How to Get the Most out of Your Copywriter
Want great copy for your website and to increase your SEO results? Having a good relationship with your copywriter is essential. Remember these few rules so you can get the most out of your investment.
Plan Well
Determining your goals from the start keeps your copywriter keen — and your project on budget and on schedule:
• Define your target market so your copywriter knows the audience they’re writing for. Idea brainstorming, research, and writing will all benefit by having a clear picture of who your readers are.
• Set out a budget. It helps you determine criteria for your articles that are vital to your writer such as word length, research and deadlines.
• Research keywords, key phrases and keyword density to use in articles. Brainstorm article ideas around these keywords yourself, or let your copywriter do it for you. Your writer’s objectives will be clearer and their writing more focused.
Give Clear Instructions
Vague, incomplete article assignments are recipes for failure. Sharing as much info as possible with your writer increases the odds that you’ll get what you want first time around.
• Write an assignment letter or project description. Outline the article topics, keywords, article length, research sources, deadlines, and revisions required, if any.
• Pass along any research material you already have to speed the project along.
• If you need content submitted in a particular format, such as PDF or plain text, let your writer know.
Keep changes and revisions to a minimum
Suddenly changing instructions can frustrate your copywriter. More importantly, it can cost you time redefining the project — and money.
• Don’t rush to acquire content. Take the time to mull article ideas over before finalizing. Or, ask your writer to assist at this stage. This collaboration will focus the angle and substance of articles so there’s little need for major changes down the road.
• Most copywriters will be reluctant to make content changes if you’ve made major changes to the initial instructions. Although, they may make the occasional exception for regular clients, their time is money — as is yours. To smooth things over suggest you’ll be willing to pay a small fee for the changes.
Give Timely Feedback
This helps you get exactly what you need, and if delivered within 24 hours, keeps your project on deadline.
• Suggest your writer completes only one article first before moving forward with the rest. It gives you the opportunity to pinpoint any problems and prevent them from cropping up in other articles.
• Be firm, clear and respectful. You need to get what you want, but your critique has to be crystal clear to ensure the best revision. Also, be respectful in your critique; your writer will do a better job for you if they feel you appreciate their talent and effort. A better job saves you time and money.