Client Briefing Form
Copywriting

The CopyBrief.

Website pages, editorial, advertorial, print, digital ads and social. This form gives us what we need to write copy that sounds like you, and to get it right the first time.

Seven questions About 10 minutes No wrong answers
0/0 core answered

Before you start

  1. Short beats long. A sharp line is more useful than a vague paragraph. If a box needs a paragraph, write one. If it needs a line, write a line.
  2. One message. One box asks for the single message that has to land. Resist the urge to list five. It's the tiebreaker every time we choose between two good lines.
  3. "I don't know" is a real answer. Write it. We'll work it out with you. We never fill a gap with a guess.
  4. Only facts we can stand behind. Every claim in the copy comes from what you give us. If you want a number, a proof point or a quote used, put it here or send us the source.
  5. Send what you already have. Brand guidelines, tone of voice, your Story Canvas, existing copy. The more we can read, the more the copy sounds like you.

Seven questions in four parts. Fields marked • are the ones we really need. Use Save draft at the bottom to stop and come back. Nothing you type leaves your browser until you choose to send it.

PART A

The essentials

Core

Three questions. This is the part that decides whether the copy we write is the right copy.

1. The project •

Who you are, what we're calling this job, and when you need it. Write your brand name exactly as it appears in your own materials.

Brand name
Project name
Your name & role
Email
Date
Needed by
2. The job •

What we're writing, where it runs, and any limits we need to write to. Tick every asset type that applies.

Asset type(s)
If other, what is it?
Channel / placement: where it will run
Quantity: pages, pieces, sizes or variations
Length and format limits: word counts, character limits, dimensions
How many strategic angles would you like to see?

An angle is a different way into the message. We write three tone options for each angle, so you can compare and choose.

3. Audience and message •

One audience. One message. Tell us who's reading, what you want them to think, feel or do, and the single thing that has to land. This is the most useful box on the form.

The one message, good: "You can move your whole team onto the new system in a weekend, without losing a single file."

Too broad: "We're innovative, trusted, affordable and customer-focused."

Proof, good: "4,000 customers. Rated 4.8 on Google from 900 reviews. Setup takes 48 hours on average." Only use what you're happy for us to publish.

Who is it for?
What should they think, feel or do after reading it?
The one message that has to land
Proof and supporting points: only facts we can source
Call to action
PART B

Your brand, in writing

Core

What we can read before we write, and the rules the copy has to follow. If you don't have something yet, leave it unticked. We'll talk it through.

4. Existing assets provided

Tick what you have and can share. Send files to us by email, or add links below.

URLs and file names
If your documents disagree, which one wins?
5. Language rules •

The rules your copy has to follow. If you have a style guide that covers this, just tell us which one.

Spelling standard
Grammar and style conventions
Must-use words or phrases
Words or phrases to avoid
Legal or regulatory restrictions
Mandatory inclusions: disclaimers, phone numbers, addresses, disclosure labels
PART C

Website only

Optional

Skip this part if the job isn't website copy. If you're not sure of SEO requirements yet, let us know and we can help.

6. Website details
Pages in scope
Target keywords / search intent
SEO fields needed? (meta title, meta description, H1)
Schema-ready tags needed?
CMS or layout constraints: character limits per block, fixed modules
PART D

Anything else

Optional

One question, worth thirty seconds.

7. Other context or notes

Anything we haven't asked that we should know. Past copy you loved or hated counts.

Sign-off

One last thing. Copy lands faster when the person who approves it has seen the brief. Put their name here.

Completed by
Approved by
Date
Best contact for the next step
Nothing leaves your browser until you choose to send it.

Simple. Clear. Human. Onwards!

Your completed brief