People hire freelance copywriters because they are unable to write themselves. Volume of work, lack of confidence and lack of time are all deciding factors. But, when should you hire a freelance writer and when should you create a permanent position?

There are several writing projects that you need help with

Are you finding after completing one project, another comes up? This is where you may find it better hiring in-house and tackling the projects in a more holistic way. By bringing someone in as part of your team, you’ll find your projects work more cohesively and you can create better overall campaigns. It can be a great time saving method in the long term.

Of course, your company could be far too small to hire full time. If you’re just looking for help occasionally and the work comes in lulls and waves, you’ll most likely require a freelance copywriter. They can be on hand to work through the jobs you don’t have time for.

Finding a writer you can trust is gold dust, even though there are many out there. Ask to see examples of work, get a few ideas on how you could work together and above all – choose someone you like. It will make things so much easier! It’s hard to know how well you’ll work with someone until you’ve given them a go – that’s why due diligence is a must.

You have regular writing work but don’t want to hire a full time copywriter

Another option to look at is hiring a writer on retainer. This works by paying a certain amount of money for a service monthly, to obtain the services of a professional when they’re required.

Not an option to consider for small teams necessarily, but for teams with regular copywriting work. Having a writer on retainer provides a sounding board for any marketing or SEO queries you may have. It can be a great option for someone learning to write copy for their own company, but in need of a helping hand.

You haven’t identified your brand personas

An essential part of a company marketing plan is identifying your brand personas – who are your core customers? Anything you produce should have them in mind and a marketing professional can help. It can be a big project, as it will get your whole marketing plan up and running. You need to hire someone with a strong background in marketing, ranging from digital to traditional.

The person you hire should also be able to help you with your tone of voice, giving you consistency in your marketing.

You’re struggling to produce content for your marketing channels

This is a common problem, even for marketing professionals! Content and ideas dry up, which is when you marketing plan becomes essential. It helps you stay on track and find the most important marketing aspects to focus on.

More isn’t always more – don’t churn copy out for the sake of it, it’s a waste of your precious time. Writers have tried and tested ways of getting the most out of marketing. Whether you choose to hire inhouse or freelance, a dedicated resource ensures you’ll never run out of content.

Marketing has always taken a back seat within your business

It’s understandable, marketing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. When you have other areas of a business to focus on, marketing often falls to the back of the queue.

Ignoring marketing is at your own risk. Even if you have plenty of business now, never wait for leads to dry up before you start focusing on your marketing again.

Whatever route you choose to take; either a permanent solution or a helping hand – seek advice. Social media and SEO optimisation can make the world of difference for your company, you just need to find out how!

On finding the right person for the job, you’ll find out what works best for you and your company. Should you need any help with your marketing plans – even a little advice, get in touch with The Copy today.