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5. Ask for references. A good copywriter will make it her business to understand your communications needs, will stay in budget, will meet deadlines, and will act professionally in client meetings. The best way to find out about all these things is to contact at least two of
writer's references. And any good copywriter should have a stack of them.
6. Be prepared to pay. A good copywriter is expensive. But a cheap copywriter will almost always cost you more in
end, just like a cheap lawyer or a cheap plumber. You'll end up having to hire someone else to redo
job, doubling your loss of time and money.
Expect a good writer to charge from $50 to $150 per hour and up, or a day rate of $500 to $1200 and up. Flat project fees can range from $3000-$10,000 for a multi-ad magazine campaign or product launch to $10,000-$25,000 for a complete direct mail package. You'll pay in
higher range for a more experienced writer, or one with a particular expertise in a highly technical or specialized industry, i.e., pharmaceuticals.
7. Make human contact. Spend a little time getting to know your copywriter. And give that person an opportunity to learn about you, not just your company and products. It's time well spent if you find someone you like and can develop a good working relationship with. The result will be top-quality work that will help your business prosper and a skilled, knowledgeable writer you can depend on for future projects.
© Burek Group 2003
Walter is a professional advertising copywriter who writes, edits and publishes "Words @ Work", a FREE bimonthly newsletter of advice and information about writing that works. To view his award-winning portfolio and to subscribe visit http://www.walterburek.com. You may also subscribe via mailto:WordsAtWork@comcast.net
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THIS ARTICLE. YOU MAY FREELY PUBLISH IT ON THE WEB OR IN PRINT, AS LONG AS YOU INCLUDE THE BYLINE AND CREDITS. ALSO, PLEASE ADVISE ME OF PUBLICATION BY mailto:walter@walterburek

Walter Burek is an award-winning copywriter who has been a writer and Creative Director on some of advertising’s most important accounts.
Walter also writes, edits and publishes Words@Work, a free newsletter for marketing communications professionals.