Copywriters can be pricey to begin with, what with all their creative talent and technical ability. But when you compare the cost of hiring one against one of the many other options you have available to you at a fraction of the price, it’s just good sense to see where you might be able to step back and make a saving in your business.

So, if you find yourself in the position of feeling you might indeed need to hire a copywriter to help you promote your product or sell your service, here are some things you can do to ensure you’re not racing out and paying for this profession when it’s probably not even necessary.

1. The obvious one! Run your thoughts through ChatGPT or one of its many prompt-loving pals. The admittedly great thing about AI is that it provides a genuinely solid starting point for writing, and thanks to your clients being completely devoid of any actual thinking or feeling when making their buying decisions, you can just use whatever it churns out as your end point, too. Job done.

2. Put the feelers out to see if anyone’s got a GCSE in English and a minute or two to give you some guidance. As a seasoned copywriter myself, I honestly don’t know where I’d be without the foundations of my Macbeth coursework or my extensive knowledge of verb tenses, so it’s absolutely no surprise that my most successful year as a writer was the one that started right after I finished high school. If you find someone operating at that level, I say grab ‘em. The prices of hiring a ‘professional’ copywriter only skyrocket with the more so-called experience they’ve gained and the impressive raft of testimonials they’ve amassed under their belts.

3. Find someone who’s happy to do your writing as an attractive upsell. So, for example, if you’re currently having your bathroom re-done and the fitter mentions they’ve got capacity to have a butcher’s at your website copy whilst the sealant dries, go right ahead and take advantage of the availability. It’s nothing if not convenient given the existing deep-seated relationship and knowledge of bank details, and surely they wouldn’t offer to do a job they’re completely unqualified for just because they fancy some extra cash, would they?

4. Approach a copywriter, but generously suggest that they do the work for free rather than on a paid basis. Sure, money may help them pay their mortgage or enable their kids to enjoy new shoes, but just think of the money-can’t-buy benefits you can offer your new ‘hire’ via the currency of exposure, portfolio building, and the promise of future work. That’s an offer no genuine copywriter will refuse, I promise you.

5. Write it yourself. I honestly don’t know why more people don’t just do this, seeing as DIY projects famously cost zero money, even if you do make a holy mess of it and take the best part of a lunar month to nail the basics. You got this!

Okay, so obviously I would write it myself, because I’m a fucking brilliant copywriter. And that’s why you’re still reading this piece and have a strong reaction to it, isn’t it? Keep that in mind when you’re looking to recommend or hire a copywriter, won’t you.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, my washing machine broke down earlier this morning, so I’m off to have a bash at fixing it with a knife and some glue.