Essential Information Most Copywriting Books Never Mention or Only Gloss Over

JMJ · 06-30-2011, 02:28 PM

Hi, I've been a long time lurker of this forum and finally decided to make an account today.

I've been reading many of the classic books on copywriting with a personal interest in direct response. Most of the books and courses that I've come across seem to only talk about the art of writing copy and not actually making a career from it. Those that do talk about the career or business side, either pass up direct response entirely or offer a paragraph or two on it.

So my questions to you are:

How does one break into direct response copywriting and manage to make a career out of it?
Do you know of any step by step guides somewhere that discuss this?

To be specific, I am interested in freelance direct response copywriting as a career (and as a springboard into other things) and would like to know what steps I would have to take starting from scratch to get there.

I know about reading and practicing and developing a portfolio. What I really want to know is how to get jobs, clients, arrange fees (hopefully value based), who to contact, etc.

Once again I am not looking for information on 'commercial copywriting' as Peter Bowerman put it, but for direct response copywriting like mailing packages, print advertisements, online landing pages etc...

Thanks!

Stephen Dean · 06-30-2011, 04:06 PM

"There is no such thing as a starving copywriter." ~ Gary Halbert

First thing you've gotta do is hang your shingle. Put up your website, make a way for potential clients to hire you, then start promoting.

That's how you get clients. There's no magic, just put one foot in front of the other. The more people you talk to, the more likely you're going to get a client.

As a copywriter, you should have a decent understanding of marketing. So follow through on your knowledge.

Write articles. Write guest posts. Run A WSO (although those are harder these days). Network with social media. Place ads.

If you already understand copywriting and marketing, it's more a matter of DOING IT than anything else.

Cheers,
Stephen Dean

ThomasOMalley · 06-30-2011, 04:34 PM

Read these key books on starting and running a copywriting business:

The Wealthy Freelancer

The Well-Fed Writer

How To Start and Run A Copywriting Business by Steve Slaunwhite.

Bob Bly also has an excellent book on how to run a copywriting business.

These books apply equally to starting a career doing business to business copywriting or doing direct response marketing for publishers of newsletters etc.

These books are available at amazon.

Best of luck,

Thomas O'Malley

JMJ · 07-01-2011, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the advice Stephen and Thomas. I guess I knew that all along but I needed to hear it from someone else.

I also think I need to learn more about the Direct Response business so I'll make my research on that a top priority -- while I hone my copywriting skills, of course. I wanted to know who I would be writing for and contacting, and ThomasOMalley hinted at publishers of newsletters so that's a good nudge the right the direction.

I have also bought and read most of the books you've mentioned Thomas, so I'll take your advice and apply it to the Direct Response field.

More insights from others is appreciated. Thanks.

06-30-2011, 02:28 PM	#1
JMJ Warrior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Essential Information Most Copywriting Books Never Mention or Only Gloss Over Hi, I've been a long time lurker of this forum and finally decided to make an account today. I've been reading many of the classic books on copywriting with a personal interest in direct response. Most of the books and courses that I've come across seem to only talk about the art of writing copy and not actually making a career from it. Those that do talk about the career or business side, either pass up direct response entirely or offer a paragraph or two on it. So my questions to you are: How does one break into direct response copywriting and manage to make a career out of it? Do you know of any step by step guides somewhere that discuss this? To be specific, I am interested in freelance direct response copywriting as a career (and as a springboard into other things) and would like to know what steps I would have to take starting from scratch to get there. I know about reading and practicing and developing a portfolio. What I really want to know is how to get jobs, clients, arrange fees (hopefully value based), who to contact, etc. Once again I am not looking for information on 'commercial copywriting' as Peter Bowerman put it, but for direct response copywriting like mailing packages, print advertisements, online landing pages etc... Thanks!

06-30-2011, 04:06 PM	#2
Stephen Dean Master Copywriter War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: WA , USA. Posts: 1,051 Thanks: 132 Thanked 194 Times in 100 Posts Social Networking	Re: Essential Information Most Copywriting Books Never Mention or Only Gloss Over "There is no such thing as a starving copywriter." ~ Gary Halbert First thing you've gotta do is hang your shingle. Put up your website, make a way for potential clients to hire you, then start promoting. That's how you get clients. There's no magic, just put one foot in front of the other. The more people you talk to, the more likely you're going to get a client. As a copywriter, you should have a decent understanding of marketing. So follow through on your knowledge. Write articles. Write guest posts. Run A WSO (although those are harder these days). Network with social media. Place ads. If you already understand copywriting and marketing, it's more a matter of DOING IT than anything else. Cheers, Stephen Dean
	Occupation: Best Copywriter Ever. Clients: Matt Bacak, Jim Edwards, Ryan Deiss and more. I write sales copy that demands champagne celebrations: Hire A “Champagne Celebration” Copywriter.

06-30-2011, 04:34 PM	#3
ThomasOMalley HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 264 Thanks: 8 Thanked 78 Times in 66 Posts	Re: Essential Information Most Copywriting Books Never Mention or Only Gloss Over Read these key books on starting and running a copywriting business: The Wealthy Freelancer The Well-Fed Writer How To Start and Run A Copywriting Business by Steve Slaunwhite. Bob Bly also has an excellent book on how to run a copywriting business. These books apply equally to starting a career doing business to business copywriting or doing direct response marketing for publishers of newsletters etc. These books are available at amazon. Best of luck, Thomas O'Malley

07-01-2011, 02:50 PM	#4
JMJ Warrior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Essential Information Most Copywriting Books Never Mention or Only Gloss Over Thanks for the advice Stephen and Thomas. I guess I knew that all along but I needed to hear it from someone else. I also think I need to learn more about the Direct Response business so I'll make my research on that a top priority -- while I hone my copywriting skills, of course. I wanted to know who I would be writing for and contacting, and ThomasOMalley hinted at publishers of newsletters so that's a good nudge the right the direction. I have also bought and read most of the books you've mentioned Thomas, so I'll take your advice and apply it to the Direct Response field. More insights from others is appreciated. Thanks.