A Couple Things You Should Know BEFORE You Hire a Copywriter

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No copywriter can guarantee conversions.

If they could, they would be in more demand than a Vegas slot machine that puts out like Lindsay Lohan after a night at the L.A clubs!

A perfect marriage for success is a marketer who fully grasps the importance of investing in quality graphic/web design, knowing how to drive targeted traffic to the website/sales letter…

...And a copywriter that can both give & take directions to facilitate a flawless, on-going campaign.

Because…

Copy isn’t the only reason why a project flourishes or flops.

The design, colors, pictures/graphics and organization of the website/sales letter needs to perfectly complement the copy – in tone, eliciting the right emotions and conveying the precise feelings/mood.

Likewise…

If you’re driving traffic that isn’t targeted and then you ask, “Why isn’t my copy converting?”

The answer is a whole host of possible issues.

Astute marketers understand the necessity of only hiring a professional copywriter when they’re ready to fully engage in making sure everything is in harmony:

***You have to retain an equally professional website/graphic designer (or know how to do it yourself.)

***You must comprehend how to drive the right people to your site – who want AND need what you have (of course, we’ll convince them of that ;-)

***You have to know what your budget is AND what you expect in return. Anything less than clear communication about this sets the stage for an awkward relationship.

On that last bullet, do you think Donald Trump goes into ANY venture with no clue what he’s looking for and expects in return?

Nope.

You have to think like a successful entrepreneur – even if you’re still one project away from achieving your first mind-blowing financial results!

Always remember…

You’re making an INVESTMENT.

Do your due diligence before contacting someone or posting on the Copywriting Forum for help.

Why?

Well…

Your ultimate desire is to get your product/service in front of the right eyes, with the most approach-perfect copy – so you can make lots and lots of money, right?

The more you can bring to the table and the better prepared you are when you do seek out a copywriter, the greater your successful will be.

Mark Pescetti

P.S. No copywriter in his or her right mind would stay on a project and keep tweaking or re-writing copy if the design sucks, the graphics are hack and the traffic that’s coming onto the site is anybody’s guess. Keep that in mind when you’re looking for some sense of guarantee.

P.P.S.
I’ve personally never collaborated with another copywriter who hasn’t been successful at creating and selling his or her own products. This to me is a big deal, because if a copywriter can’t do something for him or herself, why should you expect they can do it for you?
#copywriter #couple #hire #things
  • Profile picture of the author Report Card
    This is pretty spot on.

    Just like the poor waiter gets blamed for cold food, the copywriter gets blamed when a campaign fails.

    People go to the copywriter when they're not ready, because they think it's the first step.

    We THINK in words, we SPEAK in words, and we WRITE in words...so people think this is where it all begins and ends.

    But as stated...first we need to GET them to the copy.

    Then we need to CREATE the emotion.

    Then we can SEDUCE their mind with the copy.

    People buy on emotion, and back up that emotion with reason...this is achieved with all parts working in harmony.

    Well said, my friend.



    Nick
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  • Profile picture of the author markpocock
    Depends on the offer.
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  • Profile picture of the author John_S
    On that last bullet, do you think Donald Trump goes into ANY venture with no clue what he’s looking for and expects in return?
    Well, maybe a different example would be better. Especially when your topic is marketing, excluding personal PR spin, of course. But I get the gist.

    Due diligence. I've also heard it called research.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
    I'm gonna play my own devils advocate here for a second...

    ...Because even though I stand by everything I said in the original post, that doesn't mean for a second "you need to have ALL your sh!t together before contacting someone on here - " as my wife pointed out to me.

    Copywriters can (and usually love to) be involved in the branding process, honing in upon the most harmonious market or niche for your product/service and creating the tone/approach for your copy.

    Yes, it helps if you have strong opinions - so the collaboration experience is extremely acute and productive.

    And as I said in a previous post, this is YOUR reputation when you put out YOUR product or service.

    So the presentation (copy AND appearance) must be something you resonate with since you're going to be the face of the marketing.

    I've mentioned it here before, but I spend hours interviewing and consulting with clients before writing anything - when the situation calls for it.

    I love The Creative Process.

    At a company I work for in San Francisco, we'll all sit around the table bouncing ideas back and forth until a clear direction is obtained.

    That's one of the reasons I LOVE this frickin' forum!

    I get the same juice here that I do at that board room or Skyping with clients about their copy and marketing direction.

    However...

    None of that takes the place of everything I talked about in the original post.

    You've got to be prepared when you hire a copywriter and have all your ducks in a row.

    For instance...

    Say you don't have a graphic/web designer ready to work when you hire your copywriter...

    ...And he or she needs to see how you're going to present the copy?

    How can you expect to hold anyone accountable for the conversions of your copy when the visual aspects are a complete unknown?

    In other words...

    The collaboration process goes far beyond the copy, your brand, your market/niche and driving traffic.

    One of my present clients (who found me on here) is a rock star.

    He's so on the ball when it comes to getting the visuals up to par with his graphic designer while we're still producing copy...

    ...Because he's aware that the way everything looks play a large role in the finished product.

    This is so key for you to understand.

    I've written fantastic copy for people who framed it in the most unattractive way possible, then wondered why it bombed!

    Anyway...

    I'm a Gemini...

    I have to talk about things from a myriad of different perspective...

    It's ingrained within me.

    Mark Pescetti

    P.S. When you hire a copywriter who plays a significant role in developing your marketing direction, it costs some good cheddar. Keep that in mind when you're fleshing out your budget and what you expect from a copywriter in return.
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