8 Questions You Should Ask Your Copywriter

Communication is essential when you decide to work with a copywriter. We need to know all about your business and your target audience so that we can deliver the perfect copy for your website or blog.

But there’s also a lot that you need to know about us. That’s why I always have a no-obligation Discovery Call with potential clients.

I always encourage questions in these chats, so that you can rest assured that I’m the right fit for you. But how do you know the right questions to ask, to understand what a copywriter can do for your business?

Here are eight questions you should ask your copywriter before starting a project.

What are the different stages of a project?

Every copywriter is going to have a different process, so you need to make sure that our way of working complements what you’re looking for. Generally, the process will consist of research, creating a brief, a first draft, edits, and then sign-off.

I stay in touch with my clients every step of the way to make sure we’re always on the same page, from our initial chat to delivering the final draft. It only works if it’s a collaborative process: you share your expertise which, paired with my research, creates copy that focuses on the reader and gets your message across every time.

Do you have any reviews?

It’s the first thing we look for when we’re buying anything –and copywriting should be no different. The best way to find out if a copywriter can deliver the service you need is by seeing what their existing clients have to say.

Most copywriters will have reviews and client testimonials visible on their website and social media profiles – for example, you can find some of mine scattered throughout my website, and I have a lot of recommendations on LinkedIn too.

If you’re looking for more specific reviews from customers in a certain industry or for a particular service, just ask! A good copywriter will be happy to share client testimonials to show why they're the right person for the job.

How much do you charge?

Money can be an awkward conversation topic - but it doesn’t have to be!

I always try to bring up budget on the very first call and mention a ballpark figure for how much a project is going to cost. That way, you’ll have a reasonable idea of what to expect in the official quote. I also include guide prices throughout my website to give you an idea of what to expect before we even speak.

You also need to understand your copywriter’s payment terms – do they require the full amount upfront, or will they take a percentage deposit and then stage out the rest of your invoices?

Similarly, you should have an idea of your budget before you start looking for a copywriter to work with. It’s very hard for us to understand what we can do for you within your price range if you don’t give us one!

…and what does that include?

Always ensure that a quote from a copywriter breaks down exactly what is included in the price.

If the quote is more than you expected, it might just mean that it's a more time-intensive project than first anticipated (and so massively limits a copywriter’s ability to take on other work), unlimited rounds of edits are included, or if you have requested a last-minute job.

Remember: copywriting isn’t just about putting words on apage – it involves a lot of time, energy, and effort. Copywriters will take that into account and reflect it in their quotes.

How long will it take?

This is the most important question to ask if you’re working to a strict deadline. If you’re launching a new product or revamping your website and you have a specific timeframe to work with, make sure you leave a gap to get your copy sorted out.

As we’ve already seen, copywriting involves a lot of background work and there are various steps to take before we deliver the final result. But more than that, it requires input from you.

There are key pieces of information we will need from you at the beginning of any project, and you will need to have the capacity to deliver feedback throughout the process. If this is something you’ll struggle with, you need to factor that into your deadline expectations.

If you’re more flexible with your time, you can follow your copywriter’s lead – we know better than anyone how much time it will take to produce the right content for your website or blog.

As a guide – if you need copy for five pages on a brand-new website, I would request at least two weeks between the date of our initial Business Deep Dive Call and delivering the final version of the copy to you.

Have you worked with similar businesses?

If you’re working with a copywriter that specialises in your industry then you won’t have to ask this question, but many writers are involved in a variety of sectors and businesses.

Don’t panic if the copywriter is new to your industry! By taking the time to find out all about the market, your competitors, and your audience before writing a single word, we can write copy that’s engaging, relevant, and puts the focus on your customers. A fresh perspective is beneficial, as we look at your business from your reader’s point of view – they are almost certainly not going to have the same in-depth knowledge that you do.

Can you guarantee results?

This is a complicated question to answer.

There’s no doubt that good website and blog copy leads to conversions. But as a general rule, it’s much harder to calculate than the conversion rate of adverts and email marketing, for example.

This is another situation where client testimonials come in handy, as they can give you a clear idea of how a copywriter’s content has had a positive effect on their business.

What do you need from me?

This is the final question to ask once you’ve decided to work with a copywriter – it’s a collaborative process, after all.

Generally, you’ll need to share information such as:

-         Any existing brand guidelines

-         Key competitors

-         Your existing client profiles

For me, and many other copywriters, getting you to fill out a questionnaire just won’t cut it. We will want to meet you, virtually or in-person, to pick your brains and gather all the information we need to move onto the next step in the process – that’s what my Deep Dive Calls are for. You would be surprised at the knots we can untangle and the light bulbs that switch on during these conversations, which can ultimately shape the direction of your messaging.

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These are some of the key questions that come up time andtime again when I start chatting to prospective clients, but of course, you’ll have your queries specific to your business needs.

Think I might be the copywriter for you? Book your own Discovery Call and let’s have a chat to see how we can work together.

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