In my 5+ plus of working as a writer, I have worked both for an agency and freelance, so as you may imagine, I’ve seen it all.
One particular thing that stands out is how unprepared many businesses are when they want to hire a copywriter for their business. The interview sessions and sometimes when we start working usually gives them away.
But the thing is that if you want to find the best copywriter for your business, you must know how to go about it. Otherwise, you may end up with the wrong people or make work more difficult for the right hire.
And as a business owner, I’m sure you know that hiring the right talent is not enough, you need to also create the right environment for the right output.
I say that to say, you need to know how to hire a copywriter for your business so you can find the suitable talent or in order not to frustrate the talent.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s look at the different ways to find the right writer for you.
How to Find the Best Copywriter for Your Business
1. Identify Your Needs and Project Details
Before you even start browsing portfolios or posting job ads, take a moment to really understand what you need. And I mean really understand it.
The reason this is important is that there are different kinds of writers and if you don’t know what you need, you might be hiring the wrong writer.
For instance, if you need ads copy, you have no business hiring a content writer, but you just might because you don’t even know what you need in the first place.
Firstly, a common mistake business owners make is confusing content writing with copywriting; they’re not the same.
A good content writer will give you an excellent blog post or ebook, but if you’re trying to boost sales or write a high-converting landing page, you need a copywriter.
Secondly, even copywriters differ from each other. So, you need to think about the type of copy you want. Do you want website copy, product descriptions, or email campaigns?
You need to identify the need upfront to save you time, money, and disappointment.
Trust me, being clear on whether you need an SEO copywriter or a direct response copywriter makes the whole process a lot smoother for you and the talent.
2. Identify the Type of Hire
Now that you know what kind of copy you need, the next question is: what kind of relationship are you looking for?
Are you hoping to bring someone on full-time as part of your team or do you need someone just for a one-time campaign? Or perhaps you’re leaning toward hiring a freelancer who can jump in when needed.
Each option has its pros and cons. For instance, a full-time hire offers consistency, but with a bigger financial commitment, while freelancers give you flexibility and are often cost-effective, but might not be available all the time.
The suitable one for you will depend on your project scope, your business goals and budget.
3. Explore Online Platforms
After settling the above, you now need to actually find potential copywriters. The most obvious places to look are online platforms that have done the hard work for you of bringing together different copywriters in one place.
Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, AMAKA Studio, and even specialized ones like Copyhackers’ job board are packed with talented copywriters from all over the world.
The beauty of these platforms is the range; you can find copywriters with different styles, rates, and experience levels. You can also check their reviews, see examples of past work, and message them directly.
The only downside is that you have to sift through a lot of profiles, which can be overwhelming.
However, if you’re clear on what you need (remember point one?), you’d have reduced your work by half because you’ll spot the good fits faster.
4. Tap Into Your Network
While online platforms are invaluable in finding talents, you can also save yourself the trouble of sifting through several profiles by asking around. And you’d be surprised how many people in your circle have worked with a great copywriter.
Chat with a fellow entrepreneur friend or even make a quick post on LinkedIn asking for referrals, and it might lead you straight to the right person.
Referrals come with a level of trust you just can’t get from a random profile. Plus, it saves you the headache of going through dozens of options.
So don’t be shy to reach out, ask questions, and see who your network can vouch for to provide results.
Also Read: 11 Online Marketing Tips for Solopreneurs
5. Evaluate Potentials
Just because someone is great at their job doesn’t mean they are great for you. This is not so much a skill problem as it is personality and work culture. You don’t just need a skilful copywriter, you want to know how to find the right copywriter for your business.
That means, you need to properly evaluate the list you have from online platforms or your personal network.
Start by reviewing their portfolio. Look out for their writing style and if it clicks with your brand’s voice. Check if they’ve worked in your niche before. Also check if they write with personality and can adapt their tone to yours.
Besides that, check for results. Did their copy help previous clients increase conversions or engagement? Or are they just writing to the air?
Moreover, find out what past clients are saying about them. If they’re on online platforms, read through their reviews. And if you found them independently, ask for references.
Don’t rush through this evaluation process so you don’t make a decision that could cost you. Ensure you dot all i’s and cross all t’s.
6. Be Open to Feedback
Great copywriters do more than just write, they review business marketing efforts and think strategically. So, if you’ve found someone who’s truly good at their craft, they might suggest tweaks or improvements to your original idea.
Don’t shut them down or be offended at recommendations to improve your business. Of course, you don’t have to take everything they say, but don’t be so married to your vision that you miss out on a fresh, more effective approach.
After all, you’re hiring them for their expertise. So, be open, listen, and consider their input. You might just find that your copy and your business results are way better for it.
7. Start with a Trial Project
Hiring a copywriter can be scary, so you don’t have to put both feet in the water if you’re not comfortable. You are allowed to start small before jumping into a long-term commitment.
Rather than signing a long-term contract, give them a trial project. It could be a single email, a short landing page, or a product description.
This gives you a chance to see how they work, how they communicate, and whether their writing actually performs. You’ll also get a feel for their style, reliability, and professionalism.
If it’s a good fit, you can move forward with bigger projects. If not, you can move on with no hard feelings and no major investments lost.
8. Go with Your Hunch
Sometimes, it all comes down to gut instinct. You can check portfolios, read reviews, and have Zoom calls all you want, but at the end of the day, you’re choosing someone you need to trust with your brand’s voice.
If a copywriter gives you a good vibe – if they’re communicative, genuinely interested in your business, and seem to get what you’re trying to achieve – pay attention to that.
That’s probably more powerful than laid-down principles. Sometimes, the best person for you just clicks. However, still combine that with the practical steps above to find the best copywriter for your business. That way, you’re way more likely to hire a good copywriter.
Copywriting Interview Questions to Ask
Now that we’ve learnt how to find the best copywriter for your business, let’s take a look at some questions to ask when interviewing or chatting with them.
Experience and Background
- Can you tell me about your background and how you got into copywriting?
- What types of copy do you specialize in (e.g., website copy, email marketing, product descriptions, ads)?
- Have you worked with businesses in my industry or niche before? If so, can you share examples?
- What’s your favorite type of project to work on, and why?
Process and Approach
- How do you typically start a new project? What information do you need from clients upfront?
- What’s your research process like when writing for a new audience or product?
- How do you find and define a brand voice for a client?
- How do you approach writing copy that’s both creative and conversion-focused?
- How do you handle revisions and feedback from clients?
Performance and Results
- Can you share a project where your copy had a measurable impact on results (like sales, signups, or engagement)?
- How do you measure the success of your copy once it goes live?
- Have you ever had a copy that didn’t perform well? What did you learn from that experience?
Portfolio and Samples
- Can you walk me through one or two pieces from your portfolio and explain the goals and outcomes?
- Are you comfortable adapting your writing style to match a brand’s existing tone and voice?
Collaboration & Availability
- How do you prefer to communicate and collaborate with clients (email, Slack, calls, etc.)?
- What’s your typical turnaround time for projects like [insert your project type]?
- Are you available for ongoing work or only one-time projects?
- How do you manage tight deadlines or last-minute requests?
Red Flags and Fit
- What would you need from me to do your best work?
- Is there anything about this project or brand that you think might be a challenge—or an exciting opportunity?
