Web Design Clients - Copy and Content Creation?

you would have to outsource it to local people...someone from odesk won't get the point...
Get voice recorder...record their words about their company...services...etc...whatever content you need...and go to fiverr...and get it transcribed...do the 10x mark up if you have to pay $5 per page...charge $50 per page

oh that is an issue that will always haunt offliners... I feel you bro.. One thing you need to mention in your contract that has been working wonders for me is milestones.

Once the final design is approved and website creation in under progress; the owner need to submit the content within 3-5 days.

I come with the pricing strategy that covers my end no matter how long they take:

1. Non refundable deposit of 200$ on signing of contract.
2. Once design is approved and website setup; half of the remaining fee is paid.
3. Content updated and website launched-The remaining half is paid.

Keep in mind that all clients won't agree to these terms so you need to play around and see what works best for you.

If they paid you an amount for deposit; they are bound to submit everything in time. And even if they don't; u don't need to panic as you are already almost covered in term of expenses.

I like the voice recorder idea, getting content is always a pain. I wouldn't have a fiverr person rewrite it though. have good write rewrite the info.

Small businesses usually have brochures or other print items available. Ask them if you can use the info on that and if you can add to it.

We have worked with local craftsmen desiring websites for at least 10 years. Each of these individuals knows enough about his trade to earn a living with his talents, and he feels his business would be better off with an internet presence.

He may be a plumber or an ac specialist and knows all there is to know about welding, rigging, performance calculations, local codes, EPA requirements, electronic controls, and 10,000 other details required to stay in business in competitive markets.

BUT, he is not a copywriter or a marketer and he may not even be able to verbally express the knowledge he has....and he know this...so he outsources these activities to someone he feels he may trust to do the job for him.

Trouble is, copywriters and marketers don't have a clue what his industry is about...so they rely on:
1. Marketing and sales material the man has previously used in printed format...updated to meet current industry conditions, and

2. Marketing presently used by his competitors "emulated" to be unique for the client and improved to incorporate the ways and means that he outshines competition...Maybe proprietary processes, maybe truck fleet, maybe more highly trained personnel, ....testimonials, ....special tools....emergency service....fast response....affiliations... All the things that have kept him in business.

The only way we have ever succeeded in situations like this is to use our clients competition to determine general content, see how our guy compares and exceeds, research the topic to the point we think we understand the subject, write a preliminary script, and review what we think we know with the man that signs the checks, and finalize on what the boss agrees to.

After that it's up to us to prepare a site that "one-ups" the competition.

It can affect your overall price quite a bit but their is nothing wrong with bringing in a copywriter. I have a mate who does copywriting and I make sure that when I quote for the project I mention that I can get the content written too. Most of the owners jump at it but once you get to the price most balk at it and are now suitably motivated to deliver. I use Freedcamp to manage what I expect from them which includes content, images etc Their are times though when they just take the copywriting and both of us make a tidy sum.

Offer your clients content writing for $xx a page and/or you could offer copywriting for their website for big bucks.

I'm confused... I thought you said these clients were for web design? Why are you trying to offer free copywriting and content creation just because you want the project done with?

Here is a simple adjustment to make... take payment in full, up front. Problem solved... you're paid in the beginning and they can take their sweet time.

Once they respond with content, you just assign the task of inserting the content to your team and boom, it's dealt with.

you can use spinner software on competitor content.

WF has an entire copywriting section and there's a directory as a sticky.

In my case, I usually write the copy myself. But there are many Warriors to oursource to, and I do that as well (having an autoresponder series and articles written right now).

I run a firm which offers all services:
From design to content to IM etc

Hence when I need content for a design client, I just send it to my other department

In your case, you should keep ties with 1-2 content providers and rely on them for regular work. Then you won't have to find a different guy each time.

Hire a guy at odesk or GAF, for you content. Good Luck !