What Does A Copywriter Do? And Do YOU Need One?

“I’m a copywriter,” I say. 

“Uh-huh. So, what is it you actually do?”

Time for honesty. Until a few years ago, I didn’t know what a copywriter was either. Editor? Sure. Writer? Absolutely. Heck, I was an “online content editor”, I had a fairly good grasp of what it meant to create digital content! Yet I associated the copywriter role with high-rise London offices, Mad Men, and newspapers. So I’m not surprised when people don’t understand what my job title entails.  

As with any other behind-the-scenes profession, there are those in the role who make it sound more complicated than it is. They hide behind marketing-speak and technical jargon in order to inflate their own sense of self-importance.

Well, if you’ve ever talked to one of us here at Fyxen, you’ll know that’s not how we operate. Today I’ll be lifting the (very ordinary and not at all mystical) lid on what it means to be a copywriter, what copywriting services entail, and whether you need one. 

Copywrite. Copyright. What’s the difference?

Other than being asked where the name Fyxen came from, this is the question we get asked most regularly. Let’s face it; it’s rather unfortunate that two different concepts have been given uncannily similar names. Here’s the long and short of it:

• A copywriter writes content to be used online or in print. 
• A copyright is a legal claim to decide how intellectual property is used. 

That’s a very pared down description of what a copywriter does, so let’s delve a little deeper. 

What is a copywriter?

Technically, a copywriter creates text for marketing or advertising. While this was very clear-cut in times when the only types of media were print or radio, lines have blurred in the digital age. Is a blog marketing material? Yes and no. 

Everything that you post online is viewable to an audience. All of your content combines to give customers a glimpse at the type of business you run. With that in mind, everything you post can be considered advertising. Every blog is marketing material. It all has an impact.

What do they do?

The answer to this question depends largely on the individual copywriter and the relationship that you choose to have with them. A full-time copywriter who is salaried to a business may take full ownership of a company’s online presence, managing social media, creating blogs and updating website content. 

Meanwhile, a copywriter for hire will do as much or as little as you need. They can be an extra pair of eyes, editing a finished document before it gets sent to a potential investor. Or they can recreate your entire online presence. Essentially, a copywriter is someone who understands the intricacies and quirks of the English language and knows how to make it work best on the page. 

How can a copywriter help your business?

To give you an idea of how small businesses are using our copywriting services, here are some of the projects we’re most often tasked with at Fyxen:

• Blog writing

For the vast majority of people, writing regular blogs is a thankless task, but one which needs to be done to stay on the right side of Google algorithms. It’s hard writing about your own business; that’s where we come in.

• Website content from scratch

Whether for a new business, a separate service or a featured product, populating your website with great content is just one of the services we offer. We even work with your web designer (or one of our own) to ensure smooth execution. 

• Website content rewrites

Website looking a bit sad? Not getting the traffic you deserve? Often an overhaul of content is all that’s needed to revive your old site and get customers visiting .

• Social media content

For a fixed fee, we provide Facebook and Instagram posts complete with hashtags, ready for you to upload at your leisure. 

• English editing

Many of our clients have English as an additional language. Nothing loses a potential customer quicker than a language barrier. We edit existing copy or create from scratch to allow your product or service to shine.

Do YOU need a copywriter?

So, now for the big question. Do you actually need a copywriter? Here at Fyxen, we tell it like it is and the truth is that many businesses don’t need copywriting services. 

If you have a good command of the English language, ideas for content and (this is the big one) have the time to sit down and write; you don’t need us. 

However, if:

• You’re too busy to sit down every week and write a new blog
• Content management is becoming too big a task
• Writing isn’t something you enjoy
• What you’ve always done isn’t working
• The content you’re uploading isn’t the best it can be
• You want to forego the effort and stress of creating new content,

then investing in a copywriting service is a great solution. 

If any of these points ring true to you, send us an email and we’ll get in touch to discuss your options.