How To Get A Killer Copywriter To Work With You At No Upfront Cost

[Daniel Scott]

Lately there seems to be more "write for me for free and we'll split the profits" posts than usual.

Now... I'm not going to go into all the reasons most copywriters don't touch those with a ten-foot pole here... there's enough of that on this forum (use the search function if you don't believe me).

What I thought I WOULD do is make a quick post talking about how you CAN get great copywriters to work with you... even if you don't have a lot of cash to burn.

1. DO SOME GODDAMN WORK

If you have this "idea" but haven't done anything with it, we won't touch it. On the other hand, if you've got traffic... have re-written your copy a lot... and just can't make it work... we might want to help.

After all... if you're not willing to at least TRY to make things work out... it's unlikely you'll have the drive and ambition to get a business off the ground.

2. OFFER SOME CASH UP-FRONT

Even if it's only a few hundred bucks, showing you're willing to invest cash proves you're serious about getting your project off the ground. Looking for a complete risk-free solution for you will NOT make us want to help.

3. BE WILLING TO SHARE METRICS AND RESULTS

If you're not tracking traffic, conversions, and other stuff... there's no way to figure out whether you've got a copy problem or a traffic problem (or something else). Plus, tracking results is evidence you're treating this like a business, not a way to kill a few hours in between your favorite TV shows.

4. HAVE AN IN-DEPTH BUSINESS PLAN WITH AN INTERESTING PRODUCT

If all you have is rehashed garbage, then you're dead in the water from day one. We can pay some dude $500 on eLance to put together a crappy ebook no problem.

What we DON'T have is amazing products with new an interesting ideas... things the market would give their right arm for. If it's new, different, and useful - or if you've got serious credibility in the market - then you've got our attention. If not, go back to the drawing board.

Now, this isn't an exhaustive list... but if you can check those four boxes, you're at least on the right track. Some copywriters won't work in any situation except flat fee - I used to be one of them. But from what I'm seeing, more and more are interested in helping build entire businesses... IF the opportunity's good.

-Daniel

[The Copy Nazi]

"If it's new, different, and useful". I wish. Rarely happens though. It's just the same old, same old - that we're expected to perform miracles on with our "spin" and "positioning". Especially in the "make money online" niche.

[John_S]

This is a good start. But some points are left out.

Always gross sales, never net profit. There is simply too much temptation to pad expenses. That's why you practically never try this kind of deal with a startup, because startups have legitimate, often large, expenses associated with launching a business.

Many startups will put all available profits into being able to grow enough just to ship the increased orders. ...So no statups ...no net profit.

Metrics had better include access to the order system for seeing every single sale -- no reports, no second hand "we'll let you know." You log in. You see the orders.

"Ah man! I have the best idea ever!"

Run from untested "best product ever" delusions. They often go hand-in-hand with Nondisclosure and "We can't test it ...word will leak out!"

There's another caveat, nondisclosure. It was a fine tool. Now it is just as much about keeping information from ruining the inventor's splendid delusion than keeping info from getting out to competitors.

They won't test with users to improve the design. They will not redesign, because "it's the best product ever." So no marketing research either. Most assume competition will roll over and play dead upon launch.

A marketing or business plan that does not include competitor reactions to product introduction, and your countermeasures for competitor reactions is a plan built on quicksand. Most products are so primitive they can be knocked off within minutes.

That product doesn't require an NDA, it requires a total product redesign.

The reality is most people proposing this kind of deal have no intention of paying you, ever. Clearly evident neglect of how you get paid is merely evidence paying you is not a concern. Even if they could pay, their business can't handle an increase on the order necessary to be worth your while.

If they can't structure this kind of deal properly, if they have to be told all this, exactly how to you imagine they will run their business and pay you? The very thoughtlessness in proposing such deals disqualifies the offerer from making good.

[DougHughes]

If you don't have money for a copywriter, you probably don't have money for the media buys it will take to blow you up.

Pay and points + Unique product, irresistible offer, and a solid media plan and let's think about it.

[David Flannery]

great post Daniel, and Mal I completely agree with you ... some wanna be millionaires wont even take the time to fully complete a simple questionnaire ... and then expect you to make their rehashed garbage sound like the next coming ... go figure!