Many business owners try to do it all themselves. You’re writing your website copy at midnight, whipping up newsletters while your coffee goes cold and wondering how many browser tabs is too many. And whilst this might work for some, it cannot be denied that trying to do it all has its drawbacks (see my blog about burnout).

One way to help with this is by working with a professional to ensure that your business is in safe hands and takes a massive weight off your shoulders. But if you’ve never worked with one before, it’s a big leap.

Now, you might be thinking this sounds like a great idea, but if you’ve never done it before, you might be unsure of what to expect. And you might be reluctant to take that final plunge.

The burning questions:

• ‘Will they get my brand voice?’
• ‘How involved to I have do be?’
• ‘Will they really do a better job than I would myself?’
• ‘What If I regret this and it’s a bit waste of my time?’

Relax!

Let’s go through the process and see if this is really for you. Below is a real, behind the scenes step-by-step guide to working with a copywriter so that you can decide if now is the right time, and what to expect along the way.

The questions about trusting your brand voice in the hands of a stranger. Will they “get” your brand voice? How involved do you need to be? What if it doesn’t turn out the way you envisioned? Was it all a waste of my time?

Well, if you want to find out more about working with a copywriter, let this behind the scenes guide help you to make that decision.

Step 1: Discovery Call (aka the ‘Coffee Chat’)

 Once you reach out, most copywriters will schedule a discovery call. This is where we talk through your goals, your business, and what you’re hoping the copy will do (sell a service, increase conversions, educate your audience, etc.).

You don’t necessarily have to prepare for this call, after all it is the Copywriter who will be doing the work, but here they will have a list of questions to get to know you and your brand, so if you did want to prepare anything, or even show them some examples of copy you like or dislike, the more information you provide the better.

If the copywriter doesn’t ask about your brand voice, values, or audience, be proactive. Share examples of writing that does sound like you (and some that doesn’t). This helps them write with your tone, not just generic words.

Step 2: Onboarding + Questionnaire

 Once you’ve booked a package, you’ll usually receive a welcome pack and a brand questionnaire. This digs deeper into your business to ensure that your copywriter is familiar with your mission, ideal clients, competitors, and preferences.

Take your time with this step. A strong brief = strong copy. Be honest and specific. You can never give a copywriter too much detail. Research is part of their job, and they are happy to double and triple check everything you say about your brand.

Step 3: Research + Strategy (Your copywriter basically becomes a Private Investigator) 

Now it’s time for your copywriter to dive into research. They will investigate your niche, competitors, and customers. They’ll use this to create a messaging strategy or outline before diving into the writing itself. From here, we map out a strategy and SEO plan to make your product stand out above the rest.

Step 4: First Draft Delivery

 Here’s the exciting part: you’ll receive your first draft. The moment of truth! It’s usually a Google Doc with comments explaining choices, structure, and suggestions.

Read it out loud. Does it sound like something you would say? If not, provide specific feedback: “This paragraph feels too formal” is more helpful than “I don’t like this.” It is likely then that the copywriter will use this feedback to create something that is more you.

Step 5: Revisions + Final Tweaks

 Most packages include 1–2 rounds of revisions. This is where your feedback helps refine the copy until it hits the mark.

Remember that a good copywriter wants your feedback. We’re here to partner with you, not just hand over text and walk away. So don’t be shy if you feel like the writing doesn’t show your message, let your copywriter know.

Step 6: Final Delivery + Implementation

 Once approved, you’ll receive the final copy! Ready to paste into your website, email tool, or wherever it belongs. Some copywriters even offer implementation support or collaborate with your designer to make sure that everything flows beautifully.

Considering It?

 If your gut is telling you that this is for you or if you’re still on the fence, take a peek at my copywriting packages on my Services page. I walk you through exactly what to expect from our first chat to final delivery so you can feel confident in handing over the words.