Tag: marketing strategy

How to Know if You’re Ready for a Copywriter

Not sure if it’s the right time to hire a copywriter? Hiring too early—or too late—can cost you. This post breaks down the signs you’re ready (and the signs you’re not), what you’ll need before you hire, and how to make the most of your investment.

Because hiring one too early—or too late—can cost you.

Being a business owner and having a shoe string budget can leave you wondering “What should I spend my Operating Expenses budget on? This blog post will help guide you to decide when to part with some of that budget for your copywriting needs… and when to DIY it. 

This is for any business owner who doesn’t have inhouse copywriting services.

What a Copywriter Actually Does

What I do as a copywriter is take your ideas or draft copy and clean it up (or write the copy that aligns with your brief from the information you supplied in the booking form. If you have just given me an overview of what you want I will write the outline and then from there I will draft the first copy. Then I will go through it checking that the word is in line with the purpose of the copy, and spelling, grammar, punctuation (all of the copy edit type tasks). Then I will run it through software like ChatGPT or Grammarly. Then I will give it a final polish before emailing it to the client. 

You get one light revision included—for things like adjusting tone or tweaking a paragraph. A full rewrite because you changed your direction halfway through? That’s a new project.

Note: I don’t provide full branding strategies, graphic design, or complete marketing plans unless agreed beforehand. If you’re not sure your project fits, send me an email—we’ll figure it out.

Signs You’re Not Quite Ready Yet

You may not be ready to hire a copywriter if:

  • You are still in the pre-pre-planning stage and have note yet defined what you are going to be offering or even who you will be offering it to 
  • You haven’t quite settled on your brand voice or core message
  • Your are expecting a unicorn when your brief is: “just make it up for me”
  • Your website is still in draft or not quite sure what the purpose for your website is.

Mini prompt: “Before a copywriter can turn your message into magic, you need to actually have a message.”

You may not be ready for a copywriter but you may be ready for my other service Strategic Consultation Session. Basically you buy 1 hour of my time to get all of the tasks done that you need help with like choosing your business structure, setting up your New Zealand business number or just brainstorming with someone who has been there and done that. Basically you pay for one hour of time to get help with what you need help with the most.

Signs You Are Ready

You are ready to hire a copywriter when:

  • You know what you’re offering, and who it’s for
  • Your product/service is tangible and ready to sell
  • You already have copy but it isn’t quite working for you or you realised writing just isn’t your forte.
  • You are ready to invest because you know words sell.

Remember you do not have to have all of the copy details, just an open mind to collaborating with your copywriter.

What You’ll Need Before Hiring

Before you hire your copywriter you will need:

  • A basic brand voice or vibe, even if it is just in the draft stage (we can work together to clean this up)
  • The details of what you are selling (such as the features (and benefits if applicable), pricing and timelines)
  • A goal: what is the purpose of the copy? Are you wanting more clicks, more signups, more bookings?
  • A realistic timeline and budget.
  • Optional but helpful: brand tone guide, customer research, rough drafts or past copy attempts.

Still Unsure? Ask Yourself These Questions

  • Do I have something specific I want written?
  • Do I know who I’m trying to reach?
  • Can I give a copywriter enough raw material to work with?
  • Am I trying to save time or just avoid hard decisions?

If most of those were YES—then you’re ready.

Ready to book:

  1. Evaluate where you are and if you are ready to hire a copywriter. 
  2. Get all of your resources together to make your copywriters job easier. 
  3. Hire (or don’t) the copywriter: And if that copywriter is me—great!

Ways to work with me: