Copywriting for Social Media, Websites, and Business – Part Ten
Insider Knowledge
As a copywriter, I’m often asked how I can compose copy and write about subjects that are not within my realm of expertise? I’m an author of novels, so you could easily ask the same question about fiction. After all, how can anyone write about time travel, other dimensions, or incredible journeys to distant alien planets without actually experiencing these kinds of things? I’ve written a number of historical novels and although I’m a history major, I still always need to conduct research to make sure that I get everything just right.
This is also the case when I’m writing my many non-fiction articles, which aren’t always on topics with which I’m overly familiar. Consequently, I must undergo a fair amount of reading before commencing the articles. The same principle applies to web copy, in that you have to get the facts straight in order to give your client the best possible impression and exposure on the web.
Consulting the Experts
I always obtain as much information as I can from the client at the outset of the project, even down to the smallest details of their operation, which they may sometimes have overlooked. More importantly, I attempt to determine just what they’re looking to promote in order to truly set themselves apart from their competitors. However, no matter how much research I undertake into various types of extremely complex surgical procedures, the processes of oil and gas exploration, the intricate workings of car engines, the real estate business, animal health, landscaping, agriculture, insurance, the financial markets, or whatever the company’s business involves, it’s still ultimately up to the client to perform the final review of the text before their website actually goes live.
Let’s compare it to perhaps ordering some new business cards. In most cases, the printer will provide you with a proof, but if you give your approval and then later discover that your email address or phone number is incorrect, the error lies with you, not with the printer. Similarly, the client hires a copywriter for their expertise in creating content, but the client is the expert in their own profession and on matters pertaining to their own business. As a result, they have to sign off on the website’s copy at the end of the creative process, ensuring that all the technical, legal, and intricate details are correct, before the website becomes fully operational.
I have extensive experience in writing for a wide range of industries and markets. Contact me directly for details of rates and fees regarding copywriting services.
