How A New Copywriter Can Get Work

13 years ago

How can I get work if I've never written anything for anyone professionally?

How can I put my shingle out if I don't know if I'm any good as a copywriter?

I don't have any confidence in my abilities, because I've never gotten work and I've never been paid for it. I'm afraid I'll be labeled as a "poser."

- Rick Duris

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Rezbi

13 years ago

"Okay, Fred, now I'm a copywriter, so what do I do now?"

Let's see if anyone gets that.

A little more real:

"I've read the books and done the courses: I'm a copywriter. Now what do I do to get clients"

"You've read the books and done the courses: You're a copywriter. Now what do you do to get clients"

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SC83

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Rezbi

"Okay, Fred, now I'm a copywriter, so what do I do know?"

Let's see if anyone gets that.

A little more real:

"I've read the books and done the courses: I'm a copywriter. Now what do I do to get clients"

"You've read the books and done the courses: You're a copywriter. Now what do you do to get clients"

Get's what? 'know'?

I agree - I think having something in there about finding clients would be hugely beneficial. There's a lot of information online about how to write copy, but it seems there's a lot less about the many ways to find clients to pitch to.

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ewenmack 13 years ago

Not objections to be addressed...rather giving them a dose of reality.

Like...

*going to get more no's than yeses

*it's not about the words...it's about big ideas, clearly expressed.

You sell the reason why those two things are important to their success...long term.

No sugar highs from you.

Best,
Ewen
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simaurile

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

I've been thinking of creating a report, "How A New Copywriter Can Get Work". (Lame title I know, but I'll jazz it up.)

Can you think of any other objections I should address?

• without previous experience
• without hiring a mentor
• without creating your own successful product first
• without accepting low fees
• without an existing portfolio
• without knowing if I'm any good
• afraid I'll be labeled a "poser"
• without groveling at the feet of established copywriters
• without knowing how to get clients

Thanks!

Alex

Hey Alex,

I'd love to get my hands on the report!

hehehe

Thanks
Sim

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Alex Cohen

13 years ago

Originally Posted by John_S

I think the answer is obvious: You open a branding agency on Mad Ave. Rack up a few Clios.

How's about I say your first client has...

...No track record

...No respect for experience

...No interest in markets, users, or anything outside their own perception of their product or service being proven correct

...No testimonials -- and is concerned about asking for one

...Would rather wallow in sales hell than admit a copywriter was right about "their customers"

...And couldn't deal with a customer to save their life

Sounds about like any other copywriting job.

LOL

Originally Posted by simaurile

Hey Alex,

I'd love to get my hands on the report!

hehehe

Thanks
Sim

Guess I'll have to write one then! :-)

Alex

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Rezbi

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

LOL

Guess I'll have to write one then! :-)

Alex

If you haven't already it might be a better idea to see if there is enough demand to make it worth your while.

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MikeHumphreys

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Rezbi

If you haven't already it might be a better idea to see if there is enough demand to make it worth your while.

Not sure what you consider "enough demand" but Alex wouldn't be the first one to create a product on the topic for copywriters. He'd have plenty of competition.

Off the top of my head...

Digital reports:

Bob Bly, Ryan Healey, Jason Leister, Clayton Makepeace

Books:

Bob Bly, Steve Slaunwhite

Audio Training:

Mike Humphreys, Steve Slaunwhite, Clayton Makepeace

Video Training:

Harlan Kilstein

Membership Site:

Mike Humphreys, Chris Marlow

That's not counting any of the copywriting coaches/mentors who cover it as part of their high-level training.

Hope that helps,

Mike

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Alex Cohen

13 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys

Not sure what you consider "enough demand" but Alex wouldn't be the first one to create a product on the topic for copywriters. He'd have plenty of competition.

<snip>

Mike

Rezbi was giving me an unsolicited Marketing 101 lesson: Before creating any product or service, determine if there's a market for it.

Duh.

Alex

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MikeHumphreys

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

Rezbi was giving me an unsolicited Marketing 101 lesson: Before creating any product or service, determine if there's a market for it.

Duh.

Alex

I was referring to the size of the existing market demand. If you had read my post instead of coming up with a weak, smart-a$$ comment, then you would have gotten my point.

Is 500 searches a month enough demand for you?

Is 10,000 searches a month enough demand for you?

It's based on your unstated subjective criteria on what is a "big enough" demand for you to decide to create a product. That's what Rezbi was probably referring to as well.

Of course, demand isn't the only factor to be considered before creating a product.

Originally Posted by Rezbi

If you haven't already it might be a better idea to see if there is enough demand to make it worth your while.

Speaking of Marketing 101...

If you had done your own homework instead of starting a thread in this forum where you asked everyone to do it for you, then you'd already have your answer.

You could have determined the size of the market, the existing competition, what their products or services are, the number of SE searches (direct and long-tail) for this topic, and any number of other tactical and strategic factors that you'd want to know before creating a new product for a niche.

Mike

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Alex Cohen

13 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys

I was referring to the size of the existing market demand. If you had read my post instead of coming up with a weak, smart-a$$ comment, then you would have gotten my point.

Is 500 searches a month enough demand for you?

Is 10,000 searches a month enough demand for you?

It's based on your unstated subjective criteria on what is a "big enough" demand for you to decide to create a product. That's what Rezbi was probably referring to as well.

Of course, demand isn't the only factor to be considered before creating a product.

Speaking of Marketing 101...

If you had done your own homework instead of starting a thread in this forum where you asked everyone to do it for you, then you'd already have your answer.

You could have determined the size of the market, the existing competition, what their products or services are, the number of SE searches (direct and long-tail) for this topic, and any number of other tactical and strategic factors that you'd want to know before creating a new product for a niche.

Mike

The original post had to do with possible content of the report, not the marketability of it. So climb down off your high horse, take a deep breath, and try to enjoy the rest of your day.

Alex

Thanks
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Rezbi

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

The original post had to do with possible content of the report, not the marketability of it. So climb down off your high horse, take a deep breath, and try to enjoy the rest of your day.

Alex

I would have thought deciding on possible content would depend on market demand.

Oh, sorry, is that more marketing 101?

There's no need to take offence.

As far as I'm concerned anyone can give me advice. If I already know it, no problem: It's just someone trying to help.

If I don't know it, that's something else I've learned.

If a two year old shows me something I didn't know I'd consider him my teacher.

But then, I don't have an ego problem.

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Rezbi

13 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys

I was referring to the size of the existing market demand. If you had read my post instead of coming up with a weak, smart-a$$ comment, then you would have gotten my point.

Is 500 searches a month enough demand for you?

Is 10,000 searches a month enough demand for you?

It's based on your unstated subjective criteria on what is a "big enough" demand for you to decide to create a product. That's what Rezbi was probably referring to as well.

Of course, demand isn't the only factor to be considered before creating a product.

Speaking of Marketing 101...

If you had done your own homework instead of starting a thread in this forum where you asked everyone to do it for you, then you'd already have your answer.

You could have determined the size of the market, the existing competition, what their products or services are, the number of SE searches (direct and long-tail) for this topic, and any number of other tactical and strategic factors that you'd want to know before creating a new product for a niche.

Mike

Thanks. I was going to reply to your first comment but you've already given the answer here.

Thanks

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John_S

13 years ago

I think the answer is obvious: You open a branding agency on Mad Ave. Rack up a few Clios.

How's about I say your first client has...

...No track record

...No respect for experience

...No interest in markets, users, or anything outside their own perception of their product or service being proven correct

...No testimonials -- and is concerned about asking for one

...Would rather wallow in sales hell than admit a copywriter was right about "their customers"

...And couldn't deal with a customer to save their life

Sounds about like any other copywriting job.

Thanks

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MsConnie

13 years ago

When your report is finished, I'll be the first in line to buy it.

Thanks

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timpears

13 years ago

I saw a fellow offering to write free sales letters for Warriors yesterday to get some feedback and samples.

My first thought was, why didn't he write some sales letters for himself and sell something. If he was successful with that, then he knows his stuff works and he can use that as his example. And maybe he would be better off building web sites than writing copy for others.

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Rose Anderson

13 years ago

I'll be 2nd in line to buy

One question I've wondered about is this; I've been writing articles and ebooks for several years (while studying and working on copywriting on my own). Will it be better to completely separate the article writing business from the copywriting? I know many people feel an article writer can't write copy. Is it an advantage to combine or split the two businesses?

Eagerly awaiting your report, Alex.

Rose

Thanks

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John_S

13 years ago

Will it be better to completely separate the article writing business from the copywriting? I know many people feel an article writer can't write copy. Is it an advantage to combine or split the two businesses?

Split the two. They are different segments, expecting different things. I would go so far as making a second site.

There can be an exception, but in the vast majority of cases that is the rule.

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kindsvater

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

I've been thinking of creating a report, "How A New Copywriter Can Get Work". (Lame title I know, but I'll jazz it up.)

Can you think of any other objections I should address?

There seems to be a disconnect.

The report is how to get work. Not much different than any other professional in any other field.

Then there is reference to "Objections" - but these are more a list of hurdles, some mental excuses, others involving questions a potential client may or may not ask.

Not objections.

My suggestion is to first define what the report will really be about.

Thanks

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John_S

13 years ago

Geez.

Okay. Not interesting.

Interesting might be, since how much money you start with (or set aside for starting) isn't stipulated in the OP, you approach this as an investor. And you pitch it as business development.

Lion's share would be your time and research. But you may pop for print, postage, etc.

The trick being how you set this up to weed out weasels, the lazy, control freaks, and various riff-raff like small business people uncomfortable being anything but small. This is high stakes, high risk. But then so is everything listed in the OP.

Thanks
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Cam Connor 13 years ago

Hey Alex, Great Idea...

I think some of the main issues that you'll want to address is how the newer copywriters can get into this business. If someone says to me "I'm brand new, how do I make my first few bucks in Copywriting" ... My answer is, without fail, do it for free... Wait till you have some solid testimonials, and offer your copywriting for free at first...

That will give you a baseline, as Rick said above, for how good your copy is, so you won't have a vague feeling of "unease" that you're copy isn't good. Also, it will empower the new copywriter with some good testimonials.
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RickDuris

13 years ago

For those aspiring to be great copywriters, the book attached to the following URL should be of inspiration.

http://www.rickduris.com/20060721003ob.pdf

The book, "Obvious Adams" was written back in 1916 by Robert Updegraff. It provides ample insight and instruction on how to get copywriting Clients.

- Rick Duris

PS: While not as widely known as Claude Hopkins' Scientific Advertising, for marketers and copywriters it's just as important.

This book is so important, when Jay Abraham launched his first marketing program, he included it alongside Scientific Advertising.

David Ogilvy encouraged Gary Bencivenga to read it once a year.

It contains many lessons, especially applicable to today's Internet marketers and copywriters.

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Steve The Copywriter 13 years ago

Thanks Rick, I "lost" my copy ages ago - and somehow forgot just how incredibly useful it is.

(to everyone else - do download it - everything Rick said about it is bang on...true)
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Desh

13 years ago

Thanks Rick, Just what I needed

Thanks

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Hmmmm....

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How A New Copywriter Can Get Work

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