How to Get a Job As A Copywriter

Wow Brian, you had a good time on there?

Only thing I found at Elance is that it's full of low paying clients who don't value copy and are simply not worth the hassle.

Mabuhay Al...

You're completely wrong about SEO and copywriting. Companies may need SEO.. and they definitely need copywriting... but never the twain shall meet.

SEO, while great for getting search engine placement, is a copywriter's nightmare.

Mike (aka original poster):

I see in your sig file that your blog is called RealRenegadeMarketing

Not sure if you knew it or not, but there's a well-known copywriter named John Hostler that is known as the 'Internet Renegade'. A number of his products use the word Renegade in it, including his copywriting site, RenegadeCopy.

So if you do decide to try to build that site as your personal brand, then don't be surprised if you have some people confuse your site with one of John's.

Hope that helps,

Mike

Hey Scott,

Do you think to make a lot of money in copywriting you have to have a natural talent/ability for it?

Or do you think it can be learned (if the persistence and desire is there)?

Want a simple, straight answer? Ok... write great, cash-pulling sales letters, make sure every potential client sees them and make doubly sure everyone knows YOU wrote the damn things. Simple eh?

There's no straight answer because copywriters reach success in different ways.

Also, I think since we're 'writers' most of use are introverted by nature. Bragging about how great our writing is doesn't come natural. It's far easier to write about someone else's product or service and make them look good.

Writing copy and marketing yourself are two very different things.

Some copywriters become successful because they write great letters and their clients have connections. Positive word of mouth spreads or the copywriter implements a referral system to make sure word of mouth spreads.

Other copywriters may not even be that good at their job but they sure know how to sell themselves and command the big bucks, so they find success that way.

Real success comes when you can balance the marketing and your copy skills.

If you can create awesome letters that rake in the big bucks while also marketing yourself successfully and, finally, closing clients more often than not then... you'll be turning more jobs down than you take on.

If you're after that first job however, why not create a webpage advertising your services (although the success of this depends on your copy skills) and pay for an Adwords ad. Sure, competition is rife but if you can learn how to close clients effectively, the Adwords outlay will seem small compared to the fees you'll eventually command.

[quote=Angela Kambarian;739122]Hi, Mike.

You should spend some time cold-calling small businesses
and entrepreneurs. Medium-size companies or large corporations
pay well and have a lot of work. But they are looking for consultants
with very specific skills. This might pose some problems for a rookie like you.

If you get a lot of rejection, do not get discouraged. Some day
someone is going to hire you. This will pave the way to
bigger and better opportunities. Perseverance is the key to
success.

Agree.

I would start with small to local businesses in your area. People in business you know very well or businesses you currently use. For example, a dentist, mechanic, retailer, trades person, etc. In this case you could offer them your services for substantially less, however if you get great results maybe build in a performance bonus.

Better still, get plenty of testimonials. Do smaller jobs, whereby the turn around time will be shorter to get faster results. But I guess it all depends on what type of copy you will offer the client. Overall, this will give the confidence and leverage to build a quality portfolio of testimonials.

Another tip: when you call the businesses make sure you stick to a pre defined script. Ask them about there current copy, and find out their ROI. If they have current copy on hand, tell them how you will improve it and get a far better ROI. Then go to work.

After this, arm yourself with your portfolio of testimonials, brush up on your marketing skills and head hunt bigger clients.

Good Luck.

The LAST thing you should do is randomly cold call on small businesses.

1. They are not looking for copywriting
2. Unless they are seriously growth minded - they aren't going to give you a lot of repeat business.

At a minimum, ONLY target business that currently are running ads, flyers etc.

Even here - most advertisers don't track their ads, so even if you do a free rewrite - you'll never get a case study to shop.

And you are going to get more business in the offline world positioned as a marketer or advertising consultant than a copywriter.

Here's the master key: Getting a successful case study under your belt is THE most important thing you can have. That first one. Get it any way you can.

If that means doing something for free for a friend that owns a business or website or charity - whatever. Do it. Get the success. You'll be a more confident writer. Success attracts success.

In the old days there was something called "apprenticeship". They should bring it back. It's the best way to increase your skills as a writer and build your confidence and build your portfolio.

Me? I'd contact Vin or Mike or any of the other full time, proven, well respected copywriters and offer to write, research, etc. FREE. You'll gain lessons you can't get out of a book. You'll become a better writer faster. And if you are not becoming a better writer - you'll learn that faster as well.

Oh, pet peeve rant:

Guys that sell "how to get copy business" books that have never honestly built a system. They got one client paying steady, picked up some referrals - and frankly, hung out at seminars and met folks and got business that way. Then they are now pimping books using systems they've never used, tested or proven.

There's no wrong way to get clients. Case in point: I know of $25,000 up front against .5 cents a letter mailed writers that have never prospected a day in thier life. They have an agent that hands them business and they hand him a check for 10% of on-going revenue.

But the foundation that makes it all work is being a master of your craft.

And how long does all this take? It's like saying if you want to
be a doctor go to medical school.

-Ray Edwards

Christie would you or someone else mind posting or PMing
me the link to Mike H's post about marketing your services?

The problem with offering free copywriting is everyone can afford it. Once you put a price tag on your services, the line of people willing (and able) to pay gets a lot shorter. If you start charging $10K and up, then the line gets even shorter.

Never work for free. Your mortgage company or landlord doesn't accept free work as payment. They don't take IOUs either. Get paid something for your efforts even if it's a nominal amount.

Good luck,

Mike

Thanks for the Advice. Everyone has been helpful on this forum

Here is my plan. Tell me what you think

1.Follow Halbert's Advice here Hands on Experience
2.Start Freelance Article Writing - to become a better writer and gain experience freelancing.
3.Write my own sales letter for a product as an affiliate using affiliate cloner.
4.Take results and letter in portfolio and try to get a job.

What I have done so Far:

I have Read:
1.Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins
2.Robert Collier Letter Book
3.How to write good Advertisment by Vic Schwab
4.The Boron Letters by Gary Halbert
5.The Lazy Man's Way to Riches by Joe Karbo
6.Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene Schwartz

I have copied by hand:
Do you make these mistakes in English
Coat of Arms Lettery by Gary Halbert
How to Burn off Body Fat, Hour by Hour by Gary Halbert
At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in the rolls royce ad by David Ogilivy
Why Men Crack
How to Collect From Social Security at any age by Gary Halbert
The Admiral Bryd Transpolar Expedition by Gary Halbert

I have also began to freelance as a article writer. This is my site articlewritingmike.com. And I have two clients.

What I still have to do:
1.Read 7 Steps to Freedom by Ben Suarez
2.Copy by Hand The Lazy Man's Way to Riches ad by Joe Karbo
3.Copy by Hand What Everybody should know about this stock and bond
4.Write my own sales letter

My Question is am I on the right path? If not, What changes should I make to my plan?

Back in yonder day, I read all the books, but at the same time, I was writing a ton of practice letters. Taking the sometimes grinding time to figure out how to apply the book lessons is where you get good.