Copywriting FAQs

I’m all about making life as easy as possible. So I’ve gathered together some useful FAQs, that cover everything you need to know when working with a freelance copywriter. If you have a specific question you’d like to ask however, feel free to contact me.

What is copywriting?

Many people often get the word copywriting confused with copyright. But the two are completely unrelated. 

Copyright refers to the exclusive right to something. For example, the legal right to control the production and selling of a book, film or piece of music.

Copywriting on the other hand is the craft of writing words that engage, compel and ultimately sell. A copywriter could write you adverts, websites, emails, blogs and so on. Their job is to persuade your customer to take some form of action - whether that’s signing up to your mailing list, finding out more about you, or buying your product or service.

What is SEO copywriting?

SEO copywriting stands for Search Engine Optimised copywriting. An SEO copywriter will carefully craft your copy so that it’s keyword saturated, engages the reader but also remains on brand. This improves your ranking in Google, brings more traffic to your site and as a result, drives more sales or business enquiries.

Why do I need a copywriter?

Anyone can write, right? Sure. And you could probably knock something out yourself that’s reasonable. But maybe you’re done with being reasonable and want to take things to the next level.

That’s when you call on a copywriter (hint hint).

Here’s a few other reasons why it would be good idea to bring a copywriter on board:

• You’re struggling to find the time to write your website 

• You’ve got all these incredible ideas, but you just don’t know how to articulate your vision into words

• You need a wordsmith (like myself) who can capture the heart and soul of your brand and translate it into fresh, exciting content

Get in touch if you’d like to talk more about how I can help your brand.

Do you have professional qualifications?

I sure do.

I’m a self-confessed study junkie and love learning new things.

I started out with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, majoring in Public Relations and with a minor in Advertising.

Over the years, I’ve also managed to qualify as a certified life coach, clinical hypnotherapist, tui na practitioner, natural nutritionist, energy healer and therapeutic massage therapist.

Then there’s been courses in intuitive development, public speaking, writing for television and more recently, digital marketing.

I’m a massive Japanophile and after living there for many years, along with the countless classrooms hours of study, I can proudly call myself an advanced Japanese speaker. I have an international exam grading to show for it too.

And over the last 2 years I’ve managed to complete The Recipe for SEO Success Course with Kate Toon - teaching me the ins and outs of all things SEO, become a graduate of the Copywriting Master Class by Belinda Weaver and complete intensive training in my chosen niche area of copywriting, the 10X Web Copy by Copyhackers School with Joanna Wiebe. Phew! It’s been an intense but awesome experience.

This broad base of knowledge and experience helps give me unique insight, understanding and empathy, and it’s what goes into making me the new earth copywriter that I am.

Head to my About page if you’d like to know more about my personal story.

How much do you charge?

My copywriting rates are flexible and affordable. Running a small business myself, I understand that budget is important. That’s why I charge by the project rather than the hour, so you know exactly how much you’re going to pay upfront.

I also know that one size never fits all. So I’m happy to tailor a copywriting package to suit your requirements. Please check out my rates page for a general idea on pricing, or get in touch if you’re looking for a customised quote.

What does your price include?

I’ll provide all clients with a detailed copywriting proposal. This will incorporate everything you need to know about the project including scope, fee, timeline as well as my terms and conditions.

My price also includes a thorough briefing call, industry and competitor research, two rounds of amendments (and an extra one if required) and professional proofreading to give it that extra shine.

Do you require a deposit?

Yes. I ask for a deposit of 50% before I start your copywriting project. The balance is payable 7 days after delivery of your final draft.

Please note, for small projects less than $1000 I require full payment upfront.

Why do I ask for a deposit? Because it’s a commitment on both our parts. Before I even begin any writing, I’ll take the time to get to know you and your business, doing diligent research, reading through your completed brief and familiarising myself with your website (if you have one), any social media pages and marketing collateral. This all takes time and that’s why I require a deposit.

What payment methods do you have?

At the moment I have two payment options available (more coming soon). You can pay via direct debit or if you prefer via PayPal (charges apply).

Do you do small copywriting jobs?

Yes I do. And I put just as much heart and focus into those jobs as I do with the bigger projects. Drop me a line here if there’s a small project you’d like me to help you with.

I live outside of Australia. Can you still write my copy?

A big YES! We live in the digital age and I’m a global minded girl, so no matter where you’re based in the world it’s entirely possible to work together. The only consideration is the time difference. But this can be a good thing as depending on where you are, means I can be working on your copy overnight and have it ready for you on your waking.

Can we meet?

My business is online, so we can discuss everything we need to over the phone, via Zoom or email. But if you live in Sydney, Australia, I’m more than happy to do a good ol’ face to face meet up if you prefer.

Why do I need to fill out a copywriting brief?

They always say ‘a project is only ever as good as its brief’.

Which means I can only create the incredibly awesome copy that you deserve, when you give me as much information as possible. You’re the expert in the room when it comes to your business, so bringing me up to speed will enable me to write copy that performs well and sounds like you.

That’s why the brief includes questions like:

• Unique Selling Proposition

• Business Personality

• Company History

• Target Audience

• Tone of Voice

• Competition

• And more

Why do I need to sign a proposal?

Having a proposal in place means we both know what’s expected of us. It’s professional and it also outlines the details of what I’ll be creating for you.

It includes really important details like the number of pages, rounds of revision, timelines and deadline.

I also include my Terms and Conditions which makes everything clear and you know exactly what to expect.

How long will it take to write my copy?

That totally depends on the size of your project and what’s required. I’ll always advise you in advance how long your project will take, and I’ll provide clear and definite deadlines for each stage.

It’s my goal to do a good and thorough job with every project that I take on. For this reason, I prefer to take on fewer jobs as I aim for copy excellence not churn. And I want to get to know my clients well, not treat them like a number.

What if I’m not happy with the final draft?

Hopefully this won’t ever be the case but we can mitigate this risk through clear communication.

I’ll work closely with you to ensure I incorporate everything you’ve told me into your first draft. But if you feel I’m off the mark or you’re not happy with the direction for example, this is the perfect stage to tell me. Your detailed feedback will guide me as I write your second draft.

Usually two drafts are more than enough. My aim is to create happy, repeat clients.