When you're working with a copywriter, you want to know your business is taken seriously. You want the value you are paying for and expecting. As you're working your tail off all day, the last thing you want is for your copywriter to be goofing off.
It’s normal to be wary of a copywriter's work ethic if you haven’t worked with them before. But this can also cause you frustration. Sometimes you even feel a bit of resentment toward your copywriter.
It's important for you to know your copywriter stays on task and works hard for you. Your business matters. To achieve this, most people use checklists. Daily checklists are a common practice for business owners to reach their goals. Having a plan of action each day helps you do more and perform better[1]. But, keep in mind, your checklist won't be the same as your copywriter's checklist.
The amount of physical labor and time involved between what you do and what a copywriter does varies. Every person has their own unique style and their own way of doing things.
None-the-less, copywriters must complete their tasks every day for the best customer experience. Below are five habits on the list of a typical copywriter's day.
1. Wake Up!
This is a no-brainer, right? Everyone wakes up at some point during the day (or night) to begin their working journey. Setting a standard wake up time is part of a good work habit. For some people, waking up is not that easy and they need structure.
Efficient and wise copywriters know that once the sand in the hourglass runs out, their day is done. They can't buy or barter for more time. Whether an early bird or a night owl copywriter, staying on track requires a schedule [1].
You need to know your copywriter has a solid plan of action. A deadline for producing results, and a history of meeting these expectations. How the copywriter achieves these actions is not the concern here. You just want to know that the copywriter can get the job done. If a copywriter is not disciplined or focused enough to have a schedule it will show in the quality of their work.
2. Body Basics
You get it. We're all human. Showering, brushing your teeth, and other personal hygiene habits are a necessity. Taking care of body basics gets the day started and helps wind down at night. Sometimes those body basics include a quick jog around the neighborhood, a jolt of coffee, or a light meal. Sometimes it has yoga, meditation, or prayer built in.
An effective copywriter recognizes the need for routine health measures. This is important to stay productive and valuable for his or her clients.
Ignoring a person’s health is a sure way to become obsolete in the business world. Poor health habits will catch up and kick even the best planned business goals to the curb.
Copywriting can become a very sedentary line of work if the copywriter isn’t careful. It's vital to get up and move, drink plenty of water, stretch, and eating right. Kudos to you for choosing a copywriter who prioritizes a well-rounded wellness plan.
3. Answering Emails and Returning Phone Calls
As a business owner, you take care of phone calls and emails or you hire someone else for these duties.
You know the importance customer service plays in a successful company. Value and care builds relationships and repeat business.
This particular task may be a tough daily step for many copywriters. But only because digging in and getting started on our research and writing is where we thrive. This is where our expertise fulfills your business needs. Think of it this way: it's better to have a heart surgeon be the best at his surgical skills than at making phone calls.
Regardless, good copywriters also know a part of the day needs to be set aside for conversations. Like you with your customers, we copywriters wouldn't be in business without our clients.
The time of day to complete these tasks may vary between copywriters. This depends on their routine, hours of operation, and what their clients prefer. Email isn't as restrictive, but phone calls can be a logistical dilemma. Copywriters may need to juggle their priorities to meet client expectations.
4. Research and Writing
Research and writing are the meat and potatoes of copywriting. This is where a great deal of our focus lands each day.
Some people may think the work of a copywriter means writing a paragraph or two. Typing up a bit of a story or product description and calling it good.
However, there is much more to the art of copywriting than pushing out a few paragraphs to the world wide web. A copywriter's information needs to be relevant and credible. It needs to be accurate. And, it needs to be appealing to both the client and the customer.
Most clients know what kind of content they want. They have their own ways of how they interact with their customers. They give the copywriter topics and expect the theme to reveal their goals. Other clients let the copywriter decide the topics and themes based on the business.
Also, working with a diverse group of clients requires a copywriter to be flexible. All clients and businesses are not created equal. A copywriter's writing style must be fluid.
Research and writing activities are time consuming. This is one of the main reasons why smart business owners gladly hand over these tasks to a copywriter. As the old Ben Franklin saying goes, “time is money.”[3]
Now you can focus more on your strengths and talents for running your company. Delegate those time-consuming writing/research tasks to your copywriter!
5. Self Care
This step seems to surprise some business owners. Self-care isn’t something that comes to the top of a person's mind when they think of a copywriter.
Additionally, self-care is different than the attention of body basics. Self-care goes beyond the surface of the skin. It digs deep into a person’s soul and stretches the mind.
Self-care is really and truly taking care of the whole person. This means taking time to get away from work. For some it may mean going for a walk in nature or reading a non-work related book. For others is may include dabbling in photography, painting, or playing the piano.
Disconnecting from the universe, so-to-speak, is crucial for total balance and reflection. A mini spiritual awakening each day can ground us. It strengthens our beliefs, solidifies our values, and rejuvenates our entire being [4].
A mindful copywriter practices a daily ritual of releasing stress. They block out negative influences and is in-tune with what matters most. For a business owner, this means you get a person who focuses on the success of you and your business.
Summary
Being a copywriter isn't any less demanding than being a business owner in any industry. It's just different types of deadlines and expectations.
As a tradesman, you know all too well the different directions that pull a person day by day, and minute by minute. The same is true for a copywriter. The copywriter has a different function, different priorities, and different timelines than you. From the time they wake up until the time they end their day. The duties they perform and the way they take care of themselves could look opposite to what you're used to. This doesn't mean your copywriter isn't working hard for you.
At the end of the day, a copywriter's checklist may be completely different. But the similarities in values are what will guide your business relationship. Not to worry though. You'll get a good feel for compatibility when you have the initial phone call with your copywriter and see the results they produce for you. You'll know that you're copywriter has made you and their daily checklist a priority.
Resources:
[2] My Daily Routine: A Day in the Life of a Copywriter | Blog from Ashlyn Carter | Launch Expert & Copywriter for Creatives (ashlynwrites.com)
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