Are you looking to hire a copywriter?
A good copywriter can do a lot for your business. Content marketing is taking off right now, and creating unique content for your blog, email list and social media channels can help you bring in tons of new business.
But creating this content takes a lot of time and effort that most business owners don’t have. That’s where hiring a freelance copywriter comes in, and it’s a great investment.
However, there are tons of writers out there looking for work, but not all of them will have the skills necessary to help your business succeed. Keep reading to find out how to make sure you hire a high-quality copywriter.
How to Hire a Copywriter
Before you hire a copywriter, you need to make sure they have the right skills and personality to fit your unique business.
To help you sort through candidates, here are five things you need to do before you hire a copywriter.
1. Check Out Their Work
A good copywriter should be able to produce a portfolio of their past work. Make sure you ask them for this before you hire them so you can get a feel for the work they’ve done.
This also gives you the opportunity to make sure their writing style and skill set are a good match with your business.
2. Make Sure They’re Available
Availability is key, especially if you’re hiring a copywriter who will work remotely or only work part-time.
Copywriters often work on a freelance basis, which means that you might be one of many clients that they have. This isn’t always a problem, but you do need to make sure that they’ll have time for your copywriting needs.
Ask them how many clients they have and how many hours a week they can dedicate to your projects. If they can’t give you a clear and honest answer, then you should move on to a writer that has more time to spare.
3. Make Sure They’re Passionate About Writing
Passion can be difficult to pick up on, but it’s a critical ingredient for a great copywriter. Writing that comes from a passionate copywriter is engaging and will leave your customers wanting more.
Before you hire a copywriter, ask them why they like to write and why they’re in the industry. This will tell you if they truly love what they do, or if they’re just looking for a way to make some quick money.
4. Set Clear Expectations
Communication is key between you and your copywriters. Make sure job expectations are clearly laid out before you bring anyone on board.
Will they have set work hours every day or week? Or will this be one small project? The more details you can give your writers about the kind of work they’ll be doing, the better quality writers and projects you’ll receive back.
5. Ask Them to Take a Test
Writing tests are a standard part of the hiring process for copywriters. If you’re not sure that your candidates really have the skills, give them a quick writing test.
Anyone can claim to be a copywriter on the internet, but a writing test helps you make sure they actually have the skills they say they have. Have them write a blog post or sample social media post. If you go this route, it’s always nice to offer to pay them for their work.
Find More Help For Your Business
Running a business takes work, and taking the time to hire a copywriter is just the beginning.
Check out the rest of our blog for more advice on finding businesses that will help you run your company better. For more marketing advice, check out this article that shows you the best promotional materials that will bring in new customers.