Frequently Asked Questions

When you hire a copywriter to help market your business, you may have a lot of questions on your mind. I want to make sure all of your concerns are addressed upfront so there are no surprises. My relationships with my clients are built on a solid foundation of mutual trust and respect.

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1. What should I look for in a copywriter?

] You are hiring a copywriter to write, so the biggest thing to look at is their previous writing experience; that is, their credentials. Take a good look at their client roster and see if they have expertise in your field. If they don’t, they should be willing and able to immerse themselves in your industry through primary and competitor research and in-depth interviews. A good copywriter should not only be able to write, but they should also have excellent people skills. They should be able to interact in a friendly and professional manner with their clients. Finally, find a copywriter who is business savvy. One that is deadline-driven and clear about contracts, payment, and timelines up-front.

2. How much do you charge?

Copywriting charges vary by project and scope of work. It’s important to have an initial on-boarding consultation with clients to understand the scope of the project to provide a specific quote for writing services. Based on the number of hours estimated for the project, the contract will spell out and define the pricing structure.
My hourly charge is $80 per hour.

3. How many rounds of proofs will I receive?

You will receive one initial draft for review. If the client approves the copy after the initial draft, it will go to a final stage. If there are any edits, the client will be provided two additional rounds of proofs before a final stage.

4. What questions should I ask when hiring a copywriter for my company?

Even though you are hiring a contract copywriter, interview them as if they were a permanent employee. The copywriter you hire will be the voice of your brand and will need to understand the ins and outs of your business and industry. Ask them:
How long have you been in business?
What industries do you specialize in?
Do you have a website?
Do you have a portfolio?
Do you charge by the hour or by project?
How are you different than every other copywriter?

5. What is the benefit of hiring a copywriter?

Just as companies hire outside consultants to analyze their business, it’s important to hire an outside copywriter to see your business from a whole new angle.

6. How do I pay you?

During the contract phase, you decide the best and easiest way to pay me. I provide two options:
1) Personal check made out to Mary Catania (mailed or provided to me in-person)
2) My Paypal account – which accepts all forms of payment (credit and debit cards, checks, and your PayPal)
Please note: you do not need a PayPal account of your own to pay me via PayPal. You simply enter your payment information to a secure website, and PayPal automatically deposits the money into my account.

7. What is the pricing structure?

In our mutually agreed upon contract, I specifically outline the pricing structure for each project. I request a 50 percent retainer fee up-front. This ensures that both the client and the writer have buy-in at the launch of the project. Upon final completion of the project, the remaining 50 percent is due.

8. How does the creative process work?

The writing I produce for you will be flavored by the research I conduct, the input you provide, and the rich educational and real-world experience I bring to the table. The creative process is a lot of conceptualization, storyboarding, interviewing, researching, and a little bit of magic.

9. What kinds of people hire copywriters?

Many different types of people need copywriters. Fortune 500 companies hire copywriters like me to improve their brand presence. Small business owners need freelance writers to promote themselves as well. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, more than 50 percent of Americans either own or work for small businesses — companies employing fewer than 500 workers — and each year small businesses account for two out of every three new jobs created. Other artists, such as photographers, designers, songwriters, etc. need copywriters as well to help build their web presence.