Ambitious newbie

Have you "learned" copywriting? If not, I doubt a single copy chief will take you on.

Put it this way... A copy chief is outsourcing work to a cub, but the final deliverable is a reflection of the chief. If you can't write copy -- if you have no experience at all -- the chief won't put his reputation on the line.

With that said...

If you truly do want it (and it's not just a manufactured want, because of your financial situation,) a chief will value your ability to work hard and grind. If you can show the chief that you're willing to stick in and work until it's right, they'll appreciate it (and that's from personal experience).

HOWEVER, you need to learn copywriting. You need to write copy.

Here's my recommendation...

1. Spend the entirety of this month learning how to write copy. Read key books (Scientific Advertising, The Copywriting Adweek Handbook, The Ultimate Sales Letter, etc), read the stickies in this forum, read through Rick Duris' Copyranger website.

Immerse yourself in learning the skill.

You can do ALL of this whilst writing articles on Elance. You'll get paid peanuts, but it will keep you going and let you invest in yourself.

2. Step two is to start writing copy for clients. The "Warrior For Hire" sub-forum is a great place to start. Set up shop around $200 and continue to raise your price from there.

Alternatively, you could offer to rewrite someones own copy for a % of the increased profit.

Or you could offer to work for free, and use their work in your portfolio. I wouldn't recommend working for free, but I know Ross Bowring got his start like this.

3. Once you've got a few successful promotions under your belt, and can write copy to a solid level, start approaching people who need cubs. Email successful copywriters with established businesses asking if you can help out.

...

If you really are serious about starting your copywriting career, then put the work in. If you can do this - you'll find helping hands along the way. I know I did, and still do.

You can also post any copy you've written for a critique in this forum, and we'll help you.

Hope this helps,

P.S. If you want to take my advice, PM me and I'll send you a few things.

Hi Lost,

Just to let you know, what you're trying to do can be done.

I started off as a freelance journalist, writing for national magazines, 30+ years ago. I taught myself copywriting and have not only made a good living at it, I have also trained Pulitzer-Prizewinning journalists (among others) to retool themselves as copywriters.

However, this is not something that can be done in a day. It takes a long period of disciplined study and practice, as well as humility.

Use the "sticky post" recommendations here to start with the classic texts of copywriting and then find yourself a mentor. And don't forget the humility part!

Marcia Yudkin