Hire A Copywriter, AI Copywriting, or DIY: Which Is Right For You?

Let’s be real, babes, writing copy for your business can be a straight-up nightmare. You’re staring at a blank screen trying to come up with the perfect words to sell your services, and suddenly it’s three hours later and you’ve written… nothing.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. According to the Content Marketing Institute, content creation is the #1 challenge for 65% of small business owners. But here’s the tea: you don’t have to do it all yourself.

This guide breaks down exactly how to outsource your copy — whether to keep doing it yourself, trust the machine, or hire a copywriter — what it’ll cost you, and how to choose the right solution for your business. Let’s dive in!

When to Consider Outsourcing Copy

How do you know when it’s time to call in the professionals? Aside from the hair you’ve started pulling out in frustration, you want to look for these signs:

• You’re spending hours writing copy that should take minutes
• Your website/emails/social copy aren’t converting into paying clients
• You’re constantly pushing copy to the bottom of your to-do list and doing it last-minute
• You’re launching a new offer and need it to convert
• Your brand voice is all over the place

Different Approaches to Outsourcing Copy

I’m nothing if not an options Queen! There are a lot of ways you can get someone (or something) else to write your copy — but not all outsourcing options are created equal. Let’s break down your choices:

DIY with AI Support

What it is: Using AI tools like Claude or ChatGPT to help you write your own copy.

Best for: Businesses just starting out, tight budgets, simple copy needs.

Pros:

• Lowest cost option
• 24/7 availability
• Quick turnaround

Cons:

• Lacks human creativity and understanding
• Requires heavy editing
• Often sounds generic
• Can’t verify everything it puts out is true
• Limited cultural relevance

Freelance Marketplace

What it is: Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr where you can hire copywriters.

Best for: One-off projects, testing the waters with professional help.

Pros:

• Wide range of price points
• Quick to find someone
• Easy to compare options

Cons:

• Quality varies wildly
• Limited accountability
• Little consistency between projects
• Minimal strategic input

Hire A Copywriter On A Project-Based Basis

What it is: Hire a copywriter for specific projects.

Best for: Important copy assets like websites, launch campaigns.

Pros:

• Higher quality than marketplaces
• Experienced in your specific project type
• More accountability
• Professional results

Cons:

• Higher price point
• Limited availability
• New onboarding for each project
• Lack of ongoing support

Agency Partnership

What it is: Working with a marketing agency that handles copy as part of their services.

Best for: Businesses needing full-service marketing support.

Pros:

• Integrated strategy
• Team of specialists
• Comprehensive approach
• Full-service support

Cons:

• Highest price point
• Less personal attention
• Sometimes less specialized in copy
• Potential for disconnect

Hire A Copywriter For A Retainer Relationship

What it is: Ongoing partnership with a dedicated copywriter who handles all your copy needs.

Best for: Growing businesses with regular copy needs.

Pros:

• Priority service
• Consistent brand voice
• Deeper business understanding
• Strategic partnership
• Flexible support

Cons:

• Monthly investment
• Requires planning
• Higher commitment level

Cost Comparison of Different Models

We all know that we have to be Budget Betties as small business owners. So let’s talk money, honey:

Option	Typical Cost Range	Best For
AI Tools	$0-50/month	DIY support, idea generation
Freelance Marketplace	$50-500/project	Small, one-off projects
Project-Based Copywriter	$500-10,000/project	Important assets like websites
Agency	$2,000-20,000+/project	Full-service marketing needs
Retainer	$1,500-6,000/month	Ongoing, consistent copy needs

But here’s what that chart doesn’t show you: the hidden costs of cheap copy.

According to HubSpot, businesses with professional copy see conversion rates up to 30% higher than those without. When a single conversion could be worth thousands, suddenly that “cheap” option doesn’t look so cheap anymore.

How to Choose the Right Solution

Business Assessment

Start by asking yourself:

• How much copy do I need regularly?
• What’s my budget?
• How important is consistency?
• Do I need strategic input or just execution?

Copy Asset Inventory

Then, make a list of all your copy needs:

• Website pages
• Email sequences
• Social media content
• Sales pages
• Blog posts
• Ads
• Video scripts, etc.

How to Choose

When evaluating options, look for:

• Portfolio quality that resonates with you
• Experience with your industry
• Communication style that matches yours
• Clear process and timelines
• Client testimonials and results

Making the Most of Your Outsourced Copy

Onboarding Best Practices

You’ll never like working with a copywriter if you set them up to fail! Set your copywriter up for success:

• Share your brand voice guidelines
• Provide examples you love
• Set clear expectations
• Establish communication channels
• Fill out their onboarding questionnaire

Collaboration Tips

Because your copywriter isn’t just a quick hire, they’re your collaborator. So to have a successful partnership:

• Create detailed briefs
• Give specific, constructive feedback
• Respect the process
• Be available for questions

The Power of a Retainer Relationship

While all these options can work, here’s why a retainer relationship often provides the best long-term value:

• Priority Service: Need something ASAP? Retainer clients get priority service and get their copy sooner.
• Deeper Understanding: Your copywriter becomes intimately familiar with your business, so when you say “It should be like this”, they’ll have a crystal clear picture of what to do.
• Consistent Voice: No more explaining your brand over and over. They’ll get your voice, and keep it consistent.
• Strategic Partner: It’s like having a big brained bestie in your back pocket. You can get input on strategy, not just the execution.
• Better ROI: The longer you work together, the more efficient the process becomes!

Case Study: Atabey & Co.

Let me tell you about Atabey & Co., a podcast media agency for women, WOC, and LGBTQ+ podcasters. Before working together, their website copy wasn’t converting visitors into clients.

After implementing our retainer relationship:

• Their Google visibility increased dramatically
• They started attracting perfectly aligned leads
• Their brand voice became consistent across all platforms
• They could focus on their zone of genius instead of stressing about copy

Ready to Stop Stressing About Copy?

The right outsourcing solution can transform your business from copy chaos to conversion machine. Whether you choose AI support, project-based work, or a retainer relationship, the important thing is taking that first step toward professional copy.

I’m currently booking Copy Retainer clients for April and beyond. So if you’re ready to:

• Save hours each week
• Get consistent, conversion-focused copy
• Work with a copywriter who gets your brand
• Stop stressing about what to write

Let’s chat about how my Copy Retainer service can support your business goals.

Inquire for 1:1 copywriting services >>>

Remember, the most successful businesses know when to DIY and when to bring in the pros. Your copy is too important to leave to chance!