What to Look for in a Copywriter

Sometimes when I contact a prospect they tell me they'll put my details on file. "Thanks," they say. "If something comes up, we know who to contact."

This suits me fine because now they know about me.

Evaluate a copywriter before you need them. So when the next urgent project lands on your desk, you know who to call.

Here's a 7-point plan to help you make the right choice.

1. Are they nosey?

Copywriters love learning stuff. They ask a lot of questions and they enjoy research.

2. Do their words impress you?

If they don't, you'll waste precious time editing their work.

Choose a copywriter who understands your product and writes with pizazz.

3. Are they a full-time copywriter?

Find a writer who lives for copy. Not a part-time novelist.

How can you tell? A copywriter writes crisp, short sentences. To keep your attention.

Or we write long. To stoke up passion for your product and drive readers to get in touch with you. Now.

4. Do they know your market?

Find a copywriter who specialises in your market. Or one very similar.
Don't pay for generalists.

5. Do they keep deadlines?

Pros keep their promises and deliver your work on time, to brief. They
return emails and phone calls. They do that little bit extra. Fast.

6. Do they strip out the jargon?

Jargon dilutes your product message. It forces the reader to work hard.
So they switch off and do something else.

Does your copywriter let the message shine through?

7. Where to start?

Try out a copywriter on a small project. Perhaps editing some of your
existing work. My copy editing service is ideal for this. Or, do you have
something else in mind?

Call me or email for a no-obligation discussion about your next copywriting project.

"Copyright Simon Rudge 2006

Simon Rudge is an independent direct response copywriter based in London, UK. He works with business owners keen to improve the return on their sales and marketing investment. He also has a passion for software and other high-tech products, an area of copywriting in which he specializes. Visit his website www.hightechcopywriter.com and sign up for his fortnightly newsletter, bytesize - direct response ideas to increase your business success."

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