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New Copywriter Wonders: "What Should I Create As My 1st Sample?"

by saleswriter101
8 replies
Hiho Warriors!

I'm wondering: what kind of sample would YOU write, if you were just starting a new copywriting career?

I'm thinking a Sales Letter.

I know it's important to pick a niche to write for... but starting out the most important thing is for the sample to be really good...

Of course, I want to be able to complete it as soon as possible.

So something that already has easily accessible research on the product and market would be ideal.

But mostly I am interested in what *you* would choose to produce and show as a sample (and why).

Thanks for sharing!
-Scott
#copywriter #wonders
  • Profile picture of the author DanielleLynnCopy
    Hi there Scott, I'm Danielle, nice to meet you

    When I first started out, the first thing I wrote was a whole campaign for a non-profit organization. I mean, I did a newsletter, a brochure, an email campaign, a direct mail letter, and fixed their web copy.

    So you could say I did a little of everything so I could have at least one example of each type of work.

    Although it's helpful to have an idea of the niche you're going to lean towards, don't feel as though you can't explore a bit. Part of the fun of starting out as a copywriter is having the ability to sample many markets and see what excites you

    If you're really stuck on where to start, feel free to make your first 'samples' the copy that promotes your services Heck, if you can sell your services, it shows you're doing something right!
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    • Profile picture of the author Ross Bowring
      Scott... my take is to write a letter for a real person... make it more than just a "sample"... make it really mean something to someone's business. It will make your writing better and put more of a gun to your head.

      Contact someone you know who runs a brick 'n' mortar business, or who sells info-products. Tell them about your new career-choice. Offer to write them a direct response piece they can use to make money. If they offer to pay you, take it. If they don't offer to pay you, work for nothing.

      Put all your effort into the piece. Get a result you can tout. Then use that result to get the next gig and so on. You don't need a big catalogue of samples. It's a myth. Big catalogue of results: that'll pay the bills.

      --- Ross

      P.S. This is how I got my start.
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      • Profile picture of the author saleswriter101
        Originally Posted by Ross Bowring View Post

        Scott... my take is to write a letter for a real person... make it more than just a "sample"... make it really mean something to someone's business. It will make your writing better and put more of a gun to your head.

        Contact someone ... who sells info-products. Tell them about your new career-choice. Offer to write them a direct response piece they can use to make money. If they offer to pay you, take it. If they don't offer to pay you, work for nothing.

        Put all your effort into the piece. Get a result you can tout. Then use that result to get the next gig and so on. You don't need a big catalogue of samples. It's a myth. Big catalogue of results: that'll pay the bills.
        ...
        Thanks Ross, and thanks everyone for the very helpful and instructive responses...

        Re. contacting someone selling an *info product*... here's one I like and that I've done some research on already:
        Child Brain Health - Do You Struggle To Discipline A Child Who Doesn't Listen? (main sales page)
        Child Brain Health - (landing page)

        I now wonder: if I approach this business/person... *what should I offer?* A whole new sales page & pay only if it beats your current letter? Or simply ask if they need anything written for their marketing efforts?

        All suggestions much appreciated!

        -Scott
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    The view from 10,000 feet:

    1. Determine an unmet need people are willing to pay money for. (Or sub niche an existing profitable niche.)

    2. Create an info product that provides a solution to that need.

    3. Write a sales letter to sell your new product.

    4. Tweak the sales letter until it converts well.

    5. Use your success as credibility to get copywriting jobs.

    Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
    I'm wondering: what kind of sample would YOU write, if you were just starting a new copywriting career?

    I'm thinking a Sales Letter.
    If you want to concentrate on writing sales letters, yes, that's a good choice. If not, that's not the best starting point.

    I agree with the person who recommended that you do this for a real client, perhaps on a volunteer basis. It's relatively easy to find a non-profit to eagerly cooperate with you on this effort. They get a free sales letter (or whatever) and you get a free sample.

    You also get experience working with a client - which of course never goes the way you imagine it will and begins to prepare you for working with a paying client.

    From the potential client's point of view, I would *much* rather see a sample of something you did for a client, even if a non-paying one, than something you wrote for your own product. So I don't agree with Alex's suggestion.

    Good luck,
    Marcia Yudkin
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    Check out Marcia Yudkin's No-Hype Marketing Academy for courses on copywriting, publicity, infomarketing, marketing plans, naming, and branding - not to mention the popular "Marketing for Introverts" course.
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  • Profile picture of the author patsycannon85
    From the budding client's point of view, I would *much* rather see a sample of something you did for a client, even if a non-paying one, than great you wrote for your own product. So I don't agree with Alex's suggestion.
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