5 signs that tell you when you should NOT hire a copywriter

You know what the best thing is about being a business person who’s active on social media? The fabulous contacts you make along the way. Especially those like Cassie Lee, who not only boost my ego, but do it publicly in a guest post. Take it away, Cassie.

A copywriter and you have a special relationship. Both of you are collaborating towards the success of your business content. You want to ensure that your investment in copywriting services pays off.

Let me mention that this is going to be an unorthodox post considering that you are reading the blog of one of Australia’s top 20 copywriters. I am going to point out the signs telling you NOT to hire a copywriter. Yes, before you spend your hard earned cash, I want you to ask yourself whether you have the right mindset when it comes to working with a copywriter.

You are not ready to take on a copywriter if any of these 5 thoughts are going through your mind now:

I am not sure what is my product or service

This is for those who are still testing the waters of being ‘in business’ (putting up a sign on your front lawn saying “Open for Business” does not really tell me much). You wonder if the business idea or project that popped in your head one minute before you drifted off to the Land of Nod will make you the next Bill Gates. Should you sell cupcakes or microchip processors? Should you offer dog walking services or lost and found supermarket trolley services? You need to get this part sorted before you even start googling ‘Copywriting Services’.

I have no idea who is my ideal customer

You are uncertain whether you should be targeting your sweet grandmother (whom I’m sure will buy from you even if you are selling bikinis covered with glitter) or the guy dressed in an Italian business suit who just purchased his second shot of espresso? Not knowing who your business is serving to makes it pretty hard to hire a copywriter when one of the first questions you need to answer is “Who are your customers?”.

I must prove that I am good in all aspects of my business because that’s what being an entrepreneur is all about

To admit that you suck at writing your About page or even status updates on Facebook makes you feel that you are a nominee for the Hall of Shame. Hiring outside help to you is like a slap on the face and confessing that you do not have it altogether. You are not ready to outsource any part of your business because in your mind, an entrepreneur also means Superman (or Superwoman) in a tailored suit. Unless you let go of this mindset, you will not see the value of hiring a copywriter.

My product is going to launch soon and I need a copywriter to craft my sales page because they said so

Don’t hire a copywriter simply because they (i.e  every popular business blog or successful marketing guru) insist that it is a must if you want to make sure that your product has a magnetic sales page. It also does not mean that without a cleverly worded sales page by a professional copywriter, your product launch is destined to fail. Whilst I agree that a good copywriter will be able to write a sales page that captivates your audience, it is also important that you take some time to engage someone whose style suits you to a tee otherwise you are going to spend more time (and possibly money) to redo the whole thing. Meanwhile if you have a launch deadline and have yet to find the suitable copywriter, you may be better off writing the content yourself (until you have found The One for your next campaign).

I do not have time to explain everything about my business to a stranger

A dedicated copywriter will want to get to know you better, learn about your business and your ‘voice’, before getting the first draft out to you. If you do not have time to explain what is it that you do or the kind of content that you expect to see on your website, then put your copywriter hiring plans on hold for now. Do not engage a copywriter, spit out snappy one-liners about your business and later growl at them when they do not produce the content that suits your needs.

Sit down, grab some coffee and have a think about all the above. When you are in the right frame of mind and truly ready to hire your first copywriter, get in touch with Nicole to see if both of you are match made in heaven.

Do you think that you are ready to hire a copywriter? If not, why? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Cassie Lee is a creative business and life coach who talks a lot about mindsets, overcoming fears and silencing the inner critic. Grab a copy of her free Ebook “You are What You Think – Simple Tips on Developing a Positive Mindset” here.