One quick way to increase sales and profitability for any Web Design Advertising Agency is to sell their services as a copywriter. Frankly, this can be something you are basically already doing without noticing it, so why not get paid for it as well? Also, anytime you successfully sell your copywriting services to one of your web clients, you are working to increase their sales and results. It’s unquestionably a win-win.
Webmaster Studios provides copywriting to many clients, as just one of our many services, but we remain surprised at how underserved this feature is by both clients and agencies. Increased revenue. Happier clients. And more efficient project management. Basically, the goal is to become a one stop shop.
The first thing to keep in mind is that on the majority of websites, copywriting itself uses up more time, and therefore degree of budget, than does design elements. You could literally be letting half of the web design creation happen at another agency. So get involved. Sell your services. Your client may not even have yet considered you as a copywriter. Remember, writing and copywriting take many forms, from email newsletter and blog post to new products and ads. These are all revenue opportunities. Another important aspect is that it keeps your company in closer contact with your client, both in day to day and conceptual terms.
Waiting on other clients and their or your subcontractors to deliver material is also another extremely common cause for delays in the site creation process. By cutting out the middle man and keeping more elements in-house, this can easily be avoided.
We’ve all heard the adage that “Too many chef’s spoil the…”, well, in this case, the website. It doesn’t take more than one incompetent partner to throw a wrench into your well-oiled design process. By letting your client choose these partners, you are increasing this risk and asking for trouble. The best solution is also the simplest: have them choose you.
How can make sure a copywriting partner is web literate? Here is a simple list that should answer this question: Do they understand split testing? Split and multivariate testing is essential to targeting web marketing and maximizing success, conversion rates, and sales. Do they have an understanding of SEO? At this moment, Search Engine Optimization is almost the meat and potatoes of web marketing. Effective introduction into ad copy isn’t just a requirement, it’s a bare minimum. How comfortable and strong are they with social media? Social media is huge and getting bigger every day. It’s not just about having a Twitter or Facebook account. Everybody does. Look for documented instances or successful marketing success that they can point to and legitimize, especial for blogs and any campaign intending to use social media as a primary resource.
Beyond this, there are two basic ways to create revenue with a copywriter. First, by directly providing these services to the client and charging for them and second, by leveraging referrals. In the referral strategy, it is the copywriter who pays you a commission for introducing them to the client.
Perhaps most important is to integrate the concept of copywriting into your sales plan: To always ask if copywriting services are needed. Regardless of the type of site, every client should be queried whether they require copywriting and if they would like to hear a proposal. The worst they can say is ‘No’. To always suggest these services. This is not unreasonable. It is hard to think of a situation where copywriting is not in some way in order. To always make best use of your copywriting partner. It is not enough to just bring them in. Fill them in on the client, their wants and needs, and specifics that are particularly important, whether to them or about them. If the client says they like something, make sure to work it in. Also, they should either produce a free proposal, or provide it to you first for markup. Lastly, Always optimize. Copywriting is not the only thing you should be thinking about when going over the proposal. Think about the future, ongoing website and marketing income – is there a place for blog posts, newsletters, articles or social media?
Don’t leave any money on the floor or in someone else’s pocket!