7 Reasons Why Small Companies Need Freelance Writers

Based on record, in the 48 hours of Monday (March 9, 09) & Tuesday (March10th, 2009), I made close to 90 phone calls in a fresh attempt to promote my practice. What is most memorable for me during that 48 hours is one line a prospect told me: “we’re a small company“.

Defining ‘Small Company’

We’ve all heard of Small-Medium Industries (SMIs) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). But what exactly do these terms mean?

Based on the SMI Business Directory published by Tourism Publications, the working definition of SMEs depend on which category they fall under. The following table should illustrate better:-

Category	Micro-enterprise	Small Enterprise	Medium Enterprise
1. Manufacturing, manufacturing-related services & agro-based industries	Sales turnover: Under RM250,000; OR  Full-Time employees: Under 5	Sales turnover: RM250,000 to RM10 million; OR  Full-Time employees: 5 to 50	Sales turnover: RM10million to RM25 million; OR  Full-Time employees: 51 to 150
2. Services, Primary Agriculture, ICT, Mining, quarrying and construction	Sales turnover: Under RM200,000; OR  Full-Time employees: Under 5	Sales turnover: RM200,000 to RM1 million; OR  Full-Time employees: 5 to 19	Sales turnover: RM1 million to RM5 million; OR  Full-Time employees: 20 to 50

 

The Seven Reasons

Reason #1: Save money by paying per project

 

Reason #2: Save money by outsourcing

By outsourcing writing jobs out to freelancers, you don’t have to worry about our EPF, medical benefits, raise, tax etc. To top it up, you do not have to spend valuable capital on my workstation – we already have our own. That is just the visible costs. With outsourcing, you save money on utilities bill, rent, furniture etc. The space and money is best spent on other areas – including outsourcing that task to a copywriter.

Reason #3: Professionally Written Copies for Fraction of the Cost

Unless you or your staff have a background in copywriting, either two of you would write as you feel necessary. Like any other field, copywriting, too, has its own set of principles, rules and guidelines. Professional and good copywriters are always on the guard to look for new techniques and methods. Wise ones would certainly restudy what he or she has done in the past. Thus, when we handle your project, you can expect professionally written copies are produced. The best part is while you reap the fruits of the copy. you don’t have to spend a fortune on something ad hoc like this.

Reason #4: Fresh Perspective & Infusion of Ideas to Enhance Effectiveness

When you work with someone from outside the company, they can bring in their own perspective. Of course delivering your message lies at the core, but what surrounds it is a totally different matter. What business owners and inventors want to convey may kill the ‘shopping mood’. Too much information ruins the copy just as much as too little. Unless your customers are techies, might as well you write your copy in some foreign language when it’s all too technical, especially feature-wise.

Reason #5: Quick and focused attention

Most copywriters have a system to make sure all they do is write. Every now and then they’d call up or meet clients and prospects. However they’d devote at least 50% of their time on writing. Like any other great writers, the copywriter you’d want is the one that can meet the Muse easily. This is what differentiates commercial writing and creative writing – the client never waits for the Muse. Once an order is made, it must be delivered.

Reason #6: Customer oriented

According to expert Bob Bly, copywriters are salespersons behind a typewriter or computer. Instead of talking to y/our clients, we convince them via the typewritten words carefully woven together to create persuasive, if not hypnotic, copies. Your customer may be a business or a consumer, but we write with them in mind. Why? So we can sell your product – you’re paying us to do just that.

Reason #7: Specialist touch

Copywriters are specialists of their respective fields. From Day One, they’d dedicate their time to improve their craft. After a period of doing the same thing, knowledge becomes habit. Knowledge including principles and techniques – that is why copywriters cringe at bad copy and adverts.

So, when you need to write Copy…

Do shop around for a copywriter – unless you are one. Invest in experts and professionals and see the results roll in. While looking for one, remember to see how compatible they are with you. I’m sure you’re going to produce more marketing materials in the future – think long term.

 

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