writer that isn’t a native English writer when that’s what they prefer. To get a feel for a copywriter’s style of writing, you can simply read through their website, blogs, opt in to their email sequences, or peruse through their social media content for example. Some copywriters or freelancer writers may have samples of work available for viewing or upon request. However, if you don’t resonate with how the content was written on their website or email sequences for example, then chances are the copywriter may not be “the one” for you.
4. How soon will you need the content turned back around?
Never contact a copywriter at the last minute unless you’re willing to pay top dollar. It’s common courtesy to give any copywriter, editor, or freelance writer you’d like to work with enough time to coordinate your project into their existing schedules as well as to give them ample time to provide you with top notch and high quality work. Smaller projects can usually be turned back around to you within 3 to 5 business days. Larger projects could take longer and anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks (or more), depending on the scope of work. Experienced copywriters normally have existing projects underway. If you’re wanting to skip the line ahead of their existing clients, then expect additional fees for quicker turnarounds. To give you some idea, all of my clients get their content delivered and ready for review within 2 weeks from our scheduled Brainstorming Call.
5. What specific results are you looking for at this time?
Any business decision you make should always fall back to the specific results you’re looking for with the content you’re outsourcing. If you’re looking for content to be more consistent in your marketing, or even content that improves your conversion rate, you’ll want to look into ongoing support or retainer options. If you’re looking for content for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes to grow your website traffic over time organically without paid ads, then your search should be for copywriters who specialize in this niche. All copywriters are not the same as it relates to their sweet spot for supporting clients. Ask about their specialty before making your purchasing decision to see if in fact you’re able to get the specific result you’re looking for with the copywriter (and service) you’re leaning towards. You may find based on the content expert’s recommendation that a different type of content, writer, or approach may be needed instead in order to best drive you closer to your specified goal.
As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider when outsourcing your content to a copywriter. Before hoping on the phone with a copywriter you are considering hiring, keep these 5 questions in mind to make sure you are getting set up for success with the best content writer for you.
If you like these tips, you would love the free guide: “25 Ways to Stay Booked with Customers (Daily Actions)”.
If this is resonating with you and you are feeling called to take the next step towards working with me to get your content done for you for your website and beyond, then I want to invite you to listen to that inner prompting you felt and get started here so we can help you get the support you need.
As always, my heart is to help you win.
...but I also can’t want you to win big more than you do. You have to be the kind of person who pursues your own goals with urgency.
Don’t just be satisfied with information. Be satisfied with the implementation.
God rewards action takers, movers and shakers.
Let’s move! What will you do differently to create different results starting today? Even if it’s just for today?
The help you need is within reach. If this is your next step, take it by getting started here to see if we’ll be a good fit.
All the best.
About the author:
Hi, I’m Jasmine – copywriter and certified Content Marketing Strategist. For over 8 years, I’ve been helping businesses create content that's clear and true to their authentic voice, helps them gain visibility, attracts their ideal clients, and grows their business!
I realized in my own business (and with my clients), the right words meshed with the right systems can be a game-changer.
That's why I teach people how to have freedom in their business by leveraging content and their brand's messaging to attract their most valuable payers (without losing themselves, sleep, or sanity). Learn more.