Clinch

Free template · 16 questions

Copywriter client questionnaire

Copy is only as good as the brief. These questions get you the audience, the offer and the objections, which is 80% of the writing.

When to send it: Before the first draft.

The offer

  1. 1.What are you selling, and at what price?
  2. 2.Who is the buyer, and what are they struggling with before they find you?
  3. 3.Why should they choose you over the obvious alternative?
  4. 4.Top three objections you hear from prospects.
  5. 5.Proof you have: testimonials, numbers, case studies, press.

The copy

  1. 6.What exactly do you need written (pages, emails, ads) and roughly how long?
  2. 7.One action the reader should take.
  3. 8.Tone of voice: three words, plus examples of writing you like.
  4. 9.Words or claims we must avoid (legal, compliance, brand)?

Process

  1. 10.Who reviews the drafts, and how many rounds do you expect?
  2. 11.Do you need SEO keywords targeted?

Budget, timing and decisions

  1. 12.What budget range have you set aside for this?
  2. 13.Is there a hard deadline, and what happens if it moves?
  3. 14.Who else needs to approve the work or the contract?
  4. 15.How would you prefer we communicate (email, calls, messaging), and how often?
  5. 16.How did you hear about me?

Send it, and get the answers back

Stop copying answers out of email threads. With Clinch the questionnaire goes out with your proposal or contract, your client fills it in from their phone, and the deposit is paid when they sign.

Send this questionnaire free

Questions about client questionnaires

When should a copywriter send a client questionnaire?

Before the first draft.

Can I edit these questions?

Yes. Copy them, remove what does not apply and add your own. Shorter questionnaires get answered faster: keep only the questions whose answers change your price, your plan or your contract.

Should the questionnaire come before or after the contract?

Questions that affect price and scope belong before the proposal; the detailed ones (names, timelines, access) work best right after signing, when the client is committed and expects them.

How do I send it with Clinch?

Create a free Clinch account, paste the questions, and send them with your proposal or contract. Your client answers from their phone without an account, and the answers are saved on the client's record.