If you’re here, reading this (hi!), you’re probably interested in investing in custom website copy. But you want to be totally and completely sure that this is what you want, and that I’m the person you want to work with.
Good!
I’m not offended that you’re weighing me against other copywriters, or even the idea of DIYing it. I want you to find the best possible fit, so I’m going to outline everything you need to know about my website copywriting process so you can feel fully confident if ( and hopefully, when!) you choose to move forward.
This is the second part of a two-part blog series, so be sure to read the first part before diving into this one!
Part 2: How I Start Writing Website Copy
Step 2: Outlining
By this point, you’ve already filled out your brand voice questionnaire. We’ve had our hour-long strategy call brand therapy call. You’ve already seen and approved your website strategy (which I call The Brand Voice Handbook!)
Now, it’s time to start (finally) writing website copy.
We’ve already decided exactly how many pages your website needs. For most wedding vendors, a standard 5-page website is perfect. My base Custom Website Copy Package includes copy for the Home, About, and Services page, along with micro-copy (usually around 300 words) for your Blog or Portfolio page and a Contact page.
But every business is different, and we can always adjust those pages to best suit your needs. I’ve had clients who have multiple service pages to highlight distinct offers, or different pages to target different locations. All of this will be decided during your strategy call!
I build an outline for every single page.
I need a way to format my thoughts before I can write anything coherent. So once I have your strategy, I write an outline. These outlines are messy. They probably won’t make any sense to anyone outside my brain. But this is where I brain dump all my ideas for your websites and organize them into something legible.
Step 3: First Draft & Revisions
Somehow, usually in a caffeine induced trance, I translate those messy outlines into a first draft. This part is hard to explain. How do I communicate that walking in circles around my office somehow unlocked the greatest headline I’ve ever written? Some things are beyond the written word.
Essentially, I take the ideas that have been bouncing around in my head since our very first consult call and translate them into words that communicate your value. I strategically use keywords to make sure Google knows what we’re talking about, and ensure that everything aligns with your voice and strategy.
Then, I send it to you.
You’ll receive an email with a link to a shared Google Drive Folder where your first draft lives. You’ll have editing access on the Doc, so you can highlight anything you like or dislike and leave me a comment explaining why. These comments are the most important part.
I always tell my clients that you cannot offend me. If you don’t like something, tell me! And better yet, tell me why!! Website copy is a collaborative process, and I need your honest feedback to make sure your final draft is everything you want (and hopefully more).
You’ll have a week to comb through the first draft and highlight anything you like and dislike. Because the goal of the first draft is not perfection. It’s a foundation for building incredible, aligned website copy that you feel good about.
Step 4: Final Draft
Once you’ve submitted your feedback, I crawl back into my writing cave. I pay close attention to every one of your comments, learning the nuance behind the word choices you liked or disliked. And then I create a new draft, where I channel all of your edits into something that feels polished, smooth, and absolutely you.
Once you have your final draft, you are free to send it to your designer or upload it into your website platform yourself! Each draft comes with a key so you can feel confident that every headline, call to action, and review is appropriately labeled in the back end of your website.
Writing Website Copy for Wedding Vendors
I’ve designed my website copywriting process to be simple, straightforward, and easy. Because the truth is, running a business is rarely simple, straightforward, and easy. Heck, being a human isn’t, either!
My goal is to make working together feel like you can unclench your shoulders. I want you to feel confident and excited, and you can only feel that way if you understand what goes on behind the scenes!
So if you have any questions about my custom website copy package—or anything else related to business and marketing—I would love to chat with you! You can learn more about my process through reading the blog, checking out my portfolio, and following along on Instagram! And if you’ve read this and are ready to dive in, fill out the form on my contact page to schedule a call and get started!
Joanna was truly a dream to work with! Do yourself a favor and hire her ASAP! She did such an amazing job copywriting for my bridal hair and makeup website. She was so easy to work with and communication and delivery for the work was top notch!
Laura, Luna Beauty & Bridal
