10 Signs It’s Time to Hire a Copywriter

DIYing your website copy is standard when you first start your business. 

But as your business matures, you must be strategic about your time, money, and online presence, which means bringing in help. 

It might be time to team up with a copywriter. 

Whether you're struggling to connect with your audience, juggling too many tasks, or not seeing the results you hoped for, we'll explore the top 10 signs that it's time to pass the pen to someone who can give your brand that extra polish.

10 Signs You Might Want to Hire a Copywriter

1. You need more time.

As a business owner juggling multiple roles, from family commitments to day-to-day business operations, finding time for writing website copy is a challenge. 

The hours spent in front of a blank screen could be better spent elsewhere—like brainstorming new ideas or spending quality time with loved ones. 

Take Sarah's case, for example—a boutique owner who realized that her evenings spent struggling with website content could be better spent engaging with her customers on social media or enjoying dinner with her family. 

By teaming up with a copywriter to redo her website copy, she up-leveled her online presence and reclaimed precious hours she could use elsewhere. 

2. You hate writing.

Not everyone has a way with words, and that's okay. Just like not everyone (me!) has a way with numbers—that’s why I have an accountant.

If writing makes you cringe, you're not alone. Many business owners are experts in their fields but freeze when faced with a blank page. 

For instance, Alex, a recipe blogger, loves creating new recipes and interacting with customers but dreads writing a weekly newsletter. It feels forced and not authentic. 

Tired of the internal battle, Alex hired a copywriter who writes her weekly emails. The emails reflect Alex's love for her community and good food, and she doesn’t have to write a single word.

3. You're unsure about SEO and copywriting best practices.

Keeping up with SEO is practically a full-time job. You can’t just write content that sounds good and speaks to your audience. You also have to satisfy search engine algorithms. 

And if you find yourself scratching your head at terms like anchor text, meta descriptions, or featured snippets, you're not alone.

Despite the core principles remaining fairly constant, the challenge of learning SEO is sifting through a sea of unreliable information. Yet SEO is essential for attracting the right visitors to your site.

Take Jamie, who runs a virtual yoga studio. 

While Jamie is an expert at teaching yoga, she knows little about SEO. After working with an SEO copywriter, Jamie's studio website began to rank higher in search results, attracting more students. And Jamie didn’t have to become an SEO expert overnight.

4. You're not getting enough leads.

Your website should be attracting new leads to your business every day. 

If potential clients or customers aren't finding their way to your website, it could be a sign that you’re not visible enough. 

Part of your website’s job is to make sure your voice gets heard in a crowded marketplace. It should attract your target audience with interesting, relevant, and SEO-optimized content.

Imagine Tiffany, who runs an online course platform. Despite offering top-notch courses, she struggled to see a significant uptick in site traffic. 

So, she hired a content writer to write an SEO-driven blog that answered common questions her target audience was searching for. 

Within 6 months, Tiffany began to see an increase in organic traffic. This strategy introduced her platform to a broader audience and established her brand as a go-to resource in his niche.

5. Your leads aren't converting.

Getting traffic to your website is one thing, but turning that interest into action is another ball game entirely. 

If visitors aren't taking the next steps—like signing up for a consultation, purchasing a product, or enrolling in a course—it's an indication that your website's copy might be lacking.

Your copy should address their concerns and highlight the benefits of taking action. You want visitors to feel like engaging with your business is a no-brainer.

For instance, Mia, a digital marketing consultant, saw a high number of website visits but very few inquiries about her services. The analytics indicated interest, but her conversion rate was disappointingly low. 

After reviewing her service descriptions and calls to action with a copywriter, Mia realized her messaging was too generic. It didn’t address the specific pain points her potential clients were facing.

Mia's conversion rates dramatically improved when they revamped her website copy with targeted benefits and calls to action.

6. You're attracting the wrong clients or customers.

Every business should have an ideal client or customer profile. 

If you're often approached by clients or customers who don't align with your ideal profile, your website copy may be the culprit. Misaligned copy can draw in the wrong crowd, creating a disconnect between what you offer and what they expect.

For example, Sam offers specialized social media consulting services for small businesses. 

Initially, her website copy was vague, highlighting general social media tips and tricks. This approach attracted hobbyists and individuals looking for free advice rather than small business owners ready to invest in comprehensive consulting services. 

After working with a copywriter to dial in Sam’s messaging, she began to attract her ideal clients—busy entrepreneurs seeking expert guidance to elevate their social media presence.

7. Your messaging is inconsistent.

Consistency is crucial in branding—varying tones, styles, or messages across your website, social media, and emails can lead to confusion about your brand's identity and values. 

Inconsistency makes it difficult for people to understand, connect with, and remember your brand. 

With a unified message, your brand identity is stronger, so every interaction with your audience has more impact.

Let’s take Leah, who runs an online wellness platform. 

She used to post a mix of professional health advice, personal anecdotes, and various promotional content. There was no strategy. Her audience was unsure what to expect, and engagement was low. 

After consulting with a copywriter, Leah streamlined her messaging to focus on empowering wellness journeys with a consistent tone of supportive and motivational guidance. 

This shift clarified her brand's mission and increased her audience engagement and loyalty.

8. Your competitors are outperforming you.

It’s a hard pill to swallow, but if your competitors are gaining more traction, engagement, or sales, it can be a sign your website copy needs a refresh. 

Standing out against competitors requires more than superior products or services. You must have compelling stories and persuasive copy that captures and keeps your audience’s attention.

Take the case of Martina, who runs a SaaS company offering project management solutions. 

Despite having a robust product, her website traffic and conversion rates lagged behind those of her main competitor’s. 

Checking out her rival’s website, she saw benefit-driven copy, case studies, and customer testimonials that effectively communicated the value of the rival’s product.

Realizing her messaging needed an upgrade, Martina hired a copywriter to revamp her website's content strategy. 

The new approach communicated the tangible benefits of her software. It included relatable customer success stories and refined the overall messaging to better address her target market's needs. 

She improved her website's performance and positioned herself as a serious contender in the market.

9. Your brand messaging lacks clarity.

A clear brand message is vital. If people are confused about what you offer, the value you provide, or who your services are for, you're likely to lose their interest quickly. 

Unclear messaging often comes from trying to appeal to everyone. When you get specific about what you do and who you work with, your messaging becomes clear.

Consider Patricia, a nutritionist. 

Initially, she tried catering to a broad audience, offering something for everyone. Her message was vague, and her brand's unique selling proposition (USP) got lost. 

Potential customers didn’t understand what made her program different or why it was the right choice for them.

Patricia decided to work with a copywriter to refine her brand's message. 

They defined her ideal client, honed in on her program's specific benefits, and crafted a story that explained why her solution was unique. 

The revamped messaging made it easier for Patricia’s ideal clients to see the value in choosing her program.

10. You find it hard to articulate your brand's value proposition.

Your unique value proposition (UVP) is critical because it explains why someone should choose your product or service over others. 

However, articulating what makes your brand unique and valuable is often easier said than done. 

Consider Jenna, a virtual professional organizer. Jenna has a knack for transforming chaotic spaces into serene, functional environments. 

However, her website's copy focused too heavily on the process. It didn’t capture the emotional and lifestyle benefits her services offer. Potential clients found it hard to grasp the value they’d get from organized spaces…other than being organized.

After working with a copywriter, Jenna's value proposition emphasized the peace of mind, increased productivity, and joy of living in a well-organized home. 

Her UVP spoke directly to her clients' deepest desires, increasing inquiries and bookings. Her services were no longer seen as “just organizing.” Clients started to see them as essential to achieving a desirable lifestyle.

Bonus Tip: You Love Writing, But... 

It's wonderful that you enjoy writing and want to keep doing your own copy. However, consider these two things.

First, is it truly the best use of your time? As a business owner, your limited hours might be more impactful when spent on strategy, product development, or other areas where your expertise is indispensable. 

Second, being close to your business is a double-edged sword. Your deep knowledge can make it challenging to communicate effectively with those less familiar with your industry. This has a name—the curse of knowledge bias. 

Just something to think about, even if you enjoy writing your own copy.

Are You Ready To Take the Leap?

If any of these signs resonate with you, it might be time to consider working with a copywriter. 

Think of it as a chance to elevate your business and celebrate your growth.

If you're ready to give your brand the polish it deserves, let's chat. Book a coffee chat, and we’ll discuss how to bring your vision to life. 

Or download my guide on hiring the perfect copywriter for your needs.