When to DIY your copy (and when to call in a professional copywriter)

If you’re a business owner, then it’s likely you’re a Jack or Jill of all trades — and that includes running the one-person marketing department. 

Sometimes, it makes sense to take on the role of lead copywriter rather than outsourcing to someone else. But sometimes, between your tenth draft and one-hundredth, painstaking synonym search for the term “trustworthy”, there comes a point where professional copywriting services are worth their weight in gold. 

However, one question remains: How do you know when or if that time has come?

Is there ever a time when a professional copywriter isn’t worth it?

Hiring a copywriter isn’t always the right move for businesses (cue the shock horror), and there are plenty of good reasons why. Here are a few situations where DIY-ing your copy might actually be the best and most cost-effective choice:

You love to write

If you’ve got a passion for writing, then why take the opportunity away? If you enjoy it, have the time to do it, and feel confident in your wordsmithery, DIY away, and know that you can always outsource to a professional copywriting agency down the line if you feel like you need extra support or a boost in SEO visibility.

You’re a proud control freak

Some business owners enjoy having control over every word, comma, and full stop — and we don’t blame them. However, it is worth bearing in mind that the best copywriters are always open to edits and meetings to ensure that their work aligns with how you would write.

You’re a new business

Starting a business takes time, and this includes finding your unique tone of voice and how you want to portray yourself online. If you haven’t got the specifics ironed out yet, then it’s probably not the best time to hire a copywriter. After all, we can’t build magic around a message that you don’t yet have!

When is hiring a copywriter worth it?

So, when does hiring a copywriter become essential for your business? If you relate to any of the points below, then it may be time to search for a copywriter who is aligned with your values.

You find it hard to talk about yourself or your business

Writing about yourself and what you do can feel a bit awkward, and that’s completely natural. 

We find it hard to shout about ourselves, too! But the truth is, some people find it easy, and some people find it really, really difficult. It just means you’re humble (or at least that’s what we tell ourselves at The Content Coven…)

A professional copywriter can swoop in and write about what you do and how you do it with ease, saving you from the headache (and that belly-deep awkward feeling). 

You’re not a confident writer

Have you ever sat down to write a short blog before and found that it completely drained your soul and took five hours of your time? You’re definitely not alone. 

News flash: Copywriters write for a living because they love it. Outsourcing to a professional copywriting services provider can save you both time and emotional energy (because that’s precious).

You want to gain visibility through SEO but don’t know how

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is one of the most effective and sustainable ways to increase the visibility of your website. Professional SEO copywriters are trained to deliver content writing alongside SEO core elements, from SEO keyword research and internal linking to readability and structure — without slacking on content quality or tone of voice.

If organic visibility is a huge priority for you, outsourcing to an SEO copywriting agency is a very smart and cost-effective move.

You need a consistent content strategy

Everyone knows that a consistent content strategy works wonders for visibility, reach, and engagement, and the same goes for your website’s blog content strategy. 

If you’re fed up with throwing words together at 10pm for the sake of keeping things consistent, a professional copywriter can give your content purpose and rhythm, and also put together a realistic and consistent schedule for extra SEO brownie points.

You just don’t have the time

Not having enough time is the main reason why business owners choose to outsource their copywriting. After all, time is precious, and if writing is eating into the time you could be spending on client work, sales, or (god-forbid) a bit of respite, then outsourcing makes complete sense.

Why not take a look at our blog on In-house vs outsourcing: Copywriting pros and cons for more informative tidbits?

Which content is best to outsource to a professional copywriter?

If you’ve decided to outsource your content to a copywriting agency, then we recommend being strategic about it. This means outsourcing the high-impact, high-value content pieces that require strategy, structure, and SEO: 

• Website copy (anything conversion-led): Your website is your digital shopfront. Having strong, strategic, and search engine optimised copy on product pages and landing pages can help foster positive first impressions with potential customers as well as increased visibility, which can then improve conversion rates.
  

• SEO blogs: SEO copywriters know how to get your content ranking high on the SERP (Search Engine Results Page), while maintaining your tone of voice so you can stay ahead of the competition.  
  

• Brand documents: Tone of voice guidelines, brand messaging frameworks, and employee handbooks — all of the foundational documents that keep your content consistent and recognisable.
  

• Whitepapers and long-form content: This type of content requires depth and clarity. Hiring a professional copywriter ensures your expertise on the topic shines through, without sucking away your time, soul, or mental capacity.
  

Which content is best to DIY as a business owner?

We may have shocked you by saying that not everything needs a professional touch. Here are the best content types to DIY with confidence:

• Personal blog posts and quick updates: This is where your audience wants to hear your voice. Human, honest, and a little bit messy, DIY content is perfect for these types of posts.
  

• Social media captions: Social media copy is reactive, and often best curated in the moment. This is where DIY copywriting can take the upper hand.
  

• Behind-the-scenes stories: Specific insider knowledge is key for behind-the-scenes content. No agency polish or touch required, unless being pushed for SEO.
  

Is it time for copywriting support? Summon The Content Coven

We hope this guide has been helpful! We always aim to be as honest as possible so you can spend your pennies where they matter most.

If you’re now considering finding a copywriter to support your marketing efforts, we’d love to help. At The Content Coven, we offer affordable SEO copywriting services with a specialist focus on replicating your desired tone of voice, ensuring that your copy always sounds true to you and your business goals.

For more SEO advice and information on outsourcing your content, take a look at our blog, which includes a guide on how to write a comprehensive copywriting brief. You're also welcome to get in touch.