There are many factors, and one of them is you.

The most important factor in determining how long a copywriting project will take is the complexity of the project.

As obvious as it sounds, there are many factors that can affect this.

Length: How much needs to be written? If you're just creating a simple tagline that can fit on one side of an index card, then it will probably take less time than writing novel-length website copywriting.

If competition in your niche is low then you might not need as many words to rank within google (for more SEO tips check out my previous posts).

Number of assets: One page requires less effort than three web pages or five landing pages or 15 social media posts—you get the idea.

But, sometimes boiling down a concept into just 3 words is far more complicated than writing a whole ‘about us’ page. Those 3 words need to hit the spot straight away.

Number of stakeholders:

A single project owner means there's only one person who needs to approve your work before it goes live, but if you have multiple stakeholders, then each person may want their suggestions to be implemented before moving forward. This makes for more back and forth communication and rounds of revisions when compared to working with only one stakeholder. The best way for this is to make yourself (or one of your team) the single point of contact with your copywriter.

Do you really need to be so involved or can you delegate and be hands off until the final draft? I’d recommend a little involvement in the concepting and requirements (naturally), but once the first draft is up and running you might be able to step back after giving a little direction.

Brand guidelines:

The more detailed your brand guidelines are, the easier it is for your copywriter to figure out what they need from you and how they can shape your messaging directed at customers.

On the other hand, if brand guidelines are sparse or ambiguous, then your copywriter will have a harder time figuring out what tone and style you want and whether or not your ideas align.

This can translate to extra rounds of revisions later on because small changes could've been caught earlier on in the process if brand guidelines were clearer going into it – extra revisions can mean extra expenses, especially if your copywriter is as expensive as me.

Build in time for revisions.

Revisions will happen in every project, so make sure you build them into your timeline and appreciate that drafts often differ from final products.

You should also give yourself time to receive multiple rounds of the copywriting —and allow time for you to approve or suggest changes. Then leave additional time for any final edits or tweaks before the content is published.

You should also account for your own schedule.

If you have a lot on your plate, make sure to factor that into your planning.

You have competing priorities, and even if you're delegating to a project manager or coordinator, things may pop up that take priority over copywriting.

You might also consider adding a buffer day in case unforeseen circumstances come up— for example for last minute travel plans or even holidays.

Also, you’ll often put off reviewing work until the deadline is closer than your copywriter prefers, which can cause them to be unavailable when you need them on hand. U

How long a copywriting project takes also depends on your response time.

This is the single most impactful cause of delays on any project I’ve carried out. The time it takes you to respond to questions and review work is another factor that has a big impact on the speed of the project.

If approval is needed from multiple people, responses can sometimes be delayed by internal processes that have nothing to do with you. And if these delays are not factored into the schedule outlined in the proposal, you risk missing deadlines.

If this happens, it's important to be open about what's happening so you can avoid a negative outcome.

This means communicating clearly with the copywriter throughout the delay and making sure they understand what needs to happen in order for the project to move forward smoothly.

In some cases, it may make sense for you to outline specific "go/no-go points" in your original proposal—for example, "If don't receive draft of this part of the content by this date, we won't be able to move forward."

Other things that might impact how long a copywriting project takes include launch timing.

• Launch timing:

• If you need the content for a specific date or event, it's important to let your writer know that up front. You'll probably want to set an earlier deadline than you normally would so your writer has time to complete the project and you have time to review the content before it goes live. 

• Client feedback:

• The more detailed and direct your feedback is, the easier it will be for your copywriter to incorporate your suggestions. It will also help them understand what works for you and what doesn't.

• Try not to be vague with comments like "I think this is better" or "This one feels off." Not only are these statements hard for a writer to take action on, they could lead the writer down a rabbit hole of revisions that might stray from their original vision of what they wanted their work to look like.

Copywriting projects can vary in timing due to a number of factors, but you should plan realistically from the onset.

As a client, you have the advantage of agreeing to a schedule.

While most projects can be done in a day or two, some tasks might take weeks—and it's important to plan accordingly to meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.

The timing of your project will usually depend on three main factors: the scope of the job, how many rounds of revision you need to make and how busy your client is.

Website copywriting can take up to two months. I’ve known websites take over 3 months due to incorporating too many brand changes through the project.

Want it faster?

Then you’ll probably have to pay more. As an experienced copywriter I charge a premium for clients who want copy quicker than usual. Often a realistic timeframe for a 5-page website copywriting project is 6 weeks. It builds in revisions, analysis, and changes in marketing proposals.

If you want it in 3 weeks then you’ll have to pay a premium so that I prioritise your work. Want it in one week, and you’re going to get a car-crash of copy that might just hit the mark if I’m good enough, but you probably don’t need it within 7 days – let’s be realistic.

A note on writers who deliver ‘blazing fast 5 day website packages’. They’re out there. I’ve met a couple.

They’re ok….and from what I can gather they don’t take amphetamines as a way to blast out 50 hours of writing. In reality I can write quality content for 4 hours a day. Anything more and I burn out, just like many of my fellow copywriters.

So when I see offers of ‘I’ll write your whole website in a week’, I question the quality of the end product and the need for website copy in such a short deadline - but I’ll always say this also: If they’re cheap, and budget is your priority then just go with the cheapest option.

Good copywriters charge based on experience - their proven track record to deliver.

A good copywriter sets a reasonable deadline and works towards it, doing everything they can to communicate their progress and any changes to delivery.

A good client sets a reasonable deadline and helps move the project along when required, communicating any obstacles or changes needed in delivery.

Good luck with your next project. By the end of it, you’ll hopefully have creative that you’re proud of - words that does your company justice and propels it above the competition.

Want to save yourself a headache and hire an Ireland based Copywriter who.is responsive and creative? Just claim your free discovery session here!

Keep hustling,

Keep copywriting!

Thanks for reading,

Adam