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

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

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.

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.

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
How to Start Making a Living Writing Copy
How Can I Earn $150/Day As A Copywriter?
A proven path to freelancing success
How to score big fish clients
How to Find More Clients
If you want a big time gig, don't do this...
How to become a highly paid Independent Marketing Analyst...
For newer copywriters, a few bits of advice for getting paying clients.
How to beat out other copywriters and land more jobs
Best Place to seek High Caliber Copywriting jobs?
What's the Best Way to Break Into the Copywriting Business?
Just Started a Copywriting Firm - Need Some Advice In Promoting My Services
How did you get your first few clients, and break into this industry. (Age old question, I know.)
How to command the fees you deserve as a pro copywriter
When are you ready to launch a copywriting career?
22 'Nearly Fine' Insights For New Copywriters To Complete The Puzzle
Simple easy method to get more clients than you can handle
How To Get Business Right Now
Shut up...get going...
What are some creative ways to get copywriting jobs?
Help Me Understand the Copywriting Biz: From Zero to Money
How To Get More Copywriting Clients From The Warrior Forum
Making $3,000 In 30 Days From Copywriting…
Writing for your own services....
Do you want to know the big problem with new-to-copy ...writers?
Books on Getting Copywriting Clients
My first-ever PAYING copy writing client... I need advice.
Free Copywriting?
Where Exactly Did You Get Your First Copywriting Job?
Warriors for hire section -- How to compete?
Where do I start?
Which Would You Rather Be: An In-House Copywriter Or A Freelance Copywriter?
Are there any good guides or WSO's that teach you how to become a copywriter?
How did you get started?
Copywriting Jobs on Demand - How Many Do You Want?
How To Get Clients When Starting Out...Dan Kennedy Style
Where to Find Clients that Will Pay a Respectable Rate for Writing
How To Establish Yourself As A Copywriter, Without Previous Credibility, Testimonials or Experience
How I got my first Client
I'm a good copywriter, but ... I have no portfolio.
Need tips on how 'not' to sell your work for pennies !
Wanna Be Copywriters...Be Careful What You Wish For
Start charging $3,000 per sales letter with no experience
Getting Started In Copywriting...When You Have Nothing To Start With...
I'm done with being a "shameless whore"!
How Did You Get Your First Copywriting Assignment?
Copywriters - something to remember
Anyone bought 'Getting Your First Client' from AWAI?
Starting a freelance copywriting business
Here's How To Get Lots Of "Recommended" Clients Quickly…
http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...opywriter.html

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.

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.

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