You Have To Be Very, Very Rich To Hire A "Cheap" Copywriter

[Steve The Copywriter]

Thought I should share this with you…

A potential client phoned, we had a chat, I quoted a price and the client was stunned.

The conversation then went like this-

I said - “Well, you have to be very, very rich to hire a “cheap” copywriter”

Client said - “Why?”

I said - “Because after you’ve spent hours discussing everything need and you get “third rate” copy.

You have all the costs in putting it online, or printing and posting it or the media expenses in advertising it - and nothing happens.

Then you start all over again… with another “cheap” copywriter…and then another….and then another…”

Client said - “Yea OK, I get it. So – your fee is 50% now and the balance on completion, pop into the office tomorrow and pick up the check.

[Alex Cohen]

Good objection resolution Steve. Rather than just saying, "You get what you pay for", you dimensionalized it.

A great example of how specifics can tip the scale.

Alex

[JakeDaly]

Steve, your client sounds awesome. One of my favorite things about conducting business with new clients is finding clients like that, the ones who know and realize good business when they see it. Oftentimes those are the same clients that let you do your own thing and realize that you're the expert.

[arfasaira]

Originally Posted by Steve Copywriter

Thought I should share this with you…

A potential client phoned, we had a chat, I quoted a price and the client was stunned.

The conversation then went like this-

I said - “Well, you have to be very, very rich to hire a “cheap” copywriter”

Client said - “Why?”

I said - “Because after you’ve spent hours discussing everything need and you get “third rate” copy.

You have all the costs in putting it online, or printing and posting it or the media expenses in advertising it - and nothing happens.

Then you start all over again… with another “cheap” copywriter…and then another….and then another…”

Client said - “Yea OK, I get it. So – your fee is 50% now and the balance on completion, pop into the office tomorrow and pick up the check.

Fantastic tactic to use - rather than focusing on why you charge what you do and having to justify your price, you're reframing the client's mind and getting them to think what would happen if they hired a cheap copywriter. And all while keeping you out of the equation, leading the client to make his own mind up and hire you.

You used a classic copywriting technique to awesome effect! That's amazing!!!

[myeanne]

yeah, I agree.

There are some clients who wants to get high quality but doesn't want to pay for it. Good thing, you convinced your client. I think, I need to use your techniques then.

[Cam Connor]

Copywriters really need to prospect correctly, and qualify people first... The average online marketer just isn't worthy of a good Copywriter.

[Carl Fridsjö]

What is a "cheap" copywriter? In your sense (or anyone else), what do you think is a reasonable price for good quality?

[Steve The Copywriter]

I should add - I didn't tell the client that I was any good at copywriting - I just said I wasn't cheap (lol).

[Steve The Copywriter]

Originally Posted by Carl Fridsjö

What is a "cheap" copywriter? In your sense (or anyone else), what do you think is a reasonable price for good quality?

Good question and hellishly difficult to answer.

It's just a thought - (actually more of a guess) - but I would say if you pay between $3,000 - $5,000 you should be getting a good quality copywriter.

Sadly and ironically there are lots of quality copywriters who charge a lot less.

And poor copywriters who charge a lot more.

[Steve The Copywriter]

It was Richard Armstrong (an A list copywriter) who suggested - (I'm hoping I'm quoting him correctly) -

Double your fees and say you have a 12 month waiting list.

And you'll attract excellent clients.

[Joe Ditzel]

Originally Posted by Steve Copywriter

It was Richard Armstrong (an A level copywriter) who suggested - (I'm hoping I'm quoting him correctly) -

Double your fees and say you have a 12 month waiting list.

And you'll attract excellent clients.

Ryan Healy links to Armstrong's free report "Make More by Writing Less" here:
On Copywriting: Richard Armstrong Interview Now Available

[n1985]

Haha firms, they want more for less.

[My220x]

Originally Posted by Carl Fridsjö

What is a "cheap" copywriter? In your sense (or anyone else), what do you think is a reasonable price for good quality?

I would consider anything less than $1,000 pretty cheap. There are actually some people on freelancer sites like oDesk who want a sales letter written for $100, I just guess some people don't know the power of good copy.

[Nostrildamus]

Like it. You told a little story that put your client right in the picture. Textbook.

[The Copy Nazi]

That Richard Armstrong page is a beauty! I even bought the book. Thank you Steve. Thank you Joe. And thank you ball-boys.

http://www.goddoesntshootcraps.com/freegift2.html

[Steve The Copywriter]

Btw - Richards book "God Doesn't Shoot Craps" is a cracking read.

[jdk1970]

Could you share how much more your rate was than the cheap one... percentage wise?

[Steve The Copywriter]

It’s difficult to say, because the clients didn’t really know what a “cheap” rate was.

They were just a bit shocked at my price.

Then I did my “you’ve got to be rich to hire a cheap writer” pitch and all was well.

When it comes to your fees – always charge what you feel you are worth.

[Cam Connor]

Originally Posted by Steve Copywriter

When it comes to your fees – always charge what you feel you are worth.

That's a big problem for most Copywriters...

[Studio13]

Originally Posted by Cam Connor

That's a big problem for most Copywriters...

Indeed, they may charge what they feel they are worth although this fee has no reflection on the actual value of the work.

This is a point of contention, a obvious objection in most potential clients minds as well. Like a photographer, the portfolio is really all potential clients have to go by.

[Frances Colleen]

Originally Posted by JakeDaly

Steve, your client sounds awesome. One of my favorite things about conducting business with new clients is finding clients like that, the ones who know and realize good business when they see it. Oftentimes those are the same clients that let you do your own thing and realize that you're the expert.

I definitely agree with this one. What clients should know is that the sales copies copyrighters right aren't "just words." They are a combination of well thought out art, science, and psychology with the buyer in mind. Their copyrighter's abilities can spell the difference between not getting a single sale to pouring conversions. When they realize how precious our words are, they will realize they have to pay what we are worth.

[Mark Andrews]

Originally Posted by Frances Colleen

...sales copies copyrighters ... copyrighter's abilities...

Copywriters.

[Jake Gray]

Originally Posted by Steve Copywriter

When it comes to your fees – always charge what you feel you are worth.

Exactly. If you undercharge, you won't be motivated to complete the job
to your fullest potential.