As a Writer, Where Do You Sell Your Copy?

38 replies
Of course WF is at the top. Fiverr might be toward the bottom somewhere.

Where do you tend to sell your copy? Not spun articles, but human-written ones.
#copy #sell #writer
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  • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
    "Where do you sell your copy?"
    What a peculiar question.

    You sell copy to the clients who have hired you to write it. No one else in their right minds would want it. Are you asking where people find clients to write copy for?
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  • Profile picture of the author tritrain
    The marketplaces, not their clients.
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    Domains for sale - see seopositions.net
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  • Profile picture of the author BradKasten
    Take a look at Upwork.com and textbroker.com
    If you're looking for internet marketing clients to write sales copy for that can be a bit more tricky.
    A lot of it has to do with who you know. I would start joining internet marketing and copywriting groups on Facebook. Start interacting with people and subtly work in that you are a copywriter looking to take on clients.

    Another fantastic way of networking is going to live events, but that can be difficult and expensive.

    Hope this helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author NavinJan
      Exactly! these are top sites where you can find writing opportunities if are new or experienced writers. Also, it's important that you word with consistency.
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  • Profile picture of the author Subharthi95
    I have been in the industry of freelance content writing for a year now and I sell my works on Contentmart.com. It is a great marketplace and I have not faced any problems over here. Not only it provides security to the writers but the price scale system of this marketplace is amazing too. I have also worked with Freelancer.com and Truelancer.com. But their user interface is much complicated and not simple like Contentmart. Although you might not find much scope to sell creative contents, it is great place for selling technical writings. I hope this answer would help you!
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Big fan of attracting clients through my blog.

    These are folks who pick you specifically because they dig your free content, and literally buy into the premium.

    Awesome way to sell easily, over the long haul after you have built a nice content store through your blog and also, have built some strong connections with top writers.

    Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author Expont
    Personally, I browse the internet for websites with poor copy and basically cold email them. Sometimes, I get lucky!
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  • Profile picture of the author RuthMakesMoney
    I've been a freelance copywriter for around seven years now, and I've had many different sources of clients during that time. Of course, some proved to be much more successful than others.

    Here's what has worked best for me...

    Freelancing marketplaces, e.g. PeoplePerHour.

    Yes, sites like that get a bad rap. There's so many people looking for something for nothing, and it can end up being a race to the bottom. Still though, I've secured some really lucrative projects this way, and I've got repeat clients that come back to me each month.

    The beauty of these sites is that the people there know they have a problem, they know what solution they need to fix that problem (to an extent, at least), and they're looking for someone to do the job. So they know they're looking for a copywriter to create blogs for their site, for example. You don't have to do the leg work in terms of showing them why this stuff is important, and they're there because - in theory at least - they've already decided that they're going to pay someone for this service.

    I rarely visit PeoplePerHour anymore, because I've got enough repeat work and referrals etc. But I still think it's a good place to start out. Get some work, build a portfolio, and get some cash coming through the door. It buys you some breathing space and some confidence in your abilities, and those things can't be underestimated.

    Building an email list of prospects. Or in other words, your own sales funnel for your writing services.

    You get people on your email list who are a great fit for what you offer, and you take them through a sales funnel.

    The trouble with this is that you need to play the long game, and there's often a big learning curve involved. You need to consider traffic generation, possible paid ads, nurturing series, sales calls, and all that jazz. Arguably if you're a copywriter then you've got a head start with all of this, as much of it might be stuff that you're already doing for your clients, but there are still many moving parts to think about. And that's exactly why I like the idea of starting with freelance sites. You've got a cushion to fall back on, and you get some breathing space while you build better client pipelines.

    Networking in the spaces where your prospects are.

    I've had some great successes with this. I mainly write for entrepreneurs in the female coaching space, and I've used Facebook Groups to connect with people and ultimately start the relationship that resulted in them becoming clients. The funnel point above is related to this, because many of them essentially found me in the group, joined my list, and went down that path. Some became clients straightaway. It's always going to vary.

    Again, this one takes time. It's about relationships, and they need to be developed and nurtured.

    Something that hasn't worked well for me?

    'Real world' networking events. Just not my bag really, and I found that most people are there because they're solely focused on selling their own stuff. It's not an environment that's particularly conclusive to having the right kind of conversations. It's the opposite of the point I made about freelancing sites. The people you meet might not even realise they have a problem, so closing a sale is rarely going to be simple. Plus, I'd honestly rather stick pins in my eyes than drag myself out to breakfast networking meetings God knows how many times a week.

    There are loads of ways to spin a cat. Ultimately it's going to come down to your goals, the resources you've got available, and your own personal preferences. With a mix of what I've covered above, I get more than enough copywriting projects. There are no 'secrets' really, it's just about having a strategy, being consistent, and following through.

    Best of luck :-)
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    • Profile picture of the author tritrain
      Great advice! Thank you. I'm still working on building a list. So far I have almost 1 person on it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Originally Posted by tritrain View Post

    Of course WF is at the top. Fiverr might be toward the bottom somewhere.

    Where do you tend to sell your copy? Not spun articles, but human-written ones.
    Are referring to selling content/articles? Copy means sales copy to many people here. In looking at your other posts and signature I'm guessing you meant content/articles. Some of the responses indicate they thought you meant sales copy. You might want to clarify what you mean in your OP to avoid further confusion.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Are referring to selling content/articles? Copy means sales copy to many people here. In looking at your other posts and signature I'm guessing you meant content/articles. Some of the responses indicate they thought you meant sales copy. You might want to clarify what you mean in your OP to avoid further confusion.

      Yup. A copy writer is far different from an article writer. Writing articles requires a good use of language and a little research on he topic. Writing sales copy takes years of study, and a deep knowledge of how to sell with the written word.

      It's the difference of knowing CPR and being a heart surgeon.
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      • Profile picture of the author wordwizard
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        Yup. A copy writer is far different from an article writer. Writing articles requires a good use of language and a little research on he topic. Writing sales copy takes years of study, and a deep knowledge of how to sell with the written word.

        It's the difference of knowing CPR and being a heart surgeon.
        I LOVE your CPR/heart surgeon analogy, Claude!
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  • Profile picture of the author Monika Nag
    Hey! I have worked as a freelance content writer for the past 4 years. Frankly speaking, it becomes quite a tough deal to find clients who actually pay fair enough according to the research done and quality content delivered. Going offline becomes all the more hectic. Therefore, while searching for potential online sources, I cam across contentmart.com during my college days. With a flair for top-notch writing, I was able to crack the preliminary tests into the website thereafter which I started obtaining projects. The payment offered was also reasonable and guaranteed. I hope I have been able to answer your question successfully. Regards
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  • Profile picture of the author IPLease
    You might try SEOClerks if you are interested in Fiverr. I have not had a lot of experience with marketplace sites like fiverr, but just thought SEOClerks might be of benefit to you if you have used fiverr in the past.
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  • Profile picture of the author heavysm
    I guess i have a very different process than most...

    I connect with a lot of different business people on facebook and talk to them about their businesses / site copy.

    That conversation leads me to giving them advice on tweaking their copy. They often don't want to do that, so I tell them basic tweaks they can do. When they realize that's not something they want to do themselves, i get a tiny fee for doing some tweaks.

    You get the basic idea of what's going on though. Foot in the door kind of thing.

    It's basically mingling in a market place and finding the people whose markets you'd like to write for.

    You find the products / industry people that you'd like to write copy for, or else write better sales letters for, talk to them and see where the conversation takes you.

    Even if you just give general advice, they'll know that you're willing to help them and ive been a referral several times where i just gave advice and they referred me to someone else who really needed my services.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    I can tell you one place NOT to sell copy...

    A strip club.

    It's very difficult to get the attention of your prospects.

    Alex
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    • Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

      I can tell you one place NOT to sell copy...

      A strip club.

      It's very difficult to get the attention of your prospects.

      Alex
      Mebbe there is a way round this -- an' it goes way beyond tattooin' MICROSOFT on boobies or butt cheeks.

      Gotta figure in the VR age we can match up a kinda CGI effect plays well on stripper flesh.

      Kinda like those light showsya see on buildings.

      VR headset tracks the gyratin' sweetiepoppet or thrustzilla guy an' superimposes the cinematic imagry on their bodies as they move.

      Would mebbe work better as pure art bcs I figure plenty people would wanna see a buncha ripplin' hunks packin' enhanced cuttlefish-style CGI ripplin' -- a shimmerin' multicolor sinew display.

      An' do not get me started on the possibilities for kaleidoscopic twerkin' allied to VR headset tech responds to the viewer's pulse like a mood ring.
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      • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
        Originally Posted by Princess Balestra View Post

        Mebbe there is a way round this -- an' it goes way beyond tattooin' MICROSOFT on boobies or butt cheeks.

        Gotta figure in the VR age we can match up a kinda CGI effect plays well on stripper flesh.

        Kinda like those light showsya see on buildings.

        VR headset tracks the gyratin' sweetiepoppet or thrustzilla guy an' superimposes the cinematic imagry on their bodies as they move.

        Would mebbe work better as pure art bcs I figure plenty people would wanna see a buncha ripplin' hunks packin' enhanced cuttlefish-style CGI ripplin' -- a shimmerin' multicolor sinew display.

        An' do not get me started on the possibilities for kaleidoscopic twerkin' allied to VR headset tech responds to the viewer's pulse like a mood ring.
        Think I've been there. Fell for a feline dressed stripper named Daisy Delights. Literally fell, broke my nose. So, make sure to offer insurance with your VR experience...15 minutes could save you on tart insurance.

        GordonJ
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      • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
        Originally Posted by Princess Balestra View Post

        Mebbe there is a way round this -- an' it goes way beyond tattooin' MICROSOFT on boobies or butt cheeks.

        Gotta figure in the VR age we can match up a kinda CGI effect plays well on stripper flesh.

        Kinda like those light showsya see on buildings.

        VR headset tracks the gyratin' sweetiepoppet or thrustzilla guy an' superimposes the cinematic imagry on their bodies as they move.

        Would mebbe work better as pure art bcs I figure plenty people would wanna see a buncha ripplin' hunks packin' enhanced cuttlefish-style CGI ripplin' -- a shimmerin' multicolor sinew display.

        An' do not get me started on the possibilities for kaleidoscopic twerkin' allied to VR headset tech responds to the viewer's pulse like a mood ring.
        Thanks Princess.

        How are things on your planet? lol

        Alex
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    • Profile picture of the author splitTest
      Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

      I can tell you one place NOT to sell copy...

      A strip club.

      It's very difficult to get the attention of your prospects.

      Alex
      Depends on where you place the copy...
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  • Profile picture of the author saucefire
    In places where the people controlling the budget are willing to pay your worth. Ad agencies, small business owners, mastermind groups lots of places
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  • Profile picture of the author ecoverartist
    I sell my copy to the people who have come to me and admitted their content isn't converting!
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  • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
    I sell my Copy on the black market.

    That's the only place one can safely sell LETHAL KILLER Copy.

    Kidding aside, this thread may help you out OP: https://www.warriorforum.com/copywri...pywriters.html

    There's a lot of good articles in there on how to land clients (among other things)
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  • Profile picture of the author Diligent Works
    Originally Posted by tritrain View Post

    Of course WF is at the top. Fiverr might be toward the bottom somewhere.

    Where do you tend to sell your copy? Not spun articles, but human-written ones.
    Assuming you are asking where to find clients, I would say most of mine comes to me from word-of-mouth from my previous clients.Try asking your clients if they have anyone they know who might require your services.

    A close second would be through social media such as FB groups and LinkedIn. The key is to regularly share your written work on your social feed.



    Hope that answers your question!
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  • Profile picture of the author copyghost
    Repeat customers or referrals.
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  • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
    Originally Posted by tritrain View Post

    Of course WF is at the top. Fiverr might be toward the bottom somewhere.

    Where do you tend to sell your copy? Not spun articles, but human-written ones.
    Direct to small businesses, through partnerships with SEO firms and all over social media.

    The Warrior forum is great. Fiverr isn't that great for content and many other marketplaces are only good if you're willing to work for very low rates.

    Benjamin Ehinger
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  • Profile picture of the author jazbo
    I don't sell my writing. People hire me to write it.


    What a bizarre question.
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by jazbo View Post

      I don't sell my writing. People hire me to write it.


      What a bizarre question.
      I'm thinking the OP might have meant marketing or advertising the service.
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      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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  • Profile picture of the author romon132
    6 Steps for Writing Simple Copy That Sells

    1. Have only one goal (seriously: just one)
    2. Only have one audience
    3. Make it conversational ... by actually conversing
    4. Avoid jargon and "insider" language
    5. Cut your adjectives in half and your adverbs altogether (almost)
    6. Cut 'til it hurts
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by romon132 View Post

      6 Steps for Writing Simple Copy That Sells

      1. Have only one goal (seriously: just one)
      2. Only have one audience
      3. Make it conversational ... by actually conversing
      4. Avoid jargon and "insider" language
      5. Cut your adjectives in half and your adverbs altogether (almost)
      6. Cut 'til it hurts
      Of course NONE of that addresses the OP's question, but thanks for sharing. lol
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      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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  • Profile picture of the author Priyanshu101
    You can sell out in Top Marketplace Who have good traffic and a better chance to getting Leads. I am mentioning Top marketplace hope this migh help you
    • Upwork
    • Freelancer
    • Peoplehour
    Or you can do google search Article Marketplace

    TIA
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  • Profile picture of the author Tedel
    There are a few subreddits you may want to check, like "hire a writer."
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    • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
      Originally Posted by Tedel View Post

      There are a few subreddits you may want to check, like "hire a writer."
      Did you look at the first post and see the post is from last November. Most likely he already has this figured out.
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  • Profile picture of the author portablesys
    Yes you can use reddit for hiring the writer for youself.
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  • Profile picture of the author Digvijay Singh
    The people who have hired you to write sells your copies forward.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimboJim
    On the street, with a thick trench coat on. Don't need the po-po seeing my wares.
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  • By all means use the interweb and all its wondrous channels.

    Then take a break from your computer and leg it down to your Chamber of Commerce meetings.

    Don't tout (people hate that) but when asked what you do - and you will be asked...

    Have an ace 20 - 30 second elevator pitch - but be a bit humbleish - not many people like a screaming egotist.

    "Somehow, maybe thanks to years of experience/study/practise/ I help businesses get (lots more clients and profits)...because I can (write ads, websites you name it ...which hit the right emotions and get a great response) ..."

    Then say - "Would it be Ok to give you my business card? " - they rarely if ever say no.

    Your business card has of course a bazzing sentence or two of spellbinding "gimme a call" copy.

    You may be a bit stunned at the sheer quality of calls you get.


    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author JerryNoTom
    I use Upwork.
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