Posts Tagged ‘freelance copywriting’
Freelance Copywriting: Start A Copywriting Business Today
Posted by Angela Booth in Copywriting on August 31st, 2010
There may be no better time to start a freelance copywriting service that now, even in our current economic state. You can start copywriting in your spare time, and can even write from home. This makes copywriting an excellent home business. Even if you lose your job, you will already be on your way to a new career.
Copywriting will always be around, no matter what state the economy is in. As long as sellers are selling and buyers are buying, there will be a place for copywriters.
Let’s take a look at three easy steps to start you off on your own copywriting career.
1. Begin by creating your copywriting portfolio. When you offer copywriting services to a potential client, they will want to see what you are capable of. So be sure to have writing samples with you at all times. The samples can be any copywriting work you have done in the past. But what if you don’t have any past copywriting experience?
There are two ways you can handle this situation. Your first option is to create samples from existing products. Find a product or service and write a mock press release, or create a mock ad, or write web copy promoting any product. Your other option is to offer your copywriting services for free to charities or organizations in your area.
Your local schools and organizations are always looking for volunteer copywriters, so write a few pages of newsletter content and some advertising just for the experience and for your portfolio.
2. Get your first clients by promoting your freelance copywriting service both off-line and online. Create a website or blog where you can host your portfolio. Then promote your service, and send prospects to your website. If you are able, spend a little money to advertise locally.
3. Approach local agencies for copywriting jobs: local is best when you’re a new copywriter. These agencies could include advertising agencies, graphic design agencies and management agencies. An agency may not have any work for you at the moment, but agencies are getting new contracts all the time, and they’re happy to sub-contract work. Establishing connections with local businesses and agencies will form the bedrock of your new copywriting services business for years to come.
Put these three steps to work for you as you build your freelance copywriting services business. Copywriting offers a recession-proof career with a high income potential.
Imagine starting your own successful copywriting business with help from top copywriter Angela Booth. You’ll soon be taking on clients, and will build a great new career as a professional copywriter.
Copywriting As A Career: Three Things You Must Know
Posted by Angela Booth in Copywriting on August 29th, 2010
Have you been thinking about starting a writing career? Don’t overlook copywriting. You can still enjoy being creative with your writing, while making a good income. You can get started earning money fairly quickly, and a good copywriter can make a six-figure salary or higher. Take a look at these three tips to help get you started.
1. Remember that you’re writing to persuade. Copywriters write sales and marketing materials. These materials can consist of anything from tiny ads to complete video scripts, and even product manuals.
Copywriters often end up specializing in a certain area. Your specialty might be in writing for the internet, or radio scripts, or direct mail. You can make money while you’re learning, and your projects and clients will grow along with your experience. Plus, you can increase your fees as long as your copy brings good results.
2. Understanding yourself can help you get into the mind of your audience. A clear knowledge of what makes you take action, and how you get motivated, can help you tap into the emotional triggers of your prospects.
However, although an understanding of psychology is useful, you’re not studying in order to be a charlatan: if you don’t believe in a product, it’s wise refuse the project. Top copywriters are honest both with themselves and with their clients, as well as in the copy they write.
3. Don’t forget the classic advertising mantra, “what’s in it for me.” Your prospective buyer is concerned about his own needs. It’s your job as the copywriter to find those hot buttons that will make him take action.
The copy you write has a purpose, and that is to get the prospects to take some kind of action. You want them to click a link, make a phone call, join a list, order a product, or whatever it may be. If they don’t respond to your copy, there’s no point. You have to create a great offer with a strong call to action in order to get the desired response.
If you remember these three tips: you’re writing to persuade, psychology is important, and that you need to include calls to action in everything you write, you’ll soon develop your copywriting career.
Copywriters are always in high demand. Angela Booth’s own copywriting career spans 30 years. She can help you to build your copywriting career fast, with her quick-start program or her full copywriting course.
Copywriting: What Does It Take To Become A Freelance Copywriter?
Posted by Angela Booth in Copywriting on August 11th, 2010
Copywriting is an excellent career. At the highest levels, it’s very well paid indeed. If you’re already in a writing or marketing career, developing the skills you need won’t take long. However, you do need a little more than just skills. You need to develop a special mindset as well.
In 20 years of teaching copywriting, I’ve always said that anybody who can write a letter can write copy. This is true. Let’s see whether you have what it takes for success.
1. You’re eager to become a copywriter. This is your most important attribute. It motivates you. Perhaps your introduction to copywriting was via the TV series “Mad Men”, and you felt: “I can write copy too!” Or perhaps you know someone who’s working in the industry. Whatever your introduction, you feel that this is something you want to do, and something you’d be good at.
As well as a passion for the industry, you must have a desire to learn about people, psychology, and business. You’ll work with many different companies in your copywriting career, in many different fields. You have curiosity, and you enjoy research.
2. You get a kick out of selling (or you think you might.) In essence, copywriters sell. If the idea of being results-oriented, and sales, makes you queasy, work on this. You need to be comfortable with the idea that your aim in everything you write is to persuade customers to do something.
Of course, no one is suggesting that you be dishonest in your writing, and make false claims. To be a good copywriter, you must believe in what you’re selling.
3. You have reasonable english language skills. This doesn’t mean that you need a wide vocabulary. It does mean that you can write English using paragraphs and correct punctuation, and that you know when you’ve made a spelling mistake and are willing to correct it.
You need the ability to write a lot, and then shape your message in a few words; those words should convey your message exactly.
There you have it: the personal attributes you need for a successful copywriting career. If you have them you’re ready to go. If you need to put in some study, go ahead. You’ll love the copywriter’s lifestyle.
Want to build an exciting copywriting career? You can with top copywriter Angela Booth’s Master Class. Get personal coaching, and learn copywriting skills to make the income you want.
New Copywriter: How Make A Great Income
Posted by Angela Booth in Copywriting on August 1st, 2010
Copywriting is a profession with limitless chances to succeed. It’s the life for you, especially if you’ve been working in the communications area, as a marketer.
It’s been three decades since I started writing copy, initially for my own company, and then for acquaintances. Copywriting stayed a fun sideline for me for many years.
Copywriting is a business writing: writing to promote and persuade. It’s been called salesmanship in print, and that’s precisely what it is. There are just two requirements.
The first is that you enjoy writing. In your copywriting career you’ll do a lot of writing, and if you enjoy it, you’ll be more creative.
The second requirement is that you’re prepared to practice your skills. An easy way to practice is to write material for friends and acquaintances, until you’re writing is proficient.
One caveat: Hone your own skills, don’t just copy others. There’s too much of that already. Learn from others when learning the basics, but after that, use your creativity and intelligence — and testing — to do the best work possible for your clients.
If you doubt you can compete against someone who’s been in the business longer than you, it will help to know that you have some advantages that your clients will find appealing.
Firstly, as a new copywriter, you don’t have a big stable of clients to keep happy, so you can focus on those clients you do have - you’ll get the copy written quickly. This is appealing to clients who’ve worked with copywriters before and are told that their favorite copywriter won’t be able to tackle the job for three months because he’s too busy.
For another thing, your fees are less costly because you are new and trying to build your clientele. A cheap price does not always mean cheap work. Business owners often would rather save money by working with a newcomer.
Because you are new at copywriting, your rates will be lower but you can use the experience to build your portfolio. As your experience grows you will get higher profile, better paying projects.
Therefore, don’t be shy about admitting that you’re new - people will be glad to hire you, for precisely that reason. Go ahead and advertise yourself as a new copywriter.
Copywriters are always in high demand. Angela Booth’s own copywriting career spans 30 years. She can help you to build your copywriting career fast, with her quick-start program or her full copywriting course.
Freelance Copywriting Essentials
Posted by Ray Edwards in General Marketing on February 10th, 2009
Freelance copywriting has become a very lucrative market these days. The Internet has revolutionized the freelancing world and has made it into a thriving field. It’s never been easier for clients and copywriters to find each other.
Freelance copywriters can find plenty of work. They are needed in all sorts of markets to boost website viewership and help increase product sales. There are a plenty of opportunities for freelance copywriters to find great realms of success.
The freelancing world has grown into such a success that it has become competitive. In order to insure a secure workflow, freelancers have to get their names out there into the market. If freelancing interests you, then here are some tips to help you stay competitive:
Market Yourself
Self-advertisement is extremely important. You could be the best copywriter in the world and not have any clients because no one knows about you. Therefore you should do some research into how to best advertise your business. Don’t be afraid to spend some money on advertising either because it is a needed and worthwhile investment. Go to seminars and network with other copywriters, build a website and portfolio. Just do whatever it takes to get your name out in to the market.
Do Your Very Best
It is very important that you always do your best work in order to establish a good reputation. The quality of your work will form the basis of your business. If you’re known for consistently producing a quality product, then you’ll find great success.
Establish A Sound And Solid Reputation
A good product isn’t the only thing that goes into your reputation; your personality also affects it. You need to treat people well. If they feel that you’re cold or harsh, then eventually you’ll lose your clients. People like to work with friendly people. Therefore, be personable and nice. Let them know you’re always available for contact and interview them on the phone. You must also practice good work ethics and be a person of integrity. You also need to manage your time well and meet your deadlines. Failing to meet deadlines will singlehandedly stunt the growth of your business.
Proactively Look For Projects
You can’t just wait for people to give you work. You need to look for assignments yourself. Be vigilant and start looking for jobs before you’re done with your current work, this will insure a steady workflow. As your success grows, finding projects will become easier and easier.
One great way to find work is by asking for referrals from people you already know. This way you can start building a client base from pre-existing relationships.
Freelance Internet Marketplaces are also great places to start finding work. It’s really easy for clients and copywriters to find each other on these kinds of sites. You can bid on projects, post your portfolio, and have interesting jobs automatically emailed to you. They’re great places to start looking for work.
This article was supposed to give you a glimpse into the freelancing world. Hopefully you found it helpful. Freelance copywriting is a very rewarding and flexible career. If you think freelancing may interest you, then do some more research to see if it is right for you.