Hiring A Copywriter – 10 Questions To Ask

Have you written for my industry?
There are two ways of looking at this question. Previous experience may be useful as the copywriter won’t have to do as much initial research. The other way to think about it is that a copywriter with no sector experience might be able to see things from a fresh perspective. It’s a matter of preference as to which answer you want to hear from them.
Can I see your portfolio?
These days the vast majority of copywriters will have a sample of their work online for potential customers to view. Don’t be afraid to ask to see more writing samples before agreeing to anything.
Are there any amendments included in your quote?
When you’re given a copywriting quote it should be made clear whether or not it includes any sets of revisions. Some copywriters will budget for one or two sets of changes while others will always charge for any amendments you want to make.
Do you have any testimonials or case studies?
It’s one thing seeing a portfolio but testimonials and case studies will give you a better picture of how good a copywriter is. Any copywriter with a reasonable amount of experience will have amassed some testimonials at least if they’re any good.
How is your copywriting quote calculated?
You may also want to find out how the copywriter has arrived at their quote. Have they just plucked it out of thin air or is it based on an hourly or daily rate? In the unlikely event a copywriter quotes you a cost per word, it’s best to avoid this as they’re then incentivised to write as much as possible which may not be the best thing for your project.
When will my project be completed?
Whether you’re in a hurry for your copy or not, make sure you get a completion date agreed in writing before going ahead with your project.
Do you use any other copywriters?
Some copywriters outsource work abroad or to copywriters with less experience. If you’re paying a decent rate for an experienced copywriter, make sure they’re the one actually working on your project.
Will you write all my meta data as part of the price?
This question only applies to hiring online copywriters but you can test their SEO knowledge by asking if they can write your meta data too. Your meta titles and descriptions are an important part of your online copy so you should ask if these can be done too.
Why should I choose you to write my copy?
There’s certainly no shortage of copywriters in the UK or elsewhere in the world. This question may take your potential copywriter by surprise but you should be able to get a lot from the answer they give you to help make up your mind.
What information do you need from me?
Most copywriters will have a number of questions to ask before going away to write your copy. If a copywriter doesn’t ask any questions they are unlikely to have a good understanding of what you really want. This lack of information could lead to many re-writes and a lot of wasted time.