copywriting project
You’re overworked and underpaid – aren’t we all?
Just as you thought you were about to see the bottom of your in-tray for the first time in months, your boss dumps another load of work on you. As he walks away, he mutters…
‘Oh, by the way, we need the annual report writing – see to it, will you?’
ARGH!!
Not only do you NOT have time to write it, but you also don’t have the necessary skills to write it, so you call in the cavalry.
After a quick Google search, you find a copywriter who is:
- a) Available
- b) More than capable of doing the job
- c) Within your budget
So what now?
Too many cooks spoil your copywriting project
With an annual report (or any other copywriting project as it happens), there will probably be more than one person involved within your company. There may even be cross-departmental involvement.
If that is the case, before you provide your copywriter with a full brief, make sure you know exactly what you want them to do.
If you bring them on board while you’re still thrashing out details, the brief will get confused, as will your copywriter.
One point of contact
Once you’ve started working with your writer, make sure they have one point of contact (i.e. you). If they end up on a cc’d email list with ideas flying backwards and forwards, they won’t know what they need to do, what information is relevant to them or who they should report to.
A single contact name makes life a whole lot easier.
If one of the departments involved suddenly has a brainwave or realises something was missing from the original brief, get them to tell you. You can then relay the information to your copywriter.
Pick up the phone
Email is a convenient way to communicate. However, if you are dealing with complex projects, pick up the phone – it is better to talk.
You can quickly get your ideas or points across, your copywriter can react immediately with any questions they may have. It will speed the whole process up.
Copywriting project first/initial/rough drafts
A first/initial/rough draft, whatever you want to call it, is precisely that.
It may not be perfect, there may be an odd typo, there may be omissions or inaccuracies. But that’s why it is called the first/initial/rough draft, so try to resist the urge to shout ‘there’s a typo’ from the rooftops just because you can.
The idea is to provide you with a starting point from which to refine and shape the text.
The final draft will be perfect, flawless and divine – if it’s not, then, by all means, rant and rave because any errors should have been picked up and dealt with.
Is anyone there?
During the copywriting project, your copywriter will probably email you questions and draft updates.
When you get these, it’s an excellent idea to drop them a quick response either:
- Telling them the information they need
- Saying you’ll find out and come back to them
- Letting them know when they can expect to receive your revisions
That way, everyone knows where they stand and what’s happening.
Clear and effective communication is the key to your copywriting project running smoothly.