So, you’re on the lookout for a hot-shot freelance copywriter with the talent and skills to match?
Cough, cough… Err, how about me?!
Ok, if for some weird reason you don’t fancy putting my fantastic copywriting skills to the test, here are five simple tips to ensure you don’t end up with a nightmare copywriter…
Tip 1 – Rate their core competency
When researching a freelance copywriter online, one of the first things you should do is check out their website for any obvious errors. Sloppy punctuation, poor grammar, spelling errors and an inadequate grasp of the English language are all signs of a sub-standard writer and should raise red flags straight away.
Of course, everyone’s bound to make mistakes from time to time, but a failure to properly proofread their work and rectify those mistakes clearly indicates a lack of care and attention to detail. And you have to ask yourself; if they’re not taking pride in their own work, are they really going to take much pride in yours?
Tip 2 – May I see your samples, please?
Before going ahead and confirming their appointment, it makes sense to ask a freelance copywriter if you can view some samples of their sales copy. Many of them will usually have a portfolio page on their site displaying a number of projects they’ve worked on. The ones that don’t will have no objections to your reasonable request and will promptly provide you with a few of their best samples.
Tip 3 – What’s their feedback like?
When it comes to purchasing anything on Amazon or eBay, we tend to automatically favor a product or service that has received positive feedback, as we know that many other customers have already had a good experience using it. Similarly, when hiring a freelance copywriter, make it a point to check their feedback from previous clients. This is a great way to judge their competency, skill level and standard of work. If they haven’t got any testimonials on their website, contact them and ask for third-party references.
Tip 4 – Discuss your project
It’s always a good idea to thoroughly discuss your project and lay out your ideas and requirements, before putting down a deposit. This’ll help ensure that the candidate you select knows exactly what you want and how soon you want it. Any freelance copywriter with ‘in-the-trenches’ experience understands this concept and will be more than happy to work with you. Also, he/she will be keen on producing results that may exceed your expectations so you’re more likely to hire him/her again for future projects.
Tip 5 – Never go with the cheapest quote you get
Once you’ve completed your research and whittled down your list of copywriters, the next step is to obtain some quotes for your project. Here’s an important point you may want to keep in mind: do not base your decision on price alone. In other words, don’t choose a freelance copywriter just because they gave you the lowest quote. Instead, you’ll need to figure out which candidate is more likely to produce the best results based on the points mentioned above – and then weigh that up against the quotes you receive.
Now you don’t have to shell out a huge sum of money on your copywriting project. But saying that, the best wordsmiths are rarely the cheapest. Ideally, you want to pick someone who will provide you with sizzling copy at the most affordable rate.
So there you have it – 5 great tips for hiring a top gun freelance copywriter. Of course, you can always save yourself the time and hassle of choosing one, by simply opting for me instead!