How do I find good copywriting jobs?

20 replies
I see this question a lot. It's the wrong question.

The real question is...

How do I find good copywriting clients?

That distinction matters. A lot. Every time I'm looking for work, whether on a bidding site like Upwork, an online job board, LinkedIn, or offline networking (I've found great clients using all these methods), I evaluate the client, not the job.

Jobs come and go. Good clients will come back for years. Decades even. They'll also bring you valuable referral business.

Most of my work these days comes from referrals or repeat clients. Sure, I still look. It's a habit a freelancer should never give up. But the mindset you have while looking matters.

Here are a few practical takeaways:

1. Never work for a lower rate on the promise of "lots of future work for the right person."

Any client that pays well will pay well from the start. Clients who don't pay well never will, and they'll often use this line ^ as bait to lure you in.

2. Never quote prices or timelines until you know exactly what the client wants.

If they want you to edit something, get an example. No exceptions. The fastest way to blow a good long-term relationship is by setting poor expectations.

3. Meet all-new clients via phone, Zoom, or in person.

Get a feel for whether you have "business chemistry" with them. This is the most important factor for maintaining long-term client relationships.

4. Look for clients who will pay you for your insights and your writing.

Clients who are willing to change their minds based on your advice make the best long-term clients. You'll never get paid well just to write. This industry is too saturated. You will, however, be paid well if your client sees you as an expert in your topic and your audience.

Some clients won't care to hear your advice. Don't work with them. Ever. You will never change their mind because you're not a psychologist. Leave your schedule open for clients who will recognize and respect your expertise.

Finally, become a better writer.

Work at it every day.

Never rest on your laurels.

There's no substitution for competence.
#copywriting #find #good #jobs
  • Profile picture of the author spartan14
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    • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
      Originally Posted by spartan14 View Post

      Thats great advices and it will help a lot those who work on copyright and sell their services
      Copyright? lol
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    • Profile picture of the author WF- Enzo
      Administrator
      How will this help you?

      Originally Posted by spartan14 View Post

      Thats great advices and it will help a lot those who work on copyright and sell their services
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  • Profile picture of the author Saurav Gami
    Really good advice, i will be resharing this on linkedin
    Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    , i will be resharing this on linkedin

    Forum posts are also copyrighted.
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    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    One secret to happiness is to let every situation be
    what it is instead of what you think it should be.
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  • Profile picture of the author heysushil08
    I see multiple good advice in a single post. Awesome. I used to work as a freelance writer a few years ago and I was never comfortable with one-on-one talks with the clients. Not that I didn't do meetings, but the lack of confidence/nervousness was always noticeable on my face/voice.

    I'm planning on starting again soon and talking with strangers is something I gotta work on.
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  • Profile picture of the author nil123
    The recession is high in most European countries and now I am witnessing clients from the region have reduced their investments in content.
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    Order ready articles at decent price.
    DM for guest post do-follow links.

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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      Strikes me as odd: I would think you want more advertising when there are fewer buyers and the same amount of sellers, not less.


      Originally Posted by nil123 View Post

      The recession is high in most European countries and now I am witnessing clients from the region have reduced their investments in content.
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      • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
        Originally Posted by DABK View Post

        Strikes me as odd: I would think you want more advertising when there are fewer buyers and the same amount of sellers, not less.
        It depends on the company. I've noticed that companies who hire budget writers have to trim back during recessions because their marketing isn't working. So, it's an expense instead of an investment.

        Companies who pay good money for good writing don't have this problem because their marketing is working.
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        • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
          Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

          It depends on the company. I've noticed that companies who hire budget writers have to trim back during recessions because their marketing isn't working. So, it's an expense instead of an investment.

          Companies who pay good money for good writing don't have this problem because their marketing is working.
          Companies who pay good money for good writing (copywriting) NEED copywriting.

          So, if you are offering your time/skill for dollars, then you find those companies that need copy written.

          I long ago, left that world, and found a lot of lucrative gigs with companies that don't need the so called direct response copy to be written, but may need ancillary writing, or complementary writing to support their brands, or newer campaigns.

          To sell an idea of your writing services to a company without need for copy (as we define it=direct response or stimulus/response) is an area without competition and if you have the confidence in your abilities, a much higher paying, faster paying, longer term gig.

          I guess, one way to beat the competition, is DON'T HAVE ANY.

          Eh?

          GordonJ
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        • Profile picture of the author DABK
          Agreed. Does not stop baffling me when companies save in the wrong places.

          When they think a good general writer is the best choice for their about us page or when they cut down on marketing because the economy is shrinking so they get fewer sales than they used to (though the cost of a new sale is still worth it).

          Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

          It depends on the company. I've noticed that companies who hire budget writers have to trim back during recessions because their marketing isn't working. So, it's an expense instead of an investment.

          Companies who pay good money for good writing don't have this problem because their marketing is working.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nuadazan
    I guess people above has explained everything exhaustively but I can't miss the opportunity to help those who are confused.
    You know, as a copywriter, you have to seek for opportunities on the market. Yeah, there is a huge competition on the market nevertheless there are dozens of vacant places at the same time. You just don't notice them, while you need noticing them.

    Freelance platforms, recruitment platforms, friends' advice - all of these methods still work and will work for copywriters many many years more.
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  • When it comes to getting clients - you don't really want the conversation to go like this...



    Copywriter - Blimey Mr/Mrs Client it's really, really tough for me to find copywriting clients - like climbing a jagged mountain with no boots on.

    Client - But you're in advertising - surely you know how to throw together a good "client pitch?"

    Copywriter - Yeah, maybe but finding clients is the most difficult thing for me to do - so it is.

    Client - Well, what can you do for us?

    Copywriter - Oh right - let me show you how with my "secret formula" - I'll get you 997 unique and exclusive - "impossible for anyone else to get"- extremely high paying customers a day with an ongoing revenue stream of $49,007 and hour...



    Need clients?

    Aim for good ones - people you want to work with.

    Keep perfecting your "pitch" - aimed at their needs, wants, desires and ambitions - don't forgot to mention your expertise and abilities to help them achieve all this.

    And if the client - can't, won't or doesn't see the good sense in hiring you...

    Thank them profusely for their time and the opportunity (it's not unheard of for them to change their mind - so leave in good spirits).

    Grab a coffee...

    And move on to the next one.


    It shouldn't take too long to have a increasingly lucrative rostra of ongoing people.

    Always spend a bit of time prospecting for new candidates.


    So you don't get stuck with any clients - who for whatever reason - you would prefer to say an aimable goodbye to.



    Steve
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  • Like Nellie the Done Dead Gone To Frick Raccoon said: The very air be 'pon your nostrils to be sniffed.

    So that is why I always recommend gowin' into the quirksy quadruped quotation business.

    QQQ!

    Think GOOGLE here!

    Srsly tho, it is incredible how SO MANY cool an' inspired people gaht SO MANY cool an' inspired ideahs gonna benefit SO MANY suckah uppahs of their partickular vim, fury, solve, soothe (or jus' plain frickin' stoopid) -- an' yet they consult SO MANY total vacuums of copy persons to holler out yondah to SO MANY potential prospects.

    Prahblem is (eithah or all) ...

    1) They too doped up on their own ass to touch base with actschwl people.

    2) They too busy creatin' to write it all out.

    3) They believe in magic.

    4) They can't write to pull up their frickin' pants.

    and

    WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

    5) Their product, service or ideah is SO intrinsically desirable IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

    Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter View Post


    Need clients?

    Aim for good ones - people you want to work with.
    Eithah pickin' an' choosin' the smartest words evah counts for sumthin' -- or it counts for nuthin'.

    If'n you believe this to be troo, manifest your gravity in this direction, always.
    Signature

    Lightin' fuses is for blowin' stuff togethah.

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    • Looking back at my best Ads.

      I didn't choose the words.

      They chose me - with little tags on them - saying -"don't use smart words - just use words that work"


      (See No 5 above in PB's post) - Always beyond wonderful when the product does speak for itself.

      Best reason to be a copywriter - FIND those products - and just flick on the "talk" switch.


      (Princess could use her words - and Netflix might send her contracts for their next blockbuster....coughs - behave yourselves - the words are for "The Crown" not "Stranger Things")


      Steve


      P.S.

      Has anyone else noticed...


      Astonishingly, many clients don't realise they have a product/service that does speak for itself.

      Or with a few tweaks it would.

      And when you tell them - at first - they can't see through their clouds of mist.

      But when they do...
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  • Profile picture of the author max5ty
    My theory on copywriting is, if you tell someone you can sell their products, you should be able to sell something yourself...

    there are a million products out there you can sell.

    Find one, write whatever you feel you need to, and sell it.

    If it doesn't sell...you either have a product nobody wants, or your presentation sucks...

    work on your presentation or product until you get it right.

    Then, after you make a few thousand bucks, you have a portfolio and a record to run on.

    Stop asking people to practice with their money.

    If you need a product, let me know, I'll give you some ideas
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    • Originally Posted by max5ty View Post


      work on your presentation or product until you get it right.
      Medium. Message. Presentation. Product.

      Tellya, this is holism gone crazy.

      You can anatomize all you wanna 'bout most stuffs ... an' I endeavor to do so wherevah possible without fallin' foula THE LAW ... but evrywan else out there gaht ONE GAZE, an' they don't gotta be lookin' your way less'n you packin' most speshlist of ATTRACTOWAFT.


      Doorbell rings.

      Parcel.

      For Moi?

      Guy says uh huh.

      Thx.

      Hmm.

      *rip* *scissor* *dropkick*

      The frick is THIS?


      Tellya, for evry product you nevah wanted, there is a copywritah dun their best to want it on your behalf an' get the easy part outta the way.


      Hey!

      Hey! Parcel guy!

      You figure JOKESY CHRISTMAS ANTLERS in JOOLY is KINDA FUNNY?

      I armin' musself with a spatula rn ... an' chasin' you down till'n I can slap your butt all kindsa rainbow with the fkr.


      Doorbell rings.
      Signature

      Lightin' fuses is for blowin' stuff togethah.

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  • Profile picture of the author WF- Enzo
    Administrator
    Good thread. Stickied.
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  • Oh, I love this! Turn the question around, and you'll immediately solve your problem!
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  • Profile picture of the author Gaylenaramo
    You've written some really good advice for copywriters.
    I'm sure similar advice would work for any other freelance professions.
    It will help a person always remain a professional who appreciates his work, respects himself and is respected by others.
    That's cool. It's the right thing to do.
    You also need to remember to improve your knowledge and the quality of your work.
    It will help to raise the cost of services every six months or a year.
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