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Seven Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Copywriter

Finding quality writers is no easy task. As with hiring any employee or contractor, be sure to get the facts first. Ask these questions, and you’re sure to find a talented, hard-working and dependable writer with whom you can build a productive relationship.

1. What exactly am I looking for?
   Before you begin your search for a writer, make sure to make a rough draft of your needs. Do you need a marketing writer, who produces brochures and other promotional collateral? Do you need a technical writer – or maybe a generalist?
   
   Ask to see work samples. Professional writers are quite skilled (otherwise they’d be in a different profession), but they may not have the experience to handle the specific assignment for which you need assistance.
    

2. How does the writer charge?
   Many writers work on a per-project basis and may require one-third to one-half of the fee in advance. Others work on an hourly, per-day or monthly retainer basis. Learn their payment requirements before hiring and make sure those requirements fit your needs.
    

3. When is payment due?
   Check with the writer about the expected payment schedule. Many writers are sole owners of their own businesses and may be disinclined to extend credit to new clients.
    

4. How will you and your writer communicate?
   It’s quite likely that you and your writer will enjoy a “virtual relationship” – communicating via e-mail. And today, most writers also work by phone, fax and overnight mail. Some writers find it unnecessary to meet in person and may even be unwilling to come to your office. Nonetheless, they should be flexible enough to attend meetings necessary for a given project – with a charge for their time. If working in this way isn’t acceptable to you, find another writer who will be able to meet your communication needs.
    

5. What is their turnaround time?
   As all of us are (sometimes painfully) aware, deadlines rule. If writers can’t meet your
   deadline, they’re probably too busy to handle your project with care. You may decide to wait for a qualified writer who is in demand if you have a flexible deadline. But if time is tight and the writer can’t meet it, again – look elsewhere.
    

6. Exactly what does the writer's price include?
   Does the writer charge for revisions and, if so, how many? Does the writer charge for travel time or long-distance phone calls? Is there an extra charge for in-person meetings? Make sure all billing parameters are established before hiring.
    

7. Will the writer take on more projects – or is this a one- time- only proposition?
   If you like the writer’s work, you’ll want to establish a long-term relationship with him/her for many reasons:
   
   Good writers don’t come along every day, so if you find someone who works well with you and meets your deadlines, let the writer know you want to hire him or her again.
   
   Consistency is critical, so if you use the same person to write all your materials, you will send a consistent message throughout your internal and external communications. As a result, your sales and image will go up, up, up.

Allison Nazarian is president and chief copywriter of Get It In Writing, a Florida-based company that helps businesses nationwide harness the power of words to sell, inform and publicize. Allison can be reached at 561-989-8555 or anazarian@getitinwriting.biz.

Copyright© Get It In Writing, Inc. May be reprinted without permission of Get It In Writing, Inc and Allison Nazarian if in full, unchanged format and with complete attribution to author.

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