Content production is critical to the success of almost every business. Likewise, compelling copywriting is at the heart of it so you can engage prospective customers.

If your business needs catchy headlines, engaging product descriptions, epic email campaigns, and lead generation landing pages, you should hire a freelance copywriter at once.

There are tens of thousands of excellent copywriters out there. There are probably hundreds of people who could write well for your brand.

But why settle for mediocrity when you can take the necessary steps to find a copywriter who is the greatest fit for your company.

Since many startups and small business owners struggle with the hiring process, we've put up a comprehensive guide to take some of the guesswork out of the process and help you hire an expert freelance copywriter for your business.

Let’s dive in!

4 Essential Steps to Hiring a Creative Freelance Copywriter

Step 1: Set Your Project Plan and Hiring Criteria

You need to map out some details about your project and the kind of person you're searching for before you hire an expert copywriter.

The first mistake most people make when hiring a freelance copywriter is looking for someone who is a generalist since they don't know precisely what they need assistance with.

To avoid such a situation, ask yourself some fundamental questions, such as:

• What exactly am I looking for?

• What is my budget?

• What are the project outcomes I'm looking for?

• When do I want to start working on this project?

• When do I want this project completed?

Having clear solutions to such questions before you start looking for freelance copywriters can only save you time and frustration. 

Once you’ve determined your project's requirements, it's time to start thinking about the hiring criteria of your freelance copywriter.

Apart from examining the freelance copywriter resume, try to gather and ask some common questions to evaluate different copywriters:

• Is their area of expertise relevant to your project requirements?

• Do they have a relevant portfolio?

• Have they worked with companies or products that operate in your industry?

• Do they offer a project minimum and does it suit your budget?

• Do they have sufficient experience to provide the outcomes you desire?

• Are they well-organized and professional?

• Is their working method compatible with your style?

• Are they responsive and not inactive?

• What sort of outcomes did their past clients experience with them?

And the list goes on.

Step 2: Determine The Kind of Freelance Copywriter You Need

While it may seem that all freelance copywriting is the same, this is far from the case.

Freelance copywriters, like many other professions, come in various forms, with a variety of backgrounds and areas of specialization.

This implies you don't simply need a "copywriter" for your project, you need the right freelance copywriter to meet your specific needs.

If you're not sure which way to go, have a look at the list below, which explains the many kinds of copywriters available and when you should hire each one.

• Freelance Conversion Copywriter

A freelance conversion copywriter is a writer who is skilled in the art of persuasion and selling. This kind of writer creates messages by using data and proven psychological models.

You should hire a conversion copywriter if you want a copy for your lead generation landing pages.

• Freelance Video/Script Copywriter

A freelance video/script copywriter is a creative writer who specializes in bringing ideas to life through video content.

You should hire a video copywriter if you need assistance writing a great promotional video.

• Freelance Social Media Copywriter

A creative writer who knows the intricacies of writing for different social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and others, is a freelance social media copywriter.

You should hire a social media copywriter if you want unique and compelling content on your social media platforms.

• Freelance Technical Copywriter

A freelance technical copywriter usually works in the medical or pharmaceutical sectors, as well as technology, software, financial, legal, and other fields that need some degree of “translation” to nonprofessional people.

You should hire a technical copywriter if you require assistance articulating difficult subject matter effectively.

Step 3: Find The Right Freelance Copywriter for Your Project

Freelance Marketplaces

The best option is to choose affordable freelance platforms and make the most of them catch up with the best freelance copywriter to handle your mission-critical writing tasks.

1. Cream off Candidates

Freelance marketplaces provide an access to a global talent pool of freelance copywriters from where you can narrow down potential candidates. You can dig deeper into the freelancers’ qualifications, client feedback, relevant experience, pace, time zone, and language fluency.

2. Cut Costs

Freelance marketplaces are a cost-effective solution for small businesses as they offer project-based freelancers instead of full-time employees. 

3. Collaboration and Communication

Freelance platforms offer a workroom and a chat tool, allowing clients to contact freelancers at any time for clarification of project goals.

4. Quality Check

Clients release payment after ensuring that the delivered work meets the expectations and requirements.

5. Feedback System

These sites also have a system for rating freelancers based on their work. You may highlight your top performers or warn other companies about troublesome freelancers. 

Referrals

Your personal or professional network can be one of the best ways to discover competent freelance copywriters.

Getting suggestions from individuals you know may provide a 10 times better solution than randomly selecting someone from Google.

To begin, send an email to individuals you know in your business who may know someone who has worked with the kind of copywriter you're searching for.

Even if you don't discover the appropriate individual straight away, someone in your network is likely to be able to lead you in the correct direction.

LinkedIn

If referrals don’t work, LinkedIn can be your next go-to option.

A LinkedIn profile will provide you with information about the individual’s work history, whether they’ve worked with similar companies or products, along with client testimonials and endorsements.

When dealing with a remote worker, it's essential to verify that an individual is a genuine person with actual job experience, which you can check by looking at their LinkedIn profile.

Google Search

If you've tried the above options and still haven't received any good recommendations, the next step is to do a Google search.

Try to be as precise as possible while searching, since this will give the greatest results.

For instance, if you need a conversion copywriter to write your landing page, type “landing page conversion copywriter” in your search bar.

If you wish to collaborate with a branding copywriter in New York, search for “branding copywriter in NYC.”

Avoid using generic terms like "copywriter" since you'll bump into a million results with no particular guidance to address your issue.

Once you come up with the available options, shortlist candidates (maybe 3–5) since not all of them will be available for your job at that moment.

Once you've compiled your list, it's time to make contact.

Step 4: Engage and Hire the Freelance Copywriter

Now that we're about to wrap up the process, let's examine what you should have at this stage:

• Your project specifications

• Your hiring criteria

• Your preferred type of copywriter

• Your chosen list of potential candidates

After you've worked out these specifics, you can confidently approach your preferred list of freelance copywriters, knowing that you're well prepared and informed.

1. Schedule A Video Call – Interviewer Cheat Sheet

When you hire a freelance copywriter, you'll almost certainly be dealing with a remote worker.

This means you won't receive as much face time as you would in the office, so it's crucial to get to know the individual before you start spending money.

In this case, it’s good to set up a 5-10-minute video call with your prospective freelance copywriter.  

During the conversation, expand on what you've previously shared (such as project specifics, budget, etc.) and ask questions that will help you learn more about the copywriter and their working style, such as:

• How and when did you get into copywriting?

• What is your preferred product category to write for?

• Can you walk me through your work procedure? 

• What are your usual working hours? (If you're in different time zones, this is very essential).

• How do you like to evaluate your work?

Asking simple questions about their working style and how they manage their projects can not only help you establish expectations early on but will also reveal their degree of expertise.

2. Conduct A Short Test

If you’re still creepy about hiring the right freelance copywriter, put them through a test that demonstrates what they'll be performing for your business in real life. 

Tests don't have to be a series of hurdles for a writer to clear. It also doesn't have to be a difficult or time-consuming exam. The test should be a realistic representation of the work you want to get done.

For example, if you're looking for someone to manage email marketing campaigns, there's no need to have them write product descriptions, come up with 10 distinct product names, or write text for a site banner.

By engaging in particular tasks, you'll get a better idea of their area of specialization.

3. Bonus Tip: Hire Slowly, Communicate Openly, & Collaborate Flexibly

Take your time while making your decision to hire a freelance copywriter. Adjust project deadlines if necessary to find a copywriter that understands your requirements and is ready to work with you to accomplish your objectives. 

Once you've chosen your freelance copywriter, make a commitment to open communication and cooperation. Assist them with questions and constructive feedback. 

With equal candor and honesty, share both your worries and your compliments. Invest your time in building a fruitful relationship so that you and your writer may accomplish your objectives together.

The Takeaway

A skilled freelance copywriter who gets to know your business becomes a useful asset over time. This resource may assist you in achieving both organizational and professional objectives by providing a consistent stream of high-quality content.

And, as the economy becomes more global, many businesses are increasingly hiring freelance copywriters from beyond their geographic boundaries.

So what are you waiting for? Now is the time to hire!

Filter out and hire an expert freelance copywriter from the TaskShift marketplace.