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I think I need a copywriter.. do I?

by ttrance
8 replies
Hey all!

I come from a background in IT, computer related stuff. So now I've been moving over to web design/SEO work it seems and I'm slowly getting a few clients here or there. I guess I'm from the ADHD generation and I like moving fast.

So right now I'm working with one local company, and I want to try my hand at this affilate thing, plus do more local stuff, and my own ideas. All these sites and plans, all require someone who knows what will sell and how to make it sell right? I have some quality people on my team for content writing (paying $12 an article for pretty good american writer), programming, design, even SEO guys... But I am wondering...

Do I need a copywriter and is it possible to close with a really good copywriter for doing all my projects??? My reasoning is that even if I make a nice looking site, and do SEO for the client, if the actual text presented doesn't lock them in, I'm not delivering properly to my client. That is my thought.


My local client for example, I see he gets some hits on the site, but it is not converting well at all. Furthermore, I developed this massive amount of pages that is spread out and all of them have the same content except the ones we are writing unique content for. I am thinking about creating a little script that will changes a few sentences around on each page so they will register as unique content. Also, when you go to a side page, I wrote some arbitrary text like "thanks for choosing our company blah blah blah" I think I am not good at getting the message across properly perhaps - And I'm asking myself ...is that the specialty of a good copywriter?

If so, I need one badly! My client needs to convert more, and in the future if I make lets say a local contractors site I want to make sure on my team when we are building the website we are left with a solid looking site, with solid sales pitch.... Am I correct??

This site really kicks ass so I am really excited to see responses!!
#copywriter
  • Profile picture of the author dorothydot
    Hi,
    And welcome to the Warriors. Yes, there are some really knowledgeable people here.

    My opinion: If you think you need a copywriter... you DO.

    Copywriting is selling with written words. Contrary to popular belief, each project is like writing poetry: every word I the Copywriter write must be dead-on-target:
    * The text must bypass the readers' conscious "this is sales cr*p" mind and lodge firmly in their subconscious.
    * The text must be interesting so the readers keep on reading. Writing for the Internet is a different ball-game than writing for snail-mail.
    * The text must compel the readers to want your product NOW. This takes decided skill to do - it's certainly not something that comes easily. But it is vital for the success of your product/s.

    Top-grade copywriters have been studying and training, paying huge amounts to do so, for years. They ask at least five digits for one item - and they get it paid up front, in full. And their clients make back that payment several times over from the text these copywriters provide you.

    So. To choose a copywriter, visit their website. Check out past writings they've done. Every one of us writes differently; most of us can sell your product very effectively (provided the quality is there and it does deliver on its promises!).

    Pick the copywriter whose style of writing resonates with you. This is an expert you hopefully will be working with again and again.

    Good luck!
    Dot
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    • Profile picture of the author jverley
      Yeah, you should go with a copy writer.
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      • Profile picture of the author John_S
        all of them have the same content except the ones we are writing unique content for. I am thinking about creating a little script that will changes a few sentences around on each page so they will register as unique content.
        Nobody is going to like this, but SEO -- as regularly practiced -- is an atrocity.

        SEO has a reputation for valuing writing and copy at ZERO. (It's just that nobody will work for zero). I am reasonably certain few would agree, but my position is SEO is incompatible with writing -- and especially copywriting.

        My suggestion is read "Getting Real" design tip: Just say no to Lorem Ipsum Search engine spam is the common height of SEO.

        Then, my guess is you need to read Tips If You're Looking For a Copywriter / the Difference Between a Copywriter and an Article Writer

        Next, get out of the SEO business and learn about SEM. Search Engine Marketing can (occasionally) be compatible with writers and copywriters.

        Finally, get out of the commodity web design business and work with the copywriter you hire to develop a value proposition. For example, concentrate on direct response graphic design, advertorials, and learn what kinds of design increase response -- and why most web design lowers response.

        What I am talking about is as wrenching as a change of your religion. For one thing, practically no web designer would consider a focus, preferring to be anything to everybody ...at any cost.

        Otherwise, the inherent contradictions will cause a lot of friction. You will gravitate to clients who think Word has a "Write Killer Copy" button and be shocked, SHOCKED, when they have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for copywriting. The industry, SEO to site construction and design, has trained potential clients to shop on price alone, not value.
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        • Profile picture of the author ttrance
          Originally Posted by John_S View Post

          Nobody is going to like this, but SEO -- as regularly practiced -- is an atrocity.

          SEO has a reputation for valuing writing and copy at ZERO. (It's just that nobody will work for zero). I am reasonably certain few would agree, but my position is SEO is incompatible with writing -- and especially copywriting.


          Next, get out of the SEO business and learn about SEM. Search Engine Marketing can (occasionally) be compatible with writers and copywriters.

          Finally, get out of the commodity web design business and work with the copywriter you hire to develop a value proposition. For example, concentrate on direct response graphic design, advertorials, and learn what kinds of design increase response -- and why most web design lowers response.


          Otherwise, the inherent contradictions will cause a lot of friction. You will gravitate to clients who think Word has a "Write Killer Copy" button and be shocked, SHOCKED, when they have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for copywriting. The industry, SEO to site construction and design, has trained potential clients to shop on price alone, not value.
          Interesting Idea. Everyone has talents, my talents lie in seeing beyond. I see that SEO is becoming over saturated and everyone seems to be pumping out the same thing with slight variations of style. SEO is diminishing as a value, and only people who live in a cave practically do not know about how to find cheap SEO firms in India etc...

          So I think your idea sounds like what I'm going for without actually saying it...

          I say SEO, but I mean SEM. Actually I don't. I mean whatever-you-want-to-call-it-get-results-for-your-company. I think what I can do to get the client sales can be many things but in the end he wants sales. No business cares about any technologies or anything else except leads and income! That is why I'm trying to build this awesome team so I can just walk into a company and tell them listen forget all that crap! I will take care of your needs from A to Z, whether its building a site, promoting, google etc etc... I want my company to be only about getting them sales, not fancy SEO gimmicks!

          There is where I feel everyone else is lacking they all push the same thing, they will do SEO for you yadda yadda - But not bring home the sales. I want to bring home the sales!!!

          a couple projects I am working on:

          1) My company site - help get the message across of what we are doing here

          2) appliance repair company has a few 1-5 page sites geared to local communities, want homepage pitch on why this 30+ year company is the one to choose for their appliance repair


          So who here would be interested in joining my team? Note: Top copywriters are probably far far out of my price range!
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  • Profile picture of the author John_S
    Note: Top copywriters are probably far far out of my price range!
    While I don't consider myself a top copywriter, I think you answered your own query. I don't work for peanuts.

    1) You really should have a copywriter look at your site and perhaps guide you from the start, rather than critique it after. I probably charge more for a critique than you were thinking of paying for the actual copywriting. While I may not be far out of your price range, I trust I am still out.

    2) Meh.

    I am sure you'll have a lot of people PMing the heck out of you shortly. All of them calling themselves copywriters. A few may be right about that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zentech
    Hi ttrance,

    You do need a copywriter, but copywriters are not article writers. Any copywriter (even a bad one) will cost you far more than $12 an article, as I'm sure you realize. A decent one will cost a few hundred dollars for a critique at minimum, and several hundred more for a full sales letter. A really good, well-established one will run into the thousands. As John said, you might find someone calling themselves a "copywriter" to help for fairly cheap, but in this field more than almost any other, you get what you pay for.

    I don't know what your budget is, but given that you're highlighting the fact that you're paying content writers $12 an article, I have a feeling you're not going to want to hear what real copywriting costs.

    However, I could be wrong. Feel free to PM me or another copywriting Warrior if you are prepared to pay for real copywriting. I'm actually one of the more affordable people (because I'm fairly new) - but I'm not dirt cheap.
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  • Profile picture of the author ScottMartinCopywriting
    You definitely need one. Specifically, a direct response copywriter. I can get you direct response copy affordably in less than 48 hours.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeena
    Yes, you should. . .
    There's alot of copywriter in the forum that could help you. . .
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    Thanks.... Hope we all make alot of money.

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