If you’re thinking about hiring a health copywriter, you may be wondering how much the average freelance writer charges, why you need one, or maybe even what they do.
The following checklist will help you find the right medical copywriter for your business, and give you tips to make working with them as easy, enjoyable and successful as possible.
1. Consider Pricing
Rates for copywriting services can vary depending on whether you are paying per day, per article, or for a content package.
In 2023, the average day rate for a copywriter in the UK was around £430, but rates can range from £250 to over £2000 per day. The amount a copywriter charges may depend on:
- How experienced they are
- Any specialist qualifications
- How much research is required
- The complexity of the task
- Whether the project is a one-off or likely to lead to ongoing work
- The agreed number of revisions
Expert content writing can help you find new customers or lead to a significant increase in sales. As a business, investing in high quality health copywriting, social media or email campaigns makes financial sense.
2. Don’t Over- or Under-pay
Unfortunately, the amount a copywriter charges is not always an indication of the standard of copy you might receive. The best copywriters can charge extremely reasonable rates, while some who set high day rates can leave you feeling underwhelmed.
Rather than assuming cost always indicates capability, instead try to learn as much about the copywriter as you can. To find out more about me, visit my LinkedIn profile, check out my medical writing portfolio, and read honest health content reviews from my clients.
It is easy to forget that freelancers also have to account for tax, national insurance, pension contributions, professional insurance, holiday and sick pay. Professional content writers set their rates to reflect their expertise. Trying to haggle or get quality content at a bargain price may make a freelancer feel that their work is not valued.
To find out about freelance copywriter costs and my bespoke rates for health writing, book a free discovery call.
3. Be Patient When Finding the Right Copywriter
Trying to find a copywriter can be tedious. With a large pool of freelancers to choose from, it can be difficult to know who to work with. Don’t be tempted to pick the first copywriter you come across, be patient and consider the following:
- How do they communicate during a project? Email, phone, Slack, WhatsApp? Think about whether they have responded promptly and politely when you’ve enquired about their experience, availability and rates. First impressions count, and if someone is slow to respond or appears indifferent to your needs, you could face communication issues in future.
- Can they adopt your tone of voice or write in different styles? Whether you need a formal, conversational or technical tone, during a clarity call a proactive copywriter will ask questions about you, your business, and what you want the content to achieve.
- Do they have experience writing for specific platforms? Perhaps you need social media posts, blogs, print, web or app content. It’s important to feel confident that they’ll return work you’ll be proud to publish.
- How do they conduct research? If you like the look of a copywriter but it appears they haven’t worked in your industry before, get in touch anyway. Experienced writers are used to switching between fields and meticulously researching a topic. It is far better to have a high quality writer offering a fresh perspective than be left with a poorly written ‘expert’ article.
- Will they work well with your internal team? If a freelancer will be adding to in house content, check that they’ll be a good cultural fit.
- Do they have any additional skills or tools? Think about whether they need to be confident with keyword research, SEO, or content management systems.
- Do they need specific qualifications? I have a medical degree and a copywriting diploma – the perfect combination for a health content writer. I also hold professional insurance and am a member of a commercial writers’ alliance.
- Are they available for ongoing projects? Once you find an expert in healthcare copywriting, you won’t want to let them go. Consider setting up a retainer to guarantee their services.
4. Keep Your Copywriter in Mind
Once you have your copywriter on board, don’t forget about them. The best copywriters will be ready to hit the ground running, and there is no point paying their day rate if you’re not making the most of their skills. Note the days your copywriter will be writing for you, and prepare your requirements in advance.
5. Allow Plenty of Time for Writing
Writing isn’t a quick or easy job – if it was, you wouldn’t need a copywriter. Hastily preparing something to publish is possible, but it won’t end up being the best article or content. Think about any deadlines, and give your copywriter plenty of time to think about the best way to share your vision with the world.
6.Be Specific About Your Needs
It makes sense to speak to your copywriter in detail about what you want before the project gets started. From your target audience to the desired outcome, giving your writer as much information as possible is vital.
Final Thoughts
Hiring an UK health writer who understands the values of your company can help you increase website hits, conversions and sales.
To learn more about working with me, or to book my expert health writing services, get in touch today to secure your free discovery call.