Hiring an SEO Copywriter

posted by ADMIN // April 28, 2009 // Market Your Website

Not all writers are competent SEO copywriters. Not all SEO copywriters write compelling copy. Finding that someone who can integrate both processes into hit-it-out-of-the-ballpark copy that drives internet business means positioning with keyword phrases while enticing the reader to take action. Arm yourself with the information you need for hiring an SEO copywriter that gets the job done.

The Copywriter

A good copywriter writes clear, concise, yet creative copy that pulls the reader in. Writing direct marketing copy takes it a step further. The writer now must draw the reader in and excite enough that action is taken. Whether it’s selling products or services, the end result should be that the reader wants what the business offers.

The SEO Copywriter

Take direct marketing writing and add one more element to the fray…the Internet. Writing for the web may seem the same as writing hardcopy for print, but it’s a different animal. Great writing skills are still required, but now the writing must be geared toward a flighty crowd that moves on if the first page fails to convey the message. Before anyone reads the first page of your website it must be found. Add SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to the other skills of the copywriter.

Hiring an SEO Copywriter

Hiring an SEO copywriter is like hiring any writer except you want them to have the skills to put your website into the top 20 if not the top 10. You also want them to have excellent writing skills. Before hiring, require several writing samples and always ask questions.

1. What experience does the copywriter have writing SEO copy? The writer should have experience writing direct marketing copy plus know how to write for the web.

2. Does the copywriter have samples? Insist on seeing samples that prove writing capabilities as well as SEO. What keyword phrases were used in the previous projects the writer worked on? How well is the site positioned on search engines? The best SEO copy will read clean and smooth and be well positioned.

3. Does the copywriter include call-to-action hyperlinks within the copy? A savvy SEO copywriter will use every technique to influence the reader.

4. Does he/she know basic HTML? Just come right out and ask. If the answer is no, you may want to rethink who you hire to write your SEO copy.

5. Ask for references. Before hiring always know if this is someone who completes projects within the time frame, who communicates well through email or phone, and pays attention to the details of writing. Hiring a writer that you have to clean up after is not cost effective.

6. If all your questions are answered and meet your expectations of an SEO copywriter, there’s only one question left. How much will you charge for this project? A good solid SEO writer comes at a heftier price. If you’re demanding high quality writing with keyword phrases woven into the copy that will position your website in the top ten of search engines you must be willing to pay the price.

You’re seeking the perfect blend of SEO with smooth copy that tells the story of your company’s products or services. Hiring a copywriter that possesses the necessary skills to get your website positioned, draws readers in, and invokes readers to take action can make a world of difference to your business.

Author
Teresa Opdycke

Article Source:

Please login or register to post a new comments