5 Traits Of A Professional Copywriter

So, you need to hire a copywriter for your business. But you’ve never hired or worked with one before. How can you know if the person you are considering is the real deal?
It’s uncomfortable to contract with someone when you aren’t sure if they are the right person for the job. But you can look for these five traits that will let you know right away if you should move forward or run the other way.
1. They have a professional appearance
Whether or not you meet with them in person, everything about the appearance of their business should scream “professional.” A professional copywriter’s appearance should exude quality through their physical appearance, personal interactions and online presence.
2. They listen
Because it’s their job to represent the best about your business, the person you want to work with should be a good listener. This means they will take notes, ask relevant questions and repeat your words to you for clarity. If they all of the talking, how can they learn anything about your expectations?
3. They use a contract
Copywriting is a business. As such, it should be conducted as one. This means that a written contract is used to set out the terms of how you will work together. It should be in clear language and it should spell out the details of your working relationship, including such things as kill fees, scope of the project and deadlines.
4. They use a Non-Disclosure Agreement
For small business owners, one unnerving aspect of working with an independent contractor of this type can be sharing inside information about the company or its products. As such, a professional will provide a non-disclosure agreement for you both to sign that will protect your confidential business information. It should specify what information is protected and for how long.
5. They have a portfolio
Even someone relatively new to the field should have a portfolio of their work. Even if it consists of student projects or volunteer projects, it is important that they can provide you with samples that highlight their experience and ability. Some may have a digital portfolio, others prefer a traditional print portfolio. Either way, you should have access to some of their previous work to help you determine if their skills match your needs.
Of course, there is a great deal more that goes into working with a professional copywriter. But if the person you are thinking about working with meets these five criteria, it’s a good start.