The Best Way to Find & Hire a Copywriter in 2023
Head of Creative Performance, Speed & Scalability
20 min read
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With over 5 million blog posts written every single day, there’s no room for mediocrity. You either go big, or you might as well go home. Low or even medium-quality content will silently perish in the endless pool of information that is today's internet. So if you want your brand to thrive, your content shouldn’t just pass by unnoticed online.
All this content is written by thousands of copywriters, some more talented than others. So you’re probably thinking, ‘ok, I need to get my hands on one of the good ones.’ But with such high numbers, "good" doesn’t do it anymore; you need a killer copywriter, and those are not so easy to find. Hiring a copywriter is no easy job, especially if you’re looking for the best of the best. That’s why we’re here to give you a helping hand, and give you some pointers as to the dos and don’ts of hiring a copywriter and where to look for one.
Don’t Make These Mistakes When Hiring Professional Copywriters
We’ve talked to many of our clients and asked them about their process of finding the right copywriter for their business, their hurdles, and challenges. Here are some of the mistakes they've made along the way, and what you should do differently when you hire your website copywriter.
1. Looking for a jack of all trades
Truth is, the best copywriters won’t come to you. You need to find them, but first, let’s define what best means. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to copywriting. With so many various types of content available today (emails, white papers, blog articles, press releases, eBooks, etc.), it’s impossible to find a person that can ace them all. So you should understand your needs and wants first, to know what to expect from the copywriting hiring process and the final product itself.
2. Lack of communication
One of the biggest mistakes people do when hiring a copywriter is to assume that they only need a title or an idea from you. It’s the other way around. A great copywriter will also ask you about the purpose of the content, target audience, writing style, approximate word count, keywords, etc., in order to create copy that will thrive. Make sure you provide all necessary information from the beginning, clearly communicate your needs, and leave the lines of communication open throughout the entire project, so any misunderstandings are rectified quickly, and constructive feedback can be incorporated fast.
3. Expect stellar quality, fast turnaround, and low costs
Here's a combination that's pretty impossible to find. You need to understand you’re likely to get only one or two of these three criteria. If you want top-notch content delivered fast, get ready to pay the big bucks. If you want a fast turnaround, you’ll have to compromise on quality or increase the budget. If you’re not willing to pay much, you need to be realistic about it and know you’ll have to give up quality or swiftness.
4. Expect an endless number of drafts and changes
Usually, copywriters offer one draft and up to two rounds of changes and revisions. If your expectations are somewhat different, or you’ve never worked with that copywriter before, set clear goals regarding the number of drafts and changes included in the initial estimate. Any additional revisions are paid too. No stellar copywriter will work for free.
5. Not asking for samples
Basing your copywriter hiring decision solely on the person’s resume won’t necessarily get you the best copywriter out there, or the right one for you. Ask for samples to get a better sense of the writing style and quality you can expect. Another great way to get a better grasp of the value a particular copywriter can bring to your brand is asking them to show you a before and after of some of their previous work. It might be difficult for them to offer you that, but you can also ask them to describe the changes they made to the copy, what their approach was, and how they transformed the content.
6. Setting unclear deadlines
Just like most businesses or entrepreneurs, you probably want that copy yesterday, but quality takes time. From our own experience, we can say it’s better to wait a bit longer and get a stellar result than rush the copywriter and set yourself for mediocrity. However, it’s important to discuss a timeframe for the first draft and set realistic, tangible deadlines. Also take a buffer for revisions, rewrites, and edits.
7. Expect to waste no time
You’ve already spent a lot of time looking for the right wordsmith for the job. You’ve found that top-notch copywriter you’ve been looking for, so your job now is done, right? Not even close. You need to understand that no matter who you choose to do the copywriting job, you still need to invest time in revising the content, giving feedback, and asking for changes, if necessary. That’s the part of the job no copywriter can take off your shoulders.
8. Looking for an SEO pro
SEO is still relevant in 2019, although search engines have suffered some significant changes and analyze content differently than they used to. But copywriting and SEO are two different things. Ideally, you can hire a copywriter with SEO knowledge, but don’t go for an SEO pro. You’re hiring a copywriter for their creativity, unique take on ideas and words, and voice. There’s no bigger buzz killer for a copywriter than a long list of SEO rules that will stir them off from what really matters (ideas and flow) and have them focus on using certain words in certain places. You can offer them a list of keywords to have in mind, but leave the rest out.
25 Best Places to Hire a Freelance Copywriter
Now that you have a better sense of the most common mistakes people make when hiring a copywriter, and understand the whole process and your needs better, let’s also take a look at some of the best places to find the freelance copywriter you need.
Copify
Copify has a team of qualified, pre-approved copywriters that delivers quick, quality content, be it press releases, email copy, website content, product descriptions, or blog articles. Pricing : Start from $0.06 per word
Writer Access
What differentiates Writer’s Access from other similar platforms is their StyleMetrics Matcher that will find you the perfect writer for your style and tone. Pricing : Price may vary depends on the plans, different pricing based on content or based on membership.
Scripted
Scripted helps both agencies and enterprises with their copywriting and freelance writing needs. They handle email newsletters, blog posts, social media content, and website copy. Pricing : Starts from $45 per 350 - 450 words
CrowdContent
This platform handles all your copywriting and ghostwriting needs. If you want to hire an SEO copywriter, you need an expert to create a white paper, or you’re looking for technical writers, they’ve got you covered. Pricing : Starts from $2.2 - $12 per 100 words
The Writers for Hire
This Houston-based company serves both businesses and individuals in need of top-quality content. They write white papers, family histories, C-level autobiographies, and nonfiction books. Pricing : $480 - $1200 per 25 - 450 words
Compose.ly
The vetted writers at compose.ly will do thorough research and create professional content in your brand’s tone of voice. They have specialized writers for different niches. Pricing : $64.95 per 350 - 500 words Sample of work
Writing Assist
Here’s a great solution if you want to hire a copywriter specialized in marketing materials, SEO copywriting, blog posts, social media, radio and TV scripts. Pricing : Need to request quote Sample of work
iWriter
iWriter handles all your copywriting needs from articles, blog posts, and press releases to eBooks, Amazon reviews, and cover letters. Pricing : They have four pricing plans to match any budget. Starts from $1.40 for Standard plan, $3 for Premium plan, $4.70 for Elite plan, and $13 for Elite Plus plan; each for 150 words
Jacob McMillen
The solution for persuasive content that will communicate your brand’s value, craft great calls to action, help you connect with your customers, and ultimately increase your revenue. Pricing : Need to request quote
UK Writings
This website offers copywriting, editing, and proofreading services. They also have a price calculator, based on the type of service and paper you need, number of pages, academic level, and urgency. Pricing : Starts from $24.99 - $46.99 per page Sample of work
Copywriter Today
Here you can order the first article for free, and then, for a monthly fee, you can get access to a US-based writing team. Pricing : Have 3 writing teams package/subscriptions, start from $257 - $457/month Sample of work
Get a Copywriter
Their copywriting services range from blog posts, web pages, and product descriptions to press releases, white papers, and other custom formats. Pricing : Starts from $34 per 400 words
Stratton Craig
This UK-based company offers copywriting services, content strategy, and writing and language consultancy. Pricing : Need to request quote
Market Smiths
This company targets enterprises, agencies, and small businesses. They offer web copy services, sales decks, content marketing, and leadership materials. Pricing : Price based on complexity, scope, and the sector category Sample of work
Brafton
The copywriting services are the foundation of Brafton, but they’ve also expanded and now offer content marketing, graphic design, content analytics, video marketing services, and more. Pricing : Need to request quote
Main Street Host
This is a digital marketing agency that offers SEO, web design, PPC, social media, and content writing services. Pricing : Need to request quote
Rightly Written
Rightly Written offer a wide range of content writing services from press releases, blogs, and social media to technical or creative content, eBooks, product reviews, resumes, taglines, and more. Pricing : Need to request quote Sample of work
Godot Media
Their copywriting services also include free keyword optimization for SEO and unlimited revisions in the premium plan. Pricing : From $3.30/ 100 words Sample of work
Constant Content
This is a reliable solution if you need content for your landing pages, advertisements, email campaigns, or sales letters. Pricing : Need to request quote
Text Royal
Text Royal offer a tiered system to make sure that you can find a plan that's right for you, your business, or your enterprise. Pricing : Offer 3 levels of service and charge their services per word. The price is $0.03 for Basic level, $0.036 for Standard and $0.045 for Enterprise level
Copywriting
Copywriting is as straightforward as their name suggests, but they don't cut corners on their work, delivering high-quality copy to persuade your audience. Pricing : Price may vary depends on its complexity, scope and amount of work.
GoSuperb
GoSuperb handpicks its in-house writers to ensure the very best quality in whatever project you choose to undertake. Pricing : From $1.25 per 100 words Sample of work
CrowdSource
Crowdsource make expert writers around the world available for you to choose the best fit for you. Pricing : Need to request quote
Rule of Three
This U.K.-based company approaches copywriting as an art and a science, tailoring their services to your precise needs. Pricing : Need to request quoteHere are some more tips on hiring copywriters from industry experts
Shmoon Head of Creative Performance, Speed & Scalability
My fellow Supersiders and I enable and elevate ambitious marketers and creative teams—breaking through bottlenecks and scaling creative. There is a better way to get design done. We chase the sun to bring you the "Shmoon"— that's me :)
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