Frequently asked questions
What does a copywriter do?
A copywriter uses words to explain how products and services can help the people that might need them. They help to describe services, elaborate on goods and communicate the advantages of using a particular product or service. Good copy, written by a copywriter, lets people know what they can expect when they purchase something from your business.
How does your copywriting service work?
First of all, we’ll meet or have a chat, discuss what you’re hoping to do, and decide if we can work together. Then we’ll have a briefing session: we’ll take note of the practical things like your goals, who your ideal customer is, and what your deadline is. We’ll also ask for information you have around your business’ tone of voice, your brand guidelines – anything that supports your brand personality and that makes your business, your business. We’ll write the copy and present you with a first version; you’ll then give feedback. We’ll make up to two rounds of amends before you give final approval and sign off the copy. You pay for the work... there we go. It’s all yours!
How do you charge for copywriting services?
Each and every project is costed on an individual basis. Each client is different and has unique needs. So there’s no blanket approach taken here. We take the time to understand what you’d like to achieve and price by the job.
Why does great copy matter?
Put simply, you can’t do great marketing without great copy. Great copy is how people interact with your business. We use words, language, expressions, sayings, each and every day. It’s how humans understand the world around us and put that into speech. That’s why it’s so important to explain clearly how you can help people, to illuminate what you can do for them. Great copy matters because it’s the link between you and the people that might buy from you. Take a look at our video to see why great copy matters.
Can I do it myself?
Most people can write. And you probably know your business better than anyone. However, if you’re talking about writing copy…then no, probably not. Writing copy is a skill that takes time and patience to develop, like anything else. We’d guess that you’re probably too busy doing what you do best to write clear, compelling copy that effectively engages your ideal customer – on their terms. So if you’re looking for some copywriting help, why not hand over to the professionals? If you already have carefully crafted, well-thought-out marketing copy for your business and need a little help to enhance it, check out our Copy MOT service. It’s for businesses who want to refresh their content, to make sure it’s in good working order. It’s a sort of once-over or safety check, rather than a full dismantling of the engine!
What do I get with Great Copy Matters’ copywriting service?
You’ll get a professional copywriting service. That means that we’ll get to get to know your brand and understand your business. We’ll take a brief from you and we’ll write copy that reflects what you do and, most importantly, connects with the people that might buy from you. You’ll have the opportunity to give feedback on the copy, and we’ll deliver the work to a high quality and on time. We aim to make things as easy as possible for you, and communication will be clear and frequent.
How far in advance do I need to book your services?
We’ll always get back to you within 48 hours of you making an enquiry. In terms of actual bookings, we can usually book you in within a week to two weeks. We’ll always do what we can to help you meet whatever deadline you’re up against.
How long does copywriting take?
That’s a good question. And the truth is, it all depends. It depends on what the brief is and what the nature of the project is. Writing copy is mostly about thinking, not typing. Something which appears lengthy may take less ‘clock time’ than a very short piece of copy. When it comes to copy, ‘how long’ something takes is less about time and more about the strategic and creative thinking that goes into it. We’ll always discuss timelines with you and we’ll agree a plan and a schedule of work with you at the outset so that we all know where we stand.
Why do you ask for so much information from me?
This is really very important. We don’t know the ins and outs of your company. You live your business; you breathe your business. We’re outsiders. We have to ask questions, we have to dig around: we have to find out exactly what happens when someone buys from you, how you serve your customers, and what makes them tick. This gives the copy the best chance of connecting with the people who buy from you. We’ll ask questions about your company tone of voice, your company vision, mission, and brand promise. All of these things impact the copy. And that’s why we ask for a lot of information, because we like to get things right the first time. The better equipped we are to do that, the more accurately we can reflect you and your business – so you feel comfortable knowing that we ‘get’ you and your customers.
Do different copywriters specialise in different industries?
The answer is yes and no. Some copywriters do generalise, some copywriters hone in on a specialism. At Great Copy Matters, we tend to work with businesses that provide a high-value professional service, usually to another business. That’s our particular niche. On the other hand, there are many copywriters that are generalists: they’ll write about anything and cover any subject. A good rule of thumb is to consider what your product or service is, what it does, who it’s aimed at, and whether that would be better served by a copywriter with specialist knowledge and experience, versus someone that has a broader-ranging experience. It’s about finding the right fit for you.
How can I tell if a copywriter is a good fit for my brand?
The most important thing is to speak to them. Meet them face to face, have a Skype call, have a phone call. It’s very hard to tell from someone’s website or from their social media whether that person will be able to completely reflect you and your brand. Many copywriters do a fantastic job. If you’re thinking of hiring a professional to write your copy, you've probably realised that capturing the essence of your business in writing is quite a big deal, and it can feel very daunting to hand that control over to somebody external to the organisation. So, get a feel for them – as the old saying goes, people buy from people.
What if I’m not based in the UK?
No problem at all. We live in a digital age: phone calls, video calls, emails and social media make communicating easy and reliable. We at Great Copy Matters have clients that we've never actually met in person! We’re very happy to work with people across the UK, across Europe, and indeed across the world. So, if you’re in Bristol or Bali, get in touch – we'd welcome the opportunity of a conversation.
How do I know you will sound like my business and not yours?
There are two elements to the answer: the human, feeling part, and the process-driven, strategic part. First of all, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record… We have a conversation with you. Numerous conversations, if we can! Whether or not you know it, your business sounds a certain way. You and your staff reflect that, and the best way for us to understand your brand voice and capture it in the copy is to speak to the people that live and breathe it every day. That’s the more human answer. The more process-driven answer is that we’ll need to see from you things like tone of voice guidelines, and any existing communications that you might have, as well as marketing strategy documents that capture what your business is about.
What are the mediums a copywriter can help with?
In today’s digital world the most obvious answer is your website. It’s your online shop window to the world. Most people look at a website before buying, especially if they’re buying a professional service, which usually involves some degree of monetary and time investment. So it’s the thing that’s vital to get right first of all. Aside from that, the answer is pretty much anything. Anywhere a business interacts with clients and prospects in writing, a copywriter can help. Take a look at our services to see how we can help; and if you’re not sure, give us a call to talk about what you’d like to achieve.
How much time would I need to make available to get the best out of your time and skills?
Initially, more time. Thereafter, less time. Initially, we need to get a thorough understanding of your business in order to do it justice. And who better to explain that to us than the very people that work there? Once we’re up and running, we’ll require less of your time for briefings and strategic conversations: copywriting is an autonomous job and we won’t pester you for input every other word. As with the questions around Great Copy Matters’ availability and time, your time commitment varies as per the nature of the project. If you have something in mind, the best thing to do would be to ask us and we can give you our assessment.
How many amends do we get?
You’ll get two sets of amends as standard and we’ll work with you to ensure that the copy is right. If there are any major changes to the brief, we’ll discuss with you any price implications and deadline extensions before going ahead.
How do you supply the copy?
The copy is supplied as a Word or PDF document. We’ll email you the first and second drafts and the final version for your approval.