What Does a Copywriting Consultant Actually Do?

You could be forgiven for thinking a copywriting consultant is just a fancy name for a copywriter. But, there are some differences which means your business may benefit from a copywriting consultant over a ‘bog standard’ (no offence intended, writers) copywriter.

For many SMEs, the role feels vague. You know you need better content. You know your messaging could be clearer. But you’re not sure whether you need someone to write copy, fix copy, or tell you what to write in the first place.

This article breaks it down properly: what a copywriting consultant actually does, how they’re different from copywriters and agencies, and whether hiring one makes sense for your business.

What is a copywriting consultant?

A copywriting consultant doesn’t just write words. They design the system behind the words.

Instead of focusing on individual blog posts or pages, a copywriting consultant looks at:

• How your messaging works across your business

• How content gets produced

• Why things feel inconsistent or slow

• Where copy is costing you time or money

Think of them as someone who helps create an all-around copy-producing strategy.

Copywriting consultant vs copywriter: what’s the difference?

This is where most confusion comes from.

A copywriter is typically hired for specific tasks, like write specific pieces of content or deliver a certain number of words per month.

However, a copywriting consultant is hired to analyse your messaging, improve how content is created, define tone of voice and standards, build frameworks and templates and help teams write better long-term.

So, a lot more. Of course, both have value, but they solve two different problems.

If you need someone to write a blog post, you might need a copywriter. If you’re wondering why copy is always so hard, then a copywriting consultant is probably more appropriate.

What copywriting services does a consultant actually provide?

While every consultant works slightly differently, most copywriting services at the consultant level focus on structure, clarity and scalability.

Common areas include:

• Tone of voice guidelines

• Brand messaging frameworks

• Content strategy help

• Content templates and prompts

• Editorial standards

• Messaging audits

• Content workflows

The goal isn’t to make you dependent. It’s to make your team more capable.

When do SMEs actually need a copywriting consultant?

Not every business needs one. But certain signs show up again and again.

For example, you might need a copywriting consultant if:

• Your content sounds different every time

• AI output feels generic or off-brand

• Freelancers need constant rewriting

• Marketing feels slower than it should

• No one agrees on how the brand should sound

• Content depends on one person’s head

These are system problems, not talent problems. And that’s exactly where consultants help.

How a copywriting consultant supports content strategy

One of the most valuable roles a consultant plays is providing content strategy help without locking you into long retainers.

Instead of just throwing together some articles and social media posts, they help you figure out who you’re speaking to, what problem you should focus on and how your content supports your goals. They’ll also create a workflow so you can save time and money by using AI to speed up the entire content creation process.

Why copywriting consultants work especially well with AI

AI has made content way faster… and also way messier.

Many SMEs now have more content, but also less consistency and more generic messaging.

An AI copywriting consultant bridges that gap, by helping you:

• Define brand tone so AI follows it

• Create prompts your team can reuse

• Set standards AI output must meet

• Reduce editing time and frustration

Without this layer, AI often creates more work instead of less.

Do you need a copywriting consultant or a writer?

Here’s a simple way to decide.

If you need words on a page right now, hire a writer.

If you need clearer messaging across everything, hire a consultant.

If you need faster content without losing quality, hire a consultant who uses AI.

If you need long-term content independence, hire a consultant.

Many SMEs use both, just at different stages.

Is hiring a copywriting consultant worth it for small businesses?

For SMEs, value comes from reusability.

A good copywriting consultant creates assets you can use again and again:

• Tone of voice guidelines

• Prompt libraries

• Templates

• Content frameworks

Instead of paying repeatedly for content, you invest once in a system.

That’s why many small businesses see consultants as a cost-saver, not a cost.

What to expect if you hire a copywriting consultant

A typical process includes:

• Reviewing existing content

• Clarifying brand voice

• Identifying content bottlenecks

• Building practical tools

• Showing your team how to use them

  
  

Ready to hire a copywriting consultant?

A copywriting consultant isn’t there to take content off your hands forever. They’re there to make sure content stops being a constant problem.

If you’re tired of inconsistent copy, expensive freelancers and AI that sounds nothing like you, then an AI copywriting consultant sounds like it’s exactly what you need. Get in touch with me today for more information on how I can help you improve and increase content production while keeping monthly costs down.