The writing process is unique to every writer and every project.
So in order to give you some insight into what it’s like to work with me, read on to unpack the typical project management process I use for copywriting.
Note: My process is fluid, but generally the same for all clients.
Step 1: Learning about your business to see if I can help.
Phone Call
Our first brief phone call should tell you whether or not we’re a fit. We’ll talk budget, deadlines, and how I can solve your problem with words.
Coffee Meetup (or Skype Call)
If we both decide that Writerburg is a good fit for your business problem, we’ll set a time to talk in depth around why you want to do this project and what needs to be delivered.
Planning
If you’re not sure what you need, let’s schedule an optional paid strategy session to discover your challenges and how a clear plan can solve them.
At the end of Step 1, you’ll have a clear idea of what it’ll be like to work with me.
Step 2: Developing your clear project scope.
Approval
You’ll receive a detailed project scope along with an estimate outlining the steps of the project. Once you sign off I will ask you to pay a deposit to put your project on my calendar (usually within one to three weeks of payment).
Guidelines
Does your company already have a style guide, an existing website design, other third party service providers, SEO keywords, and performance metrics? I need to know about them in order to roll them into your completed project.
At the end of Step 2, you’ll have a project start date and an estimate delivered to your inbox.
Step 3: Creating your website copywriting project starts with research.
Creative Briefing
We’ll start with a 30 minute phone interview designed to ensure that I have a big-picture idea of what you want your project to say and how you want to say it. Here, we’ll focus on must-haves like taglines, brand tone, and key calls to action to make sure I start off on the right foot.
Researching Your Business
I will get to work building a database of information through a combination of a business SWOT analysis, finding out what your customers are saying about you online, and using tools like Google AdWords to generate keywords. This helps me write to your customer’s needs with a focus on results.
Outline the Project
I’ll organize all of the research, creative brief, and guidelines into a project outline – this is essentially the Bible of your copywriting project. Your Copy Bible will give you an idea of what I’ll be writing about and let you make any changes or suggestions before I start building the content.
Writing About You
Once you’ve given me the go for tackling the rest of the copywriting project, I write your About page. Your About page is a critical component of human-focused copy and always the first part of my web copywriting projects. Once you approve of the About page I’ll continue writing while checking in as I go to ensure that we’re on track.
At the end of Step 3, you’ll have an easy-to-read proof, along with potential comments and questions that need to be addressed by you.
Step 4: Using feedback to complete the copywriting project.
Editing
Once I’ve sent you the first proof, you’ll take time to make changes, answer questions, and address comments before sending it back to me. I will get to work on the revisions and send the document back to you.
Payment
When the final project is approved, you’ll get the final invoice and pay the remaining project fee.
At the end of Step 4, you’ll have a raw Word document that reflects exactly what you want to say, ready to be published to your website.
Step 5: Setting your content up to win.
Launch
You (or your developer) publishes the content to run live. Boom! If I’ve done my job right, you should make back he money you spent with me within the first 6 months.