7 Essential Steps to Hire a Freelance SEO Copywriter

Freelance SEO copywriter editing at cluttered desk

Hiring the right freelance SEO copywriter in Nottingham feels overwhelming when you are aiming for real results, not just well-written words. With so many options, it is easy to choose someone who promises everything, only to discover their content does not rank or resonate with your target audience. Making the wrong choice can slow your business growth and waste both time and money.

The key is knowing what truly matters when selecting a copywriter for SEO success. There are practical steps that reveal whether a freelancer has both the creative touch and the technical skills to match your business needs. From understanding your goals and checking sector experience, to recognising the importance of portfolios, client testimonials, and on-page SEO knowledge, you will find out what sets proven professionals apart.

Get ready to discover the actionable insights that help you choose with confidence. Each crucial step will put you closer to hiring a copywriter who delivers measurable results and helps your Nottingham business stand out online.

1. Define Your SEO Copywriting Goals Clearly
2. Assess Experience In Your Business Sector
3. Check Portfolio And Client Testimonials
4. Understand On-Page SEO Skills And Tools
5. Ask About Keyword Research Methods
6. Discuss Local SEO Strategy For Nottingham
7. Review Communication And Project Process

Quick Summary

Takeaway	Explanation
1. Set clear SEO goals	Clearly define your SEO objectives to guide your freelance copywriter’s efforts effectively and measurably.
2. Prioritise industry experience	Hire a copywriter with relevant industry experience to ensure understanding of your market and unique customer needs.
3. Review portfolios and testimonials	Examine previous work and client feedback to assess writing quality, adaptability, and reliability before hiring.
4. Ensure strong on-page SEO skills	Confirm the copywriter’s understanding of on-page SEO elements to enhance content visibility and performance.
5. Discuss local SEO strategies	Evaluate their approach to local SEO, particularly for Nottingham, to effectively attract local customers and enhance visibility.

1. Define Your SEO Copywriting Goals Clearly

Before you start searching for a freelance SEO copywriter, you need to know exactly what you want them to accomplish. Vague objectives lead to vague results, and in the competitive Nottingham business market, that’s a luxury you cannot afford.

When you say you want “better content” or “more traffic,” you’re speaking a language that lacks specifics. Your freelance copywriter needs concrete targets to work towards. Are you looking to drive local organic traffic to rank for “plumbing services in Nottingham”? Do you need to increase your conversion rate from website visitors to paying customers? Perhaps you’re building authority in your industry and need thought leadership content that positions you as an expert. These are completely different objectives, and they require different approaches, different keyword strategies, and different content types.

Think about your business’s current position. If you’re a small manufacturing business on the outskirts of Nottingham struggling to compete online, your goals might focus on increasing visibility for local searches. If you run an eCommerce shop selling handcrafted goods, your priority could be capturing high-intent commercial keywords where customers are ready to buy. Understanding how SEO content that ranks and converts works will help you communicate your needs effectively to your copywriter.

Set measurable targets. Instead of “increase website traffic,” say “increase organic traffic by 40 percent within six months” or “rank for 15 medium-competition keywords in our local area.” Instead of “improve conversion rates,” specify “increase leads from blog content by 25 percent” or “achieve a 3.5 percent conversion rate on product pages.” These specific metrics give your freelancer a clear benchmark against which to measure success.

Consider also which pages need attention most. You might need your homepage refreshed for local SEO, or perhaps your blog requires a complete content strategy overhaul. Your service pages might need optimisation for better conversion, or you could need entirely new content created from scratch. Clarifying which areas of your website are priorities helps your freelancer allocate time and energy where it matters most.

You should also think about your audience at this stage. Who are you trying to reach? Are you targeting other businesses, consumers, specific age groups, or decision makers in particular industries? Understanding your audience helps your copywriter choose the right tone, language, and messaging. A business selling B2B consulting services needs very different copy than one selling retail products to families.

Pro tip: Write down your top three business objectives for the next 12 months, then identify which ones directly connect to online visibility and traffic, and share these with potential copywriters during your initial conversations.

2. Assess Experience in Your Business Sector

Hiring a copywriter with experience in your specific industry is not a luxury—it is a fundamental requirement that directly impacts your content quality and results. A copywriter who has written for similar businesses understands your market, your competitors, and most importantly, your customers.

Why does sector experience matter so much? When a copywriter has worked within your industry, they already grasp the pain points your customers face. They know the language your audience uses when searching for solutions. They understand industry regulations, standards, and what messaging actually converts in your particular market. A copywriter new to your sector needs time to research, learn, and adjust. Time equals cost, and more significantly, it means delayed results.

Consider the difference between hiring someone who has written SEO copy for manufacturing firms versus someone who has only worked in fashion retail. The manufacturing copywriter knows about lead times, bulk ordering, technical specifications, and procurement decision makers. They understand how factories market to other businesses. A fashion retail specialist, by contrast, knows consumer psychology, seasonal trends, and impulse buying triggers. Neither is “bad,” but only one can immediately produce relevant, persuasive copy for your manufacturing business.

When you are evaluating freelance copywriters, look at their portfolio carefully. Does their work show experience with businesses similar to yours? If you run a healthcare clinic in Nottingham, have they written content for medical practices? If you operate an eCommerce shop selling specialty foods, have they created product descriptions and category pages for food retailers? Direct experience in your sector means they can skip the learning curve and start producing results immediately.

You should also assess whether they understand the technical and creative skills required for SEO copywriting, including keyword research tailored to your industry, competitor analysis specific to your market, and content that resonates with your particular audience. A skilled copywriter combines technical SEO knowledge with deep sector understanding to create content that ranks and converts.

Ask potential candidates about their experience directly. Request examples of work they have completed in your industry. If they have limited direct experience but strong transferable skills, ask how they would approach learning your sector. Some copywriters can quickly adapt, whilst others may struggle. The best approach is to find someone who has already done the heavy lifting of understanding your industry.

Beyond portfolio examples, check references from previous clients in your sector. Ask them about turnaround times, content quality, and whether the copywriter truly understood their business. A reference from another Nottingham business owner in a similar field provides invaluable insight into how this copywriter works with companies like yours.

There is also value in understanding whether your copywriter has managed the specific content types you need. If you require long form blog articles, do they have examples? If you need product descriptions, technical documentation, or landing page copy, can they demonstrate success with those formats? Sector experience combined with format experience ensures you get exactly what you need.

Pro tip: Ask each candidate to complete a small, paid writing sample for your business before committing to a larger project; this reveals their understanding of your sector and writing quality in real terms.

3. Check Portfolio and Client Testimonials

A portfolio and testimonials reveal what a copywriter actually delivers. Talk is cheap, but demonstrated results speak volumes. Before hiring any freelance SEO copywriter, you must spend time examining their previous work and what their clients say about working with them.

Why does this matter? Because portfolios show you the writing quality, the variety of projects they have handled, and whether their work aligns with what you need. Testimonials reveal the human side of working with them—are they responsive? Do they meet deadlines? Do they actually understand what clients are asking for? A brilliant writer who misses deadlines or fails to communicate creates more problems than solutions.

When reviewing a portfolio, look for several key things. First, check for variety across different industries and content types. A copywriter who has written for restaurants, tech companies, fitness centres, and professional services demonstrates flexibility and range. This breadth suggests they can adapt their writing style and approach to different audiences. If their portfolio is exclusively fashion retail work and you run a B2B manufacturing business, that should raise a flag.

Second, examine the quality of the writing itself. Read through sample pages or articles. Does the writing flow naturally? Is it engaging or does it feel robotic? Are the sentences varied in length and structure, or does everything sound the same? Good SEO copy balances search engine optimisation with human readability. Poor copy might rank but nobody reads it. Excellent copy gets read and converts.

Third, look for evidence of SEO success. Strong portfolios often include case studies or results. Did the copy they wrote actually rank? Did it drive traffic? Did it convert visitors into customers? Some portfolios include specific metrics like “increased organic traffic by 156 percent” or “ranked for 42 new keywords in six months.” These concrete results matter far more than vague claims about being “experienced” or “professional.”

Now consider client testimonials carefully. Real testimonials from actual clients provide insight into the working relationship. Pay attention to what clients emphasise. When reviewing strong SEO copywriter portfolios and client feedback, you will notice that testimonials often highlight specific qualities like timely delivery, thorough research, effective communication, and understanding of the client’s business needs.

Be cautious of generic testimonials that sound like they could apply to anyone. “Great work” and “highly recommended” do not tell you much. Strong testimonials are specific. “Sarah delivered our blog content two days early and the traffic results exceeded our expectations by 40 percent” gives you concrete information. “He took time to understand our local Nottingham market and tailored keywords specifically for our area” shows sector awareness.

Check whether testimonials come from verifiable sources. The best testimonials include the client’s name, company, and ideally a way to verify them. If a copywriter’s website features only anonymous testimonials or quotes with no identifying information, dig deeper. Ask for references you can contact directly. A confident copywriter welcomes this.

Look at the client base itself. Who has hired this copywriter? Are they small businesses like yours, or only large corporations? Are they local to the UK or exclusively international? Understanding who they have worked with helps you assess whether they understand businesses at your scale. A copywriter accustomed to working with Fortune 500 companies might approach small business projects differently than one specialising in growing small to medium enterprises.

Do not skip reading negative or critical feedback if you find any. Check Google reviews, Trustpilot, or industry forums. What do unhappy clients say? Sometimes complaints reveal patterns—late delivery, poor communication, misunderstanding client needs. Other times a single negative review among many positive ones is simply someone with unrealistic expectations. The pattern matters more than any single review.

Also ask the copywriter directly for client references. Request names of three to five recent clients you can contact. A legitimate professional will provide these willingly. When you contact references, ask specific questions about the working relationship, turnaround times, and results achieved. References give you insights that portfolios and testimonials alone cannot provide.

Pro tip: Request a small, paid writing sample on a topic relevant to your business before committing to a full engagement; this lets you assess their actual writing quality, research capability, and communication style firsthand.

4. Understand On-Page SEO Skills and Tools

On-page SEO is the foundation of what your copywriter will actually do every single day. If your freelancer cannot demonstrate competence in on-page optimisation, they cannot deliver results. Understanding these skills yourself helps you assess whether candidates know their craft or are simply claiming expertise.

On-page SEO refers to all the optimisation work done directly on your web pages. This includes title tags, meta descriptions, header structure, keyword placement, URL optimisation, internal linking, and content formatting. A skilled SEO copywriter masters all of these elements and understands how they work together to improve your rankings and user experience.

Start with title tags and meta descriptions. These are the first things potential customers see in search results. A title tag should be compelling, include your target keyword, and stay within 50 to 60 characters so it does not get cut off in search results. A meta description should summarise the page content in 150 to 160 characters, include your keyword naturally, and create curiosity that encourages clicks. Many copywriters write these poorly, treating them as an afterthought. Your hire should understand that these snippets are mini advertisements that directly impact click through rates.

Headers matter far more than many people realise. A page should have one H1 header containing your primary keyword, followed by strategically placed H2 and H3 headers that organise content logically. Headers help both search engines and users understand page structure. A copywriter who ignores header optimisation is leaving ranking potential on the table.

Keyword integration is an art and a science. Your copywriter needs to naturally incorporate target keywords into the content without making it read awkwardly. “Stuffing” keywords into text looks unnatural to both readers and search engines. The best copywriters weave keywords seamlessly so the content reads beautifully whilst remaining optimised. This balance separates average copywriters from excellent ones.

Internal linking strategy is often overlooked but incredibly powerful. When your copywriter writes a blog post about local SEO in Nottingham, they should link to relevant pages on your website using descriptive anchor text. This helps search engines understand your site structure and distributes ranking authority throughout your site. Ask candidates whether they consider internal linking when writing content. If they do not mention it, that is a red flag.

Understanding essential on-page SEO elements and optimisation techniques demonstrates that your copywriter knows what makes pages rank. They should be comfortable discussing URL structure, keyword density, image alt text, and page loading speed considerations. They do not need to be technical experts, but they should understand how their copy fits into the larger SEO picture.

Tool proficiency matters significantly. Most professional copywriters use SEO tools to research keywords, analyse competitors, and optimise content. Common tools include SEMrush, Ahrefs, Google Keyword Planner, Yoast SEO, or Moz. Ask candidates which tools they use and why. Their answer reveals whether they take a data driven approach or work more intuitively. Some tools are more suitable for small businesses whilst others serve enterprise clients better. A copywriter should recommend tools aligned with your budget and needs.

You can assess a candidate’s on-page SEO knowledge by asking specific questions during your interview. For example, ask them how they would optimise a product page for an eCommerce site. A strong answer mentions title tags, meta descriptions, keyword research, user intent, header structure, and internal linking. A weak answer might only mention “adding keywords” without any strategic thinking.

Consider requesting a practical test or sample. Ask the candidate to optimise an existing page from your website or create new content on a specific topic. This reveals their real world process and competence. You will see whether they conduct keyword research, consider search intent, structure content logically, and optimise technical elements.

You should also discuss their approach to balancing SEO with readability. The best copywriters understand that content must serve human readers first and search engines second. If your hire talks only about ranking and keywords without mentioning reader experience, engagement, or conversion, they are missing the complete picture.

Pro tip: Ask candidates to walk you through how they would optimise a specific page of your website, paying attention to their thought process around keywords, headers, internal links, and user intent rather than just their final recommendations.

5. Ask About Keyword Research Methods

Keyword research separates mediocre SEO copywriters from exceptional ones. This is where strategy begins. Before you hire anyone, understand how they approach finding and selecting the keywords your content will target. A copywriter with poor keyword research methods will create beautiful content that nobody finds.

Why does this matter? Every piece of content your copywriter creates should target specific keywords that your potential customers are actually searching for. If they write blog posts about topics nobody searches for, or target keywords with zero commercial intent, you are wasting time and money. Conversely, a copywriter who targets the right keywords at the right difficulty level can drive qualified traffic that converts into customers.

Keyword research is not simply about finding any keywords related to your business. It involves understanding search volume, competition level, user intent, and relevance to your goals. A copywriter might find a keyword with 100,000 monthly searches, but if that keyword is too competitive or does not match what your customers want, it is worthless. The best copywriters understand nuance and strategy.

When you interview candidates, ask them specifically about their keyword research process. A strong answer includes several elements. First, they should mention using reliable tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or similar platforms. These tools provide data on search volume and keyword difficulty. If a candidate says they “just know what people search for” without using data driven tools, that is a warning sign.

Second, they should discuss understanding user intent. This is crucial. When someone searches “plumbing repair near Nottingham,” their intent is clear—they want to hire a plumber. When someone searches “how to fix a leaky tap,” their intent is different—they want to do it themselves. A skilled copywriter tailors content to match user intent. They would not write a service sales page for someone searching for DIY instructions.

Third, ask about long-tail keywords. Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases with lower search volume but higher conversion potential. For example, “plumbing services” has massive competition, whilst “emergency plumbing services in Nottingham for commercial properties” is far less competitive and attracts highly qualified leads. A copywriter who understands long-tail keywords can find underutilised opportunities in your niche.

Fourth, enquire about competitor analysis. Effective keyword research involves understanding which keywords your competitors target and how they rank. A copywriter should study your top competitors to identify gaps—keywords they are not targeting where you could gain advantage. This competitive intelligence reveals low-hanging fruit and high-potential opportunities.

Fifth, they should understand local SEO keywords if you are targeting a specific geographical area. As a Nottingham-based business, you need keywords that include “Nottingham” or “near me” searches. A copywriter should know how to identify and target these local variations. They should also understand that mastering keyword research processes for SEO success requires balancing search volume with relevance and achievability for your specific market position.

Ask candidates about their approach to keyword difficulty. Not every keyword is worth targeting. A brand new website competing for highly difficult keywords will waste months getting nowhere. A smart copywriter prioritises keywords where you can realistically rank within a reasonable timeframe. They should discuss a strategy of starting with easier, medium-difficulty keywords to build authority before tackling the most competitive terms.

You should also ask how they update keyword research over time. Markets change. New keywords emerge. Search volume shifts. A copywriter who conducts keyword research once and never revisits it is missing opportunities. The best copywriters regularly review keyword performance and adjust strategy accordingly.

Discuss how they balance keyword targeting with natural writing. Some copywriters become so focused on keyword density that content reads awkwardly. Ask how they ensure keywords appear naturally in content. Their answer reveals whether they prioritise both search engines and human readers.

Request examples of keyword research they have conducted for past clients. Can they show you the keywords they targeted and how the content performed? This concrete evidence demonstrates their methodology and results. If a copywriter cannot provide examples, question why.

You might also ask them to conduct keyword research for your business as part of the hiring process. This reveals their real-world approach and gives you insight into the keywords they believe are most important for your success. Pay attention to whether their recommendations align with your business goals and understanding of your market.

Pro tip: Ask a candidate to perform a sample keyword research exercise for your business and explain their methodology, tool selection, and reasoning behind which keywords they recommend prioritising first.

6. Discuss Local SEO Strategy for Nottingham

If your business serves customers in Nottingham and the surrounding area, local SEO is not optional. It is your competitive advantage. When you hire a freelance copywriter, they must understand local SEO strategy specifically tailored to your market. A copywriter who only understands national SEO will miss the opportunities that drive local customers to your door.

Local SEO is fundamentally different from general SEO. When someone in Nottingham searches “plumber near me” or “best accountant in Nottingham,” they are looking for local businesses. Google knows this and prioritises local results. If your copywriter does not optimise for these local searches, you are losing customers to competitors who do. This is especially critical for small to medium-sized businesses where local customers form your core customer base.

Ask potential copywriters about their local SEO experience specifically in Nottingham. Have they worked with other Nottingham-based businesses? Do they understand the local market? The Nottingham business landscape includes everything from city centre professional services to suburban retail shops to rural manufacturers. A copywriter who has worked across different Nottingham sectors understands local nuances that generic copywriters miss.

One critical element of local SEO is Google Maps optimisation and local citation consistency. Your business information—name, address, phone number—must be identical across Google Business Profile, local directories, and your website. This consistency signals to Google that your business is legitimate and local. Your copywriter should understand this even if they do not manage these elements directly. They should know how it impacts ranking and coordinate with whoever manages your local listings.

Local keyword strategy differs significantly from general keyword research. Instead of targeting just “accountant,” you target “accountant in Nottingham” or “Nottingham tax consultant” or “accountant near city centre.” Your copywriter must understand which local variations matter most for your business. They should research search volume for Nottingham-specific terms and understand which neighbourhoods or districts matter for your target customers.

Content creation for local SEO requires specific knowledge. Your copywriter might create location pages for different Nottingham areas. They might write blog content about local events, local industry news, or local business challenges. This locally relevant content helps you rank for local searches whilst building community connection. Ask candidates how they approach writing location-specific content.

Customer reviews play a significant role in local SEO. Whilst your copywriter may not manage reviews directly, they should understand their importance. Reviews improve local ranking and influence customer decisions. Your copywriter might create content or emails asking customers to leave reviews. They should understand the connection between review generation and local visibility.

Understanding local SEO strategy and implementation for Nottingham businesses ensures your copywriter can create content that targets the right local audience with the right local intent. They should be able to discuss how to optimise for Google Maps results, how local pack rankings work, and why local content matters even for businesses with online-only revenue models.

Discuss with candidates how they would approach building local authority. For a Nottingham business, building relationships with other local businesses, sponsoring local events, and creating content about the local area all contribute to local SEO success. A copywriter might write about sponsoring a local charity, participating in community events, or featuring local customer stories. This creates local signals that Google notices.

Ask about their understanding of local search behaviour. Nottingham residents search differently than people in London or Manchester. They use different terms. They have different concerns. A copywriter who understands local search behaviour knows what content will resonate and what keywords actually matter for your business. They have done the research to understand your specific local market.

You should also discuss how they handle competing with larger national companies that have local operations. If you run an independent Nottingham business competing against national chains with local branches, local SEO becomes even more important. Your copywriter should understand strategies for competing locally against larger opponents, such as hyper-local keyword targeting and community focus content.

Consider asking candidates to analyse your current local SEO situation. Do they understand where you rank for local searches? Have they checked Google Maps rankings? Can they identify local keyword opportunities you are missing? Their analysis reveals whether they actually know local SEO or are just giving generic advice.

Pro tip: Ask candidates specifically which Nottingham-based businesses they have worked with previously and request permission to contact those clients to discuss their local SEO results and strategy.

7. Review Communication and Project Process

A brilliant copywriter who communicates poorly creates frustration and missed deadlines. Before you hire anyone, understand exactly how they work, how they communicate, and what to expect throughout your project. The right process and communication style can make the difference between a successful engagement and a nightmare.

Why does process matter? Because writing SEO copy involves multiple steps. Your copywriter needs to understand your business goals, research your audience and competitors, develop a content strategy, write drafts, incorporate your feedback, and revise before final delivery. Without a clear process, these steps become chaotic. Deadlines slip. Expectations diverge. Quality suffers. A professional copywriter has a defined process that guides every project from start to finish.

Start by asking candidates to walk you through their standard project process. A strong process typically includes an initial discovery phase where they learn about your business, goals, target audience, and competitive landscape. They should explain how they gather this information. Do they ask detailed questions? Do they request information about your competitors? Do they analyse your existing content? The depth of their discovery phase predicts how well they will understand your needs.

Next, ask about their content strategy development. Before writing a single word, a professional copywriter creates a content strategy aligned with your goals. This might include a content calendar, keyword targets, content types, publishing schedule, and success metrics. If a candidate jumps straight to writing without strategy discussion, that is a concern. Strategy comes first.

Discuss their drafting and revision process. How many revisions are included? How do they handle feedback? Do they expect detailed feedback from you or do they prefer general direction? Some copywriters work best with very specific direction. Others prefer broader guidance and autonomy. Neither is wrong, but you need compatibility. If you like detailed collaboration and they prefer autonomy, friction will develop.

Communication frequency and channels matter significantly. Ask how often they communicate during a project. Do they send weekly updates? Do they only contact you when work is ready? What communication channels do they use? Email, video calls, project management tools? A copywriter working across time zones might have different communication patterns than a local freelancer. Clarify expectations upfront. You should know exactly how and when you will hear from them.

Ask about their responsiveness. How quickly do they typically respond to emails? If you send feedback, how long before they get back to you? For small businesses managing tight timelines, slow response can derail projects. A copywriter who responds within 24 hours is valuable. One who takes a week to respond creates problems. Discuss response time expectations explicitly.

Discuss revision rounds and limits. Professional copywriters typically include a certain number of revision rounds in their fees. Ask how many revisions are standard. What happens if you request extensive revisions beyond the agreed rounds? Are additional revisions charged separately? Understanding this prevents surprises and cost overruns.

Talk about their approach to feedback. Do they accept all feedback, or do they push back if they disagree? There is value in both approaches. A copywriter who accepts every suggestion might not challenge weak ideas. One who pushes back might educate you about why certain suggestions do not work. The best copywriters explain their reasoning and collaborate to find solutions rather than simply complying or resisting.

A well structured project process with clear communication ensures content quality and deadline adherence, helping you understand what to expect at each stage. Ask candidates whether they provide a written project brief or contract outlining deliverables, timeline, revisions, and payment terms. Professional freelancers use written agreements that protect both parties.

Discuss how they handle delays or issues. What if they miss a deadline? What if you are unhappy with the initial draft? A good copywriter has contingency plans and transparent communication about problems. They should never vanish if something goes wrong.

Ask about their tools and systems. Do they use project management software like Asana or Monday.com? Do they have a shared folder where you can access drafts? How do they organise files and communication? Organised systems prevent miscommunication and lost work. A copywriter with proper systems is one you can trust to stay organised.

Consider asking for references specifically about working process. Contact previous clients and ask not just about content quality, but about the working experience. Was communication clear? Were deadlines met? Did revisions happen smoothly? Were there any project management issues? These references reveal the reality of working with this copywriter beyond their portfolio.

During your interviews, pay attention to how they listen and ask questions. A copywriter who asks thoughtful questions about your business is demonstrating their process. One who talks mostly about themselves without showing curiosity about your needs might not prioritise your goals sufficiently.

You should also discuss how they handle scope creep. What if you ask them to expand a project or add new work? How do they adjust timelines and fees? Clear conversations about scope prevent misunderstandings. A professional copywriter will discuss how additional work affects the timeline and cost.

Pro tip: Request a written project proposal from your top candidate that outlines their proposed timeline, revision process, communication frequency, deliverables, and payment terms so you can compare approaches before hiring.

This table provides an overview of strategies and considerations for hiring a freelance SEO copywriter as discussed in the article.

Aspect	Key Details	Implications
Defining SEO Goals	Set specific, measurable objectives, such as increasing local traffic or optimising conversion rates.	Clear goals facilitate targeted strategies and measurable success.
Evaluating Industry Experience	Assess the copywriter’s experience within your particular business sector for more relevant content.	Insightful knowledge ensures accurate and effective messaging tailored to your audience.
Reviewing Portfolio	Examine past work and client testimonials to gauge their capability and reliability.	Reliable samples and reviews build confidence in the copywriter’s skill and professionalism.
Assessing SEO Skills	Ensure the copywriter understands on-page SEO techniques, like optimisation of tags and keywords.	Proper skill application leads to improved search engine rankings and user engagement.
Keyword Research Methods	Verify the copywriter’s approach to identifying impactful keywords related to local or industry terms.	Strategic keyword use enhances visibility and attraction of relevant audience traffic.
Local SEO Knowledge	Investigate their expertise in tailoring strategies for local markets, including optimising location-specific content.	Local insights provide competitive advantage by effectively targeting regional customers.
Communication and Process	Clarify their approach to workflow, feedback, and revisions for efficient collaboration.	Structured processes improve project outcomes and minimise miscommunication or delays.

Unlock the Full Potential of Your SEO Copywriting Strategy Today

Hiring a freelance SEO copywriter who truly understands your business goals and the Nottingham market is critical to growing your online presence and turning visitors into customers. The article highlights the importance of clear objectives, sector experience, on-page SEO skills, and local SEO knowledge. If you are facing challenges such as vague SEO goals, ineffective keyword research, or lacklustre local content, it is time to partner with an expert who delivers measurable results.

Take the stress out of SEO copywriter hiring by working directly with Paul Baguley, a seasoned SEO consultant with over 14 years of expertise helping businesses thrive nationally and locally. Discover tailored SEO strategies and proven copywriting techniques designed to boost your website traffic and conversions. Visit Paul Baguley Digital now and explore how his national, local, and eCommerce SEO services can transform your digital marketing efforts. Start with a free SEO audit and gain clarity on your next steps to sustainable online success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific goals should I define before hiring a freelance SEO copywriter?

To maximise the effectiveness of your SEO copywriting, clearly define your goals, such as increasing organic traffic by a specific percentage or ranking for certain keywords. Write down these objectives to communicate them effectively during initial discussions with potential copywriters.

How important is a copywriter’s experience in my industry?

A copywriter with experience in your specific industry can deliver more relevant and persuasive content. Assess their portfolio for examples of past work related to businesses like yours to ensure they understand your market and audience.

What should I look for in a freelance SEO copywriter’s portfolio?

Examine the variety of content types they have written and the quality of their writing. Look for evidence of SEO success with specific metrics, as well as testimonials from past clients to gauge their reliability and professionalism.

How can I evaluate a copywriter’s on-page SEO skills?

Discuss their understanding of critical on-page SEO elements such as title tags, header structure, and keyword integration. Ask them to describe their process for optimising content to ensure they can balance SEO requirements with readability.

What should I ask during interviews with freelance SEO copywriters?

Prepare specific questions about their project process, communication style, and methods for conducting keyword research. This will help you understand how well they align with your business needs and can deliver the results you desire.

How can I ensure effective communication during the project?

Clarify your expectations for communication frequency and methods upfront. Establish a written project brief that outlines timelines, revision processes, and deliverables to prevent misunderstandings and ensure a smooth collaboration.