Copywriters: How did you get your first client?

8 replies
Hi,

Just wondering...how did you get your first paying client, how much experience/training did you have at that time, and (for context) how long ago was it?

Thanks for your input

Virginia
#client #copywriters
  • Profile picture of the author Wechito
    Start by posting your services hear at the WF.

    You can also go to fiverr, zeerk, elance... and get listed there.

    Make your website and promote it.

    Make classified adds (Craighlist works great).
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    Originally Posted by virginiad View Post

    Hi,

    Just wondering...how did you get your first paying client, how much experience/training did you have at that time, and (for context) how long ago was it?

    Thanks for your input

    Virginia
    I "broke in" by writing copy for myself. At the time, I was a business broker and wrote a lead generation page. Drove traffic to it with Google Adwords.

    The lead generation page was successful, so the next thing I did was write a sales letter selling it to business brokers in other geographical areas.

    I think it starts that way for a lot of copywriters.

    Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author Stephen Bray
    I started writing copy when I worked
    for a small newspaper. Later I
    wrote my own business copy and
    also some for friends.


    The other day I got some work

    without trying. I went into a shop
    because I wanted to know who
    had processed the photographs
    in their window display.

    We got talking and now I'm

    due to upgrade this site.

    Journey Into Blue

    This happened because I looked
    at some web pages and sent back
    some corrections, as a favour.

    The guy was so pleased that he's
    also recommended me to other
    local business people.

    In my experience when you
    demonstrate your talent the
    people will come, as happened
    in my recent example.

    Stephen
    Signature
    Send me a DM, or visit my support desk to contact me: http://support.stephenbray.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Stephen Dean
    I'm pretty sure I was the first copywriter online to write for $2-400 about 7 years ago. I remember when Michel Fortin found my page he was shocked at the price and started a whole forum thread about the idea of a cheap copywriter.

    7 years later and a slew of big name clients, I'm not that cheap anymore

    I got my first dozen or so clients by sending a little mailing through the FrankelBiz list. It was free at the time, not sure if it's still available.

    Again, since I was the only one at this rate at the time I got a ton of work. It's gotten quite a bit more competitive now.

    The way I'd do it if I had to start over is to offer to rewrite headlines, PS's, guarantees and other small sections for people for free.

    (Choose people you think are likely to hire you. That means people who obviously invest in their business, like professional graphics and such, and also people who are less likely to spend $10,000 on their copy. Look for people in the middle, and just offer unsolicited help. Not SPAM, just rewrite a headline and send it to them via blog comment, forum reply, or email if they list it on a site and it's appropriate to do so.)

    Just by doing small little tasks for people like this, they're now going to think of you as THEIR copywriter when they need a job done. Or if they have a friend who needs copy done.

    It's a good way to get your foot in the door.

    Cheers,
    Stephen Dean
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    Free Coaching WSO: How to finish all your 2013 "Goals" in JANUARY with my proven productivity secrets - taken from 9 years working as a freelance copywriter. Click Here

    Occupation: Best Copywriter Ever.
    Clients:
    Matt Bacak, Jim Edwards, Ryan Deiss and more.
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    • Profile picture of the author topsytoppy
      I Got my first client on Facebook. I guess life has a way of putting you close to those who need you and if you feel you are not getting known, then make some noise about yourself. Blow your own trumpet and pretty soon, someone is going to find you. I guess the most challenging part is getting your first client. Once you get one, you will soon have to start turning jobs down like i am doing presently.
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      Learn about The Law of Success Here
      1-9-90 You can be rich Here

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  • Profile picture of the author AdilAmarsi
    My first client....
    Well I went to a seminar, with pretty much mock copy and a whole load of balls.

    Just approached the speakers and pitched to them.
    And I got their numbers/emails/business cards. Hammered the phones and emails and then got them to agree because one of them needed copy in a few days.

    I then learned I could write good copy at a decent speed and ended up doing that for him in 3 days. 1 to write, 1 to review, 1 to test. So my advice is go out there and meet people.

    Also take up door-to-door sales for a month, probably the biggest game changer for me as i did it for 8 months while writing
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  • Profile picture of the author Rigmonkey
    I picked up my first client through a UK freelance bidding site. I'd just been laid off from the motor trade and with no work on the horizon, a friend suggested using my writing as a means of earning money (I'd already produced pieces for his football website on a voluntary basis). I'll remain grateful to him forever for seeing something in myself that I didn't. He still scrounges beer from me at every available opportunity!

    The work was related to poker strategies and for two days of solid work, I earned less than £25 once the site had taken their commision. I must admit that I felt like giving up on the spot but I persevered with poorly-paid work for a month or so before becoming involved in a project that saw me earning $10 per article. It gave me the platform I needed to push on and I was working for up to 15 hours a day, 7 days a week just to make a reasonable income. Even though the money wasn't exceptional, it gave me confidence and that's one of most important tools any writer can have at their disposal.

    I'd always urge writers to move away from low-paid work at the earliest available opportunity but the experience I gained has been more than worth it. I'd also advise writers to avoid bidding gigs wherever possible. Low compensation for your work will be reflected in poorly-written articles or copy. Once you're in that cycle, it becomes much harder to get away from it. I like to think I was better than other writers who were operating at that level and that my hard work saw me through. I honestly don't believe that luck came into it at all.

    If I was advising a fresh writer who hadn't worked before, I'd probably suggest building a portfolio first. Although an extensive client list will boost your credentials, some written articles on your preferred subject matter can be just as effective. Pick out potential clients through their websites instead of joining the flock of '$1 per 500 words' writers on sites like freelancer.com because it's a much better way of selling your skills.

    Most of all, build a website. Websites are fantastic because they can present a professional demeanour without the need for fabrication. Keep it simple, honest and always remember that you're selling a service. Establish the needs of your potential clients and show how you intend to fulfil those needs. Don't forget your website will need to be promoted quite heavily during the early stages of a writing career.
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