Copy-Cat-Copywriting

Copywriting clients often ask this question. Who and how much?
Here are 3 ways to find a designer when you are on a budget.

Before you start:

Save budget for copywriting! Remember: copy is your quarterback.
Copy throws the ball and scores points.

Web design is your offensive line. Design helps the copy get through
to your website visitors.

You need both. But there's no point in putting together a beautiful
site with weak copy. Sure I'm biased, but ask the top Internet
marketing gurus where they invest their own funds. It's rare to find
a major Internet marketing guru with an expensive website.

Sure, if you're in the design business yourself, you need a
professional looking website. But you don't need bells and whistles.
In fact, some fancy extras actually hurt your ranking in the search
engines.

Your copywriter or marketing consultant should stage-manage your
web project. If you don't know any HTML (what websites are made of),
definitely get someone to work between you and the designer.

(1) Get a referral from someone whose website you like.

But don't assume you'll get the same quality. Designer Don may
have created Jane's site when he was new to the field: he invested
time and energy to create a showcase site for his portfolio.

Or Designer Doris may have worked closely with a copywriter or
marketing consultant who guided her work. Doris may not think of
sharing that info unless you ask...in which case you would do better
to hire the consultant.

(2) Go to a networking event.

Whenever I offer a speaking event on copywriting or marketing, inevitably a few designers are in the crowd.

Talk to designers. Get their cards. Ask for samples.

Ideally you will find a talented designer who's just getting started:
a win-win for both of you.

(3) Go to craigslist.

You can also visit eLance and Rent-a-Coder but I've had best luck
with craigslist.

Here's what to do. Use a blind ad. Describe your project.
Ask for a brief resume and online portfolio. Ask for a price quote
(a range of prices should be acceptable in the early stages).
Add that you will not consider designers who do not provide these
items and you will give preference to designers who also provide
references.

One Internet marketer asked for a logo. She got quotes all the way
from $75 to $1500.

You have somewhat more protection on Rent-a-Coder and e-Lance,
although the process is more cumbersome, because these sources
publish quality ratings (the way amazon and eBay rate sellers).
They also note histories of disputes.

But I have never had a problem on craigslist. Paying with a credit
card or PayPal does give you protection.

Finally, you can choose to work with a copywriter and/or marketing
consultant. (Many copywriters also work with strategy - I always do.
Look for words like "content strategist" or "copy strategist.")

Most of us have networks and we can make some calls and/or queries.
We can also talk directly to the designer. I deliver all my copy in
HTML for easy cut-and-paste.

And many of us will help you test, set up keywords and a whole lot
more.

Labels: web designers