Finding the right copywriter for you may feel like a difficult task (so many great options here on the world wide web!) so I’d like to make your selection process a bit easier by listing 10 important things to consider before working with me. Let’s get started! 

1) I’m a good time.

If your definition of a good time is personal rants with no makeup and messy buns on Instagram stories, long conversations about whether Olivia Pope should’ve remained involved with Fitz for as long as she did on Scandal, or getting in bed before 9pm so you can wake up at 5am for spin class and an early start on work, that is.

2) I’m more than just a copywriter.

I’m a marketing strategist, blogging enthusiast, search engine optimization fanatic, course launch strategy specialist, content writing queen, and extrovert extraordinaire.

While website and sales page copywriting is my bread and butter, I also offer email marketing, business consulting for new entrepreneurs and freelancers, content and course launch strategy, website copy audits, and so much more.

3) I’m not going to blindly follow direction.

If this is a turn-off for you, then, well…I have some bad news—I may not be the best fit. When we collaborate on a project, I won’t simply take your idea and run with it. I’m first going to do my own research, work with you to develop your target audience and your ideal client, and then discern where we can carve out a unique place for you to succeed in your market.

Strategy and positioning are key to successful copywriting, and it’s my job to work out how to best communicate your message while ensuring that it resonates with your dream clients and aligns with your voice.

So, no, I don’t blindly follow direction. I conduct extensive market research, and make strategy-backed decisions.

4) I’m a ‘reach-out’ friend.

There are two types of friends: the ‘reach-out’ friend, and the ‘reached-out-to’ friend. Reach-out friends are the ones that always check in on their friends, text or call them first, go out of their way to make plans, and make sure everyone in their life is doing okay. They’re the friendship glue.

Reached-out-to friends are the ones that happily respond whenever their friends text or call them, and show up to the plans they make, but aren’t quite the best at remembering to reach out, because they either have a lot going on themselves, or are a bit more introverted.

The benefits of working with a ‘reach-out’ friend are two-fold. First, you’ll never have to worry about communication becoming an issue. We love communicating. And second, you can rest assured knowing that both you and your project will be treated with the utmost care, and undivided focus.

5) I treat my clients like actual humans.

I’m never one to get annoyed about an adjusted timeline, I don’t get upset about an accidentally-ignored email, I’m not offended by edits to my work, I offer payment plans to accommodate to accommodate all types of financial situations, and I always give grace where grace is needed.

As a freelance creative, I am my business. It’s no secret that Between The Lines isn’t some big-wig marketing agency. It’s literally me, my Pinterest manager, and the occasional intern. I prefer to work with freelancers (and clients!) who treat me like a human being with feelings and personal life mishaps and an existence outside of work, so I’ll always do the same for you.

6) I’m organized as f—

When I was little, I wanted to be a professional organizer so badly. I would literally read the Container Store catalog for fun, and I often browsed the P.B. Teen website for hours on end.

(If you remember the room tours they used to have—please DM me right this instant so we can talk about it.)

But then I realized that job entailed some math, so I knew that could no longer be the right path for me. I chose law school instead, landed a job as a legal secretary, then later decided that most traditional lawyers were miserable, so it was back to the drawing board.

I stuck with the legal secretary job for 5+ years, perfecting my time management, difficult-people management, communication, and organization skills (and my typing skills: 220 WPM, thank you very much), until it was finally time to venture off into what I truly wanted to do: marketing. Which brings me to my next point…

7) I don’t consider any of my services “work” at all.

I genuinely love what I do, and this passion is reflected in all of my final projects. I’ve worked in several jobs that I hated (like, cry on the way to work and buy myself a present on Friday afternoon as a reward, hated), so I know what it’s like to feel completely uninspired and unfulfilled from work. I’m SO beyond thankful that this job now allows me to live the exact opposite of that.

Now, I think about work as “I get to” rather than “ugh, do I have to?”—and I don’t know about you, but that’s something I definitely look for when I’m investing in a freelance creative. Working with someone who loves their job is so much more enjoyable than the alternative.

8) I’m a perfectionist…

…which is both a good and a bad thing.

But luckily for you, your project is only positively affected by this toxic trait of mine. I’ll never send you a draft that I’m not 100% proud of or confident in, and I’ll never let you publish or send anything (whether it be a website, blog, sales page, launch email…) that is anything short of perfect.

Your project isn’t just another invoice to me—I genuinely care about your results, your satisfaction, and your ideal clients’ positive reactions. I care as much about your copy as I do about my own. 

9) I’m not in the business of wasting your time.

Contrary to popular belief, copywriters can’t read your mind. We need you to give us something to work with. Over here at BTL, this information request comes in the form of a questionnaire and a 60-minute kickoff call, where I gather all the things I need to know about you, your brand, your services, your target audience… you get the picture.

Then, after that, I’m all set to go. I don’t bother you with tons of email chains or unnecessary check-ins or questions I could easily find the answer to on my own.

(I’m too traumatized from life as a legal secretary—trust me on this: you do not want to have to ask a question to a busy attorney. Especially during closing or tax season. Yikes.)

10) I care about your project as much as you do.

If you’re hiring me to write your copy for you, then you and your project are my main priority. I only take on a select few number of clients at a time so I can ensure my undivided attention and care to each and every word I draft, because I’m aware how large of an investment you’re making in me.

Now that I’ve told you a little bit about why I think you’d like to work with me, let me tell you a few things about the clients that *I* would love to work with!

Let’s name my ideal client Grace. Pretty name, isn’t it?

Grace is the best. She’s friendly! She’s professional when she needs to be, but she doesn’t take herself too seriously. She’s passionate about what she does, and she isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She’s hoping to connect with her clients and customers on a more personal level, but she’s marketing to an audience that will happily compensate her for the immense value of her services.

She appreciates a good Pinterest mood board, both for the aesthetics and the organization. She’s equally as active as she is couch potato, and she’s just-obsessed-enough with her work. She’s confident in her business idea, and she doesn’t let anyone else’s opinions ever tear her down.

And maybe she even bakes brownies just to lick the batter off the spoon. (Same.)

Grace values the assistance and expertise of a professional copywriter, and she understands how beneficial a cohesive brand, and brand voice, and brand positioning will be to her business. She knows the problem she’s solving, and she has a handle on who her services are for, but needs help speaking directly to them, so she can better market herself and her business to become the successful @$$ woman she knows she can be.

If you and Grace have a lot in common, then it’s settled—we’re destined to be BFF! I mean, uh… work together. (Unless you also want to be best friends, because I’m down for that, too.)

 

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If we haven’t had the chance to *virtually* meet yet, hi! I’m Sara Noel—website copywriter and marketing mentor for creatives, copywriters, and all-around cool people. If you like my content and you want even more BTL in your life, here are a few ways you can connect with me:

Subscribe to my newsletter! I send one marketing tip, once a week – and, according to my subscribers, it’s “the best marketing newsletter on the Internet” and “the only reason to wake up on Tuesday mornings.” So… yeah. You’ll love ‘er. 😏 Click here to subscribe!

Check out my services. I write website copy, sales pages, email sequences, blog posts, and brand messaging guides for entrepreneurs of all kinds! Maybe you’re my next favorite client.

Read the rest of my blog. It’s home to everything from copywriting tips, to marketing education, to freelance advice, to portfolio-worthy projects… if you like this post, you’ll love the blog. Here’s a quick roundup of my most popular posts.

Sign up for my web copy course. Actually, it’s not *only* about website copywriting—I also teach modules on copywriting basics, developing your target audience, search engine optimization, blogging, and email marketing.

Enlist me as your mentor. I have an entire in-depth blog post about my one-on-one consulting process for new and aspiring copywriters, if you’re interested in having a big-sis-style mentor to help you grow your freelance copywriting business & get results.

To get in touch with me directly, send me a DM or email sara@betweenthelinescopy.com. Have a great day!