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Need tips on how 'not' to sell your work for pennies !

by Icanwrite
18 replies
Hi Friends,

I am looking for some help/ tips to break into the high paying copyrighting industry. I know we need to 'start' somewhere but I also understand that once you start at the bottom, you kind of get into a rut - Is it true ?
I have been selling my services on websites and forums which pay pennies for your hard work and getting hundreds of clients keeps me too busy to look for more lucrative offers (Which was the idea to 'get there' in the first place).
How do I get out of this rut and achieve my goals ?
Which are the websites/forums to try and ones to avoid ?
Any help would be great !

Thanks,
Jo
#pennies #sell #tips #work
  • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
    Originally Posted by Icanwrite View Post

    Hi Friends,

    I am looking for some help/ tips to break into the high paying copyrighting industry. I know we need to 'start' somewhere but I also understand that once you start at the bottom, you kind of get into a rut - Is it true ?
    I have been selling my services on websites and forums which pay pennies for your hard work and getting hundreds of clients keeps me too busy to look for more lucrative offers (Which was the idea to 'get there' in the first place).
    How do I get out of this rut and achieve my goals ?
    Which are the websites/forums to try and ones to avoid ?
    Any help would be great !

    Thanks,
    Jo
    When I first worked in the I.T. industry I worked for free, just to get experience.

    In less than two years after that I was on the U.S. equivalent of around $70,000.00. That was in 1999.

    If it was true you can get labeled as a low-price worker just because you start off like that, I should have never gotten to that level so quickly.

    If you write for someone for $500, who then goes off and makes a million because of your copy, do you think you'll still be stuck writing for $500?

    I don't think so.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ross Bowring
      There's pro's and con's to starting low... but the most important thing is that you start, whatever you first charge.

      There's no "right" way to do things. Do your best from the place you're at. Look to get better at copywriting on a daily incremental basis. Look to get better with each letter.

      Move focus towards helping clients and away from your own egoic ambition. Become a humble and perpetual student of the persuasive arts.

      Study daily. Write daily.

      Do that, and you're encouraging good things to happen.

      --- Ross
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  • Profile picture of the author John_S
    I'd start by writing it as copywriting. ..just sayin'

    However, if it is copyright, I think I see the problem.
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    • Profile picture of the author Icanwrite
      Oops ! That was a typo. Don't worry, I DO know the difference.

      Originally Posted by John_S View Post

      I'd start by writing it as copywriting. ..just sayin'

      However, if it is copyright, I think I see the problem.
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      Adventure travel blogger & outreach expert - WanderWithJo.com
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  • Profile picture of the author CopyMonster
    Some resources you may want to check out - not inexpensive, but then what's it costing you not charging what you should be?

    John Carlton - Freelance Copywriting, the overall message "Get Good, Get Connected, Get Paid!"
    Harlan Kilstein - Value Based Copywriting, all about selling the value in what you bring to the table. As Rezbi said, if you produce a letter that generates big results, that's your leverage point right there.
    Signature
    Scary good...
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  • Profile picture of the author Nicola Lane
    I can recommend this report:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...r-writing.html

    Currently it is $14 - and worth at least $140!
    Signature

    I like to keep an open mind, but not so open that my brains fall out

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  • Profile picture of the author mikeroosa
    At least you took action and go something done. That is one of the biggest traps we fall into. I would recommend you decide how much you want to make in a day and figure out how many articles you can write. This will tell you what you should charge. There are plenty of people out there willing to pay more than the few bucks you are getting if you are producing quality content.
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    • Profile picture of the author arfasaira
      I have just bought this and read quite a lot of it, and believe you me, I wish I had found this book sooner. The book is really funny in some parts, but demonstrates just how to get yourself out of that low money making rut. I personally NEVER take on low paid work - one bad project that literally paid me pennies and nearly killed off my hand and shoulder in the process made me re-think my strategy. Regardless of what I currently charge, this book has shown me how to make even more.

      Indispensable and worth it's weight in gold.
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      "Sales Letter Conversion Rate At 19%??" Get Your Own Kick-Ass Converting Copy Here!
      Need More Clients? Click here...
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  • Profile picture of the author Len Bailey
    Hi Jo,

    The first thing to remember is to treat yourself as your most valuable client.

    Take your copywriting skills and put them to work selling your services by writing a letter that introduces you ... establishes you as an expert ... fully dimensionalizes the value of what you bring to the table ... and then goes on to show why your rates are a screaming bargain.

    Then use that letter -- either by sending it out directly or to keep handy when you're communicating with prospective clients.

    A lot of people don't realize that if your rates are too low, most quality clients won't even consider you -- they get the impression you're either a complete amateur or simply not good enough.

    Bob Bly has a great ebook on how to set your copywriting rates, and Clayton Makepeace also covers this in his How to Build a Six-Figure Copywriting Business info-product. You can also find great information on their websites (Copywriter - Bob Bly - Copywriting Services) ... Clayton Makepeace's site (The Total Package) and others.

    If you don't have a copy of Bob Bly's The Copywriter's Handbook, I strongly urge you to get one. That little baby helped me a lot when I first started out -- and I didn't charge less than $75 per hour (billed at a flat rate, of course) on anything I wrote -- even as a newbie.

    I'm on a deadline today and tomorrow, but I'll try to dig up more specific information and post it in the forum later in the week.

    Hope this helps,
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    Len Bailey
    Copywriter/Consultant
    Feel free to connect on LinkedIn or Twitter

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  • Profile picture of the author Len Bailey
    One last tip: I'd avoid any site that seems to reward jobs to the lowest bidder. Not only will you have a hard time making a living, you'll also find it harder to be taken seriously by clients who understand the value of hiring a good copywriter -- because they believe "you get what you pay for."

    If you're a good copywriter and are currently only earning peanuts, why not post a WSO for your services? I haven't done one yet (too much work as it is), but I'm sure many of our fellow Warriors would be more than willing to pay reasonable rates for quality copy. Just make sure that when you give them a price break off your (new) standard rates and comply with the WSO terms.
    Signature

    Len Bailey
    Copywriter/Consultant
    Feel free to connect on LinkedIn or Twitter

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  • Profile picture of the author kimwriter
    The important thing is to gain experience and a portfolio. Once you gain a considerable portfolio of highly satisfied customers, you can charge whatever you want and compensate for all the low fees in the past.
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    "The file cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents"     - Read the solution
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  • Profile picture of the author fingers4hire
    Create a great portfolio and don't accept anything less than what you think you're worth. It sounds easier than it really is, especially if it is your only source of income, but once you get labeled as a low priced copywriter people will not want to pay you more regardless of how good you are.
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    Kimberly Best - Low Cost, High Quality Transcription Services
    Transcriptionist, http://www.Fingers4Hiretranscription.com/
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    • Profile picture of the author AustinLadyTam
      Jo,

      1. Start out for free if you must, with the understanding that you WILL receive a testimonial.
      2. Use that testimonial to attract the next buyer.
      3. Never, ever publicize your rate online. No two copywriting jobs are ever the same, and hopefully your rates will be rising. Make them contact you to quote the job--this is a selling opportunity!

      I used to get all my business from a well-known freelance site. I once had a would-be buyer try to hammer me down on my rate because she'd dug through my online feedback (which included project payments) and discovered that 6 years ago my very first copywriting job was 3 one-page sales letters at $xxx apiece. And then she demanded THAT rate!

      I explained that that I'd improved greatly in 6 years, and that the client back then had given me some sales letter templates to use. She still wasn't convinced so I told her I wouldn't work for that.

      As a new copywriter, part of your job is to learn when to say "No" when they try to low-ball you.

      One common tactic is what I call the "iceberg"--the would-be client tells you that if you do a good job for a good price, he's got LOTS of other work in the pipeline for you. Most of the time, that's wishful thinking.
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      Find out how you can produce powerful, fist-pumping profits with a rock-em, sock-em sales system created by a former robotics engineer who rips apart winning sales copy to see what makes it tick so she make yours even better…PM me for details
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      • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod
        Originally Posted by AustinLadyTam View Post

        One common tactic is what I call the "iceberg"--the would-be client tells you that if you do a good job for a good price, he's got LOTS of other work in the pipeline for you. Most of the time, that's wishful thinking.
        Ah yes.. good ole "Money On The Come..."

        One of the first things I was warned against as a young man
        by my advertising mentor.

        It's often offered with great sincerity - and rarely materializes
        with any regularity.

        Wishful thinking is a nice way of putting that. : )

        Best,

        Brian
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        Brian McLeod
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    There's a lot of stuff in this thread and I don't have time to read it all. My point, what I'm about to say might already be covered. But here it is anyway:

    If you start off selling your talent cheap, it's hard to make the transition to higher prices. Not impossible, but hard. So how do you rise above that?

    Make yourself valuable first. How? Get a winner under your belt. You might do that in one of serveral ways. One, you can convince someone you've got the goods and then actually deliver the goods. If you do deliver a great piece and you can document it was a winner, you can literally build your entire business around it.

    The other way is to write sales copy for a product you've either created yourself or something you own the rights to. If it converts and you can prove it, you're golden. Those two approaches will keep you out of the low rent district. But you've got to deliver, otherwise, you probably need to start in the cellar.

    Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author maximus242
    Originally Posted by Icanwrite View Post

    Hi Friends,

    I am looking for some help/ tips to break into the high paying copyrighting industry. I know we need to 'start' somewhere but I also understand that once you start at the bottom, you kind of get into a rut - Is it true ?
    I have been selling my services on websites and forums which pay pennies for your hard work and getting hundreds of clients keeps me too busy to look for more lucrative offers (Which was the idea to 'get there' in the first place).
    How do I get out of this rut and achieve my goals ?
    Which are the websites/forums to try and ones to avoid ?
    Any help would be great !

    Thanks,
    Jo
    There is only one thing you need to know. Write control packages.
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    xResponsive Advertising Agency | Direct Marketing | Online Advertising | Create Breakthrough Campaigns for Your Business http://xresponsive.com

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  • Profile picture of the author Copyhog
    Hi Jo,

    When I started my copywriting business I was faced the same problem, but then I did a bit of online searching and came across a book by Michael Port called 'Book Yourself Solid' after reading it I must say my view on business, clients and payment changed. Now I individually price copy according to my clients needs, clients that I not only enjoy working with but who always come back for more!

    Hope this helps, give it a read its pretty awesome.

    Kind Regards,
    CG Dewing
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    Managing Director of Digital Contrast Media
    Web 2.0 Copywriting Specialist
    Quantum Linguistics Expert

    http://www.contrastmedia.co.za

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