Should you invest in a copywriting retainer?

Every business needs written content.

From your website and social media to your newsletters, ads, product descriptions and everything in between, you need well-written copy that's easy to understand and connects with your audience.

But keeping up with the constant demand is a whole different story.

That's where a copywriting retainer comes in.

What is a copywriting retainer?

In short, it's an agreement between you and a copywriter where they write a set amount of work every month for an agreed fee.

How does a copywriting retainer work?

They're dead easy.

You and the copywriter agree on:

• Monthly Deliverables: This could be based on the number of hours worked or a specific amount of content, like four blog posts and two emails,
• Monthly Fee: You pay an agreed fee each month for the agreed-upon work, which gives you predictable content expenses.
• Flexible Workflow: Retainers also offer lots of flexibility, so you can change the monthly fee to fit what you need that month

Now, the juicy part.

The pros of investing in a copywriter on a retainer

Not sure why you need one?

Here are the seven biggest reasons why you do:

One. You get consistent content

When your writer is constantly in the loop with your brand, they understand your voice, audience and goals like the back of their hand.

The result?

Dead good, consistent on-brand content.

Two. It's a money-saver

When you pay for individual projects, the costs add up fast. But with a copywriting retainer, you usually get a discount for the long-term commitment.

You save money and get a reliable stream of content.

Three. No surprises in your budgeting

You know exactly what you're getting and how much you're paying, which makes it easy to budget for your content marketing.

Four. You're a priority for your writer

When you have a copywriter on retainer, you're not just another client.

You're a priority.

Need a blog post turned around quickly?

No problem!

Your copywriter already has the time blocked out for you each month.

Five. They're pretty flexible

A copywriting retainer can be tailored to your needs.

If you need more content in one month and less in the next, most copywriters are happy to adjust the fee.

You never pay for more than you need.

Six. You get a strategic partner, not just a writer

A retainer copywriter often becomes a strategic partner in your business.

They can help with content strategy, brainstorm ideas, and create social media posting schedules that align with your marketing goals.

Seven. It leaves you to focus on your job

You don't have time to micromanage every piece of content that goes out.

Once your copywriter understands your brand, they'll handle everything from content creation to editing, freeing you up to focus on the big-picture stuff (or, you know, taking a few days off).

Is a retainer right for your business?

Are you still on the fence?

Here are some quick bullet points that'll tell you if one will suit you.

You:

• Need ongoing content for blogs, websites, emails or social media
• Struggle to create consistent messaging and branding in your existing copy
• Don't want to hire multiple writers when you need stuff writing
• Need someone who can think strategically about content, not just churn out words

If any of those sound like you, then it's time to consider a copywriting retainer.

Are you ready to pay a set monthly fee?

If you know taking a writer on retainer is the right option for you, let's chat to see how I can help - or ask your current or preferred copywriter about their monthly retainer terms.

Until next time

Matt

PS. SEO is dead tricky and ideal work for a retainer writer, but if you fancy a crack, check out 24 awesome ways to optimise SEO for blog posts.

PPS. Or if you're interested in SEO copywriters as a whole, have a gander at this, Who is the best SEO copywriter to work with?

This article first appeared on IndelibleThink.co.uk