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			 | Copywriting for the Non-English-Speaking Audience The power of the Internet lies in its global pervasiveness. It is practically everywhere. People of all languages access the Net from all over the globe. Just think of it as an infinite vastness for your business and marketing possibilities. Your...
 
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			| 11 Things You MUST Know Before Hiring a Copywriter 
 So you're considering hiring copywriting help for your next
 brochure, Web site, or marketing project. Congratulations! You should
 get great results if you hire a pro to do it right.
 
 Many business owners and marketing professionals have valid concerns
 about letting an outsider develop their content. After all — it's
 your business, you know it best, and your image is critical. However,
 you're wrapped up in your business every day. A good copywriter
 can see your business in a new light, draw out the key benefits of
 your products and services, and communicate that excitement to your
 clients and prospects.
 
 Working with a writer isn't a complicated ordeal, however it will
 benefit you tremendously to become familiar with how the relationship
 typically works and ways to help the process move along smoothly. So,
 here are my top 11 tips on how to choose and work with a copywriter:
 
 1. Understand your mission beforehand.
 
 A crucial factor in streamlining the writing process is determining
 the principal points you need to communicate — before you bring in a
 writer. Who is your target audience? What is your message? What is
 unique about your company? In what type of tone do you want to speak
 to your reader? What type of response do you ideally want the reader
 to make? Having this information agreed upon before you get a writer
 involved will save you unnecessary copy revisions and keep your costs
 down.
 
 2. Develop a realistic schedule.
 
 Yes, you've heard this all your life, but haste makes waste. Avoid
 hastily hiring a copywriter and dumping a rush job on her. Not only
 will you not have time to thoroughly check her experience and
 references, but, no matter how wonderfully talented she is, her first
 drafts will not be "fully cooked." This is because copywriters need
 time to let words and ideas simmer.
 
 Most writers will request a few weeks to develop your copy, so set a
 realistic schedule to give the creative process ample time. Count on
 going through one or two revisions as your writer refines the piece's
 angle and conveys the key benefits of what you're promoting.
 
 3. Make sure the writer you hire has written for the medium you want.
 
 Let's say you need someone to re-energize the copy on your Web site.
 A freelancer who has only written magazine articles won't likely
 have the skills to create content for a dynamic Web site. She's
 probably not proficient at breaking-up copy into easily digestible
 bits, integrating hyperlinks that entice your users to take action,
 and keeping your end-user in mind to plan a friendly, easily-
 navigable site. She may be able to learn how, but you'll be paying
 for her slow ramp-up speed. Take time instead to find the right
 person — it will save you many headaches down the road.
 
 4. Experience within your industry isn't always necessary.
 
 "So you've never written for a _______ company before?" I'veheard
 many prospects say. Don't worry. A writer's ability to write well for
 the medium is more important than her having prior experience in your
 industry.
 
 Many writers are true generalists and write just as well for an edgy
 new media start-up as they do for a giant hospital network. They're
 very proficient at diving into your business, learning it inside and
 out, and churning out great prose to entice your target market. Now
 of course, if you're producing a technically oriented business-to-
 business Web site or marketing piece, you may want to hire a writer
 with experience in both your project's medium and your industry. If
 you find a good one, hold on tight. You've struck gold!
 
 5. Ask for references, and contact them.
 
 All writers can show you samples of well-written material, but how do
 you know if they'll work to understand your communication needs, meet
 deadlines, and act professionally in front of clients? Any great
 copywriter should have an ample list of references that she can share
 with you. Be sure to contact at least two of them, and ask them about
 the writer's weaknesses as well as her strengths.
 
 6. You get what you pay for.
 
 It amazes me how businesspeople will drop thousands of dollars on Web
 or print design and hesitate to spend half as much on great copy.
 Pictures and design enhance your message, but
 
 
				
 jeez folks …the writing
 IS your message!
 
 Good copywriting does not come cheaply — you'll find writers
 who charge anywhere from $50 - $150 per hour and up. You'll pay more
 for an experienced writer, one with a particular specialty, or one
 who's also a proficient editor. (Many writers are also great editors,
 but not all writers are editors, and vice versa.) Some writers will
 even arrange for your piece to get a final review by a professional
 proofreader. (A very good idea, since there are almost always a few
 errors that no one catches until the last minute.)
 
 7. Work on more than a handshake.
 
 True writing pros will give you an agreement they've drawn up for
 you. However, you'll occasionally find yourself having to draft
 an agreement for the project. This doesn't have to be complex — a
 simple letter of agreement that you both sign should do fine. Be sure
 to include the project size, number of revisions included (if
 applicable), timetable, and agreed fee (this can be a flat fee or
 hourly rate).
 
 And don't forget to ask about what's NOT included. For example,many
 writers charge extra for in-person meetings, research time, and
 weekend or rush work. You should also expect to pay an upfront
 retainer. Serious writers charge one-third to one-half of the total
 project fee upfront, and many won't begin your project until they
 have the signed agreement and check in hand. And if you have
 sensitive or proprietary information, don't hesitate to have your
 writer sign a non-disclosure agreement.
 
 8. Give your writer background info at the start.
 
 I've often heard the story of a writer being hired for a large
 project, and the first thing she's asked to do is come in and
 interview several principals of the company. After several days of
 interviews, the writer is then handed the company's annual report,
 previous brochures, and marketing plan.
 
 If this background info had been given up front, the client could
 have saved hours of time and money! At the beginning of your project,
 pass on any and all previous brochures or sales kits, direct mail,
 Web site URLs, annual reports, research results, or business or
 marketing plans.
 
 9. Appoint one person as your "project captain."
 
 Appoint one person at your company as project captain. If you allow
 too many people in your organization to work with the writer
 directly, each of them will likely have a different opinion of the
 copy and request different edits from your writer. She may be forced
 to make many unnecessary revisions, adding time and cost to your
 project.
 
 If you need to involve multiple reviewers in the process, have your
 project captain handle the internal reviews and edits and decide
 which ones supercede others. Then give your writer one master copy
 that includes all edits to be made. Also, be sure to involve your
 final decision maker early on, be it your CEO or board of directors.
 This gives your writer clear direction and avoids costly revisions
 down the road.
 
 10. Give constructive criticism.
 
 Although copywriters have egos of steel and are accustomed to
 criticism, make yours constructive for best results. "This paragraph
 just doesn't work" isn't nearly as effective as "What we need to do
 here is stress the benefits of the non-skid surface." Also, tell her
 what parts you do like so she can emulate them elsewhere. And of
 course, everyone loves to know when they've done a good job. If you
 like her work, be sure to share that with her.
 
 11. Don't discount "chemistry."
 
 You need to feel comfortable with your writer in order to work
 effectively together. Take the time to find a great copywriter whom
 you truly like and develop a good working relationship together.
 You'll get top-quality work that will help your business thrive. And
 you'll have a skilled and knowledgeable copywriter on call for your
 next communications effort.
 
  About the Author 
 Alexandria Brown is president of AKB Marketing Communications. Her FREE monthly e-zine gives "how-to" tips on writing compelling copy
 for Web sites, brochures, and e-zines. Learn how to attract new
 clients and strengthen your customer relationships! Subscribe today
 at http://www.akbwriting.com or by e-mailing AKBMarCom-
 On@lists.webvalence.com
 
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                                  | Copywriting . Net |  
							      | Copywriting . Net. The Internet's copywriting service center for Web and print marketing communications. |  
                                | www.copywriting.net |  
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                                  | Copywriting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |  
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                                  | Online Copywriting: Subscribe to the Excess Voice Newsletter |  
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                                  | Linda Westphal, Freelance Advertising Copywriter |  
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                                  | Copywriting: Projects on Elance |  
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