First of all, I strongly recommend that you talk with your copywriter on the phone before you hire them (for instance, I offer a free 30-minute consultation with all new clients or prospective clients): you can learn a lot about someone by having a real live phone conversation with them.

Whether you quiz your copywriter by phone or via email, I?m including some questions you might want to ask them. I?m also including my own answers to these questions so that you can see what ?good? answers might look like (mine aren?t the only ?good? answers, but they will give you a point of reference when talking with any copywriter).

?What Are Your Qualifications as a Copywriter??

My Answer: I?ve written thousands of pieces of copy - radio commercials, TV commercials, direct mail pieces, one-sheets, fliers, brochures, billboards, music-on-hold scripts, training manuals, corporate policy and procedures, web site copy, and email marketing campaigns.

I?ve spoken frequently at seminars on copywriting, promotions and marketing, for professionals in those fields. I have published articles in radio trade journals, written content for web publications, and published one book. I have several other book projects currently in development.

?Do You Have Experience In My Field??

My Answer: If you sell to business, industry, professionals, or through direct response, chances are I already have experience dealing with your type of product or service?or something very similar.

I have written copy for just about any sort of business you can think of: auto dealers, soft drink companies, attorneys, physicians, music stores, insurance companies, recording artists, nutritional supplements, web sites, construction firms, recruitment firms, weight loss clinics ? this is only a partial list.

Even if you have a business that I have not had some experience with, my unique research and fact-finding methods will ensure that your copy will accomplish exactly what you want it to.

?What Kinds of Assignments Do You Handle??

My Answer: While I work on all kinds of different copywriting projects, around 80 percent of my business is writing direct sales copy for web businesses. That includes website sales letters, lead capture pages, autoresponders, orders forms, etc. The rest of my work covers diverse marketing materials, including ads, PowerPoint copy, radio copy, case histories, feature articles, television copy, slide presentations, press releases, newsletters, catalogs, annual reports, product guides, manuals, film and videotape scripts, and speeches.

My specialty is my ability to write easy-to-read, persuasive copy that makes sales... about a wide range of business products and services, no matter how simple or highly technical.

I?m known for being able to quickly grasp complex marketing problems and turn those into persuasive copy that motivates customers and prospects to take action. My copy gets results.

?How Long Will It Take You To Write My Copy??

My Answer: Ideally I like to have 3?4 weeks to work on your copy. That gives me the time to polish, edit and revise until I`m happy with every word.

If the job is a rush, indicate the date by which you must receive the copy on the order form. If I take on the job, I guarantee that you will have the copy on your desk by this deadline date?or sooner. No matter what the deadline, the copy I submit to you will be right. You can depend on it.

"Is Your Copy Guaranteed?"

My Answer: Absolutely. I guarantee that I`ll write excellent copy... that it will be delivered on time, and that I will revise or re-write it up to 3 times in the first 30 days after I initially deliver it. I also offer a host of other benefits to my Platinum Clients: membership in my Inner Circle, monthly teleconferences, one year of continued consulting, and more.

My copy gets great results for lots of people, but your results may vary. Why? There are many reasons. Here are the main ones:

• I don`t control a lot of the elements that can influence your chances of success - like your layout, your web host, your payment processing service, the quality and value of your offer, etc.

• I don`t make your product - you do. If your product sucks, there`s no copy in the world that`s going to help you.

• It`s up to you to determine whether there`s even a market for your product. You`re not paying me to know that. When you bring me a copywriting job, I assume you`ve already decided there is a market for what you`re selling.

?What If We Want You To Revise The Copy??

My Answer: Just tell me what you want improved and what the changes are, and I?ll make them?fast. There is NO CHARGE for rewriting.

Revisions are included in the flat fee we?ve agreed to for the assignment provided they are assigned within 30 days of your receipt of the copy and are not based on a change in the assignment after copy has been submitted.

You get up to three (3) revisions within the first 30 days after the initial delivery of your copy.

Most clients are pleased and enthusiastic about my copy when they receive it. But if you are not 100 percent satisfied, I will revise the copy according to your specific guidelines... and at my expense.

?Will You Actually Be Doing The Writing??

My Answer: This is a good question, because many top copywriters farm out their actual copywriting to ?apprentices? ? and never tell the client (you). That means your actual copy is written by rank beginners who are working for peanuts. I don?t use apprentices, and every word of your copy comes from me. I write all my own copy ? period.

?Is My Copy Kept Confidential??

My Answer: I always keep our discussions and the nature of your business confidential. Once your copy is finished, my standard agreement states that I can use your copy in my portfolio and for promotional purposes.

Because you will be using your copy as sales material, I assume you don?t wish to keep your copy 100% ?secret?. If you wish strict confidentiality (meaning you don?t want me to reveal to anyone that I wrote your copy, and you don?t want me to ever show it to anyone), there is a 25% surcharge. This is a bargain ? many top copywriters actually double their fees in exchange for complete confidentiality.

What To Do Now

Select the copywriter you think you want to work with, get them on the phone, and start asking questions.

All you need in order to protect yourself against shoddy copywriters is a little caution, the right checklists and expectations, and the willingness to do a little homework.

You can hire a freelance copywriter and be confident in the outcome.