The 7 Secret Steps to Find, Hire & Keep a Killer Copywriter

The 7 Secret Steps to Find, Hire & Keep a Killer Copywriter

Ignore flashy resumes and forget the MLA manual. If your brand is in need of attention grabbing headlines, compelling product descriptions, epic email campaigns and more, you need to focus your energies on much more than a fancy CV.

There are thousands of great copywriters in the world. There’s probably hundreds that could do a decent job writing for your brand. But why settle for mediocrity when you can put the right steps in place to hire a copywriter that’s the absolute best option for your business.

Here’s my proven seven step process for hiring a mind blowingly good copywriter and convincing them to stick around to help you grow your business.

Step 1: Figure Out What You Want

Copywriters are like doctors—they all have specialties. The question is do you need a chiropractor or a podiatrist?

The first problem most people make when they look for a copywriter is to hire someone that can do everything, since they don’t know exactly what they want a writer to help them with.

Before you can hire a great writer, you’ve got to know what you want them to write. Most can do it all, from tackling abandoned cart emails to product copy. But if you know the biggest thing you need tackled are blog posts, you’ll want to make sure you find a copywriter that is really good at doing just that.

Make a list of the priorities your intended copywriter will take on once they get the job. If you have a clear idea of the types of content you need created, you’ll be able to better narrow your search.

And hey, if you want someone that can do it all, that’s fine too. But be prepared to pay up for it.

Step 2: Decide on the Skill Level You Need

Not every writing gig needs the top copywriter in his or her field. Once you’ve decided on the different areas you need copy for you can streamline the different types of writer to hire.

For a one-off project, consider looking for a freelance copywriter or contract writer. You can try venues like oDesk and Elance for simple writing gigs, say product bullets or some SEO work. If your one-time project is something that might come up again in a few months or might turn into a series of projects, you’ll want to find a writer that you can keep on retainer.

One of the perks for freelancers is being able to pick who you work with – especially if you’re good at your job. If you can entice a writer with the promise of fairly steady work over time, you’ll have a better chance of nabbing a great one.

If you have regular copy needs on an ongoing basis, you’ve got two options. The first is to hire someone full-time. This isn’t always the most affordable option, but the bonus is that a copywriter gets even better as they dive into a brand’s identity. It’s an investment, but if words are important to your business, it’ll be worth it.

If a full-time hire isn’t in the cards, you’ll want to keep someone on staff with a monthly stipend. Another win-win. The steady income each month is a great incentive and it’s ideal to have someone on call to help with copy projects as they pop up, especially one already familiar with your brand’s voice.

Step 3: Don’t Hire an SEO Pro

Hiring a solid copywriter with knowledge of SEO is better than hiring a self-professed SEO writer. You need someone that has SEO knowledge, yes, but that focuses on content and not on keywords.

The days of copywriters touting SEO expertise are over. In fact, they’re long dead. I’ll even go a step further and tell you not to worry about SEO at all when you hire a copywriter. If there are keywords that need to be included in certain product descriptions, then hand off a list of those keywords and tell your new writer to “keep them in mind”.

Hiring a solid copywriter with knowledge of SEO is better than hiring a self-professed SEO writer.

Nothing is an inspiration killer more than a long, strict set of words that a writer simply must adhere to. If you’re looking for awesome copy, don’t hog tie your writer with a long laundry list of SEO requirements. Apart from working in a single keyword phrase at some point, give them the creative freedom they need to produce incredible copy!

As far as your brand’s copy and strict SEO is concerned, it’s a breakup that was a long time coming.

Step 4: Don’t Ask a Writer About Conversion Rates

Copywriters

Or ROI. Or A/B testing results. Or anything else analytical. Copywriters write – they don’t analyze data. In fact, a freelance copywriter hands off content well enough in advance to ever know how well it ends up performing for a client.

Remember that you’d hire a chiropractor for a backache, not for a sprained ankle. Copywriters are fantastic at writing, but don’t expect them to have specific data to back up all their work.

Step 5: Ask For Client Before & Afters

Want to find a copywriter that really wows? Ask for the before and after of some of the work they’ve done.

This isn’t something every copywriter will easily have on hand and it might require a bit of digging on their part. But a great ways to see what a copywriter can do is to look at the difference he or she made to a brand. Even if the copy they created is killer, seeing where they took a brand’s voice is often even more powerful.

At the very least, ask them to describe the changes they brought to the copy. Whether it was staying true to the existing voice or completely refreshing a website’s prose, finding out how someone can transform another business will help you see how well a writer can change yours.

Step 6 & 7: Conduct a Two-Part Edit Test

The First Test

It’s essential to give a copywriter a test that offers a real-life example of what they’ll be doing for your company. You’d be surprised at how many hiring managers don’t do this.

Tests don’t have to be a series of hoops that a writer has to jump through. It doesn’t have to be complex or super taxing test either. The edit test should be a practical application of what you’re hiring someone to do.

If you plan on finding someone strictly to handle email campaigns, there’s no need to have them write product descriptions, come up with ten unique product names and create copy for a homepage banner in an edit test. By focusing on specific tasks you’ll need done, you’ll get a better handle on how strong their skillset is for what you need.

The Second Test

I’ve only ever had one company take this second step when finding a copywriter. But it’s a step that will make all the difference.

A great copywriter is key. A great copywriter, editor and collaborator is even better.

Once you receive a completed test back, offer feedback on what they can do better. Have them go back to the drawing board and see how they can alter their writing according to your suggestions. Can they execute against your instructions? This is a great test not only for their writing but to see how they deal with (and respond to) constructive feedback.

A great copywriter is key. A great copywriter, editor and collaborator is even better. After you’ve been able to bat ideas and suggestions back and forth with a possible writer, you’ll get a sense of how well they can write and how well you can work together.

Interviewer Cheat Sheet

Copywriters come in all shapes and sizes. There’s those of us that love storytelling. Some of us have experience writing video scripts. There’s even a few rare writers that love analytics, if you can believe it.

The following are interview questions every copywriter wishes they’d get asked on an interview. Use these instead of the classic lockup questions the next time you’re hoping to hire a writer that wows.

Have you ever come up with a line/story/headline that you thought was brilliant but the company you worked for didn’t love?

Every writer has “the one that got away” story. This is a great question to ask! It helps you get a sense of the kind of writer they’d be without any constraints.

How did you get into copywriting?

Seems like a no brainer, but very few writers dream of becoming a copywriter when they’re 16 and obsessed with Hemingway. It’s interesting to hear how a writer got into this field and this question will shed light on their general writing background.

What’s your favorite brand for copy inspiration?

Every copywriter has that dream brand that they could write for. (Mine is Filson.) Ask them what brands do content and copywriting well. You’ll get a sense of the writing style they like based on their answer.

Is there a product category you prefer to write for?

A lot of the answers you get here will surprise you. I think most hirees would assume I’d say something like fashion or women’s clothes based on my resume. But in fact, I find those to be the hardest to write about. Instead, I tend to love writing about manly products – kayaks, axes, a stuffed moose – because it’s more of a challenge. I also get to put myself in someone else’s shoes, which is why most of us fall in love with copywriting in the first place.

You are officially all out of hiring excuses. Storytelling and content is crucial to the success of any eCommerce brand or business. If you can find a writer that can engage a customer, educate them and get them to buy, then you can focus all your efforts on just getting them to the site. And once they start reading all that great copy, you’ll have plenty of new customers and shoppers for life.

Posting your Copywriter Job Listing

Now that you know what to look for, the next step is to get your job post live and start looking through candidates!

There’s no better place to post your copywriting job than here, on the eCommerceFuel Job Board.   You’ll reach a large pool of experienced, sharp copywriters who browse our job boards looking for work.

Best of luck with your new copywriter!

Laura Serino is the Content and Community Manager for eCommerceFuel. To chat with Laura and other eCommerce professionals, join our private eCommerceFuel forum.

Andrew Youderian
Post by Andrew Youderian
Andrew is the founder of eCommerceFuel and has been building eCommerce businesses ever since gleefully leaving the corporate world in 2008.  Join him and 1,000+ vetted 7- and 8-figure store owners inside the eCommerceFuel Community.

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16 Comments

Carole @ Emu BlissApril 19, 2015

I’ve had success hiring writers from Writers Access. Great pricing too. Have a rep give you a walk through of the site since it’s not particularly intuitive

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Laura SerinoApril 20, 2015

Nice! Not familiar with them but good to know!!!

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ChrisApril 21, 2015

Though I’ve been involved in many aspects of marketing, from product sales to owning online e-com companies….copy has always been what I loved the most. I’ve always been able to craft compelling, moving copy that calls to action. In the past couple years, that has translated into some meaningful relationships with CEO’s, VP’s, and owners of businesses from $50k in sales to $400 million. And all through simple cold emails.
In the end, no matter what pays me the most, I still just love writing fresh and compelling copy for brands. So I do it on the side because I love it, not because I have to.
If your brand would like to have email copy that is compelling enough to get opened, is effective enough to move to action, and is engaging enough to create a hunger for more of your brand then reach out to me. Let’s talk. ‘
I may be able to offer some value. From the product description side to email marketing. I have a love for helping brands drive sales through masterful use of the written word!
Great post Andrew!

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Kira StoopsApril 21, 2015

Spot on! I wish potential clients who approach me had done half this homework!

I would disagree with the steady work bit…lots of us got into freelancing to avoid monthly anything! I love wrapping a project and knowing I’m “done.” So don’t feel like you have to stretch it out or make it last.

I would also say, yes, most copywriters hand off their copy well in advance of A/B testing…but please share how it turned out! It makes us all stronger at what we do.

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Laura SerinoApril 21, 2015

You are so right about the steady work. I suppose steady paychecks are more important than anything else! 😉

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ManmayMay 15, 2015

Awesome Laura. Secret has now been revealed. I recommend this blog to every company/individual looking for copywriter.
I absolutely agree with you on No 3. Hire someone who can write outstandingly, you don’t need to be SEO expert for that.
This misconception still prevails.
Keep up the good work anyway..:-)

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LaKrishiaMay 16, 2015

Great article, Laura. You make a great point about finding a copywriter who’ll be a collaborator–especially when considering a retainer.

As a copywriter, I like seeing brands blossom. When you’re on retainer, you get that (plus you get to really feel the spirit of a brand and you’re trusted to execute new ideas).

Again, wonderful post!

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OlivierMay 24, 2015

Thank you Laura, that’s so true for the questions.
how to find it ok, but how to keep it ?
I will add, encourage him with the figure on the blog, and number of share.
Let him put his name.

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Carrie SchmeckJune 17, 2015

Step 5 was a great reminder to keep copies of the before and after. Ironically, I was just browsing my old posts and realized I’d written a case study on this very thing! http://bizziwriter.com/blog/branding-business/copywriting-case-study/#sthash.CVa7JMnh.dpbs Time to update the post and republish, I’d say. Thanks for the kick to do it!

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Sole Traders: Make Sure You Read My Killer Business Tips! - NewStability.comSeptember 18, 2015

[…] bore people with unnecessary content, and avoid slandering your competitors. It pays to use a copywriter to come up with some killer content for your pages. Well, I hope you’ve found today’s […]

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David AuCoinJanuary 25, 2016

I am seeking to find out if copywriters make use of research specialist. There’s a company called AWAI American Writers & Artists Inc. They claim copywriters often hire research specialist to do research for them so that they can spend more time writing sales letters.

They have a course supposedly offered by some one who is doing it and making #50.00
an hour for her services. Her course sells for $100. so my question to you is do you know of any copywriters who pay to have research done for them.Do you think this is a legitimate business career to pursue or is it a scam?

Thanks
David AuCoin EM deepthink70@gmail.com

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Laura SerinoJanuary 25, 2016

Hi David! I wish I could speak more intelligently on the matter. I’m just not sure. It’s not something I’ve personally ever done but that doesn’t mean it’s illegal. What sort of research are you referring to? Keywords? Let me know and I’ll try and find out more for you!

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David AuCoinJanuary 26, 2016

Hi Laura:

Thanks for responding to my request so quickly.

Here is a link that will tell you all about the course they are offering .

http://www.awaionline.com/members/barefoot-writer/rep_Get_Paid_to_Surf_the_Web.pdf?sm_action=getfile&sm_auth=802cd40dad84a201

The Barefoot Writer Presents …
Get Paid To
Surf The Web
Collect $50+ Per Hour in “Writing”
Income, Starting Immediately …
Without Writing a Single Word

They are charging $100 for the course which supposedly will teach me how to do professional quality research written by a woman who allegedly is a professional researcher. She claims copywriters are willing to pay for good research that will relieve them of the time to do their own research freeing them up to write more sales letters.

but I don’t want to blow $100 and waste the time to get the course only to find out that copywriters do their own research and wouldn’t hire any research help.
Thanks
David AuCoin

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RobMay 19, 2016

Laura, there’s some good advice here, but I have to disagree with #4.

If a writer can’t talk authoritatively about how they’ve improved critical metrics for other clients, do not hire them. You want sales, not pretty words.

You should absolutely share data and analytics with your writer, especially if you are asking them to create copy that will improve conversions. Without this information (and being able to see what worked and didn’t work in the past), a copywriter won’t be able to move the sales needle. If you don’t share research, data, and analytics, you’re basically hoping the writer will get lucky with a good idea. It might happen, but you can improve the odds by sharing.

This might not be as applicable to a blog post or social media campaign, but for sales funnel copy, landing pages, product descriptions and email designed to drive traffic to a landing page, knowing the numbers is critical. If you want a response, don’t work with a writer who doesn’t ask for them/talk about them.

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JustynaJuly 7, 2016

Well done Laura 🙂

Thank you for sharing such vital tips 😉

I will add one more- stay organized. Many people claim that work organization might kill their creativity. I don’t agree with them 🙂

For my everyday copywriting scheduling I use my kanban board (www.kanbanery.com). It helps me to visualize my workflow and meet deadlines.

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