You're planning to build a new website or create a company brochure and you're wondering whether to hire a professional copywriter or do the writing yourself. After all, you did get that "A" in English back in high school, and your mom always said you were a good writer.

But marketing copy is a different breed of animal. And since it's the introduction most prospects will get to your company, you want to make sure the text creates the right impression. You also want the copy to achieve your objectives, whether that's to generate leads, make sales, get ranked on search engines or build your brand.

You can see the merits of hiring a professional copywriter but first you need to determine how much of your budget to allot to the copy.

The pricing question, however, isn't an easy one to answer. Some copywriters charge by the hour. But an hourly rate is only half the equation in trying to budget for a job. Without knowing how many hours the project will take, the bottom line is still a mystery.

Because every job is custom, getting an estimate will require you to define your project and then contact service providers 作业代写 for quotes. You can expect professional copywriters to take the following 10 variables into consideration in providing you with a bid:

1. Quantity of copy. The size of the project is a big factor. Writing a 4-page sales brochure is of course less time consuming than writing a comprehensive 12-page corporate capabilities brochure.

2. Complexity of the work. Some projects involve a lot of upfront research, whether that's by reading existing documents or interviewing key people, while others can be tackled head-on. Writing copy about an industrial or technical product, for example, is far more difficult that crafting the words for a consumer product that the copywriter may already know or have used.

3. Creativity required. While some writers have the ability to make it look easy, coming up with clever copy actually takes a lot of work. Writing a one-liner for a billboard can present a bigger challenge than writing a full-length data sheet that offers room to elaborate on all the key points.

4. The going market rate. Most copywriters are at least aware of what other writers are charging. They strive to keep their rates competitive. However, if you choose an experienced professional, don't expect her price to be comparable to a recent entrant to the field or a foreign copywriter who desperately wants the work but may lack the English skills to deliver quality copy. Experience counts, and in copywriting as in so many other services, you often get what you pay for.

5. The level of sophistication of your other marketing materials. If you've already done the hard work to evaluate your competition, position your company and build your brand, then you'll make the copywriter's job much easier. The writing she does will complement your existing marketing strategy.

However, if the copywriter has to provide guidance on marketing and branding in addition to copywriting, she'll invest considerably more time researching, brainstorming and creating and will therefore charge you more. On the plus side, the content she produces can probably be repurposed for some of your other marketing materials down the road, so you'll be able to leverage the cost over multiple projects.

6. How soon you need the work. Most copywriters have a queue for their copywriting projects. If you want to jump the line, you'll need to pay for that privilege because it usually means the copywriter must give up evenings or weekends to squeeze in your project.

7. Level of experience. Sure it'd be easier to compare copywriter rates if everyone told you their per-hour fee. But that's not how most copywriters work because that formula doesn't benefit the experienced copywriter. Presumably, the pro is a faster writer than a beginner because she's had more practice. Should she charge less simply because she's more competent? Of course not. Instead, you need to realize you're paying for her level of experience. Like the physician who demands a substantial payment for even the shortest visit, a copywriter's fee covers the years she has invested in education and perfecting her craft.

8. Overhead. Does the freelance copywriter rent office space or does she work out of her home? Does she have employees, perhaps a researcher or junior copywriter? Is she based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa or Manhattan, New York? Your writer, like any business, has operating costs, and she'll factor in that overhead when pricing her copywriting services.

9. Specialty. If you're fortunate enough to find a copywriter with experience in your field, perhaps she's written for other clients in your industry, then you'll have to invest less time bringing her up to speed. She'll hit the ground running when you give her the assignment. Just like the medical world, copywriting specialists cost more, but they're worth it.

10. Demand. Like any business, copywriting prices are affected by supply and demand. If work is plentiful and copywriters are prospering, they'll charge full rate. After all, if you won't pay the price, the next client certainly will. If times are tough, and copywriters are competing for your business, you'll probably be able to negotiate a lower fee.

Once the copywriter takes into account the above 10 variables, she should be able to provide you with a project quotation.

One last caveat: don't use price as the sole deciding factor in choosing your copywriter. Consider the value an experienced copywriter brings to the table. You can find junior-level copywriters and foreign copywriters who will take on your project at a bargain rate, but if their copy isn't effective, then was the savings really worth it?

In the long run, a good copywriter won't cost you money; she'll make you money by generating copy that gets the desired results. And results are your true bottom line