Hiring a copywriter can feel a lot like playing the tables at Vegas (not that I’d know what that feels like!).

You hope for a winner, place a significant amount of money, and then fervently pray that it all works out.

What if it didn’t have to be like this? 🤷🏻‍♀️

All uncertain and vague-y…

What if you knew exactly what to ask for and look for when hiring a copywriter so the relationship could be profitable for both of you?

As someone who’s known for working on multiple projects with a single client, I can do this because we ensure our clients don’t play the slots/tables or whatever when they hire us.

Imagine having someone who can take the jumbled brilliance in your head and transform it into crystal-clear messaging that your customers can’t resist. That’s what a good copywriter does.

But you don’t want to settle for a good copywriter. Not in the age of AI.

Uh-huh.

You want to hire a strategy-first copywriter.

This post is brought to you by Ready-to-Sell — the leading strategy-first copywriting program for course creators and the copywriters who write for them.

A strategy-first copywriter doesn’t make words sound pretty. 

They understand sales strategy, buyer journey, and consumer behavior to map out the process. AND they know how to use conversion mechanisms, persuasion, and storytelling to write the words.

Not only that, a strategy-first copywriter also brings a fresh perspective. When you’re deep in the trenches of your business, it’s easy to get a bit… well, myopic.

A strategy-first copywriter brings fresh eyes (and a sharp mind!) to your messaging. They might spot opportunities you’ve been missing or find a unique angle that makes your offering irresistible.

So, whether you’re looking to turn your website into your best salesperson, launch a product that flies off the shelves, or whip up emails that people actually look forward to opening, a strategy-first copywriter will be a solid power move.

They’re the difference between “meh” and “shut up and take my money!”

Being a strategy-first copywriter has been my secret superpower for years.

Our clients know they’re getting an A-player who knows sales strategy inside out, understands conversion science and buyer psychology, and, above all … shows up and does the work, and goes above and beyond without burning their own boundaries.

And today, I’m spilling the java beans on how to hire a copywriter for your next project.

But not any average Joe copywriter — a strategy-first copywriter who can truly understand your business and your offers and help you accomplish those revenue goals using a powerful blend of sales strategy and psychology-fueled words.

Hiring a Strategy-First Copywriter: The How-to Guide You Wanna Bookmark So You Don’t Get Burned

1. It ALL Starts with Strategy

First things first, you need to get crystal clear on what you need. I’m talking clearer than a freshly Windexed window.

What type of copy are you looking at and why?

Is it a website that’ll make visitors stick around longer than they do on Netflix?

Maybe it’s emails that’ll have people hitting ‘open’ faster than free pizza night?

Or perhaps you’re dreaming of sales pages that convert like nobody’s business?

Whatever it is, nail it down.

And while you’re at it, figure out your timeline and budget too.

Trust me, your future copywriter will thank you for not playing guessing games.

BUT here’s the twist … a strategy-first copywriter will ask you what you need but won’t stop there. 

They’ll dig deeper.

They’ll ask questions.

They’ll diagnose sales leaks.

They’ll help you see HOW to use their skills to meet your goals.

Which brings me to …

2. A Sales Call Can Reveal a Lot

A sales call (or discovery call or diagnostic call!) is a smart move when you’re looking to work with someone for the first time.

It gives both the copywriter and you a chance to vet each other.

You can check past projects, case studies, or client feedback before or what deliverables look like.

A well-prepared copywriter will come with relevant examples, results, feedback as well as process deliverables to showcase.

A strategy-first copywriter will also use this call to burrow into your business like a determined mole.

They’ll ask questions that make you think, “Huh, I never considered that!”

They’ll share insights that make you go, “Aha!”

And they’ll walk you through a process smoother than a well-oiled machine.

Caveat: If a copywriter starts guaranteeing results like a late-night infomercial, though, know that you have a problem. Copy is powerful, but it’s not magical.

3. Pay Attention to Their Processes for Your Peace of Mind

A strategy-first copywriter has processes that are fine-tuned and tested.

They can walk you through every stage — from onboarding to offboarding and everything in between.

You’re on the right track if their process sounds more organized than your sock drawer after a Marie Kondo binge.

👀Here’s a peek at my process BEFORE getting to the let’s-write-copy part:

I will take it upon myself to burrow into your business and figure out not only what your audience wants and needs (that’s a given) but also how different offers can be integrated into an eCoursesystem.

Then? 👇🏼

🕵️‍♀️Our team and I will pore over your testimonials, questionnaire, call transcripts, conduct interviews and surveys, and distill all that data into a gorgeous Messaging Recommendations guide that will not only tell you WHAT your audience is thinking but also HOW to use these insights beyond the copy I’m writing.

Then? 👇🏼

🤓Next, I’ll take your course or go through your membership to understand the student experience, whether it aligns with what your audience wants, and help you optimize the offer and the experience. We share that insight with you via an Offer Optimization docket and call.

Then? 👇🏼

🧩 Depending on what copy asset I’m working on — website, emails, or sales pages, I create a storyboard, hierarchy, or eCoursesystem map so every piece of copy on the page or in a sequence has a definite purpose.

If you’re a copywriter reading this, here’s what you want to take away:  You must be able to tell your clients exactly what you need and what happens next so you aren’t scrambling around when you sit down to work on the project.

Every stage must have complete clarity for both the client and the copywriter so you know what happens next and what to expect.

Bonus points if they have a project management system that’ll make you feel like you’ve got a personal assistant keeping everything on track.

Our clients, for instance, love that they’re in the loop at every stage and know exactly what’s happening, when, and how. 🥳

Since I work with clients who usually have big teams, I work with their project managers and systems.

Also, you should get regular communication about what’s happening with your project.

When I say regular, I do NOT mean daily updates. What I do mean is there shouldn’t be radio silence.

Depending on the project’s scope, we usually divide communication into three phases: Research and Discovery, Writing and Editing, and Project Wrap-Up. We do have end-of-week updates for each phase.

“Our business has been growing. The growth has kept me busy with growing and managing teams and I wasn’t finding the time to write my own copy for my new funnels.

I loved the communication with Content Bistro. I always knew where to find things, when they were due and how to review them. It was amazing. I loved the in depth research that Content Bistro did. They dove into the conversations that my customers were actually having, interviewed both buyer and non-buyers and really got to know my audience. They then used my audiences’ actual words in the copy. No wonder my audience has responded so well!

By letting Content Bistro handle the copywriting, I was able to spend more time connecting with my customers and managing my business. I had expected that working with a copywriter would make my sales to go down, due to the new voice… but our sales went up! More time for me AND more sales! That is a win-win!” – Carolyn Thomas, Homesteading Family

4. Let’s Talk Deliverables

If your copywriter hands over a Google doc and calls it a day, they’re living in 2010, and we need to stage an intervention. 😆

You should be getting the Rolls Royce of deliverables  — we’re talking messaging guides that make you feel like a mind reader, storyboards that would make Hollywood jealous, and wireframes so clear your design team will weep with joy.

And the support shouldn’t stop when the copy’s delivered.

A strategy-first copywriter will be on standby during your launch, ready to tweak and optimize faster than you can say “conversion rate.” Yep, that’s what we do when we’re brought on for LIVE launches and evergreen funnel copywriting.

“Prerna wasn’t just a contractor I sent a project to and waited for it to be completed, she completely integrated herself within my business.

Prerna and the team pulled out all the stops, did everything I hoped for and SO much more than I could have even dreamt about.

And after Prerna delivered the sales page and emails, she could have signed off, and sent me the bill, but instead she followed up every step of the way, kept my team accountable, asked the tough questions and was available for everything we needed.

Prerna didn’t limit herself to her role in the launch only, she jumped on calls, gave ideas, recommendations and weighed in on all the aspects of the launch (she could have easily ignored).

I have never worked with a service provider like Prerna before, and I swear I have no idea how I will ever work with anyone else again.”- Talia Wolf, Get Uplift

5. Strategy-first Copywriters Take Ownership and Show Initiative

Most strategy-first copywriters are booked solid not only because of their skill with words but also because they bring a sharp strategic brain, initiative, and ownership.

The last thing you want is to work with a pump-and-dump copywriter.

Clients repeatedly hire us for multiple projects, not because we’re the cheapest (we’re not!).

It’s because we show up as team members. Not contractors.

I often participate in team meetings, share launch strategies in Slack, sometimes even coordinate with the design team, and basically … own the project as a whole.

“I’ve worked with other copywriters in the past and they just write, copy and then disappear. Those copywriters only care about the fluffiness of it all, but Prerna and team will look at how things are converting, which subject lines to use, figure out the funnel. They are just full stack in that sense.

And I just so appreciate a copywriter that actually speaks a business owner’s language and that is so rare to find in copywriters.” – Vanessa Lau, VanessaLau.com 

There you have it! A complete step-by-step guide to hiring a copywriter who’s a strategist first and a creative next.

Excited at the idea of being a strategy-first copywriter? Join us inside Ready-to-Sell.

Want to work with a strategy-first copywriter? Book time to chat with us!

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