Question on :How much to pay a copy writer

Testimonials are usually the best way to evaluate a copywriter, that or reputation. I'm sure it would be great to be able to use conversion rates to evaluate someone but there are so many problems with this:

1. The copywriter may write a near Halbert standard letter but if the client does not use it, the conversion rate will be zero. And if the client is driving the wrong sort of traffic to the letter then the conversion rate will not be much better.

2. How do you really know a stated conversion rate is genuine? Also, really well targeted JV traffic could be sent to the letter, giving an overinflated conversion rate.

3. This is the most important point...conversion rates are not the most important factor you should be thinking about. It's about how much money you make, how much return on investment you get. If you convert at 10% for a $100 product and you are spending $5 per hit to your site, you're losing money. I'd rather convert 1% at $1000. That's where strategy comes in and any copywriter worth their salt will not simply churn out a letter on request, it is so important to only work on projects where the client has a chance of making money. I often convince clients to raise their prices substantially before we even start the letter.

In short, results based testimonials are all that really counts, as well as reputation. If they have 501 testimonials saying "He wrote me a really nice letter", that doesn't say anything, however 3 testimonials saying "His letter pulled $10,000 its first month" tells you he or she will get you results.

On your other question, A good copywriter will have you fill out some information and will talk to you on the phone to find out everything they need to know to write the letter. It'll mostly be about your market, your product and your business goals. If you have the product planned, that should be enough.

Scott

There are many and varied ways to reply to this question.

Its kind of like asking how much you should spend on a car. That really depends on how much you drive, what you're looking for from a car, what your budget is, how much value you place on a car and so on.

If you want to test a new product or service, and the copy is relatively short, then the lower end of the price scale is fine. If you're writing a full page promotion for the National Enquirer then you'd want to spend even more than you've mentioned.

As for the information your copywriter needs, you'll work through this with them but you need to give them as much as you've got. And in your case it will centre around your proposed product or service, how your customer will benefit from it and your USP (why the prospect should do business with you). They should also ask you questions about your prospect, what's important to them, what worries they have, what problems they have they'd like to solve and so on.

Hugh

Hiring an effective copywriter can be a daunting task indeed. It can be scary letting someone you hardly know be responsible for writing words that will ultimately decide your business fate. I agree that conversion rates are not a very good indicator of ability.
There are other criteria I feel are much more important in evaluating a copywriter: While it's not so important that a writer has written for the industry or niche you are in, it is important that the writer has experience in the particular medium, in your case web site writing. Writing for print and writing for the web are 2 different animals entirely. Also, it is very important to contact references the writer gives. These are people that have worked with the writer and can tell you of strengths and weaknesses. Another thing to keep in mind is the old adage: "You get what you pay for". This particularly true for freelance writers. A professional copywriter will always be more expensive and will work closely with you on formulating effective copy and even advise you on product price. Most marketing people can determine how effective a writer will be from the first phone call. A true pro asks a myriad of questions in order to determine exactly what your needs are. This is also a good time to gauge how well you get along with each other. You may hire the best in the west, but if there is personality friction between you and him, the project may suffer. Anyway, these are just a few of my thoughts as a professional copywriter myself. Hope it helps.

I can answer this from clients who used my service and how
they found me. Most have read my blog, articles, forum posts
and of course my sales letter advertising my services.

They reviewed my online portfolio and felt 'sold' by the letters
and so imagine that I can do the same for their product as well.

I have a few clients who come highly qualified because I was
recommended by a fellow marketer.

The key is that you can review what the copywriter has written
before and call their 'testimonial givers' to ask about the results
they got from the letter.

Some clients ask me for references which I gladly provide although
I never followed up to know whether they used those references
or not.

Here's a report a wrote some time back that may be helpful
to you http://www.webcopy-writing.com/howto...copywriter.pdf

-Ray Edwards

P.S. Also the top copywriters live in Florida!

I would say that also depends on your niche, and what type of client you are. If you're selling high end seminars, you'll probably need a different standard than if you're offering a free sample of diet supplements.

And you need to find somebody you can work with. Someone who you can communicate well with.

Ask yourself a few questions - are you comfortable just letting the copywriter take the reigns, or do you want more creative control over the project? Is there a certain style of copy you would like to see, or are you open to what the copywriter believes will work? Do you want a hard-sell, or a story-based salesletter? What about integrating with your other aspects, such as graphic design and PPC - do you want a copywriter who can work with those elements? Or would you rather piece it together yourself?

All of these things will help you find the right copywriter, not just for your product, but for YOU. Hope that helps.

- Cherilyn

I think it's already been covered...

Testimonials.
Case Studies.
Endorsements.
References.
And whether their self-promotion sales letter actually sells you.

I guess you'll just recognize a good sales letter when you see it.

If the copy has a unique style to it and catches your eye,
you'll recognize that instantly.

If the copy appears like the same ol', same ol'... then you'll recognize
that instantly too.

I think you should at least have a fairly good idea of the final composition
of your product.

If you tell your copywriter that your product is going to consist of
one thing, he starts writing copy on basis of that, and then you're
chopping and changing things... it becomes very difficult and annoying
for him.

Well, you can filter all you want but you can't ignore the truth that...

Even the copy written by the best copywriter can fail at times.

So I say just pick one copywriter whose style you like, who has some
results and testimonials behind his belt and go with him.


Hope this helps,

Dean.

Thanks everybody for taking the time to write such detailed answers. Lots of good information!

Scot