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How to be taken seriously?

by ongur
18 replies
So, I'm fairly new to copywriting. But something has been on my mind for quite some time now.
What if, in the future, I want to sell my services or "skills" to a company?
How can I get to be taken seriously when I want to make my first sale?
I can imagine them thinking I'm just another try-hard that wants to make some easy money. And they'll probably hop on to a copywriter with references/vouches.

Any tips for this situation are highly appreciated!


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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Hi ongur,

    This will help:

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  • Profile picture of the author copyassassin
    track your results. and if possible, get proof from your clients that you did get results.

    this tends to be a small little world. if you get results, network a lot, go to a lot of seminar, people will know you.

    also, you really need to be your own client.

    another way is to join local mastermind groups. stick with it, and after a period of time, they will hire you.


    Originally Posted by ongur View Post

    So, I'm fairly new to copywriting. But something has been on my mind for quite some time now.
    What if, in the future, I want to sell my services or "skills" to a company?
    How can I get to be taken seriously when I want to make my first sale?
    I can imagine them thinking I'm just another try-hard that wants to make some easy money. And they'll probably hop on to a copywriter with references/vouches.

    Any tips for this situation are highly appreciated!


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  • Profile picture of the author Chrisb720
    It is really important that you build a portfolio of your work. Creating a blog is an ideal way to get your content noticed.

    Places like blogger link up etc are good ways to offer your content to webmasters for free. You will then be able to direct potential employers to your online articles.
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  • Profile picture of the author BethHewitt
    create a portfolio and ask for testimonials, don't let your first paid gig be a barrier we all have to start somewhere. Good Luck
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  • Profile picture of the author ongur
    Wow, thanks for the great replies so far. I will definitely take this into account. As for the local mastermind group, I live in a relatively small country in Europe. As far as I know, it will be hard to find seminars or groups here. Are there any well-known forums or websites for this matter?
    By the way, my native language is not english, but I like to think I'm pretty good at it. So this hopefully won't be a problem.
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  • Profile picture of the author cfperez
    The "monster copy" that turns on its master is such an awesome image. I'm imagining it provides a narrative from which to frame how I describe what I do for a client. Loved your presentation.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ross Bowring
    Communicate serious intentions of making them a lot of money. People can smell a true closer.

    --- Ross
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    Great answers.

    With me even after 28 years in the wonderful world of copywriting I can't show any "samples" because all the work is (c) to the clients.

    Jason explained how to explain this in his video.

    Anyway all the client is interested in is what you can do for them.

    Basically you tell them.

    This "formula" works well.

    I do this (big benefit), and this (big benefit) and this (big benefit) and best of all without (the "thing" they don't want).


    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonny Vegas
      Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter View Post

      Great answers.

      With me even after 28 years in the wonderful world of copywriting I can't show any "samples" because all the work is (c) to the clients.

      Jason explained how to explain this in his video.

      Anyway all the client is interested in is what you can do for them.

      Basically you tell them.

      This "formula" works well.

      I do this (big benefit), and this (big benefit) and this (big benefit) and best of all without (the "thing" they don't want).


      Steve
      Can you explain what you mean here? Not questioning you here, just wondering what you mean by you can't share samples?
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      • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
        Originally Posted by Jonny Vegas View Post

        Can you explain what you mean here? Not questioning you here, just wondering what you mean by you can't share samples?
        Steve and other copywriters have agreements with clients that
        their marketing material will not be shared with anybody.

        An example, a prospective client approached a past client of mine to see the work I had done for him.

        His answer, "not even if you paid me $10,000!"

        Does this clear up the matter now?

        Best,
        Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Interesting feedback here. I don't use samples, a portfolio or testimonials for copywriting work. I use the questions I ask. Sometimes I do use examples but they are purely situational; we don't get into copy examples.

    Don't look or sound like a work-beggar. You're the expert: they take that or leave it.

    Your first few clients are quite important, because you get judged by who you hang around. You ARE your clientele. And for better or for worse YOU start to think of yourself as operating at that level...and will actually begin screening out opportunities because they're "too big" for you.
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      If all you did was contact people who
      have shown some willingness to be
      better than the average operator
      with valuable information they can implement in their
      business, then your past track record is less of an issue.

      I contacted 3 gurus recently with new information which
      I saw how they could implement it in their business and create
      a breakthrough.

      As a result 2 revenue share agreements have been set up and
      the other wants my involvement in which my payment structure
      hasn't been worked out yet due to the holidays.

      The information you come up with can be case studies others have shared.

      One case study I came across recently was a manufacturer went from 6 qualified leads per month to 6 qualified leads per day without spending any more money on advertising.

      Any progressive manufacturer would love to know what they did
      to get 30x more leads per month.

      That's the type of value add you can give which you can give
      without you having done it.

      Best,
      Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author TeamBringIt
    Originally Posted by ongur View Post

    So, I'm fairly new to copywriting. But something has been on my mind for quite some time now.
    What if, in the future, I want to sell my services or "skills" to a company?
    How can I get to be taken seriously when I want to make my first sale?
    I can imagine them thinking I'm just another try-hard that wants to make some easy money. And they'll probably hop on to a copywriter with references/vouches.

    Any tips for this situation are highly appreciated!


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    2 words - Results + Experience

    Get, those and you can be taken seriously. If your results are that good, then you have a greater chance at commanding higher fees. Build up, that portfolio and things will start to happen.....
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    • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
      Originally Posted by TeamBringIt View Post

      2 words - Results + Experience

      Get, those and you can be taken seriously. If your results are that good, then you have a grater chance at commanding higher fees. Build up, that portfolio and things will start to happen.....
      "Grater" chance?

      Well, these things happen...

      I think you've missed the point the people who really know what they're talking about are trying to get across in this thread.

      Of course you need to be able to get results. Let's not forget most copywriting efforts fail, however. As Paul Anka said, "Not every song you write has to be a hit." Nor is it going to be.

      But it isn't your portfolio or your experience that is going to get you clients. You can get clients, and well-paying clients, without them.
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      • Profile picture of the author TeamBringIt
        Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

        "Grater" chance?

        Well, these things happen...

        I think you've missed the point the people who really know what they're talking about are trying to get across in this thread.

        Of course you need to be able to get results. Let's not forget most copywriting efforts fail, however. As Paul Anka said, "Not every song you write has to be a hit." Nor is it going to be.

        But it isn't your portfolio or your experience that is going to get you clients. You can get clients, and well-paying clients, without them.
        typo fixed.....
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  • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
    I didn't have time to read the entire thread, but just to offer a quick tip in reference to the title of this post: Focus on them. Do consultative selling where you ask them what THEY need, and then tell them how you can meet THEIR needs.

    Other than that, it's just about displaying an air of confidence, and showing them that you know what you're talking about (which is fairly easy because in most cases, they're clueless about all things Copy/CRO).
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  • Profile picture of the author Samuel Adams
    You can easily demonstrate your writing expertise by guest blogging on other sites. You will want to be sure you get an author bi-line. As you build your guest blogger reputation you will get more prestigious writing gigs. All these sites where you are publishing as a guest author will go into your writer's portfolio as proof that you can write.
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  • Profile picture of the author ASCW
    Interesting feedback here. I don't use samples, a portfolio or testimonials for copywriting work. I use the questions I ask. Sometimes I do use examples but they are purely situational; we don't get into copy examples.
    Interesting, this is probably why many people haven't even asked for my portfolio.
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