How to Hire a Good Freelance Copywriter

Finding a reliable freelancer who can produce good copy, finish work on time, and charge reasonable rates can be difficult. The tried and true professionals who've been in the business for 20 years or more generally charge more than most small businesses can afford for simple things like press releases, brochures, and data sheets. Some sales letters come with a price tag of $20,000 or more.

So what can you do to ensure that you find a reliable, affordable, and good copywriter? Check out their business practices.

Here are some questions you should ask of potential freelancers. In addition to these questions you should also ask for work samples.

Do they expect you to pay every penny of the agreed price up front?

Many freelancers, myself included, want half the money for the project up front, and the other half payable once the final work is accepted.

There are a couple of reasons for doing this. One reason being that freelancers have no guaranteed steady income, unless we have a regular paycheck from another job or help from family or a significant other. The second reason is that if the client decides to stiff us after they recieve the completed work we aren't out for the entire amount we were promised.

While it's not necessarily a red flag if a freelancer wants the full payment up front, it can be a frightening prospect if the freelancer is one you haven't worked with before.

If you want to work with a freelancer, and they want the full payment up front you can probably negotiate for a 50/50 split like I discussed above. Most freelancers are willing to work with clients to meet their needs. Especially if a client offers somewhat regular work and is easy to work with.

Will they re-write a piece if it didn't meet your expectations?

Most freelancers will re-write a piece if it isn't what you expected. However, many freelancers require a detailed outline of what work you want them to complete. This is to protect the freelancer from getting bogged down with a client who wants to unnecessarily revise items or who wants to change the focus of the project after the work is almost completed.

Will they be willing to work on tight deadlines?

If you have an unusually tight deadline or a last minute project, expect to pay more for it. Freelancers often work on many projects at once, so if they want to give your project priority they need to shuffle their workload to accommodate your project. They might have to work overtime to complete the project as well. Keep this in mind when you are quoted the price for the project.

By asking these types of questions of potential freelancers you can weed out potentially problematic candidates. If a freelancer is willing to negotiate pay, deadline, and re-writes they are most likely an honest freelancer. Don't expect a veteran to be as willing to budge as a novice though. The better established a freelancer's business, the choosier they can be about clients.