What do I do now?

[Sebastion]

Hi gang.

Since I've finished my first direct sales page and we're now testing conversions, I'm wanting to continue my journey.

So my portfolio now has one sales page. I don't think this is enough to land more work.

At this point I don't have the money to take a copywriting mentorship program.

I am on elance, but with no reputation. So it's hard to make any money there.

I don't see myself doing a sales page for less than $500. No way. They are a lot of work.

Now, how do I find more work? Or do I need to write a few pages for free? Or for $100? Do I post a WSO: Take advantage of a talented Newb!?

Thanks.

[travlinguy]

Create your own product, write the sales page and document the success. You've then got something to dangle. Good luck.

[Sebastion]

Crap. Then I need to figure out all that other stuff? I just want to write sales pages.

[Dougger1]

Have you created a site where people can go to see your work? If not, you might do this. You could post samples of your work - even if they were not paid jobs. Just think up topics for five or more articles, write the articles and post them. You could also maybe post all or part of the sales letter you wrote. Do you have any other writing samples? Post them, too. Finally, if you want to build a ghostwriting business, prepare to work cheap - at least to begin with. The important thing at first is to build relationships and get samples - not to make big bucks.

[Evan-M]

Originally Posted by Sebastion

Hi gang.

Since I've finished my first direct sales page and we're now testing conversions, I'm wanting to continue my journey.

So my portfolio now has one sales page. I don't think this is enough to land more work.

At this point I don't have the money to take a copywriting mentorship program.

I am on elance, but with no reputation. So it's hard to make any money there.

I don't see myself doing a sales page for less than $500. No way. They are a lot of work.

Now, how do I find more work? Or do I need to write a few pages for free? Or for $100? Do I post a WSO: Take advantage of a talented Newb!?

Thanks.

Sometimes you need to make sacrifices and work for less than your worth, to build a name/reputation that people can count on. You need to sell yourself at price people are willing to take a risk at until you establish yourself.

[Justin Quick]

Hey Sebastion,

So you want to be a copywriter...?

I don't normally respond too much in this place but I wanted to reach out to you for a second.

Listen: You're on the right track. You don't have to create your own product. But you are, unfortunately, for the moment, in what is called the "shameless whore" stage. (Coined by John Carlton, I believe.)

If you can get paid for your work, great! If you can't, so be it!

You must get jobs under your belt. But don't do work for a bunch of nobodies (if you can help it); people that won't appreciate your work and/or won't actually put it to use. Do work for people who will actually mail your stuff and give you real testimonials about what results they got.

Also, don't keep 100% of your focus online. As there are literally millions of people, including ALL business owners, in the offline world, who could use better-pulling copy.

I am a young man. I don't know how old you are. But I have built a great little copywriting and marketing strategy biz and it's only going up, up, and up.

If you can't afford good copywriting materials, send me a PM, we'll exchange emails, and I'll send you some of the better stuff that I've collected.

Take care! Hope that helped.

Justin Quick

P.S. Another thing: If you've taken the time to accumulate knowledge and write a decent sales letter, then I officially promote you from Newb to Copy Cub.

Stop thinking of yourself as a newb. You probably know more about marketing than 95% of America's population. True.

[arfasaira]

Why not find a giveaway ebook or any other information product you may have lying around and write a sales page based on this.

When I was doing my training, I wrote a sales page for an imaginary product I was planning on writing - now, I have to admit, it was HARD because I had no physical product. However, I planned out what I wanted to include in my imaginary product and wrote an EXTREMELY detailed prep file before writing the sales letter.

And also, you could approach warriors looking for sales copy and offer to do it for free? Then once complete, ask everyone to critique it? And as always, practice makes perfect - the more you do, the more you improve.

I landed my first client like this - I wrote a sales letter for free and then he went on and hired me to write the autoresponders - so the effort paid off.

Just a few weeks back, I helped a fellow warrior out with his video script and he has since hired me twice for more work, so sometimes working for nothing pays off big time.

And if you can, try saving up to do a copywriting course - I borrowed the money from my sister to pay for the training and my coach (Paul Hancox) is SUPERB and since completing my training, I have for the first time ever, been double booked. I currently have 5 projects on the go, and have work booked until the end of March. And all because I started on my copywriting journey last year!

Last month, I wrote an article for free for a big agency in the Middle East. They have since then, hired me for a further 9 pieces of work and paying me 10 cents a word. I've already written more than 10,000 words - go figure!

And you know the best bit? The best bit is that I have a skill which has allowed me to support my family at a time when my husband is out of work and pay for tuition for my son. I also had laser eye surgery done a few months ago - something I had wanted for 14 years and was never able to afford!

my advice - if you have to work for free, so what - as long as you put your heart and soul into it and are willing to learn, you will do well. I have been reading your posts with some interest and I think you are going to do very well - you certainly have the passion for it. Now, go write some sales letters!

[Ross James]

Originally Posted by Justin Quick

I don't normally respond too much in this place but I wanted to reach out to you for a second.

Yeah, usually "this place" is only good for linking back to your website. Usually.

[Ross James]

Sebastion. Buddy. What you can do, like travlin guy mentioned is build an information business in front of your copywriting business. But that requires you to create a product.

One other thing you could do, is approach clickbank product owners, tell them you've rewritten a different sales letter for them and you're offering it to them to split test. If they like it, and it performs well, you never know? they may pay you for it or even refer you new work. I'm on skype as always.

Best,

Ross

[Sebastion]

Wow so many options.

I need a website

I need references

I need a portfolio

I could sell my own information product

I think I may post my services for hire on the cheap.

If anyone needs some fantastic writing at a copy cub rate, give me a shout.

[gforces]

Hi Sebaston,

Yes getting started in any business is never easy. In any profession one has to "pay their dues". Hang in there, do the "hard yards" and you'll get there. So far I think Justin has given some of the best advice. Never ever give up.... but in the beginning... don't give up the "day job".

I step in the right direction might be to do some pro bono.

Pro bono publico (usually shortened to pro bono) is a phrase derived from Latin meaning "for the public good". The term is generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms. Pro bono service, unlike traditional volunteerism, uses the specific skills of professionals to provide services to those who are unable to afford them.

But always insist on a link back to your own site included in a short bio about you at the end of anything you write. If your work is good, more work will come your way. Give and it will be given to you, pressed down, shaken together and running over...

Cheers

[ewenmack]

Hi Sebastion,

You've already written a piece for the men's dating niche...
now is the time to capitalize on your hard work.

Ask your client who he knows in this industry who may give you a shot.

Contact all the guys in this area and make it known that this is your
specialty.

You can do their email follow ups, re-write existing copy, even write articles.

Anything to get your foot in the door.

The best, most in demand copywriters specialize in one or two areas.

Dating and relationship fields are big enough for you.

Writing copy is only half of the deal...the other half is marketing and selling
your copy writing service.

All the best,
Ewen

[goldcraftstudio]

Idea is very clear. Just do it.

[Alex Cohen]

Great thread. Sounds like there's a need for a new product ...

"How A New Copywriter Can Get Work!"

• without previous experience
• without spending money on a copywriting mentor
• without creating your own successful product first
• without accepting low fees