Valerian is a web studio and long-term tech partner for small to mid-sized businesses. We build websites, systems, and automations that help our clients grow. Our brand is built on a belief that we should all be good humans, and that includes the context of business! We prioritize the well-being of our team and our clients.
We’re in search of contract copywriters for project-based or hourly work. There’s no full-time commitment, just opportunities based on your availability, expertise, and preferences.
The ideal person for this role thinks about copy in context, and they hold the big picture in mind as they work. While the working document may be a plain Google doc, they know that a heading isn’t just a heading; it’s the introduction to a whole page of content and often determines if users keep scrolling or click away. They know that good copy is clear and compelling while remaining accessible and inclusive. They apply best practices for web copy, accessibility, and conversion in all contexts: headings, body copy, CTAs, alt text, etc.
It’s also crucial for a person in this role to know how to write copy that tells the right story: one where the website visitor is cast as the main character. At Valerian, we use StoryBrand as a guiding principle, not a strict framework; we tend to produce copy that is leaner than StoryBrand recommends, but we apply the underlying principles to how we frame what we write.
Adapting to client feedback is also an important part of this role. The right candidate is able to digest feedback and determine whether adjustments are advantageous or not. When clients push back on choices that are rooted in best practices, they are comfortable maintaining their position, explaining without being condescending, and guiding clients to a good outcome, even when it takes a little patience.
Finally, a person in this role needs to have a balanced relationship with AI. Valerian is built on the expertise of humans, so we lead with human know-how and leverage AI when it’s appropriate and can help our work move quicker. In this role, the right candidate knows how to make AI useful by writing good prompts and using frameworks to generate a strong starting point. AI-generated or -assisted content is never the final product; they use their own judgment, strategy, and instinct to hone output into unique results of high quality.
We respect our contractors as a crucial part of our business and do everything we can to support their best work: clear project management in Asana, access to necessary tools, brand documentation and style guides, clear and useful information handoff, and a team that actually enjoys working together. We never hand off a project and disappear; we’re collaborative but aim for asynchronous work when possible.
We’re looking for contractors who want to grow with us and our clients, not just fill a slot. The right copywriter will become a trusted part of how we work, contributing to client relationships over time and getting more involved as the trust builds. Responsiveness and clear communication matter, but we don’t engage in unnecessary back-and-forth.
We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Valerian is committed to building an inclusive team and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national original, disability, or any other protected status.
Please submit our application form to be considered for this position. Do not email us, DM us, or contact us through any other channel. Submissions sent outside our form will be immediately disqualified.