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I would like some advice as a newbie copywriter.

by pce850
9 replies
Hi

The veteran copywriters on this form would have probably come across a thread like mine many times over the years.

But I truly would appreciate advice from you guys.

A little bit about myself:

I work a 9-5 job and earn a decent amount to afford living in my house and to pay the bills. But I would really like to earn more and to put it bluntly, I'd like to be in a better financial position within the next 5 years. Financial freedom is the aim.

I've always known about copywriting and I totally understand that it's not a get rich quick scheme. I am happy to learn the craft and get better through experience and time.

I have burning questions inside of me which I would really like you guys to answer. So here goes:

1. I would like to earn at least another $1000 dollars a month to begin with (happy to do it part time to begin with) but would like to earn $5000 to $8000 a month if things fall into place and I'm able to do it full time.

2. I'm reading several books on copy writing and I'm not buying any courses. I've also started writing and have written a mock sales letter, a newsletter, a landing page and an email for a made up email marketing campaign. I've done the and I've enjoyed the experience.

I'm creating a website for myself. It will be basic and will give me a presence. I'll also add my mock samples in my portfolio on there so that clients can see my work.

I'll email small businesses to begin with to see if any of them need any content for websites,brochures,sales letters,landing pages etc. I want to target smaller businesses first and I'll build up my confidence like this, hopefully.

Is this a good approach?

3. Finally, I do go through periods of self doubt as to whether I write well enough or whether or not I'm cut out for copywriting. I don't come from a journalism background nor do I have any prior copywriting experience. But I'm determined.

How can I remove these doubts?

Guys your advice would be greatly appreciated and would help immensely.

Thanks.
#advice #copywriter #newbie
  • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
    Originally Posted by pce850 View Post

    I'm creating a website for myself. It will be basic and will give me a presence. I'll also add my mock samples in my portfolio on there so that clients can see my work.
    Best to have them request samples of your work. This affords you an immediate opportunity to begin establishing a relationship (which some people find invaluable) and by getting an address you can begin to build a list (which, again, many folks find invaluable) and send out samples of anything you create that you are proud to share.

    How can I remove these doubts?
    Self-confidence is built over time in numerous ways - some relating to your overall mental attitude about life and work, some relating to your ability to interact with prospective clients and some through creating work that you feel shows that you have the skills to pursue this line of work - and that overtime you feel they are improving.

    It makes no sense for anyone to try and give you pointers on this topic, as there are thousands of books and tens of thousands of websites that can help you with this.

    The number one thing is to be sure to write something - every day. Reading is just as important as writing, if you want to become an effective copywriter.

    It's a tough racket, with lots of competition. Establishing yourself won't be easy and it won't come quickly. It's like anything else. If you believe in yourself, have a modicum of talent that you are willing to work to hone and are realistic in your goals, you might achieve the success you are looking for. It's important to remember, though, that even with all that, there are no guarantees.

    DO NOT fall for the, "If you just believe in yourself and never quit, success is guaranteed, BS." Anyone smart enough to be a good copywriter is probably smart enough to recognize pure, unadulterated hokum, when they hear it.

    Good luck.
    Signature

    "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 pce850
      Thanks alot. Your advice is very helpful.

      I'm still in two minds as to whether I should go ahead with copywriting. As you've mentioned there's lots of competition and I may not get work as a result of this.
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      • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
        As you've mentioned there's lots of competition and I may not get work as a result of this.

        2 things buddy:

        1 - Believe in yourself above skeptics. Skeptics are afraid, and fearful people give poor advice in the area of mindset. Doubt is a fear-filled emotion. Do not trust fear. Fear is an illusion, not real. Most folks live in that hologram, and this is the hologram aka The Matrix causing your fears and doubts. Don't trust 'em. Not really there.

        2 - There is no competition is an abundant Universe (again, competition is fear, a complete illusion). Believing you won't get work is doubt, which is fear, and we know by now, fear is not real.

        Few folks really delve deeply into fear. The few who do...well....look at my smiling avatar and learn a wee bit more about me hehehe....

        As for all the practical copy advice, sounds solid enough to me. Makes sense. But again, if your mind ain't right, and you are seeing things and practical tips through the prism of fear, skepticism and all these other illusions, your ego will not allow you to think or see clearly. Really dive into those fears, purge 'em, and

        Ryan
        Signature
        Ryan Biddulph helps you to be a successful blogger with his courses, manuals and blog at Blogging From Paradise
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  • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
    Originally Posted by pce850 View Post

    Hi

    The veteran copywriters on this form would have probably come across a thread like mine many times over the years.

    But I truly would appreciate advice from you guys.

    A little bit about myself:

    I work a 9-5 job and earn a decent amount to afford living in my house and to pay the bills. But I would really like to earn more and to put it bluntly, I'd like to be in a better financial position within the next 5 years. Financial freedom is the aim.

    I've always known about copywriting and I totally understand that it's not a get rich quick scheme. I am happy to learn the craft and get better through experience and time.

    I have burning questions inside of me which I would really like you guys to answer. So here goes:

    1. I would like to earn at least another $1000 dollars a month to begin with (happy to do it part time to begin with) but would like to earn $5000 to $8000 a month if things fall into place and I'm able to do it full time.

    2. I'm reading several books on copy writing and I'm not buying any courses. I've also started writing and have written a mock sales letter, a newsletter, a landing page and an email for a made up email marketing campaign. I've done the and I've enjoyed the experience.

    I'm creating a website for myself. It will be basic and will give me a presence. I'll also add my mock samples in my portfolio on there so that clients can see my work.

    I'll email small businesses to begin with to see if any of them need any content for websites,brochures,sales letters,landing pages etc. I want to target smaller businesses first and I'll build up my confidence like this, hopefully.

    Is this a good approach?

    3. Finally, I do go through periods of self doubt as to whether I write well enough or whether or not I'm cut out for copywriting. I don't come from a journalism background nor do I have any prior copywriting experience. But I'm determined.

    How can I remove these doubts?

    Guys your advice would be greatly appreciated and would help immensely.

    Thanks.
    Advice, knowing it makes no sense to do so, is this:

    SELL something today. Right now. This hour. Write some copy and take it to the market.

    Find out if you can write sales copy or not.

    What to write on? Well, what does it matter? Sell your TV on craigslist.

    Sell a book on ebay. Sell your bike. Get a blank piece of paper and start writing. THAT in itself will start your thought processes. What do I write on? What markets do I want to be in, what niches?

    Look around your house, see what you have bought. Pick your most recent purchases. And if you bought ANYTHING because of the copy, then start there.

    What was in that copy that got you to buy? Can you write a promotion of a different kind selling the same thing?

    Doubt is the shadow of our fear.
    Confidence is the reflection of our experience.
    ACTION is the revelation of our faith.

    Eliminate doubt via facing the sun and not having a shadow. ACTION for purpose. Write for results. Write to sell, today.
    Confidence comes from success, repeated. Which means write today, write tomorrow, write all year, until something works, analyze, adjust, rinse and repeat.

    ACTION is not a mental activity, it is physical, so get those ideas out of your head and take them to the market. If you think you have the "chops" to do this, then begin to do it.

    And I might advise to limit yourself to whatever books you have right now, you have a lifetime ahead of learning, it is a lifelong process, but there is never a crossover point, where your BOOK learning, Guru teaching, mind stuffing education gets you to the tipping point of

    OH, NOW, I can write.

    You get there, by writing. Write to sell something today.

    GordonJ

    PS. I would never suggest Copywriting as a career for most people, at the low end, it is a commodity, and from your post, it is where you would start and compete with thousands of people. Maybe hit your goals, with a lot of hours spent.

    IF anyone can write copy which sells something, why not use that skill for your own profit, and not sell your time for a few bux an hour...when that same time could earn you 10x if you have control of what you are selling?
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    • Profile picture of the author pce850
      Thanks.

      I'm going to give it my best.

      I hope I can make decent money despite the competition.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bert Shields
    Is this a good approach?
    I'm doing things a bit differently myself...

    In a nutshell, instead of going out to look for clients, I'm taking it upon myself to sell products as an affiliate. It's not a bad way to break into your niche, establish authority, and get paid to attract future clients.

    There are a number of ways you could go about doing this... Most of us just drop an affiliate link at the bottom of an article and pray.

    But I'd propose a more efficient model.

    Consider creating a sort of "mini-business" around 1 affiliate product... Pick one that solves a prevalent issue within your niche. If you're in fitness, for example, you could choose to sell a a fat burner. Then, write up a free report, check list, or something lead magnet worthy... and build a quick opt-in page. Doesn't take long.

    Throw the link to your affiliate product on the thank you page. Write up a 3-5 day autoresponder sequence promoting the product further, and start driving traffic.

    This method takes about a week of setup per mini-business but, if you write well and optimize your funnel well, you could make 50-75% commissions pretty quickly.

    Free traffic. Paid traffic. Doesn't matter.

    As you make sales, you'll build up quite the impressive portfolio, and you can add an "apply to work with so and so" button to your site.

    Doesn't require any networking or cold emailing... So it's pretty cool.

    Anyway, if you're interested, you can find an article about this on my site. Or I can link you straight to it if you'd like.

    Hope this helps!
    Robert
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  • Profile picture of the author Vladimir Mirnii
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
      Originally Posted by Vladimir Mirnii View Post

      To master the art of copywriting I advise you get down to handwriting copies of the best copywriters of all time like Gary Halbert, Gary Bencivenga, Joseph Sugerman, and great rising talents like John McIntire, Dan Ferrari, Ian Stanley, etc. . It will give an understanding and the direction of how to become successful in copywriting. There you can find valuable tips referring to the structure of the content, style, and flow and other valuable tips, which can help you to start. I hope this information will be really helpful.
      Well, OK. This is one school of thought, and it may suit the OP. But there is another school of thinking which says doing this (handwriting copy) is a waste of time. This school, also has the largest Facebook group for copywriters and is the Cult of Copy.

      If you have become a "master of copywriting" doing this, then it worked for you and like most endorsements, is anecdotal.

      There are many successful copywriters who just learn from doing.

      GordonJ

      PS It is a choice, if you have time and think it helps you understand the copy, write it out by hand, just make sure it was a winner, no sense copying a bomb, eh?
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  • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
    Originally Posted by pce850 View Post

    Hi

    The veteran copywriters on this form would have probably come across a thread like mine many times over the years.

    But I truly would appreciate advice from you guys.

    A little bit about myself:

    I work a 9-5 job and earn a decent amount to afford living in my house and to pay the bills. But I would really like to earn more and to put it bluntly, I'd like to be in a better financial position within the next 5 years. Financial freedom is the aim.

    I've always known about copywriting and I totally understand that it's not a get rich quick scheme. I am happy to learn the craft and get better through experience and time.

    I have burning questions inside of me which I would really like you guys to answer. So here goes:

    1. I would like to earn at least another $1000 dollars a month to begin with (happy to do it part time to begin with) but would like to earn $5000 to $8000 a month if things fall into place and I'm able to do it full time.

    2. I'm reading several books on copy writing and I'm not buying any courses. I've also started writing and have written a mock sales letter, a newsletter, a landing page and an email for a made up email marketing campaign. I've done the and I've enjoyed the experience.

    I'm creating a website for myself. It will be basic and will give me a presence. I'll also add my mock samples in my portfolio on there so that clients can see my work.

    I'll email small businesses to begin with to see if any of them need any content for websites,brochures,sales letters,landing pages etc. I want to target smaller businesses first and I'll build up my confidence like this, hopefully.

    Is this a good approach?

    3. Finally, I do go through periods of self doubt as to whether I write well enough or whether or not I'm cut out for copywriting. I don't come from a journalism background nor do I have any prior copywriting experience. But I'm determined.

    How can I remove these doubts?

    Guys your advice would be greatly appreciated and would help immensely.

    Thanks.
    How you doing? Or what have you been doing? One month isn't much time, but it also is enough time to have done something.

    A few days ago, I went shopping for a copywriter/content writer at the department stores of freelancers; Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, etc. At Upwork, there were 46,695 listings for copywriters.

    So, hope you have at least worked on your mindset, because I'm sure more than a few also have self belief, and don't accept any negative input. They DO.

    Have you written anything which actually tried to sell something this past month?

    I have my doubts about whether you show up here again, but if you do, you may find some more helpful and/or useful advice you can ACT ON.

    So, care to give us an update?

    GordonJ
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  • Profile picture of the author mistertecho
    Do more research. All the copywriting and advertising greats know the value of research. ...
    Add more interest. ...
    Inject personality. ...
    Refine your headline. ...
    Simplify your content. ...
    Give your audience what they want. ...
    Tell a story. ...
    8. Make the copy visually appealing.
    Notepad++ Malwarebytes FileZilla
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