10 Tips for Working With a Freelance Copywriter

Hiring a copywriter (an important first step!) is one thing, but working well together is what really counts.

Great results come from a clear, collaborative partnership between you and your writer.

After years of writing for e-commerce businesses, I’ve seen exactly what makes these collaborations successful. So here are my 10 practical tips for hiring and working with a freelance copywriter so you can get the best results.

1. Be generous with your knowledge (even the bits that seem boring)

Your copywriter wants to know everything. And I mean everything.

That story about why you started your business? Tell us. The specific way you pack orders with recycled materials? We want to know. The fact that your bestselling jumper was inspired by your nan's knitting patterns? Yes please.

You might think some details are irrelevant or boring, but share them anyway. We're trained to spot the best bits that could become the opener to your About page or the hook for a blog post. That “boring” detail about your sustainable packaging might be exactly what sets you apart from competitors.

This applies whether you’re working together on a one-off project or an ongoing basis. We’re here to write about your business in a way that connects with your customers, but we can only do that if you let us in.

2. Give constructive, specific, and kindly delivered feedback

"I'm not sure about this bit."

Every copywriter's heart sinks a little when they read feedback like that. Not because we don't want feedback (we do!) but because we're now playing a guessing game about what needs fixing.

The secret to good feedback? Be specific.

• Instead of: "This doesn't sound right", try: "This sentence feels too formal for our brand - could we make it more conversational?"

• Instead of: "I don't like this paragraph", try: "I like what you're saying here, but it feels abrupt. Could we ease into it more gently?"

When you tell us exactly what's not working and why, we can fix it properly. This saves us both time in the long run.

And please, be kind about it. We're human too, and constructive feedback delivered nicely goes a long way. There's always a way to be honest without being harsh.

3. Keep feedback streamlined (too many cooks)

Speaking of feedback... you've just received your first draft in your inbox from your copywriter. Excited, you share it with your business partner, your marketing manager, your sister and that friend who runs their own business.

Suddenly the Google Doc looks like a Christmas tree — comments everywhere, some contradicting others, and your poor copywriter has no idea whose feedback to prioritise. 

The best way I’ve found is for businesses to nominate one person (maximum two) to be the main point of contact. If you need team input, have a separate meeting to discuss the copy, then have your nominated person collate everything into one clear set of feedback to present to your copywriter.

This isn't about limiting input, as you might need lots of people’s opinions and that’s fine! It's about making sure the feedback process doesn't turn into chaos. Your copywriter will thank you, and you'll get cleaner revisions without the back-and-forth confusion.

4. Be upfront about your timeline (surprises aren't fun here!)

"Oh, by the way, we're launching this tomorrow..."

If you want to see a copywriter's eye twitch, drop a surprise deadline on them.

Good copy takes time. Not because we're sitting around waiting for inspiration to strike, but because we need to research, write, refine, and make sure every word is pulling its weight.

If you've got a Black Friday sale happening, a product launch, or any other deadline, tell your copywriter as soon as you know. We'll block out time, plan accordingly, and deliver something brilliant instead of panic-written.

Freelance copywriters tend to work with multiple clients. So unlike an in-house employee you can tap on the shoulder in the morning, we've scheduled our work carefully. The earlier you communicate deadlines, the better we can accommodate them — and the better your copy will be.

5. Share your SEO strategy from the start

Got keywords you need to rank for? An SEO agency feeding you target phrases? A list of search terms your customers use?

Don't keep these to yourself. Share them before we start writing.

SEO isn't about stuffing keywords awkwardly into sentences (thank goodness). It's about creating genuinely helpful content that naturally includes the terms people search for. Any copywriter worth their salt knows how to weave keywords in without making your content sound like a robot wrote it.

But we can only do this if we know what those keywords are.

So if you've got an SEO strategy, share it upfront. Your content is a huge part of your SEO success, and we want to make sure we're supporting your goals, not working against them.

6. Keep your copywriter in the loop

Just hired a copywriter on retainer to manage your blog? Brilliant. Now please don't forget about them.

If you're launching new products, tell us. If you're changing your shipping options, let us know. If you've just won an award or started stocking a new brand, share the news.

This is especially important for ongoing relationships.

When I'm managing someone's blog, I want to know what's happening in the business so I can create timely, relevant content.

• That new collection arriving next month? Perfect for a style guide post.

• Changed your packaging to be more sustainable? Let's tell that story.

Your copywriter might be freelance, but we're still part of your team. The more you keep us updated, the better we can support your business through content.

7. Trust the process (even when it feels different)

You might read our first draft and think, "I wouldn't have written it like that."

And sometimes, that's exactly the point.

A professional copywriter brings fresh perspective and years of experience in what gets people to read, engage, and buy. Sometimes that means taking an approach you hadn't considered.

If something feels unfamiliar, ask us to explain our thinking. We usually have good reasons, and we'd be happy to talk you through it. Maybe we've structured it to be more scannable, used a specific tone to connect with your audience, or organised information in a way that guides readers toward action.

You don't have to love everything we suggest. It's your business, your voice, your final decision. But staying open to new approaches might just lead to copy that works better than you imagined.

8. Tell us how you like to communicate

Some clients love a good video call. Others would rather stick pins in their eyes than turn their camera on. Some want weekly updates, others are happy with radio silence until the first draft lands.

There's no right or wrong here — just preferences. And sharing yours helps everything run more smoothly.

Let your freelancer know:

• Whether you prefer email, phone calls, or video chats

• How often you'd love to be updated

• The best way to reach you for quick questions

When communication flows easily, everything else tends to follow, and you won’t be left wondering why your copywriter hasn’t got in touch yet.

9. Understand the value (yes, we're talking about money)

Good copywriting costs more than you might expect. 

But what you're actually paying for is expertise in:

• Understanding audiences, specifically your target audience

• Crafting messages that connect

• Structuring information for clarity

• Writing for SEO 

• Turning features into benefits that make people want to buy.

That’s skilled work, and so the price will reflect that. 

Think about it this way: a blog post might cost $350, but if it helps bring in organic traffic, it's paid for itself by reducing your ad spend. That Homepage you invested in? It's working for your business every single day by being the first thing people see when they click onto your website.

Quality copywriting is an investment. And like most investments, you get what you pay for.

10. Share the good news when it comes

Your copywriter has just delivered your new product descriptions. A few weeks later, sales for those products have jumped 30%.

Tell them!

Did the blog post we wrote become your most-read piece of content? Did the email sequence get rave reviews from customers? Did your new About page make someone choose you over a competitor?

We want to know.

Not just because it makes us feel warm and fuzzy (though it does), but because it helps us understand what's working. We can do more of what succeeds, refine our approach, and celebrate those wins right alongside you.

Plus, it's just nice. We've worked hard on your content, and knowing it's making a difference is the best feedback of all.

Hiring a Copywriter: Making Collaboration Work

When clients and copywriters work well together, content connects with customers, your brand voice shines, and you get to focus on running your business while someone else handles the words.

So now you know the secrets to a great copywriting partnership. All that's left is finding the right copywriter and putting these tips into practice.

And if you're looking for a copywriter who makes collaboration easy? Well, I specialise in e-commerce content and would love to chat about how we could work together.

Take the First Step

FAQs About Hiring a Copywriter

1. How do I know if I need to hire a copywriter?

If your website, emails, or product descriptions aren’t connecting with customers or driving sales, a copywriter can help. We know how to take your ideas, add the right words, and make them connect with your customers.

2. How much does it cost to hire a copywriter?

Copywriting rates vary depending on experience, project type, and scope. In New Zealand, you might expect anywhere from $150–$500+ for a blog post, and more for high-impact pages like Homepages or product descriptions.

3. What should I prepare before hiring a copywriter?

A few things help a lot: your goals, who you’re trying to reach, and your brand’s tone of voice. Any old marketing material, keyword lists, or content you love is gold, as it speeds things up and makes your copy spot-on.

4. Can a copywriter help with SEO?

Definitely. Good SEO copywriters can work your keywords in naturally, so your content ranks well and still sounds like a human wrote it (because one did).

5. Should I hire a freelance copywriter or an agency?

It depends on what you need. Freelancers often give you more flexibility and direct contact. Agencies can be great for big, multi-channel campaigns. Both have their place — it’s about finding the right fit for you.