Which Would You Rather Be: An In-House Copywriter Or A Freelance Copywriter?

I'm currently a part-time in-house copywriter. I chose to work because:

1. I receive training from the company I work for
2. I don't have the time to look for clients (I'm away from Monday - Friday)
3. I can interact with other internet marketers (and also learn a lot other than copy writing)

However, I see these 2 years that I'll be working as an investment. Although pay is low, at least I get work sent to me consistently.

I guess it's all up to the individual. If he/she is satisfied working as an in-house copywriter, then it's okay. But for me, I plan to do freelance copy writing after my "training phase".

Here is the biggest distinction between the two:

In-house positions you

Freelance you position yourself


If I were a copywriter I would want to create my own positioning.

Best,

Ross

Do you want to be an employee or an entrepreneur?

Each is habit-forming. Each comes with pros and cons. The
longer you spend on one track, the tougher it is to accept
the penalties of switching to the other.

If you're childless, I recommend you remain that way until
you've figured out which path you want to tread.

Thanks for your input guys

@Shawn - Good point, I like the concept of being an in-house copywriter as a training period.

@Ross - Yes, positioning is very important in copywriting. I love being an entrepreneur and all the goodies that come with it. Even the late nights. Still, as Shawn put it, the appeal of working in a large company and soaking in that experience sounds tempting...

@Loren ... as long as one doesn't become too complacent, as Loren pointed out. Humans are habit-forming creatures. And I can say that long term.... being a freelancer sounds much more appealing


So maybe a re-frame for the next level of questioning - Would any of you choose to do a short-term stint like Shawn? Or are you firm in keeping a hand on your own positioning like Ross?

I believe here it depends on a person. If you work for someone you are secure with regular pay, there is no fuss about finding new clients and sure you can learn a lot from your colleagues.

When you would like to work on your own, you should rely only on yourself. And in this case, your consistent efforts can be very rewarding. Here all is up to you and your skills, your ability to negotiate with people and make them agree to your price.

Best luck to you, DanielleLynnCopy, whichever way you choose!

I was an in-house guy for almost 9 years before hanging my shingle--catalogs mostly. It was a great learning experience and a fabulous way to cut your teeth in this industry while getting paid for it. If it wasn't for my in-house days laying the groundwork for my freelance career, I wouldn't have the success that I've had.

That being said, I would never go back. In my first year as a freelancer, I made almost 3 times what I made as an in house guy. From home, part-time, in my jammies, etc. And that was starting from ZERO. Plus I have much more respect from my clients as a freelancer. In house copywriters where I worked were considered lower on the totem pole, so it was basically, "I don't care about your opinion--shutup and write." Not the case now.

So more freedom, more money, and more kudos--3 of the biggest reasons I LOVE freelance copywriting. Oh, and being able to play golf pretty much whenever I want. That's not a bad perk either.

Interesting...

I've done both and prefer in-house, at least where I'm working now...

Where I work now though has a very unique business model. There's no "traditional" hierarchy, so almost all the pro's you list for in-house AND freelance apply to me now.

I have a steady paycheck, but I get royalties on top. Health benefits too. And as long as I'm producing I can work where I want, when I want.

Plus, I was in Florida last weekend on the company's dime. I can get re-reimbursed for buying copywriting books too.

Also, posting on/reading the WF IS work!

I'd say there are TWO cons exclusive to in-house though...

1. Distractions - People needing stuff, noisy/smelly colleagues etc. But like I said, if I want to be super-productive I work from home. No one's going to stop me.

2. Small Client Base - We have about 16 products, and we can choose which we want to write for. The only snag is it's all financial. So if I ever get the hankering to write for health, tough luck!

When you compare these with EVERYTHING involved in running your own business though, in-house is a no-brainer, at least for me.

AND... as it's Friday, beer drinking in the office and leaving at 3PM are approved of!

Again though, the disclaimer being I work for a company more or less run by copywriters, and if I wasn't making money for them I'd be out on my ass. So it's quite unique and a far cry from my last in-house position.

Colm

Hi Danielle,

I've done both. An in-house position can be a great way to build experience, confidence, and a solid portfolio. And while you're doing it, you also receive a steady paycheck and other benefits.

On the other hand, it rarely pays what you can make as a freelancer. You can't set your own hours or pick your own clients ... and then there's often some level of "office politics."

Myself, I look back fondly at my days as an in-house copywriter. In the four years I wrote (for Littleton Coin and then Clayton Makepeace), I learned a tremendous amount. What's more, I wrote hundreds of pieces of copy for online, catalog, and direct mail promotions. The pay was good. The benefits were as well. And I met some great friends and contacts.

However, I've never enjoyed copywriting more than I have since returning to the freelance world. I like the freedom to work from home, or take a day off to spend time with the family. And I'm able to decide for myself how much I want to work and earn.

I wouldn't trade it for anything. Or at least anything under seven figures a year.

I think he is confused with an "Ad agency" [i put them in quotes]

I think no matter whether you are an employee writing copy or you write copy on a freelance basis...

You should always be writing copy for yourself. On your own account. Promoting your own "stuff." Or being an affiliate for something you can get behind. It should go part and parcel with your copywriting research and education.

It keeps your wits sharp.

20 years ago, unless you owned your own business, this notion was practically impossible, very intimidating and usually cost prohibitive.

Today, anybody with decent copywriting chops can go out to eBay or CraigsList or Ali BAba and sell a product or service. Here on WF, you see it every day, there are people promoting WSOs.

Some of the ideas take off and become full fledged businesses, others generate "pizza money."

It doesn't matter. Just do it.

It'll give you a sense of confidence and certainty that will bleed over into your other endeavors. Whether you are working for a company or working with Clients.

- Rick Duris

Personally, I'd probably take it - only as a temporary stint though.

I think I'd learn a lot because it's such a radically different environment to what I'm used to (which is literally writing copy in my underwear).

But I think after six months I would have likely sucked up the choice tidbits and be crying out for release.

Just my hypothetical.

-Daniel

@Daniel I'm pretty much riding that boat too I haven't done in-house yet, so at this point it's still novel, but I don't think they could offer enough to entice me... even if they let me wear pjs to work :O

@Seth Yes... I know that one too well. My mom had worked with a company faithfully for 20 years and they dumped her like yesterday's newspaper. That certainly was not a fun experience.

I would advise most people to take a short term position (hard to find, rare) as an in-house copywriter IF it fits into a longer range career goal.

I see we have various opinions on what happens inside...let me speak from experience, as a person with both agency and direct response companies in my background.

First thing, there is a big difference...in many agencies you get assignments and work for a salary with all the benefits. As you grow and understand the agency's needs, you might get more flexibility to pick and choose or SPECIALIZE in an area.

As an in-house copywriter at a direct response company, you may get assignments and/or you get to choose...but one big, MAJOR difference is your work is (or could be) commissionable work...which is what you want or where you want to get to.

So, you have a stake in the copy...future income is dictated by how well you write...and in some instances, a salary is considered a "draw" against commissionable work.

In two instances, the companies paid a sliding scale base salary...lower salary/higher commission OR higher salary/lower commissions.

The times I have been an "Employee"...I've had both work at home opportunities (didn't eliminate my stinky co-worker) and butt in a seat at the "office" type of jobs.

Today, you'll find many companies willing to offer split time...you need some time at the corporate office, but you may be allowed to work from home 3 days a week. In those instances, I would attend Monday meetings and Friday morning meetings while working at home Tue, Wed and Thur and Sat and Sun...really, when you write for commissions, you work around the clock.

The UPSIDE to the butt in a chair positions was exposure to the entire operation and othe professionals, such as learning graphics or seeing the shipping and handling area...being there gives you a much greater understanding of the whole process.

Two of the companies where I've been employed had hundreds of employees each and a huge "campus" of activities. In two other instances, there were less than 20 employees and in one case, we had 10 people (the owner used freelancers).

Another upside to both agency and marketing company experience is NETWORKING. You'll learn and meet people who could be invaluable to your career...which is why it is important to put your question in the context of a longer range career goal.

While I'm not a good employee, I found the experiences to be extremely educational and also exposed me to bigger thinking and a larger picture.

I find a lot of the younger freelancers, especially here, talking out of their anus when it comes to life and work experience. The real world works differently from what many think it does.

Also, you'll find owners will often negotiate with you if you can deliver the goods, which is why so many Internet Marketing Copywriters without real world experience should stick to WSOs and Product Launches.

So, the answer DanielleLynn is....does working in-house serve YOUR purposes and fit into YOUR longer range career goals?

Having a steady job today isn't the worst thing a copywriter could do...all while learning and building a portfolio to use in a future freelance career.

There is also a social aspect to having a JOB which often leads to benefits beyond money and income...I have great friends I've met at WORK, and these are important people in my life I wouldn't have had, if I had been a freelancer only.

gjabiz

PS. I was an employee after being a successful freelancer, then went back to freelancing armed with a full arsenal of knowledge, success and contacts after my time in the chair was over.

Good luck and remember, no matter the job description, there is room to negotiate.

Keeping in touch with both is better if one can keep it, have a fixed salary job but try to make your worth as a free lance too, i can be needed at anytime.

I love working as a freelance copywriter. Two of my favorite perks of working freelance are that I can set my own hours and I don't have a boss to answer to.

I don't mind the marketing bit as I like marketing myself and getting my own work. I can also choose what I want to work on. I also save a lot of time as I don't have to travel to work.

I would rather clean toilets in a biker bar, live in a van down by the river, and eat ramen noodles til they made me vomit, than work as an employee....that aside, I do miss casual Fridays....
_____
Bruce

Lot of pro copywriter stopping by here. Nice.

Ya, its our own decision whether we want to work for others or for ourself. I will go with the second option. It does not restrict our potential to grow.

I've been a freelance copywriter since 1994, apart from a brief period when I took a fulltime job with my main freelance client. I'm not going back fulltime ever again.

As someone pointed out, provided you're halfway decent it's actually more secure to be a freelancer. And so much better in terms of choosing hours, clients etc