How to Determine Good Copywriters (from the bad)

9 years ago

A willingness to walk away or not
if he/she thinks your promotion
will not be a success in the marketplace.

Since copy is only part of the promotions success,
he/she will want to know the source of eyeballs to your message
and what the next step you are taking the reader to.

If you are expecting the reader do too much,
then the copy won't save you.

A top copywriter knows even top copy will not save the campaign
if those other things aren't in place, therefore will expect you to get them right
before taking on the project.

He/she will test you on your willingness to
take an approach not seen in your market if it's crowded.

If you are wanting something that looks like what
others are doing in your market, then he/she knows
you won't get a breakthrough.

Why would he/she attach one's name to it,
unless he/she is only after your money
and not a lasting reputation for terrific results?

It's all in the right questions asked of you.

Best,
Doctor E. Vile

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gjabiz 9 years ago

Originally Posted by ewenmack

It's all in the right questions asked of you.

Best,
Doctor E. Vile

^^^^^
This ^^^^^^^^

You, of course, will be asking questions, it is a two way street, I'd print out Ewen's response to use as a guideline for the types of questions you should be getting.

gjabiz
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Complex

9 years ago

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meepmeep

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Complex

Being hired and the one hiring. And in hiring, I found that often it was a huge red flag if they talked more about words than sales.

That usually meant that they were an "article writer" trying to be a copywriter. (Or a frustrated screenwriter, novelist, or poet.)

This is really good advice. Thank you.

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Raydal

8 years ago

Over the past 13 years or so the vast majority of my clients came
through my website advertising my copywriting service. So I
would say a copywriter should be able to convince you to use
his services if he is good. Many of my clients said that after
reading my sales letter they wanted to use my services.

How can you tell a good singer? Let her sing for you.

-Ray Edwards

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Steve The Copywriter

8 years ago

Always...

…beware of the hype.

Try and use a copywriter who has a NHP (no hype promise).

Steve

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bojan92

8 years ago

I would say the price , if you have a person offering their services for almost for free then i personally would think he/she is a good worker / in general not just as a copywriter. Quality workers value themselves.

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RickDuris

8 years ago

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Raydal

8 years ago

Originally Posted by RickDuris

Granted, I may not get every project. However, whatever effort I do put into writing something specific for the prospect to evaluate is usually worth the investment of time over the long haul.

- Rick Duris

Rick, you're a LOT braver than I am. But if this works for you then hats
off to you. I guess it all depends on the pond you're fishing in.

-Ray Edwards

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RickDuris 8 years ago

Originally Posted by Raydal

Rick, you're a LOT braver than I am. But if this works for you then hats off to you. I guess it all depends on the pond you're fishing in.

-Ray Edwards

Thanks, Ray. I appreciate your candor.

For the sake meepmeep's question, why do you think it requires bravery?

I don't feel particularly brave or courageous doing it.
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Steve The Copywriter

8 years ago

Yes, what Rick said (and of course it's one of the ultimate selling techniques "Try before you buy").

And my goodness it does work well.

The prospective client gets to see what the writer can do.

And the writer can see what the client is like.

It's the best way for both to decide if it's a match.

Btw - it's a supercool way for copywriters to bag the clients they most want to work for.

"Let me write something for you - then decide if you want to hire me"

It's rare for your target client to say "No"

Steve

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Princess Balestra

8 years ago

I'm thinkin' trailers & spoilers here.

If you're testin' the water, you can play a trailer or teaser like a spoiler.

If you're kickin' back in your yacht of success, anyone spoilin' on your behalf is also trailin' or teasin' forya.

If you're fightin' for air while the sharks tear at your heels, then mebbe ur busy an' shoulda chose the other project.

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Steve The Copywriter

8 years ago

The story so far…

You have a potential copywriter who hasn't got a hyped up ego and somewhat unreal results (yes they "might" well have made $794,977.79 and more for every client but they won't and can't guarantee you the same phenomena).

With a bit of luck they offer a "trailer" of their esteemed wondrous words especially for you.

What's the next thing you should hope for? (apart from being deliriously delighted with the "trailer").

This is easy and you can answer "Yes or No"

Do you like them?

Steve

P.S. If the answer is "No" diplomatically walk away - even if they could have made you a pile of money - the stress, hassle and pain isn't worth it.

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Oziboomer

8 years ago

Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter

Do you like them?

Steve

P.S. If the answer is "No" diplomatically walk away - even if they could have made you a pile of money - the stress, hassle and pain isn't worth it.

This really where most business starts.

It reminded me of the song by Louis Jordan "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't (My Baby) "

If they are...you work.

If they ain't....you walk.

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Quality Copywriter 8 years ago

has anyone mentioned past performance?

testimonials?

recommendations?

these seem like the obvious ones to me.

after all. there are no guarantees with copy and these are the closest ideas you have as to how the letter will perform.

I find a knowledge or interest in the niche also helps a lot.if i was hiring.
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Steve The Copywriter

8 years ago

That would be multitudes of proof showing beyond doubt that you can do what you say you can do.

Which is good.

Steve

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ElizabethArling

8 years ago

Read the previous works. If you like the text and you don't even notice (or if you like) the way he/she wants to sell you something - it's a good copywriter.

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MikeHumphreys

8 years ago

Past performance. Client testimonials. Does their sales copy grab you? Is there any thing in their portfolio samples (if they have samples available for public viewing) which is similar to your project needs?

When in doubt, talk to them by phone or email. If you don't feel 100% comfortable with them, then talk to another copywriter.

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Kieran D

8 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys

Past performance. Client testimonials. Does their sales copy grab you? Is there any thing in their portfolio samples (if they have samples available for public viewing) which is similar to your project needs?

When in doubt, talk to them by phone or email. If you don't feel 100% comfortable with them, then talk to another copywriter.

I agree with Mark 100%. I believe in this instance past performance is the best indicator of future performance.

So check their portfolio samples and client testimonials.

Kieran

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angiecolee

8 years ago

Originally Posted by Kieran D

I agree with Mark 100%. I believe in this instance past performance is the best indicator of future performance.

So check their portfolio samples and client testimonials.

Kieran

With Mike?

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Princess Balestra 8 years ago

An' Dave - where is Dave?

Tellya, I figure there is a serial killer on the loose.
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onehalf

8 years ago

You can quickly identify a good copywriter from a bad one by their work samples or portfolio. You can also look at the testimonials of their past clients.

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commandrix

8 years ago

It kinda goes both ways. If your budget is just $1 per 500 words (which I see a LOT on Freelancer.com), you're just not going to attract the truly good copywriters. Read the reviews, look at the testimonials, see if they can make a coherent pitch for their services. But remember that the real top-of-the-line copywriters aren't exactly desperate for work and will avoid the cheapskates.

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splitTest

8 years ago

OP - don't forget to learn a bit about copywriting yourself.

A good book or two will give you enough knowledge to judge copy pretty well, plus the insights you gain will serve you for the life of your career as a marketer.

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niksto82

8 years ago

Well, start by asking yourself, do you like his content? The way he is writing? At the end of the day, someone will have to read his article. If it sucks, it will not grab adequate attention. Of course, we can always write about grammar and stuff but it becomes irrelevant if person is immersed into content. I often disregard mistakes if I like the text. And then again, liking the text is based on your personal experience.

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niksto82

8 years ago

Then again, it all depends what you are talking about. Do you need to hire a guy for guest posts or do you need him for your own website? For example, I always thought that I am awesome at this. Yet, there are numerous people who told me that I suck