When It’s Time to Hire a Website Copywriter for Your Business
The decision on whether to hire a website copywriter or create the copy yourself can be a difficult one for many businesses and organizations. There are plenty of blogs, YouTube videos, and other instructional content available on the internet. You may have a passion for writing, and a flare for your own marketing.
While some businesses may be suited for writing their own content, others may not be. It’s time to be honest with yourself and determine whether you fit into any of the below categories. If you do, it may be time to fill out the email form or pick up the phone.
When to Stop Doing It Yourself and Hire a Website Copywriter
It’s Been on Your To-Do List for Months (or longer) — Some of us keep monster to-do lists. Some of us keep that item that we deep down, know we need but have no intention of completing on the to-do list. Those who fall into this category may need to simply be honest with themselves.
If you’ve been intending to write your website content for months, or longer, now may be the perfect time to outsource the material to someone who will get it done. Sometimes the only way to see results is to delegate the task or hire it out.
You Just Don’t Like Writing — Let me indulge you with a quick little story. I’ve been monitoring my first-grade son’s schoolwork during the quarantine. Occasionally his teacher will assign a five-sentence story. To tell you he hates it would be an understatement. He’s almost angry when he picks up the pencil to write. His stories are brief and non-descriptive because of his aversion to writing. But if he were to tell you a story, he could keep talking for hours.
It’s ironic, I know. The son of the writer hates writing. When I’m feeling in a particularly mischievous mood, I sometimes threaten to bring him into the family business. This is usually met with “Daaaaad, NO!!!”
If you in any way can identify with my son — if the thought of writing sends you into visible fits of anger, it’s time to hire a website copywriter for your most essential marketing needs. Because honestly, your attempts will likely show your aversion for the task, and your readers will notice.
It’s Really Hard to Write About Yourself — Ok so I’ve thrown my son under the bus, I’m not above throwing myself under either. I don’t like writing about myself or my own business. My own website and blog copy can take more effort than the work I do for my clients. If you identify with this — if you’re finding it challenging to write about yourself, and put your own story together, it’s probably time to outsource.
You’re Too Close to the Material — When a company decides that they’ll work on their marketing copy, blog posts, press releases, or website content internally, sometimes internal politics get involved. Sometimes it becomes too challenging for them to be able to see the situation from the customer’s perspective.
A professional website copywriter can help you take a step back and understand the problem from an outside perspective. That’s a critical ability when it comes to copywriting for your business audience.
You Keep Staring at a Blank Computer Screen — For some, website copywriting might mean that you’re staring at a blank computer screen for long periods of time. It may simply take too long for you to be able to write dozens of pages for your website. If the problem is that it’s simply an inefficient process for you, the best thing you can do is hire a professional website copywriter to complete the job at an acceptable pace.
This is the 15th Draft Of Your Materials — For some, writing your own website content may involve draft after draft of new material. Maybe you keep pushing through the research phase and find aspects of others’ copy that you’d like to include. If the job is never quite done or up to your personal standards, it may be time to outsource your work.
One Additional Copy Clarification
Your website copywriting obligations may extend past the website page content. It may be any number of online copywriting tasks that are slowing you down:
If you’ve completed the content, but need a second set of eyes before you publish, it may mean hiring a:
Go Ahead…Make that Connection with a Website Copywriter
Let’s face it, you didn’t start your business to work on copywriting tasks, just like you didn’t start your business because you love keeping the books. Maybe you’re capable, and you do it because it’s necessary. But these tasks take you away from the core elements of running your own business.
Now maybe the time to part ways with your writing and marketing obligations. It may be the perfect time to hire a website copywriter. If you’d like to discuss your next project, contact me today!
Matt Brennan is a Chicago marketing copywriter and copy editor. He is also the author of Write Right-Sell Now and The Virus and Us.
