Clients for Busisness

17 replies
After loosing my job in May of 2014, I decided to start a copywriting business. Thus far, I have had 2 customers.Client 1) Was a person I met at a networking event. He did one project with me & got many hits to his website. I've kept in contact with him, but received no further projects. Client 2) A resume writing business from Elance hired me. But, the pay ended up being $4hr and it wasn't enough to sustain me.

Here's some of what I've done thus far:
1) Asked for referrals from friends, family members, and ex-coworkers.
2) Attended events
3) Volunteered
4) Sent out sales letters
5) Reached out to print shops (put business cards in stores)
6) Published a weekly blog & created social media postings
7) Published an e-book
8) Created Craigslist Ads to advertise my services
9) Guest blogged
10) Sent out warm prospect emails
11) Applied to positions on job bidding sites like Odesk, Elance, Freelancer...
12) Took business owners to lunch for networking

I got 0 responses from my sales letters.However, I got many responses from the emails. The most common response to my emails were "Not at this time." or "We are not interested." I've sent out a few hundred emails and gotten 1 potential client meeting out of it. The client marketed his business word-of-mouth and wasn't interested in hiring a writer.

My blog, website, and guest posts get a considerable amount of hits. However, nobody has ever called or emailed to inquire about my services.

I spent 10 to 12 hrs per day writing blog articles and working to find customers. I know starting a business is hard work because I've had one other failed business before. But, shouldn't I be seeing some sort of results by now?

I have been on warrior forum trying to find solutions but cannot seem to figure out why I'm not seeing any results. I've posted questions before and got no concrete answers other than "keep trying."

I'm running out of resources and don't have the funds to continue much longer.
#busisness #clients
  • Yes, it seems cruel particularly after all your effort.

    When any campaign flops. Usually 1, 2 or 3 (perm them any which way) things happened.

    The copy wasn't compelling, persuasive or irresistible - to make people respond.

    It went to the wrong audience.

    I didn't go to enough people in the right audience.

    If you can find out which one or (ones) need fixing there is a very good chance of success.


    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9889531].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author simplytyped
      The copy wasn't compelling, persuasive or irresistible - to make people respond.
      I've taken a few writing courses and always make sure to have a great headline and an awesome call to action. I often do A/B testing to see which of my writings does better. I am confident in writing abilities.

      (It went to the wrong audience).
      I target businesses with new, complex, or expensive products or services. In addition, I make sure they are mid-sized to large businesses that can afford to pay for my services.

      (I didn't go to enough people in the right audience).
      I send out around 50 1st point-of-contact emails per month. I follow up on all of the emails and attend marketing events. It is not the amount of people.

      However, the audience could be a problem. The marketing events end up being full of small businesses.As I've sent out emails, I've discovered many of the companies do writing for themselves or have a full-time writer on staff. I find many businesses are not interested in outsourcing their writing to a freelancer.

      How do I find the RIGHT audience?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9889668].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
        Originally Posted by simplytyped View Post

        The copy wasn't compelling, persuasive or irresistible - to make people respond.
        I've taken a few writing courses and always make sure to have a great headline and an awesome call to action. I often do A/B testing to see which of my writings does better. I am confident in writing abilities.

        (It went to the wrong audience).
        I target businesses with new, complex, or expensive products or services. In addition, I make sure they are mid-sized to large businesses that can afford to pay for my services.

        (I didn't go to enough people in the right audience).
        I send out around 50 1st point-of-contact emails per month. I follow up on all of the emails and attend marketing events. It is not the amount of people.

        However, the audience could be a problem. The marketing events end up being full of small businesses.As I've sent out emails, I've discovered many of the companies do writing for themselves or have a full-time writer on staff. I find many businesses are not interested in outsourcing their writing to a freelancer.

        How do I find the RIGHT audience?
        50 isn't enough. A good response rate for a mailing is between 1-3% - so 1/2 to 1 1/2 potential clients?

        I'd be wary of saying you're confident in your skills and you know you can sell if you're trying a variety of tactics that are failing to convert. No matter your skill level, you can ALWAYS get better. In between outreach tactics, study and learn. ALWAYS.

        And I'll let you in on something - I'm in a corporate office. We have 3 full-time writers. We have overflow, and there are definitely times when we could farm out work to someone we know, like, and trust. Has anyone put themselves out there? Nope. If they have, they may be taking a similar approach to you and not following up regularly. We don't need you until we need you. When we need you, if your name isn't on the tip of our tongues, you just lost out.

        What I'm saying is this - if you're into writing for content, start studying content providers like Copyblogger. Model on success. If you're into becoming a copywriter, you still have some learning to do. That's alright - it just depends on how hungry you are. You can learn a lot in a short amount of time if you are willing to be humble and teachable.

        If these companies aren't hiring writers, I'd hazard a guess and say you're pitching yourself as a writer and not as a sales guru, marketing consultant, or problem solver.

        They don't need a writer. Not like you're thinking they do.
        Signature

        Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9889692].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author simplytyped
          I have been following up with all of the lists. I spend part of my time building one list. The other half of my time is spend following up with the list from my previous month. I don't know how to work any faster with build a list.. I only have maybe 1 more month of trying before I have to move on. I don't even have enough money to dissolve the business!

          I have a graphic design degree and a good portfolio with pro-bono copy writing and design work. However, for the past 5 years, I have not been able to find employment in this field. This is my second attempt at starting a business for myself. It feels like I need to work for someone else before I can start my own business. (I am confident. However, I do need to grow and learn). Except, nobody will hire me!

          I plan to go back to working minimum wage until I can figure what else to do. You guys have offered wonderful advice.

          Thanks
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9889717].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
            Originally Posted by simplytyped View Post

            I have been following up with all of the lists. I spend part of my time building one list. The other half of my time is spend following up with the list from my previous month. I don't know how to work any faster with build a list.. I only have maybe 1 more month of trying before I have to move on. I don't even have enough money to dissolve the business!

            I have a graphic design degree and a good portfolio with pro-bono copy writing and design work. However, for the past 5 years, I have not been able to find employment in this field. This is my second attempt at starting a business for myself. It feels like I need to work for someone else before I can start my own business. Except, nobody will hire me!

            I plan to go back to working minimum wage until I can figure what else to do. You guys have offered wonderful advice.

            Thanks
            That desperation is shining through. Understandable.

            If this is the field you want to be in, there are sacrifices you have to make in order to get where you want to be. One of the hardest parts is looking at yourself in the mirror and figuring out where you're not doing well and where you're excelling.

            Instead of focusing on "I'm running out of time", try focusing on "why is this not working?". Hint: it's because right now it's all about you. Check out all the Is that I highlighted for you up above.

            They'll start hiring when you're more interested in their needs than your own.

            And go read this: http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...pywriters.html
            Signature

            Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9889724].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    Originally Posted by simplytyped View Post

    After loosing my job in May of 2014, I decided to start a copywriting business. Thus far, I have had 2 customers.Client 1) Was a person I met at a networking event. He did one project with me & got many hits to his website. I've kept in contact with him, but received no further projects. Client 2) A resume writing business from Elance hired me. But, the pay ended up being $4hr and it wasn't enough to sustain me.

    Here's some of what I've done thus far:
    1) Asked for referrals from friends, family members, and ex-coworkers.
    2) Attended events
    3) Volunteered
    4) Sent out sales letters
    5) Reached out to print shops (put business cards in stores)
    6) Published a weekly blog & created social media postings
    7) Published an e-book
    8) Created Craigslist Ads to advertise my services
    9) Guest blogged
    10) Sent out warm prospect emails
    11) Applied to positions on job bidding sites like Odesk, Elance, Freelancer...
    12) Took business owners to lunch for networking

    I got 0 responses from my sales letters.However, I got many responses from the emails. The most common response to my emails were "Not at this time." or "We are not interested." I've sent out a few hundred emails and gotten 1 potential client meeting out of it. The client marketed his business word-of-mouth and wasn't interested in hiring a writer.

    My blog, website, and guest posts get a considerable amount of hits. However, nobody has ever called or emailed to inquire about my services.

    I spent 10 to 12 hrs per day writing blog articles and working to find customers. I know starting a business is hard work because I've had one other failed business before. But, shouldn't I be seeing some sort of results by now?

    I have been on warrior forum trying to find solutions but cannot seem to figure out why I'm not seeing any results. I've posted questions before and got no concrete answers other than "keep trying."

    I'm running out of resources and don't have the funds to continue much longer.
    Note that all of this is guesswork because I don't know where you are and what kind of people you're targeting. With that in mind -

    1) Manage your stress - it can come across as desperation. I know, I've been there. I've lived out of a car and worked off free Starbucks Wifi. No matter what's going on in your personal life, you're an experienced and successful professional when you talk to clients.

    2) Local business owners are typically working on a tight budget and don't see the value of hiring someone to write - after all, they took writing courses too. So if you're not building value beyond writing alone, they're going to continue to look the other way.

    3) Blogging is not a good use of your time right now. For all intents and purposes, unless you've built a funnel like Copyblogger or Jon Morrow, you're just screaming into the void.

    4) Find out who NEEDS copywriters. Contact ONLY them. I once read a story about selling salad dressing that made this step perfectly clear to me. If you sell salad dressing, why would you waste your time with people who don't eat salad? You're going to work SO much more hard to convince a non salad eating person to start eating AND buy your dressing than you would if you just found a salad eater and worked on selling your dressing. Make sense?

    5) Get straight on copywriting versus content writing. Are you selling blogging/content creation/articles? Are you selling sales letters and emails? If you're not clear on your offer, the customer won't have faith that you can be clear for them.

    Step back. Breathe. Focus.

    Find people who use copywriters. Write the best value-added pitch you can. Don't stop until you have deposits in hand (in the bank, even better).
    Signature

    Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9889551].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    Originally Posted by simplytyped View Post

    After loosing my job in May of 2014, I decided to start a copywriting business.
    Before starting your copywriting business, did you learn how to write persuasively?


    My blog, website, and guest posts get a considerable amount of hits. However, nobody has ever called or emailed to inquire about my services.
    Either 1) you're not very good at copywriting, 2) your traffic is not targeted, OR 3) your tactics leave something to be desired.

    If you'd like, contact me privately, and I'll see if I can help.

    Alex
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9889556].message }}
  • I know it's the done thing to fire at all angles (Ads here, sales letters there, networking goodness knows where, inter webbing into the clouds everywhere…).

    After a blast at all and sundry, one medium may have got a slightly better response than the others.

    And I would really concentrate on that one because it showed the most promise.

    It may not work (it should if the 3 pointers I mentioned earlier are in place).

    And you have a statistic to go on which gives you a fighting chance.


    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9889570].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author splitTest
    Hi simplytyped.

    Maybe you should post the letter someplace so everyone can have a look at it. Put it someplace where you can take it down later, and link to it using a "tinyurl" so that when clients google your name (or company name) they won't find this sad-sack thread.

    That being said -- I can't help but be a little skeptical of "copywriters" who:

    1. ...don't make it clear they're talking about copywriting instead of content writing... Which are you trying to sell to clients?

    &...

    2. ...leave typos in the title of their thread and write "loosing" for "losing"... I don't proof my posts very carefully either, but stuff like "loosing" is the mark of a rank amateur...

    Most people don't call out the noobs for typos (and some noobs even get angry when you do), but in business, typos are a real "gatekeeper". There are few faster ways to get prospects to dismiss your letter than letting multiple typos slip through...

    Are you sure your letters and emails are clean?

    P.S. -- I googled you and guess what? (Presuming I found the right site, and I think I did...) I found a typo right on page 1 of your website! Most people who want to help you here ignore that stuff. I don't, because potential clients won't. Instead, they'll think "If she can't even spell as well as I can, I'm certainly not going to pay her to write for me..."

    It's like having a resume full of typos. As a pro, you should have at least basic grammar, spelling and proofreading covered.

    P.P.S -- I clicked from your website to your LinkedIn page, and guess what? (Yep -- you guessed it!)

    No offense, but those things count. Whatever the quality of your letter, stuff like that will make people dismiss you outright.

    I won't even get started on how weak your pitch is on page 1 of your website. I hope your sales letter is better than that. Not to be mean, but for someone who says she's read all the books, I don't see any of the principles reflected in your pitch there...

    You sound like you have a lot of hustle though and that counts for a lot!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9890007].message }}
  • Thread (6) may be the biggest "reason why" clients aren't flocking to your door.

    50 emails a month is defying the mathematical possibility of getting a response.

    So, great advice from Angiee and Splitt (see how a typo can cause hassles. The irony is - it doesn't always matter on a clients promo - but it hurts like hell on a promo to the client).

    If you follow their wise words making absolutely sure your copy is as good as you say, the problem can move away from doom and gloom to hope and glory.


    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9890487].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Len Bailey
    There's some great advice here, so I won't rehash it. But I did want to suggest another option: Use your writing and design skills to produce your own info-product, then market that. Since your blog and website are getting hits, you'll give yourself a head-start if your product aligns with them.

    It can be a free report for lead generation or a product they pay for. Either way, give the prospect/customer real value for their time and money. And be sure to include a soft-sell plug for your own services or another, higher-priced product.

    However, there are three critical factors to keep in mind: Your offer; Your List; and Your Copy.

    The secret to marketing success is to present the right product at the right price (your offer) to the right people (your list) with a strong, compelling, and persuasive message (your copy). This goes for anything you're selling -- including yourself.

    One last point...

    If you haven't already taken Alex up on his offer, you should. Or feel free to PM me. Veteran feedback on your specific situation, copy and efforts could make all the difference.

    Hope this helps!
    Len
    Signature

    Len Bailey
    Copywriter/Consultant
    Feel free to connect on LinkedIn or Twitter

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9891383].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author simplytyped
    The responses have been very informative and helpful. THANK YOU! Criticism is hard to hear. But, sometimes, it is what we need! I am going to remove my website and all data associated with the business.(account name will be changed) This is not called quitting! Its called understanding something is not working and changing course. This fall, I will be going to college for another degree. In addition, I will be getting a few certifications and taking a few elective courses. The education will give me all of the skills needed to be successful in my dream career!

    Special thanks to all who have offered assistance in private. It means a lot!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9891644].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author splitTest
      Originally Posted by simplytyped View Post

      Its called understanding something is not working and changing course. This fall, I will be going to college for another degree. In addition, I will be getting a few certifications and taking a few elective courses. The education will give me all of the skills needed to be successful in my dream career!
      Nothing at all wrong with that. If I were a career counselor, I wouldn't advice anyone to get into copywriting these days, unless they started out in a different profession and decided to offer copywriting services that catered to that profession.

      Even then, I would advise them to make sure they have plenty of contacts, experience, and a strong portfolio before diving into freelancing.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9891877].message }}
      • Originally Posted by splitTest View Post

        Nothing at all wrong with that. If I were a career counselor, I wouldn't advice anyone to get into copywriting these days, unless they started out in a different profession and decided to offer copywriting services that catered to that profession.

        Even then, I would advise them to make sure they have plenty of contacts, experience, and a strong portfolio before diving into freelancing.

        Seconded!

        I would go further and despite being non violent threaten to break their arms if they "insisted" on being a copywriter, ("Ha! Now see if you can type and don't even think about using dragon software…")

        They would say "Why Steve? copywriting has been extremely good to you"

        I would reply "Yes it has. I started 28 years ago - it was tough but great fun then. I can't even imagine how difficult it would be now. But if there is no stopping you (and once your arms get better) you have to realise it is not a job. It has to be a passion. And how many people really, genuinely and honestly feel passionate about their job?"


        Steve


        P.S. The moral to this monologue?

        If someone has to ask "Should I become or continue as a copywriter?"

        The answer is…

        "No"

        Because they would just know it's what they have to be.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9892869].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sajun Becker
    We wish you the best of luck, I really respect your attitude and your humility.

    Keep at it, and keep us updated.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9891674].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Len Bailey
    Good luck!
    Signature

    Len Bailey
    Copywriter/Consultant
    Feel free to connect on LinkedIn or Twitter

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9891883].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rmacklyn
    One thing I would like to tell here that you can earn without any investment. If you are good at writing and you are writing blogs, articles. I would recommend you to go with the advertisements. Apply for google adsense for your website. And the one thing you need to do is build traffic. Money will come to you like a boon. You don't have to struggle a lot. Lets say if you spend 10-12 hours writing. Reduce it to 2 hours. And some 5-6 hours you can promote the website or your blogs. The more number of visitors you have, the more money you will earn.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9892972].message }}

Trending Topics