10 Questions to Ask Your Social Media Copywriter Before You Hire Them

Budget is often a concern for business owners looking to hire a freelance social media copywriter. But when you’re only focusing on the bottom line, it’s easy to overlook red flags that can become problematic later on.

Don’t worry—I’m here to help you with that. As a social media copywriter specialising in LinkedIn, I’ve put together a list of questions to ask your next copywriter before you hire them.

Remember: a great freelance copywriter will design and implement a social media strategy that meets your business goals, saves you time and increases your earnings.

Also, your copywriter’s processes for delivering content and the tech they use should make your life easier and your collaboration process more efficient.

But how do you select the right social media copywriter for your business? Let’s dive!

Looking for a Social Media Copywriter? Here’s What You Should be Asking

In the following list, you’ll find a selection of questions to help you understand how your copywriter creates and delivers content, the type of content they’re used to creating, as well as their availability and turnover time.

By diving into the specifics of their process for working with business owners, you can decide if this feels like a good fit for you and your business.

1. What is your process for creating social media content from start to finish? This question helps you understand your copywriter’s process and timing. You are looking for a well-organised and streamlined system that requires minimal input from your end.
2. Can you provide examples of your past work or client testimonials? Seeing examples of past work can give you an idea of the copywriters’ style and versatility. Plus, testimonials from previous clients will give you an idea of the freelance copywriter’s personality as well as the impact of their work.
3. Do you specialise in any particular industries or niches? A social media copywriter with experience in your niche will be more familiar with the technical jargon, the impact of your work as well as client objections that must be addressed in your social media efforts.
4. What’s included in your social media copywriting packages? Clarifying what services your freelancer includes in their package helps you understand the full scope of what you’re paying for. Some social media copywriters, myself included, start by repurposing existing content before creating content from scratch.
5. What other copywriting services do you provide (e.g., blog posts, website content, email newsletters)? This often overlooked question helps you determine what other projects your copywriter can handle beyond social media. Often, social media posts can be repurposed as email marketing campaigns, website copy or blog articles.
6. What social media platforms do you specialise in? As social media becomes increasingly complex, it’s common for social media copywriters to hone in on just a few platforms. Find out what those are to decide if they’re able to support your business’ marketing needs.
7. What is your communication style? Communication has to be strong and effective to collaborate effectively in remote working arrangements. Some people prefer face-to-face time, while others prefer written or voice notes. Find out how you’ll be communicating, whether it’s by email, Slack, or Zoom. Again, make sure the communication style fits your needs.
8. What is your availability? How quickly can you complete projects? Understanding a copywriter’s availability and turnaround time helps you better manage your time and project planning. Consider communicating these needs with your copywriter.
9. Do you include social media graphics in your pricing? I always get asked this question on discovery calls. Having on-brand graphics that match your brand’s visual style will help grab attention online. Find out whether graphics are part of the service or if you’ll need to budget extra for them.
10. What is your process for approving and amending copy? You will probably want to approve all posts before they are scheduled. Find out what the final steps are for approving and amending your copywriter’s work before posting.

5 Questions a Freelance Social Media Copywriter May Ask You

Collaboration is a two-way street, so expect your copywriter to ask you questions, too. Just like you, they’re trying to establish whether you’ll be a good match for them. Especially if it’s for a long-term collaboration.

Here are some questions they may ask you:

1. What are your goals for the project? Knowing your goals helps the copywriter understand your current strategy and suggest changes if needed.
2. Who is your target audience? Understanding your target audience will help the copywriter match your messaging with the people you aim to reach.
3. What is your timeline? This information helps the copywriter budget their time so they can deliver quality work within your deadline.
4. What is your preferred writing style or tone? Every brand has a unique voice. Understanding your preferred style and tone helps the copywriter create “on-brand” content.
5. What have you found successful or unsuccessful in the past? Insight into what has or hasn’t worked allows the copywriter to strategise the best way forward.

Where to Find a Freelance Social Media Copywriter?

LinkedIn is a great platform for finding copywriters, as you can segment your search by location and industry.

I’ve also found plenty of copywriters on Threads, possibly because it’s an app that prioritises text over videos and images. Of course, you can search on Google or use any social media platform you want to prioritise in your marketing.

It’s All About Finding a Good Fit

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this blog post, it’s that you should be clear about what your needs are for social media support. Use the questions I’ve provided to select a freelance social media copywriter who can meet your needs and work seamlessly alongside your organisation.

And hey, if you’re looking for a social media copywriter for LinkedIn and want to find out if we’re a good fit, let’s chat!

Hi, I’m Julia! LinkedIn Copywriter