How long is a piece of cord?
Seriously, there is no universal rate card for copywriting because, like most professions, you get a wide range of experience and knowledge. Some ‘copywriters’ (ie those who call themselves copywriters but have no business writing experience) charge a few pounds; others (those with experience and know what they are doing) charge millions or thousands of dollars.
So how can you be sure you’ve found a good one and not one that’s going to flog you with poorly written nonsense?
How to find a great freelance copywriter
1. Ask around – Ask your colleagues and other trusted employers who they use. That way you will get an inside view of what the writer is like.
two. Google – Granted, a Google search will only bring up those who are pretty good at SEO (but that’s what you need, right?), but it will give you a selection of great writers along with their portfolios.
3. Call them – The best way to know if you’ve found the right writer is to talk to them. Call them and ring them. If you click through, chances are they are the writer for you.
4. Network of Professional Copywriters – Visit the NCP website. Granted, there’s no guarantee that the writers are fantastic, but the fact that they’ve taken a chance and are included on the site suggests they’re not that bad.
Why are there no prices on freelance copywriting websites?
As I said before, there is no universal fee for freelance copywriting.
Every writer will approach uploading differently, so here are a few things to keep in mind:
· for the word – If they charge per word, run a mile and don’t look back. First of all, they won’t know how many words they’ll need. Second, they could write rambling nonsense and charge the earth for it. Third, if you restrict them to a certain number of words, you’ll get bad writing.
· Per day/hour – For a one-off project, this is not a good idea. Unless you specify a number of days/hours, you could be in for a huge bill. However, if you’re looking for ongoing help (ie a writer on a retainer), this is perfect. You can hire them to work for you a certain number of days per month and use them as an extension of your marketing team.
· Fixed fee – This is the best option for specific projects. The price will include all research, content, and a certain number of reviews. Most writers will ask for 50% up front and the rest will be billed once the copy has been signed.
How can I be sure I have found a good freelance copywriter?
You have to go with your gut on this.
If you’ve done your homework, reviewed them, chatted with them, and asked a lot of questions about their past work and are happy with their answers, you should be in good hands.
Ask to see past work (although remember that those projects were written for a specific brief, so they won’t necessarily be what you’re looking for, but they will show the breadth of the writer’s ability). Look who they have worked with in the past. Read their testimonials – all of them will create an image of how good the writer is.
Isn’t it easier to let the marketing agency write the content for me?
It’s always an option (and often a cheaper one), but it’s worth keeping in mind that the agency copywriter will not be a copywriting specialist. They will be quite young.
How do I know that?
An agency is not going to pay the going rate for an experienced and highly qualified copywriter. Your inner writer will likely be doing other things as well, writing in his home style (ie not in a way that reflects his business) and therefore generating generic content.
You want something that reflects your brand personality.
I want you to write to me
Excellent! Get in touch and let’s have a chat about what you’re looking for. If I don’t think it’s right for you, I’ll put you in touch with other writers who I think will be able to give you what you’re looking for.
You know, aside, years ago, a well-respected writer advised me not to promote myself as a freelance writer because, in his opinion, the word ‘freelance’ devalued what I do.
I’ve always had a problem with that.
First of all, I’m a copywriter. With over a decade of experience, I’ve worked with some of the world’s biggest brands (and that’s working directly with them and not through an agency) and some of the most diverse SMEs I’ve ever encountered.
Second, freelancing is how I choose to work. I don’t want my wings cut off and just working for one company. Having the freedom to work for a variety of industries enriches my work.
I am proud to be known as a freelance copywriter and will continue to use that term.
It shows that I am independent, worldly (in writing ability), and a mine of ideas that will add a new dimension to every project I work on.
Going back to the original question ‘how much do freelance copywriters get paid?’, I urge you not to look at it as a cost but rather an investment.
The content you pay for will be around for a long time. It has to be carefully written to make sure it resonates with the audience you’re trying to reach.
If you pay peanuts, you’ll get shit. If you pay well, you’ll get content that’s tailored to your (and your audience’s) specific needs, and that will work over and over again.