Hire a Big Agency Copywriter Without the Agency
Most small businesses looking to hire a copywriter are stuck choosing between two bad options: the big agency that blows your budget before writing a word, or the cheap freelancer who skips the strategy that makes the copy perform. There's a better option.
No Agency. No Compromise.
I'm the copywriter who's been on both sides: inside the big agencies and running my own small business, with a practice built around closing that gap.
I spent 18 years inside big digital agencies writing for brands like The Home Depot and Spotify before going independent to work directly with small businesses. You get senior-level creative thinking, strategic rigor, and performance-driven copy — without the layers, the markups, or the contracts.
Senior-level strategy
Get the creative discipline and strategic frameworks of a big agency copywriter, applied directly to your business without the overhead that comes with it.
Direct access
Work one-on-one with the person writing your copy from brief to final draft, with no account managers, no junior handoffs, and no loss of intent between departments.
Proven experience
Get copy informed by 18 years of agency work across dozens of industries, hundreds of clients, and some of the most recognized brands in the country.
Small business mindset
Get copy written by someone who runs the same plays, chases the same leads, and makes every marketing dollar count. I don't just write for small businesses. I am one.
What I Write
After 18 years writing everything from big brand campaigns to small business websites, here's what I can do for your business.
Marketing Copy
Your website is live. Your emails go out. Your social media is active. But if people are visiting and leaving, opening and ignoring, clicking and bouncing, the problem usually isn't your product or service. It's your copy. I help small businesses fix the message so the marketing actually works.
What’s included:
- Website copy that makes your value impossible to ignore.
- Email sequences that build trust and drive action over time.
- Landing pages written to turn traffic into leads and sales.
- Messaging that speaks directly to your customer's pain points.
- Copy grounded in strategy — not just good sentences.
Advertising Copy
A great ad grabs attention. Great copy turns that attention into action. I write ads that don't just sound good — they convert. Whether it's Google, social, or display, I take your offer and give it a clear, compelling voice that resonates with your target audience.
What’s included:
- Ad copy built around your customer's intent.
- Consistent brand voice across every platform and format.
- Headlines and hooks that stop the scroll and start the click.
- Copy crafted to convert — not just to win creative awards.
- Strategic messaging that drives real business outcomes.
Brand Copy
Your brand isn't just how you look — it's what you say and how you say it. If your messaging feels generic, inconsistent, or like it could belong to any competitor, then you've probably got a copy problem. I help small businesses find their own specific voice for an impact built to last.
What’s included:
- A brand voice that reflects who you are and what you stand for.
- Messaging that builds recognition, trust, and loyalty.
- Meaningful taglines, mission statements, and positioning.
- Copy that stays consistent across every touchpoint.
- Narratives that build relationships — not just recognition.
SEO Copy
Getting found on Google is only half the battle. If the copy on your page doesn't connect with your target audience, they leave — and the click goes nowhere. I write SEO copy that ranks and resonates, so your traffic actually turns into business.
What’s included
- Copy built around what your customers actually search for.
- Natural language that humans and search engines love.
- Content that keeps visitors on the page and toward action.
- SEO strategy that drives conversions — not just traffic.
- Copy that builds authority and trust with every word.
Proven Process
A clear path from brief to copy that converts with no guesswork, no handoffs, and no copy that sounds like it could belong to anyone else.
01
Discover
We start with a discovery call and brief that goes deeper than most copywriters ever go. I'm not just learning what you do but what makes you different, what your customers care about, and what your competitors are getting wrong to build a foundation for copy that converts.
02
Draft
Before you see a word of copy, you see the strategic messaging hierarchy that guides what gets said first, what gets said next, and why. Most copywriters skip this and go straight to writing. I build on the right message architecture so you don't sound like everyone else.
03
Deliver
Your first draft arrives in a shared document where you can react, push back, and mark exactly what isn't landing. You get two rounds of revisions in writing, with a call if we need it, until every line reflects your voice and moves your reader toward action.
Recent Projects
Here are a few of the real businesses and brands I've helped grow.
Big Agency Expertise
With more than 18 years of big agency experience, I bring the same professional-level creative discipline to every project.
Anthony James
Small Business Copywriter
With the hard work and hustle of a small business owner, I write copy for big box retailers like The Home Depot, global music brands like Spotify, and small local startups.
2023 – Present
Didit
Agency Copywriter
At Long Island's largest marketing and advertising agency, I wrote compelling copy across channels from billboards and banner ads to brochures and branding materials.
2016 – 2023
Bowen
Agency Copywriter
During my one-year contract with Bowen, I collaborated with web designers, developers, and digital marketing teams to launch modern websites built for growth and performance.
2015 – 2016
Linx
Agency Copywriter
I worked alongside the strategic business thinkers and ROI-focused marketing teams at Linx to write copy that delivered brand-level strategy and real-world business results.
2012 – 2014
WPromote
Agency Copywriter
At New York's leading digital marketing agency, I wrote search engine optimized copy to help industry-leading brands transform bold ideas into business impact.
2008 – 2011
Client Testimonials
What my clients say.
Anthony is absolutely amazing! He wrote my copy from scratch including all the SEO. He worked with me until every detail was perfect and continues to help me with changes and updates. He also set up and runs my Google Ads which has been extremely successful. I can’t recommend Anthony enough!
Anthony dialed in our digital marketing funnel with copywriting that converts. From the copy in our Google Ads campaign right down to the call-to-action on our website, the customer journey just plain works.
Anthony helped me with everything from brand voice to marketing strategy. My copy positions me as a trusted expert in my field and my business has grown because of it.
FAQs
Get the quick answers you need to the questions I hear the most.
How much experience do you have?
I’ve been a copywriter for more than 18 years, working with hundreds of clients across dozens of industries. I started at one of New York's leading digital marketing agencies, where I learned the strategy, structure, and storytelling behind innovative campaigns. Today, I run my own small business, collaborating directly with clients large and small.
Have you worked in my industry before?
Probably. I’ve written for clients in SaaS, coaching, insurance, financial services, cybersecurity, education, health and wellness products, cosmetic dentistry, real estate, home services, solar, private healthcare, legal services, personal injury law, B2B services, e-commerce brands, and more. Even if your niche is unique, I have a proven discovery process that helps me quickly understand your target audience, core product or service, and motivations that drive people to take action.
Can I see samples of your work?
Absolutely. You can browse samples of my projects in my portfolio section. I can also send you more relevant examples aligned with the type of project you have in mind.
What is your process like?
My process is simple, strategic, and stress-free. First, I learn about your goals, audience, and brand voice. Then, I write your copy, shaping your message for clarity and conversion. After two rounds of feedback and revisions, your polished, professional copy is ready to launch.
How do you price your services?
My rates sit between what you'd pay a big agency and what you'd risk on a cheap freelancer. Most projects range between $1,500 and $3,000 depending on scope. Agencies charge $10,000 or more for the same work while cheap freelancers charge $300 and deliver $300 results. The bottom line: you get agency results without the agency markup.
How long does a typical project take?
Most smaller projects (like landing pages or emails) take 5–7 business days. Larger projects, like full website copy or brand messaging, can take 2–4 weeks depending on the scope. We'll confirm the timelines from the start so there are no surprises.
Do you offer revisions?
Yes. Every project includes two rounds of revisions so that you get exactly what you want, including high-quality copy that works for your brand and business goals.
Do you write for SEO?
Yes. I optimize copy for both search engines and humans, using keyword strategy in natural language without sacrificing tone or readability. The result is content that gets both found and read.
Can you help me figure out what I need?
Absolutely. If you're ready to hire a copywriter but don't know where to start, I’ll help you clarify what to say and how to make your copy perform. Strategy is part of what I do.
What is it like working with you?
Collaborative, transparent, and easy. I treat every project like a partnership and every brand like my own business. You’ll always know where we stand in the process, what’s next, and when to expect your copy.
Can I start with a smaller project first?
Sure thing. Many clients start with a single landing page, email sequence, or tagline before moving on to larger campaigns or ongoing work. It’s a great way to make sure we’re the right fit before scaling up.