Like most things in life, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to finding a copywriter to work with.

Overall, I’d suggest the following should be taken into account when you’re looking for the ‘right’ copywriter for you and your business:

1. Do I like them?

This is important, as you’ll be spending time with this person and you should enjoy meeting and talking with them.

2. Do they understand my needs?

Do they listen to you, or try to sell you a solution that they sell to everyone? After speaking with your copywriter, do you feel they “get you”?

3. What is their previous work like?

Have a look at their portfolio, look at how they communicated messages, brand, TOV and other key aspects. Would you be convinced to act based on what you see and read? Is it generic, or is it uniquely engaging?

4. What is the feedback process?

The feedback and revision process is so important to getting your needs met as a client.

Sometimes the copywriter may push back or make other suggestions; after all, you’re hiring them for their experience and expertise, but the process of feedback should always be done in a consultative way. If your writer can articulate ‘why’ their suggestion works or is better, are you comfortable with the decision?

5. Do they use passive voice or ‘fluff’ in their writing?

I don’t know why, but most people tend to write in the passive voice. Perhaps it’s a by-product of our formal education, or maybe it’s because copywriting is a specialised writing skillset, but I see SO many examples of passive voice and redundancy in words.

For example, people who are not expert communicators or copywriters will write the following sentence:

Redundancy example:

“I researched online to find out more about the product, so that I could buy the best smartphone in the market”

More direct version:

“I researched online to find out more about the product, to buy the best smartphone available”

Passive voice example:

The mat was sat on by the cat.

Active voice example:

The cat sat on the mat.

*Thanks for indulging in my Dr Suess example here.*

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Here’s an example I took from a random website selling blinds:

Passive:

> High-quality blinds are often preferred by homeowners for their durability and stylish appearance."

Re-written as Active:

> Homeowners often prefer high-quality blinds for their durability and stylish appearance.

Active voice is a more direct, compelling, and clearer way to write and convey the same message.

Active voice also reduces ‘filler’ words and phrases and has better engagement qualities for consumers of your content.

Melbourne is a vibrant city with many talented copywriters. But if you want someone who’ll care about your business and your needs, someone who understands behavioural motivations on what drives people to take action and buy your product or services, then you need someone who truly understands change and marketing copywriting.

That person is me, John Otis, your change-driven copywriter.

I’m a business owner like you, and believe it or not, we have the same challenges, fears and motivations. Even though what we do may be worlds apart, we have to earn our living to support our employees, and our families and live our best lives.

If we decide to work together, you'll get more than just effective copy. I'll take the time to truly understand your business and its essence. Every project I take on becomes a canvas for my creativity, and I invest myself fully. If I feel it's not meeting the mark, I won't release it. I value the quality of my work as much as I value your success.

Does that make me Melbourne’s best copywriter? Let’s see what you decide..

Like everything, prices can vary depending on who you’re hiring, whether they are a big agency or a freelancer, their experience, the type of copywriting job it is etc etc.

If you’re looking at hiring a Melbourne copywriter, one of the most important things they can give you is time.

Make sure you feel like they have the time for you as a client, to get you the best possible results without thinking about their next client.

You will get better results and return on your investment, and a good copywriter will understand you, your tone of voice and brand.

As a change-driven and change-focused copywriter, I’ll really get into the motivational and behavioural side of your marketing needs, reflecting your messaging through carefully constructed and executed wording that resonates with your target audience.

Unlike many copywriters and marketers out there, I actually publish my rates, which you can see here: <link>

What can I say, I’m the rebel of the industry!

I’ll usually include a starting price as each client has different needs and the size of projects vary, but at least you know straight away if you can a. afford my rates, and b. see value in what you’re getting for that fee.

I’m by no means the cheapest, but also not the most expensive either.

I’m not sure who came up with this statement, but I do love it:

“If you think hiring a professional is expensive, wait till you hire an amateur!”

While paid advertising has its place, organic reach is better overall for building brand reputation, leading to sales into your captive audience.

Which is a good thing!

The problem with paid advertising is that while it can still be an effective way to increase site visitors and convert them to a sale, bigger companies will always have more money to spend on advertising. The more they spend, the more they dominate. It’s a simple case of math and probability.

Organic reach is a better way for most small to medium-sized businesses to make an impact by spending far less.

Also, there is the trust factor.

Would you trust a family member or friend’s recommendations, or one from a salesperson?

Paid ads are just like salespeople – do you really trust them? Do you see the paid ads at the top of your search results, and just skip passed them like I, and so many others I know, do?

Paid ads may get you faster results in the short term compared to SEO’s organic reach, but organic SEO is a better long-term strategy that is like compounding interest – the better it gets, the more effective it is, the greater your ROI.

Peer-to-peer (or word of mouth) is still the most effective way to convince people to trust and buy, which should be your ultimate end plan for your business. Organic reach compliments peer-to-peer strategies perfectly.

Every business and business owner has different needs – I can’t tell you 100% what you what’s best for your business.

What I can tell you, though, is that when I work for you, my only focus is to get you the results you need, without the excessively high price tag or to have your money going towards luxury team lunches, that YOU end up paying for!

I keep things lean with Verb & Noun; when you’re lean and hungry, you go out and make things happen.

Make every dollar of your revenue growth costs go towards effective SEO, Copywriting and Email Marketing and avoid those bloated, ego-based agencies who overpromise and underwhelm…

Email marketing has been around for a while, but it’s far from dead!

It’s still a very effective conversion strategy and audience-building strategy, and has stuck around because it works. Engaged audiences stay loyal and are motivated to buy when you have incredible emails that speak directly to your audience.

Recent statistics show that on average, for every $1 spent brings in $36.

That’s a whopping 3500% growth on your investment!

With an email sales strategy that brings in massive results, why would you ignore it?

Your email list is yours; you’ve worked hard to build it up so make it work for you by investing in email marketing that converts – it just works!