Sometimes, we are expected by our clients to write the copy for their websites or brochures.
There are several reasons why this is impractical. The first reason is a legal one. If we wrote the copy for you project, and made an error, then we could be liable for that error.
For example, if you are a restaurant and we wrote that all the dishes you serve are made from locally-sourced produce, and you don't, then what could happen? Let's say tat a customer comes to your restaurant because he has read that you use only local produce. He finds that this isn't the case. You know how many restaurant scams there are out there - what if he tells you he wants to be compensated because your website misled him?
Copywriters have insurance that covers them against this sort of thing; we do not.
But leaving the legal aspect aside for a moment, let's look at the practical side of things.
You know your business much better than we do. You and your staff are in a far better position to write about it. Yes, we will proof your copy for grammatical errors and typos. Of course. If your project is a website, we might slightly adjust your copy to improve its keyword density and thus help its search engine presence.
But here's the most important aspect. Assuming that you are writing for your website, remember that it is the best marketing tool your business has. It should be written with extreme care and thought. By all means, employ a professional copywriter - in fact, we can recommend an excellent chap.
But please, don't give us a few sentences and say "make a website out of that". It has happened. Or your company brochure - search the web for "the worst mistakes you can make on your website" and you'll find, before long, someone saying "don't recycle your brochure content as your website content".
Give your website the attention it deserves.
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