You already know that professional copywriting is worth its weight in gold. You know that a good copywriter can help you both increase traffic to your website and keep it there once it arrives.
What you don't know is how to find that copywriter.
Don't worry, you are not alone. The problem with copywriting is that, unlike, say, soda or bathroom cleaner, it's not something you buy every week or even every month. And unlike the products and services you're familiar with, it can be difficult to know what to look for—or to find a good thing once you find it.
Fortunately, as with most things in life, finding a copywriter is easy once you know how. And this article will show you how.
What to look for in a copywriting service
If you're like most people, the first place you turn when looking for a professional copywriter is a search engine like Google. Smart move. Your copywriter's website is probably the biggest clue of all as to what kind of service you can expect. Here's what to look for:
1. Testimonials from clients
Any good copywriter will know that testimonials are one of the most powerful sales tools you can use to create copy that converts website visitors into buyers. (If they don't know that, then they're not a good copywriter. Hit the "back" button quickly…). You would expect your copywriter to use references on their own website as well, right? Look for a link that says "testimonials" or "customer reviews" or similar. If it's not there, ask yourself why…
2. Portfolio
No decent copywriter will expect you to commission them for a project without seeing some samples of their work. A copywriter's portfolio is their business card: they won't get anywhere without it. Spend some time looking at your copywriter's website portfolio. How does the copy read? It should be clear, bright and easy to understand. It should also prompt you to take some action once you've read it, whether it's to make a purchase, join a mailing list, or just keep reading. If a copywriter's portfolio doesn't convince you they're worth using, nothing will.
3. List of clients / CV
There are no special qualifications that a copywriter needs to start practicing. Some copywriters have degrees in English or journalism, others are completely self-taught, learning their craft from the ground up. Instead of asking your copywriter about their qualifications, ask about their experience. Who have they worked for in the past? What did they do for those other clients? The answers to these questions should tell you all you need to know about how well equipped the copywriter is to work on your project.
Some copywriters quote their fees upfront, while others prefer to quote only upon request. Regardless of how your copywriter prefers to reveal their rates, make sure you have something to compare them to. Buy. You wouldn't buy the first house or car you see, and you shouldn't settle for the first copywriter you find either. However, once you have some offers to look at, don't make the mistake of assuming that the lowest offer is necessarily the best value. Make sure you're comparing like with like. Beware of "item factories": companies that sell goods for just a few dollars at a time. These companies tend to employ amateur writers, many of whom do not even have a good command of English. Remember, you get what you pay for, and if a quote sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The going rate for website copywriting is around
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