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How to get first client?

by DKCopywriter
15 replies
Admittingly, I have never done copywriting before. I'm reading up several book and finished a Udemy course. Needless to say, I'm eager to dive in! Anyways, I would like to know how to get my first client, so that I can build a portfolio. Is Fiverr a good place to get some quick work for a portfolio? How then do I expand from there? Thanks!
#client
  • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
    Note that you can't automatically use clients' work for a portfolio. You need their permission.

    I suggest separating getting clients from building a portfolio. You can do one and not have the other. Building the portfolio is higher priority and more likely to lead to getting clients than the other way around.

    Good luck,
    Marcia Yudkin
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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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    • Profile picture of the author DKCopywriter
      Exactly! I agree with you! However, if I can get a couple low-paying clients that agree to me using their work in my portfolio, wouldn't that make it more valuable than non-paid work, as it is actually a service I am providing?

      How would I find said clients?
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      • Profile picture of the author DKCopywriter
        What about spec work? How would you recommend choosing a good product to write an advertisement for? Also, as spec work is the writing only, and no design, how would that even look in a portfolio, as it is just one part of the ad?
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Another option you have is to buy Master Resell Rights products and
    write the copy for them and sell them. See how well the copy does
    and you have a letter for your portfolio. You can get such products
    from places like this:

    Private Label And Master Resell Rights Products - The Unselfish Marketer Invites YOU To Dig Deep Into His Pockets!

    -Ray Edwards
    Signature
    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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  • Profile picture of the author DKCopywriter
    Plus I don't want to buy anything. I'm low enough on money as it is, and I don't want to bother with shipping products and such. I want to focus solely on freelance copywriting.
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  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    1. No to Fiverr. Don't fish for bottom feeders if you hope to make a living.

    2. You don't have to lower your price to get a portfolio piece. You don't even have to get paid to create a portfolio piece. And Marcia's right - this is classified as work for hire. Unless you specify that you retain rights to show this as your work, you do not own this work once you're paid in full. You may want to familiarize yourself with basic copyright law.

    3. http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...pywriters.html
    Read as much of that as you can. Try some of it. Then ask for questions to clarify any confusion.
    Signature

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

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    • Profile picture of the author DKCopywriter
      I'm just wondering as to what kind of pieces I should make for a portfolio. Spec pieces? If so, spec pieces of what?

      Regarding approaching clients, can I even do so without a portfolio? Anyone have any experience with it?

      What about finding good people to speak to?
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  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    A few excerpts from that link:

    New to copywriting
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...pywriting.html

    How to get started without experience
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...xperience.html

    Starting with nothing
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...ing-start.html

    How To Get Clients


    Articles


    How to Hook More Copywriting Prospects - Michel Fortin
    No Product? Start With Bypass Surgery- Michel Fortin
    An Experienced Freelancer's Guide to Finding Clients
    Emails That Land Jobs: The Best Way To Shine In A Follow-Up Note - Forbes
    RickDuris - How To Get Copywriting Clients (podcast interview transcript)
    You Ask I Answer | MakepeaceTotalPackage.com
    Yes, You CAN Build a Super-Profitable Copywriting Business! | MakepeaceTotalPackage.com
    Yes, You CAN Build a Super-Profitable Copywriting Business Part II | MakepeaceTotalPackage.com
    Phone Calls Can Kill Your Copywriting Business - The Michel Fortin Blog
    How to Get New Clients as a Freelancer | Ray Edwards

    Podcasts/ Audio Interviews

    Market Your Copy and Doug D'Anna Exclusive Interview

    Forum Threads

    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...riter-how.html
    Why are you selling yourself short as a copywriter?
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...ml#post7533110
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...ml#post7516533
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    Starting a freelance copywriting business
    Here's How To Get Lots Of "Recommended" Clients Quickly…
    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...opywriter.html
    Signature

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

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  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    That's my polite way of saying - do a little digging. Ask about something that resonates with you. Asking general questions will get you nowhere.

    Learning to ask the right questions (especially when you cannot find the answers) is going to be key.
    Signature

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

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  • Profile picture of the author EpicContentGuy
    Dk, you're going to find that a lot of copy you run into (and that web clients want you to write) might sound a little "scammy." It's because it's different than the type of copy we come across normally.

    But the thing is... that copy works! It's kind of crazy. I think it's the Nigerian Email principle at work. People who are going to be skeptical are going to click right on past it... but the people who could become customers will get pulled in way more. It's basically a way to divide the audience and make more sales from your actual targets.
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    • Profile picture of the author DKCopywriter
      But on the other hand, they lose people who could also be otherwise paying customers, due to skepticism. That's the thing! It's a double edged sword!
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      • Profile picture of the author EpicContentGuy
        Originally Posted by DKCopywriter View Post

        But on the other hand, they lose people who could also be otherwise paying customers, due to skepticism. That's the thing! It's a double edged sword!
        That's why you run multiple landing pages and offers. Allows you to precisely target different segments of your potential audience and tailor your messaging/delivery to each.
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  • Profile picture of the author shawnlebrun
    I'll add this to Angie's kick ass post, but I had a copy apprentice watch Jay White's
    webinar the other day, and he said it was VERY helpful, and that he learned of
    about 4 new places to look for clients.. places he never heard of before.

    I'm not affiliated with Jay in any way, but from what my student said, he
    mentioned it was one of the most valuable webinars he ever watched
    in terms of where to look for clients...

    Free Get Copywriting Clients Webinar
    Signature
    MILLION Dollar Copywriter Offering Written Sales Letter or VSL Script Worth $5,000 - Just $500!
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