11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Few quick questions from a beginner wondering where to start

by pennyclaire
8 replies
Hi everyone! I'm looking to get into a steady job where I can be doing copywriting, article writing, or editing from home. I've used websites like Blogsvertise in the past and have gotten some work through them, though it is inconsistent. There are many offers on craigslist from companies that I've never heard of. I'm hoping the experts here can help with these 3 questions I have.

1)Is it possible to make a reasonable living through copywriting/editing at home? Specifically with one of the hundreds of websites that appear when you search for 'paid copywriting' on google or craigslist.
2)Are there any recommendations of trustworthy companies who could offer me as much work as I could handle?
3)Would it be a better idea to link up with website owners and write copy for them directly, and how do I find them?

About me:
I am a 33 year old college grad, working on the web for the past 12 years. I've created over 15 websites from scratch and have a thorough understanding of what type of copywriting works best for a website that's hoping for better search rankings. I have done much copywriting for others in the past, as well as hired copywriters for some of my own projects.

Thanks, I really appreciate your help.
#articles #beginner #beginning #copywriting #questions #quick #start #website #wondering
  • Profile picture of the author The Copywriting Engineer
    Do you want your own business, or do you want to work from home under company hours?


    The skills you mention seem valuable.
    Did you go on any interviews so far from craigslist?
    Glassdoor.com has a lot of options. My suggestion is to go on a lot of interviews.


    What if you find a better deal that no one mentioned?


    1) Yes you can make a living. And there are tons of companies that would be more than happy to have you work for them in the in the comfort of your home : )


    2)There are plenty...


    3)That's not a bad idea...


    Website development is a valuable skill. You could find a job tomorrow, a company would love to make money from your skills!


    Check this out while you are waiting for more replies: http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...pywriters.html
    Signature

    Bring In More Cash For Your Business With High Caliber Copy
    www.highcalibercopy.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9955451].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author BreakthroughBen
    Selling is the #1 Skill of Any Entrepreneur

    Hi... What about generating your own jobs instead of using a third party to get them. Why not create an online sales funnel that centers around a personal blog that teaches about copywriting? Offer some type of free content for someone giving you there email that gives secret copyrighting tips.

    If you do a good enough job building your brand, I'm sure you would be able to generate plenty of business. This is why selling is the #1 skill of any entrepreneur.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9955454].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author pennyclaire
      Thanks for your input guys. Few things I could clarify:
      I've kind of come down to the wire and currently need a sure-fire bet that pays something, instead of investing some time to build something bigger. While I love the advice to "create an online sales funnel that centers around a personal blog that teaches about copywriting", and wish I had started that months ago, I currently need to be paid for my work immediately, even if that pay is small.

      The skills you mention seem valuable. Did you go on any interviews so far from craigslist?
      Glassdoor.com has a lot of options. My suggestion is to go on a lot of interviews.
      No I haven't gone on any interviews from craigslist or others. I guess my original thought was more focused around websites like iWriter and textbroker. Places where I can sit down, see an unlimited number of articles that need to be written, and start making money directly.
      The more I've looked into it however, I see that their standards are low and the pay is abysmal.

      I'd really like some info on how to find those who want quality work, and are willing to pay for it. I assume this forum has a subforum geared towards that, I'm just not sure where to begin. Is there a demand for quality work? Am I wasting my time with websites like iWriter?
      Thanks again guys.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9961009].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Sam Sturley
        Originally Posted by pennyclaire View Post

        Thanks for your input guys. Few things I could clarify:
        I've kind of come down to the wire and currently need a sure-fire bet that pays something, instead of investing some time to build something bigger. While I love the advice to "create an online sales funnel that centers around a personal blog that teaches about copywriting", and wish I had started that months ago, I currently need to be paid for my work immediately, even if that pay is small.
        Hey Penny, you should try Bryan Harris' 'Santa Clause Formula. You can cold email leads this way. It's not scalable but it sounds like what you're looking for.

        Here is an article on it: The “Santa Claus” Formula: How Eduardo is going to get a job with Amy Hoy | Videofruit
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9961110].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    Start digging for gold: http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...pywriters.html

    I'm gonna give you something to chew on:

    It takes the same amount of work (only the positioning differs) to land a high-paying client vs. one that pays pennies. You may need money, but your mindset is going to leave you hungry.

    I know how hard it is to see beyond your current situation when you need money coming in. I'd encourage you to focus on learning everything you can to get a high-paying client YESTERDAY, then GO DO IT.

    Don't get stuck in perpetual research mode. Fortune favors the bold.
    Signature

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

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9961013].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author pennyclaire
      Angie, I've seen you around and you clearly know your stuff. I'm lucky to have you weighing in here. I'm eager to read through that resource you provided.

      2 years ago I had a great gig going. I was writing for someone in the UK who had a camera/tech website. For at least a year, every morning I would wake up to an email with 10 new keywords asking for 10 more articles. I'd write them throughout an 10 hour day and earn $100. We had a wonderful relationship and I'd really like to find something similar to that. The problem is: Where does one find the people who value quality writing because it's not in the content creation forums? I've seen so many looking for $.50/100 words. They clearly don't care for spelling or grammar or a native speaker, they simply want words on a page to bulk up their website.
      I can do that, any good writer could, but I'd much rather be writing things I could be proud of and for someone who appreciates the increased caliber of work.

      Specifically I'd love to know more about one thing you said
      It takes the same amount of work (only the positioning differs) to land a high-paying client vs. one that pays pennies.
      So far I've been able to find several websites that are ready to pay today for writing including:
      iWriter: Article Writing Service - Buy Articles
      https://www.textbroker.com/
      WriteLearnEarn | Making Article Sales Easier Than Blogging
      Buy & Sell Unique Content - GhostBloggers™
      I'm sure you'd agree that they're the bottom of the barrel when it comes to options.... PMing random website owners is too spammy. I'd like to be able to make a post selling my skills as best as possible and see if anyone wants me as a partner. But so far I've only found junk like iWriter....

      thanks for everything
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9961068].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
        Originally Posted by pennyclaire View Post

        Angie, I've seen you around and you clearly know your stuff. I'm lucky to have you weighing in here. I'm eager to read through that resource you provided.

        2 years ago I had a great gig going. I was writing for someone in the UK who had a camera/tech website. For at least a year, every morning I would wake up to an email with 10 new keywords asking for 10 more articles. I'd write them throughout an 10 hour day and earn $100. We had a wonderful relationship and I'd really like to find something similar to that. The problem is: Where does one find the people who value quality writing because it's not in the content creation forums? I've seen so many looking for $.50/100 words. They clearly don't care for spelling or grammar or a native speaker, they simply want words on a page to bulk up their website.
        I can do that, any good writer could, but I'd much rather be writing things I could be proud of and for someone who appreciates the increased caliber of work.

        Specifically I'd love to know more about one thing you said
        So far I've been able to find several websites that are ready to pay today for writing including:
        iWriter: Article Writing Service - Buy Articles
        https://www.textbroker.com/
        WriteLearnEarn | Making Article Sales Easier Than Blogging
        Buy & Sell Unique Content - GhostBloggers™
        I'm sure you'd agree that they're the bottom of the barrel when it comes to options.... PMing random website owners is too spammy. I'd like to be able to make a post selling my skills as best as possible and see if anyone wants me as a partner. But so far I've only found junk like iWriter....

        thanks for everything

        Sounds like you need to get clear on what you want, because right now you're jumping from thought to thought.

        Hazarding a guess, sounds like you're worried about money like I was once upon a time. Hell, I still worry about it. But I've also chosen to hole up in a pricey metro area.

        Let me ask you this: does $10 an hour strike you as something to be proud of?

        To me, that's the minimum wage in San Francisco.

        So for your brain power and skills at turning a phrase and building a business a crowd of raving fans...

        ...You'd like to be paid along the lines of blue collar workers struggling to get by?

        This is not a knock on blue collar folks by any means. My background, from picking up trash at a theme park to firefighting for $5.65 an hour to waiting tables, is about as blue collar as they come.

        But if you want to get paid like that, you will be.

        Because until you believe you can get paid more and provide significant value to people, you'll be fighting with low-quality workers for jobs from people that just don't GET IT.

        Did you know there are people who write freelance articles for Cosmo, Dog Fancy, etc., who make hundreds per article?

        If someone else can do it and command high fees, what keeps you from believing you can do the same and throwing everything you have into finding out how and then DOING it?
        Signature

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

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9961204].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ChadHaynes
    I'm getting paid 50c/word - $50.00 an hour freelancing. My clients happily pay. Last August, I had NO experience, samples, testimonials, or clue.

    The most valuable advice of all time - seek to do high quality work for high paying clients right off the bat. Don't be deceitful about it, but work hard enough to be worth standard rates, and then ask for them.

    Take yourself seriously so others will.

    My 2c.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9961408].message }}

Trending Topics