Copywriters – how much are you worth?

The whole copify incident led to some ‘interesting debate’ today. This new business is essentially hiring writers out for 2p or 4p per word, depending on whether they’re ‘real’ writers or not (oh I’ll go for the cheap rubbish writer please).

Naturally, copywriters aren’t too keen on these kind of outfits. Copify actually sounds a bit like those home working schemes where you get 2p per widget made. I’m doubtful any client will get anything more than shallow, poorly targeted fluff from this service, even if it is properly spelt, grammatically correct fluff.

Copify hasn’t helped itself by sounding a bit like a cowboy outfit with no ‘real’ contact details on its website, then seemingly having a back-patting conversation with itself on Twitter while blocking dissenters. We may be cheap, Copify, but we have feelings.

But the problem really lies with clients who think it’s easy to fill a copy-shaped whole with any old nonsense. It happens all the time in PR. Both clients and the actual people you work with will essentially present the brief ‘write 500 words on x’ and, knowing this is all the brief you’re going to get, you will have to work to find a point to the piece, a set of messaging and an angle all by yourself.

This isn’t going to change, people being what they are, but Copify, you don’t have to make a business model out of it.

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Andrew Nattan says:

February 8, 2010 at 8:24 pm

Well put (and thanks for the link!).

What they don’t seem to understand is that those of us who aren’t too impressed are pissed off by them devaluing our services, as opposed to the money offered.

Look at the problems SEOs have thanks to snake oil salesmen using the term. Do we want copywriters to have the same issues, even on a small scale?

Rob McVey says:

February 9, 2010 at 12:27 pm

Hello “lemondrizzle”!

My name is Rob and I am one of the “cowboys” involved in Copify – I’m also the owner of a web development company. I am mainly involved in the technical side of the website. I don’t wear “chaps” however, I find they rub and I can’t concentrate!

Just a quick correction to your post. Firstly, Copify is based here http://www.infolab21.lancs.ac.uk/about/ and you could even drop by if you so wished to do so, ask for Rob McVey at MJR Web Ltd. at the recpetion. I’ll even buy you a coffee in our fantastic cafe!

Office B46
Knowledge Business Centre,
InfoLab21,
Lancaster University,
LA1 4WA

Corrections over!

Thanks for posting on the subject, its good people are discussing Copify although it does all seem so depressing and negative.

Despite being “demonised” by alot of copywriters (copywriters who we respect gratefully and would love to have involved may I add) we are actually nice people, and have good intentions on the most part (I sometimes fake my Cafe Loyalty stamps to get a free coffee) but hey, nobodies perfect!

Please please please, just acknolwedge this is 1 week after launch…its early days and we want to make Copify useful to everyone, at every level.

We want to cater for the “newbie” copywriters who are happy getting experience and delivering content for the demand of publishers who do not need the “premium” level offered by more experience copywriters like yourself. In turn, they will earn less money for the same work (which yes, is preiced per word…the way the client prefers so this is staying for now, sorry!)

We also want to try and attract the “high end” clients and put them in touch with you guys. With all due respect we have some huge (HUGE) clients willing to test the water but we need to ensure quality. And again, with all due respect, if they are willing to pay up to 10p per word (or £70 per hour….or £30 per page…or however you want to argue the toss about how they pay) for their copy, you need to show us you have the goods to cater for these clients, and after only 1 week of knowing who we have in the “pool” of writers we can not charge this much…..Yet.

Do bear with us, give it a few weeks and there will be copywriters of all levels, catering for all types of clients.

After all, not everyone wants to pay a premium for the top-copywriters, and not everyone can deliver premium content.

So let Copify find its feet, and find a good balance betweeen paying the right copywriters a great price (the right price), but maintaing a service for all types of client.

Thanks for posting about us! We are taking note of all the “hype” and listening to you guys I promise (note the first ammendment to the price tier on Copify, a new level of 8p per word for Premium wirters) and we will continue to work these prices until we strike that happy balance.

Good luck and we wish you all the best!

Rob McVey