Copywriters UK?

Choosing your freelance UK-based writer

There's a wealth of Copywriting expertise in the UK for everything from marketing copy and direct response to technical copy and superb website/SEO writing. Whether you've Googled for from 'Down Under' or from England's heart, how do you choose the right UK freelancer?

Criteria for choosing your UK writer

Your choice of copywriters is likely to be based on these criteria:

Willingness to write for non-UK businesses – not all UK copywriters do
Copywriting experience
Rates
Location
Specific sector experience and skills
Personality – the chemistry matters

Successfully choosing writing services from UK suppliers is easier if you systematically consider these factors.

Willingness to write for non-UK organisations

Some writers only work for UK organisations. Whatever the reason for only offering copywriting services in the UK, this may preclude you working together if you are based elsewhere.

Copywriting UK: experience matters

Conventional and SEO copywriters range from novices to those with decades of multinational experience. Depending on your needs, either could be right for you. In practice, because of the high fees that some big names command, and beginners' inexperience, your best bet is probably mid-range – a capable copywriter with a good portfolio, solid background and sensible pricing. Don't be surprised if they're based outside London either.

Rates for copywriters in the UK

From a few pounds an hour to hundreds, there's massive variation in rates. In practice, you'll find a great choice in the £30 –50 per hour range. Stratospheric high-end fees may be appropriate for highly specialised writing, and low-end writers may suffice if you're happy with 'cheap and cheerful'. In practice, with such a good choice around national average rates, there's probably no need to explore the extremes.

English language skills

This applies particularly if you are communicating with UK audiences and have a choice between writers with English as their native language and those for which it isn't. Some people will argue that cheap SEO articles sourced abroad are acceptable because the content is targeted at search engines for link-building. I disagree. If articles appear in the engines' results, your business name will be in the resource box for anyone to see. Do you really want your brand to be associated with less-than-perfect copywriting that could distract or annoy potential customers? Why compromise when there excellent copywriters in this country who can do the job surprisingly competitively?

Sector copywriting experience

Specific sector experience can be a useful criterion for choosing your content partner. Bear in mind, however, that a writer from out of sector may bring valuable new perspectives. Look for specific skills too: someone offering combined writing and editing services or a UK SEO writer.

Location of your writer in the UK

Even a cursory Google search reveals content writers across the nation, From Gloucestershire copywriters to copywriters in London and wordsmiths in northern Britain, we're everywhere. So how to choose between us? If you're outside the UK (please remember that a writer in the UK is not automatically the same as an 'English copywriter'), you will probably work remotely. It's not ideal but it can work.

Although I work selectively across the UK, the majority of my clients are in Gloucestershire and nearby areas, as reflected by the following pages on the site:

However, if you're based in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you may consider location alongside other factors. If several copywriting specialists meet your other criteria, there's a good argument for appointing one near you. UK copywriters will debate this all day; in my view, however, proximity wins when it comes to offering face-to-face service without high meeting and travel costs. I assert this based on experience and the comments of my clients. Others may feel differently...

Personality

The best copywriting relationships are long, productive ones where client and writer get to know each other well. Choose a UK freelance copywriter that you can work with. In all areas of business, people buy people – it's the same when you choose from copywriters in the UK. Interpersonal chemistry means a lot – especially when combined with a skilled, experienced local writer.

If you are UK-based and looking for an experienced professional copywriter, please contact me for a no-obligation chat about your requirements.