My Proven Copywriting Process
Your success is in my details
Working with a copywriter is an easy process
If you’re a first-time customer, or you’re embarking on a shiny new project, your copywriter needs a deep understanding of what you’re about. And you need to be sure they know what they’re doing. But how do you make sure your copywriter has all the information they need short of writing it all yourself?
Enter, my simple process for copywriting gold. Find out how I help make working with a copywriter an easy process, and one of the best investments you will make for your business.
10 steps to success
Introductions
To begin with, you can fill out my online enquiry form, or we might have a brief chat on the phone to discuss your project and your needs. This is a great opportunity for both of us to see whether we’re going to work well together. (This copywriting thing is pretty personal). At this stage, I can usually give you a ballpark estimate of what you might expect to pay. As well, I can let you know an approximate time frame for your project.
Proposal time
Let’s get married! (Just kidding, I’m already married). But I can propose another union. At this stage, I will put together a more formal proposal for your project (or confirm one of my packages). This proposal lets you know all the good stuff I can help you with. I can outline the kind of copy I think you need to achieve your goals, maybe some strategy, how I work in detail, and how much it’s all going to cost.
Lock it in Eddie!
If you like what you see, you can sign off on it, and you’re one step closer to the copy of your dreams. Once I receive your signed proposal I will issue a commencement invoice. The amount will depend on the size of your project. Most projects involve a 50% deposit. Sometimes if the project is very large, this deposit will amount to 30% of the total. If a project is under $900 I charge the full amount. Once I get your signed proposal and deposit, we’re off! At this point, I will confirm the project start date too.
Research & Interview
Getting all up in your business is really important. I do as much as humanly possible (besides moving in with you) to understand your brand, your business and your customer. The beginning of this stage is my online research and pouring through any existing material you’d like to send me. I then supply you with a comprehensive brief for you to add to. If I’m providing strategy and/or a website architecture along with your copy, I’ll also send documents for review now too. Next, we jump on Zoom or the phone to talk through the completed brief (30-60 min interview). It’s here, where any amendments to our agreed scope can be established if necessary.
Tap, Tap, Tappity Tap
This is the step where I get to actually write all those wonderful things about you and your business or brand. I apply all those technical writing skills I’ve learnt over the years to craft the right copy for your project. This might be a compelling series of articles. Or maybe SEO research or conversion copywriting for your website. Or writing to a winning formula for your sales page or email sequence. And everything in between. Regardless of these technical aspects, my writing has a strong focus on the human-to-human connection. Always.
First draft
According to our timeline, I supply you with a first draft for your consideration. Depending on the size of your project, this may be a section of copy, or the whole kit and kaboodle. (Most times, it’s the whole thing, but if one of us isn’t quite sure where it’s heading, it’s always great to check in about that early). Once I’ve sent your first draft over to you, I’ll also ask you to book in your 1:1 review session. Usually the first draft is where most of the revisions lie, and it’s helpful to make sure we’re both on the same page, and that your project runs smoothly and progresses in a timely manner. This is also great opportunity for people who don’t enjoy editing to get the heavy lifting done together.
Revisions
We’ve got two rounds of revisions. The first draft revision includes a 1:1 Zoom session. I might seem like a softie, but when it comes to copy edits I have pretty thick skin. So once you receive the first draft, feel free to edit away head of our review session, or you can leave your edits until our meeting if you prefer. On the flip side, not wanting any revisions is also pretty normal, especially if we’re working together in an industry I have lots of experience in. Either way, confirmation on amends is due within 14 days of receiving your copy. The depth of editing is entirely up to you and there is no right or wrong way to get The Best Copy Ever as long as we get there. And we will.
Formatting
After your second version of copy is supplied, I’ll ask you to pay the final invoice while I proofread your copy a little more closely and format it correctly for presenting to your designer. This includes adding important elements like your SEO metadata and any more detailed design or development formatting such as any necessary redirection instructions. This version might also include a new website framework if we’re working on a website, or email flow if we’re working on a sequence or funnel.
The Pies De Resistance
Once the balance invoice is paid, and I finish proofreading and formatting your document/s, I will supply you with a final “marked up” copy. I also transfer copyright to you at this time, to do with what you will. Add it to your website or email/funnel software; supply to your designer, or print it out and make paper aeroplanes from it if you wish…it’s all yours!
On-page editing & review (optional)
Sometimes, what looks good on paper doesn’t always translate to the screen the same way. Your chosen layout and typography can all change the way the copy looks in your website. If we’re working on a new website or a sales page, particularly in WordPress, I may recommend an additional revision after the design stage. Sometimes small changes can make a big difference to the look and feel of your website. I can also ensure all your metadata is in place at this time too! This can happen soon after your website is handed over, or if your designer prefers, I can do this revision before your website goes live. Once its live, I also schedule a revisit after three months. At this stage, I am usually able to see some data on how your new copy has landed with potential customers. From here, we can also discuss any gaps that may need filling in your customer journey in order to elevate your new copy more effectively.
Hey, if you’ve read this far, you might be ready to introduce yourself? Tell me about, you, your project and how I can help!