Help: Choosing a $500 Sales Copywriter

[Wonderbaum]

I know this is my first post to this forum but I am hoping that you guys and girls will be able to help me out anyway.

I’ve been online for a long time and have learnt a lot about internet marketing. In this process one thing I’ve learnt is that writing compelling sales copy just isn’t something that I am cut out for (honestly I simple don’t have the interest).

Therefore I am looking for a copywriter to craft a 1-page sales letter for an information product (ebook) that I am creating.

My challenge is that I have never hired a copywriter before and I’m afraid that I’ll end up picking a writer that will not be able to fulfill the job to my satisfaction (which will be a conversion rate of min. 2%). I know that there are a lot of things that go into making high conversions (product, niche, sales copy, price, layout, testing&tweaking etc.) but it is nevertheless my success criteria.

I’m creating the product based on actual potential customer questions (I’ll provide the answers to them) so I’m pretty sure that there will be a market for it and that a copywriter can take those questions and use them in the sales copy.

Because sales letters isn’t my thing I’m going to need a copywriter that will not only be able to write but who will also be able to design the actual layout (large/small fonts / font colors / bullets / testimonial boxes etc.) in order to make it work at its optimal level.

The niche is about pet insurance and is therefore rather specific.

My questions are:

- Where do I go look for such a copywriter?
- How do I best determine that she/he is the right one for the job?
- What can I expect when it comes to pricing? (I’m thinking $500)
- Are there anything that I need to be aware of before hiring the writer?

I hope you’ll be able to get me on the right track so I can find that perfect copywriter. Thanks.

[John_S]

I’m afraid that I’ll end up picking a writer that will not be able to fulfill the job to my satisfaction (which will be a conversion rate of min. 2%). I know that there are a lot of things that go into making high conversions (product, niche, sales copy, price, layout, testing&tweaking etc.) but it is nevertheless my success criteria.

Apparently money isn't one of the things which go into a high-conversion copywriting job.

At $500, be afraid. ...be very afraid.

[IRON_STRONG]

500 bucks for a one page sales letter sounds decent to me. seeing as how many of the top copy wirters here charge aorund 6 grand for 25 pages or more...

not sure where your coimng from john.

if you need a good copywriter buam shoot em a PM i will hook you up with the guy i just used and he wrote the first sales letter i have ever had a reponse from. hes really good, afordable and IMO better than most i've seen here.

[colmodwyer]

$500 for a one page sales letter might sound decent; but less space requires really strong copy so it's still wise not to scrimp.

Colm

[Cherilyn Woodhouse]

Hi Mikael;

You may be surprised to find that some pretty good copywriters can fit within your budget... Here are some answers to your questions:

- Where do I go look for such a copywriter?

Right here on the warrior forum would be a good place to start.

- How do I best determine that she/he is the right one for the job?

Look at testimonials, samples, and talk to them via email.

- What can I expect when it comes to pricing? (I’m thinking $500)

Anywhere from $500 to $50,000 - it is really up to who you want to hire.

- Are there anything that I need to be aware of before hiring the writer?

Yes. You need to be aware of exactly what YOU need from the project. Who your ideal customers are, where your traffic is coming from, the goal of the salesletter (optin, sale, etc), the specific timeframe that you would like to see it completed in, have your testimonials ready, have a copy of the product and/or a product outline ready, and be ready to answer some questions from your copywriter.

The worst thing you can do is say "this is what I've written so far" or "this is what the product might be like" and just let a copywriter run with it... First, most experienced copywriters won't take on a project like that, because they know it results in YOU being unhappy. Second, it speeds up the process when you have all of the required information ready before hand, so your copywriter can have it from the get-go.

As far as who to choose, it really is up to you. You can check my portfolio link, in my signature, for samples & testimonials - I'm experienced in writing for pet products, which would be an advantage for you. My rates are competitive (which you can see in my sig as well).

Good luck!

- Cherilyn

[DavidJohnson]

Passion. That's what it's all about. Make sure you talk to your potential copywriter on the phone, through email it's hard to get a gauge of how people truly are.

I couldn't tell you how many times I adverted a potential disaster because of the feeling I received when I spoke with somebody.

While on the phone pay close attention to the questions being asked and how they are responding to your answers. A good copywriter will make you think about your product in ways you never thought about it before. A master copywriter will make you think, "Wow! You really opened my eyes! I think I can make more money now that you have put it that way."

Go with your gut then speak with a few of their past customers on the phone.

I would love to work with you, PM me and I'll give you a call. Have a great day!

[Loren Woirhaye]

Originally Posted by Wonderbaum

My challenge is that I have never hired a copywriter before and I’m afraid that I’ll end up picking a writer that will not be able to fulfill the job to my satisfaction (which will be a conversion rate of min. 2%). I know that there are a lot of things that go into making high conversions (product, niche, sales copy, price, layout, testing&tweaking etc.) but it is nevertheless my success criteria.


My questions are:

- Where do I go look for such a copywriter?
- How do I best determine that she/he is the right one for the job?
- What can I expect when it comes to pricing? (I’m thinking $500)
- Are there anything that I need to be aware of before hiring the writer?

I hope you’ll be able to get me on the right track so I can find that perfect copywriter. Thanks.

Expecting a 2% conversion with a $500 salesletter is indeed ambitious. I'm
not saying it won't happen, but putting the responsibility on the writer
is overstretching your expectations. The reason is this - in order to convert
at that level you'll need highly targeted, motivated visitors. Question is -
where are you gonna get them?

I could write some great copy for you but if your traffic strategy was
cheap or screwy I doubt we'd get many buyers. For example - the DIGG
effect can be great for traffic, but seldom for sales. Same thing with social
networking.

I don't intend to be mean. Just realistic. I have some ideas that could
get you positioned well to sell it - but I have no idea if you can actually
deliver a product that would have the value that would get people whipping
out their credit cards.

[Wonderbaum]

Thank you all for your great replies. I'm short on time right now but I'll comment on your comments as soon as I can. Thanks a million.

[DavidJohnson]

Originally Posted by malibumentor

Expecting a 2% conversion with a $500 salesletter is indeed ambitious. I'm
not saying it won't happen, but putting the responsibility on the writer
is overstretching your expectations. The reason is this - in order to convert
at that level you'll need highly targeted, motivated visitors. Question is -
where are you gonna get them?

I could write some great copy for you but if your traffic strategy was
cheap or screwy I doubt we'd get many buyers. For example - the DIGG
effect can be great for traffic, but seldom for sales. Same thing with social
networking.

I don't intend to be mean. Just realistic. I have some ideas that could
get you positioned well to sell it - but I have no idea if you can actually
deliver a product that would have the value that would get people whipping
out their credit cards.

Great Advice! But if you check out his sig, he sounds as if he really knows how to get targeted traffic.

[louis30092]

I agree with most of what the other writers have posted.
If you would like to see what goes into a good sales letter, I have a free paper on that topic on my web site that you can download.
Don't hire a "sales" copywriter who has never sold anything. (I deliver sales copywriting, and marketing that sells your product........And, if you're ready, I will help you START a business.)

[Wonderbaum]

Originally Posted by Cherilyn Lester

Hi Mikael;

You may be surprised to find that some pretty good copywriters can fit within your budget... Here are some answers to your questions:

- Where do I go look for such a copywriter?

Right here on the warrior forum would be a good place to start.

- How do I best determine that she/he is the right one for the job?

Look at testimonials, samples, and talk to them via email.

- What can I expect when it comes to pricing? (I’m thinking $500)

Anywhere from $500 to $50,000 - it is really up to who you want to hire.

- Are there anything that I need to be aware of before hiring the writer?

Yes. You need to be aware of exactly what YOU need from the project. Who your ideal customers are, where your traffic is coming from, the goal of the salesletter (optin, sale, etc), the specific timeframe that you would like to see it completed in, have your testimonials ready, have a copy of the product and/or a product outline ready, and be ready to answer some questions from your copywriter.

The worst thing you can do is say "this is what I've written so far" or "this is what the product might be like" and just let a copywriter run with it... First, most experienced copywriters won't take on a project like that, because they know it results in YOU being unhappy. Second, it speeds up the process when you have all of the required information ready before hand, so your copywriter can have it from the get-go.

As far as who to choose, it really is up to you. You can check my portfolio link, in my signature, for samples & testimonials - I'm experienced in writing for pet products, which would be an advantage for you. My rates are competitive (which you can see in my sig as well).

Good luck!

- Cherilyn

Thank you Cherilyn, your answers were very helpful. Since I've gotten a lot of offers through PM and Email I'm now going to do some research and get back to each writer (that I find talented) and ask more questions. Thanks!