Which direction should I go?

by cwright

Posted: 9 years ago 14 replies

COPY WRITING

Hello warriors,

I'm from an agricultural city of 80k in western Canada. Two hours from me there is a large city of a million. I have a background in computers and software specifically.

I'm trying to decide where I should be spending time marketing myself. Being completely new (and from advice on this forum) I figured I would rewrite local ads and mail them to their respective small-business owners.

I don't feel there is a lot of opportunity in a "small" city like this, but maybe I just don't know the extent of copywriting opportunities available. I have a very narrow view of the type of copy that one can write and I'm looking to have my eyes opened.

Does anyone have suggestions where I should start looking? I'm open to all forms of prospecting including cold calling if it will get things moving. I would love to learn new markets, agriculture possibly being one of them since it's such a huge industry here (but who the heck do I talk to?).

Also, should I be looking into doing copy for clients in the larger city a few hours from me or just strip the walls entirely and reach out internationally?

Thank you for your time and replys.

- Chris

#direction

incoe 9 years ago

Why don't you try freelancing online on websites like upwork and freelancer while contacting local businesses, if your writing is good just start with low prices to get some ratings going and bump it up a little along the way.

I used to write mobile apps reviews and the first thing they ask for is to show them some reference of something similar to what they ask for or what you are offering, so it helps sometimes if you have something posted on your personal blog or guest post on any blog to show as a reference.

Hope it helps
Good luck!
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Raydal 9 years ago

If you are interested in contacting these businesses directly
then you may want to check out the offline marketing forum:

Offline Marketing

-Ray Edwards
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The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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rosario1990 9 years ago

You have the quality and skills. So you should join on freelancing sites to earn. Lot's of reputed sites are there.
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TypingPandas

9 years ago

Hi,

I would also advise setting up profiles on Freelancer, Upwork, Elance and Guru. It's the best and easiest way to get clients and build a portfolio and you can go on from there. After you have a minimal portfolio, you can start contacting the companies in that big city nearby you via e-mail. Don't expect success from the first try. It might take a while to get hired, even on those freelancing platforms, but if you really want this, then you shouldn't give up after your first tries.

Best,
Typing Pandas

Thanks
1 reply

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cwright

9 years ago

Thank you everyone for your input. Am I alone in thinking these freelance sites are difficult to navigate? Anyone with experience know the best categories (besides copywriting) to find related work? I find everyone uses different language and this makes finding projects a little confusing.

Thanks
1 reply

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marciayudkin

9 years ago

Hi Chris,

Consider joining a local BNI chapter (BNI International - Business Networking and Referrals). Mentorees of mine in the US, England and Canada found that surprisingly helpful in getting their copywriting business off the ground. (Surprising to me, gratifying to them.)

Tip: Never, never introduce yourself as a "copywriter." Explain what you do in terms of the benefits you offer. Outside the advertising/direct mail world, most business owners don't know the term "copywriting."

Remember too that you don't need to restrict yourself to your local market. Develop and articulate a specialty and you can attract clients from all over the world who are looking for that subject matter expertise PLUS written sales copy.

I summarized the successful methods of budding copywriters who have worked with me in my Kindle ebook, Freelance Copywriter.

Amazon.com: Freelance Copywriter: Top 10 Ways to...
Good luck to you!

Marcia Yudkin

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1 reply

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Check out Marcia Yudkin's No-Hype Marketing Academy for courses on copywriting, publicity, infomarketing, marketing plans, naming, and branding - not to mention the popular "Marketing for Introverts" course.

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Cam Connor

9 years ago

Originally Posted by marciayudkin

Tip: Never, never introduce yourself as a "copywriter." Explain what you do in terms of the benefits you offer. Outside the advertising/direct mail world, most business owners don't know the term "copywriting."

I've found this to be very true as well... outside of our world, very few people know of that term.

Often, sales writer, or marketing writer make it a bit more clear... a word of warning though, the people who don't know what the word Copywriter means almost never know the value of a Copywriter... so they're not the ideal clients, to say the least.

Thanks
1 reply

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ewenmack 9 years ago

Chris, this may be of interest to you.

There's been a file put together of 5
Key Principles in writing print ads.

They are from posts I've made in the Offline Forum.

Jeff read them, saw how he could apply them to advertisers in his local newspaper
and started contacting them.

The advertisers were open to what he had to say but it took a few who took a chance on this new ad writer.

A car parts dealer gave him a shot.

His first version didn't make much of a difference so he went back to the 5 Principles and added one.

Bam! It was mayhem.

The shop sold out a months worth
of parts in a week...would of sold more if they hadn't run out of parts!

Not only that, the callers and buyers
stopped asking for prices.

He just studied and got comfortable the 5 Power Priniples and applied them...without
any input from me.

Another person new to print ad writing as well as Jeff join me once a week on Skype to get better and keep their momentum going.

If you want that document containing those 5 Power Principles, examples of ads and their results using the Power Principles
and join myself and 2 fast starters, then private message me.

No charge.

Just bring your great attitude and desire to be part of something special.

Best,
Doctor E. Vile
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Andrew Gould 9 years ago

You want to be biting Ewen's hand off, Chris.
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Andrew Gould
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Chriswrighto 9 years ago

Not much to add -- but great name, man.
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Wealthcopywriter.com :)
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AAAWebstore 9 years ago

[DELETED]

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Ilenia Internet Marketer 9 years ago

Warriors,

I never use the word copywriter because no one knows what it is, I say "I am writing to sell."
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- Cam Connor 9 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Ilenia Internet Marketer
  
  Warriors,
  
  I never use the word copywriter because no one knows what it is, I say "I am writing to sell."
  
  Yea, that's a good way of putting it. I actually do use the word Copywriter when talking to clients though, because as I mentioned in another thread, while many people don't know what "Copywriter" means, specifically, I've found that it's only the ones who do know what it means who actually understand the value in it.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  The Copy Nazi Banned 9 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Cam Connor
  
  I actually do use the word Copywriter when talking to clients though...
  
  Presumably that would be the "whole bunch of 12-figure businesses" you mention in the other thread? Geeze you must be writing for Apple or something. Bet you've got some good stories. Do share.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Cam Connor 9 years ago
  
  Edited.
  
  /10char.
  
  Thanks
  
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