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December 15, 2008 at 10:11 am #963996Up::0
Hi,
We are building our new website and have been advised to enlist the help of a copywriter to help with the wording of the different pages.
No better place than Flying Solo to try and find someone !
Attached is what we have for the home page so far.
We have a list of keywords already but always open to suggestions…..Sorry I cant attach as the file is 24kb
December 15, 2008 at 12:26 pm #1001948Up::0I wish I could keep it local however to get an overview of copywriting and what is involved, you cannot go past the high ranking copywriting forum
Make yourself aware of the scams that are out there and get an overview of what you will be getting for you money.
There are some people on that site who would be worth contacting, look for ones with above 2,000 posts primarily in the copywriting forum.You will probably pay a premium for their time though especially with the Aus dollar the way it is at the moment.
December 15, 2008 at 9:41 pm #1001949Up::0Hi Salt
Welcome to the Flying Solo forum.
I like the artistic flavour of your website – and suppose I am also responding to put my hand up as someone who could satisfy your business needs for a copywriter – with a bonus.
That is, I am also a media muse, journalist and feature writer. So my expertise not only lies in the sales-driven, informative and directional copywriting needed for effective websites – but also in feature writing.
Creative copywriting can tell the story of your business and portray your unique product in an expressive and colourful way that readers like – like reading a lifestyle feature story in a weekend newspaper supplement magazine.
I am based in Queensland and run a small relationship-driven writing consultancy for businesses.
Happy to chat further about it with you – and feel free to ask me any questions too.
December 15, 2008 at 11:27 pm #1001950Up::0I use Tash from http://www.wordconstructions.com.au and Donna Marie from http://www.jacaranda-business-support.com and Anne from http://www.cleverstreak.com.au
Melissa
December 16, 2008 at 7:55 am #1001951Up::0Thanks Adam, good advice, Marnie, I will be in touch via email and Melissa thankyou I will check out the businesses you mentioned.
This forum is great to network and find the professionals we require from time to time !
So when all you people want Quality Handcrafted Australian Timber Furniture………
Oh are we allowed to self promote ?
Thanks again guys
Craig
December 17, 2008 at 1:57 am #1001952Up::0Hi Craig
I thought I would throw my five cents worth in too…. you don’t mention how you are building your website but may I stress that it’s important to lay out a framework of how each of the sections/pages will hang together and identify their purpose though in essence every one needs to be a landing page / sales page. An integrated solution is preferable for your business (website, ecommerce platform, crm etc) and it doesn’t have to be cost prohibitive. In reality, a website is only like one leg on a table.
The site must be able to let you change the content yourself rather than having to run back to a website designer for every little thing. If you would like to subscribe to our weekly internet marketing tips on our “contact us” page the next one is about landing pages.
We work with businesses of all sizes and getting you maximum bang for your bucks is what is important. Sorry everyone if this is too much of a plug for 360.
December 17, 2008 at 5:46 am #1001953Up::0Thanks Warren,
We have a web designer building the site who has outlined the structure and is the same as you have described.
I have Dreamweaver and will put all the content on the site when its ready.Craig
December 19, 2008 at 10:42 am #1001954Up::0There are two kinds of copywriting for websites and you need to distinguish between the two.
The first is pure sales copy – that is, when you are trying to sell a product directly from your page, so more like a landing product page. It’s hard to find people who can do this well – who have a proven track record (that they can show you) of sales off the back end of their writing.
The second is more general (less ‘hard sell’ for want of a better term) – this would be more information based, still a bit ‘salesy’ but not really call to action, buy now sales. This is what the vast majority of ‘copywriters’ do.
For the first, I work with Daniel Lizurek from Fast Profits who has worked with clients of mine and made them hundreds of thousands of dollars with their products. He writes the most amazing sales copy that gets people to buy, opt in, attend events … Website Copywriter – Words That Work – Marketing Copywriter
For the second – I’m sure you’ll have no problems finding someone who can do that quite well.
Just don’t mix the two styles up – they are VERY different. And while the first copywriter can easily write the second kind of copy, there are few of the second kind of copywriters who can write the first kind of copy – it’s a VERY difficult skill that takes years of study, practice and mentorship to attain.
February 24, 2009 at 1:51 am #1001955Up::0Hi,
Although the person who started this thread is likely to have found his web copywriter by now, other soloists are still clicking on this thread to possibly find an answer to their own web copywriting needs.
That’s why I’d like to introduce myself here too. My name is Micky Stuivenberg and I run my own web copywriting business under the name Content Writer.
I am a former international journalist, marketing/PR copywriter, magazine editor, communications consultant, web designer and since last year I’m a certified SEO specialist as well.
I combine all those skills to focus on writing effective copy for websites that attracts and appeals to that company’s target audience.
All content that I write keeps SEO as well as actual people in mind, using the right keywords to rank well while still sounding natural and enticing visitors to take the required action.
If you want to know more about my services, please visit http://www.contentwriter.com.au
February 24, 2009 at 3:02 am #1001956Up::0Content Writer Micky, post: 3510 wrote:… and since last year I’m a certified SEO specialist as well.Hi Micky (just saying Hi here as you’ve intro’d yourself on two threads/topics)…
I noticed you said you are a certified SEO specialist – are there now formally recognised courses/qualifications in this area?
cheers
Andrew
February 24, 2009 at 3:21 am #1001957Up::0Hi Andrew,
In response to your question about SEO certification, I followed the certification pathway (completing three courses successfully) at Search Engine College.
Of course, anyone can create courses and give out certificates, but I did some research and these people came highly recommended. The online college is run by SEO industry expert Kalena Jordan.
I actually took six of their courses and have learned a lot.
People can verify my certification and read a bit more about the courses I took on my personalised certification status page on the Search Engine College website, which I link to from the SEO page on my website as well.
Cheers,
MickyMarch 9, 2009 at 2:08 pm #1001958Up::0Hi there
After a long hiatus (first a holiday and then being swamped with great new projects), I’m back nosing around the Flying Solo forums. It’s great to find out what people have been up to.
As Micky so rightly indicated, other people who are seeking copywriters may just sneak a peek here, so I thought I’d put my hat in the ring. For the record, although I don’t think I’d make a very good bullfighter, I am very experienced at writing website copy (and pretty much all other sorts as well).
Instead of a pitch for my services, I thought I’d include my thoughts on what I’d be doing if I were looking for a website copywriter. First of all, I’d narrow down my search to a couple Australian-based companies that seem to know what they’re doing. I’d probably look on this forum as part of that search as people who post are generally informed, intelligent and, perhaps most importantly, friendly. I want to take a moment to say that while I’m not averse to hiring overseas companies (heck, I work for international clients), it gives me the warm and fuzzies to know that if I have a problem with something, I can always hop on a plane, if necessary, and visit the person to let them know. It reminds me of my favourite commercial ever … but I digress.
The second thing I’d do would be to visit their website to get a sense of their personal style (admittedly good copywriters can write in any style) as well as reading the entire website with a particular emphasis on the client testimonials. We can wax poetic about ourselves all day, but at the end of the day, what our clients say is the best indication of our work.
After reading the website (preferably typo free, but let’s face it, we all make typos occasionally, especially after 3 am in the morning), I’d then narrow down my list to three companies. I’d then contact them via email to ask them if they’d be happy to produce a small (hey, we have bills too!) sample of reworked or purpose-written content for your particular website. Most copywriters are not big fans of doing free work (I’m definitely in that category) so if you’re really serious about finding the perfect copywriter for your project, be prepared to purchase a small block of time, up to an hour, to see if they’re really as good as they say they are. Personally, I’d rather find out with a small outlay than hundreds or thousands of dollars down the track.
When you receive the samples (and definitely take note of how responsive/quick they are as you don’t want to wait for your material all year), go with the website copywriter that has managed to capture you and your brand with a lively, engaging tone. That person has taken the time to learn about your business, your target market and what you’re trying to achieve and will be more like a business partner than a supplier. That’s gold.
OK, I’d better close for now as it’s just past 1 am, the time when the evil typo fairies come out. I hope this information has helped and wish you luck with your search for the perfect copywriter.
Regards
Renée
March 10, 2009 at 10:31 am #1001959Up::0Some great replies here.
For sure not all copywriters are equal. I fully agree with sales and general categories. Just be sure that whoever you choose speaks as though they are part of your business (as pointed to above by Renee) or your site will not ring true with a passion that is you. People feel this stuff so make sure the copywriter shares your passion or you can end up with neatly written but unenthusiastic prose.
On the other hand I am amazed that in this day and age I still see pushy sales speak and techniques. I mean really, is a free whitepaper that you get when you fork over your email really free or is it a smelly carrot? The long letter worked in the 70’s and 80’s but who wants the but wait there’s more followed by a couple of P.S.s on a home page.
I find myself pulled into copy simply because at the affordable end of the market (where most soloists are) the copy I see is no better (sometimes worse) than that written by the owner. Of course if the owner would write as they speak that would probably work better as that way they can show passion
Benedict
BRM Web Consulting
http://www.brmwebconsulting.com
making web sites work for your business -
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