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Where to Sell Yourself

by JakeDaly
21 replies
Over the past couple of years, I've written copy on and off for side money. I get clients mostly through Craigslist and word of mouth. I'd like to expand my business, though, and would like to know how others around here get a majority of their clients. I'm more into advertising my specific services and having people come to me(such as Craigslist) rather than flocking to a single project with a million other copywriters(such as Elance). Other than those already listed, what marketing methods or services do you copywriters use to generate leads approaching you for your God-given writing talents?

Regards,

Jake
#sell
  • Profile picture of the author yogurt
    Hi Jake,

    My clients mainly are from IM, blogging forums. I just create a thread, give some review copies away for cheap, basically oversell my services, give them really good articles.

    Next, people from other forums will be looking for me when I put in my signature to the forum thread with my satisfied clients' testimonials.

    I never managed to get jobs from Elance and other sites
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    http://digitalbuzz.today.com
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    • Profile picture of the author cd928
      Hi Jake. It would be good if you have a website where you can put your portfolio. I've gotten a good amount of work from inquiries made through my website.

      Check the 2nd link in my sig for other ways you can sell yourself and find work (since I'm new here and can't post links yet nor send you a PM ).

      I hope that helps.
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      • Profile picture of the author dorothydot
        Uh, my first thought on reading this title was...

        It's a jolly good thing we all speak the same language!! lol!

        Otherwise the first response might be.... on the street corner at 13th and Main [or whatever]. :p

        Still chuckling,
        Dot
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        "Sell the Magic of A Dream"
        www.DP-Copywriting-Service.com

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        • Profile picture of the author Sarah Johnson
          Well said Dot...it is extremely important how we, as advertisers, word what we say. A sentence can mean many different things to many different people.

          ~Mrs. Johnson
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          • Profile picture of the author JakeDaly
            What? I was speaking about prostitution. I told you how most of my clients come from Craigslist, I'm just looking for new ways to attract them. Wait, isn't everyone here a prostitute? I thought 'Internet marketing' was a cover we all used?

            People actually make money through selling penis pills online 'n shit?
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            • Profile picture of the author Capone
              Get a free blog and post some of your work and some testimonials. And like it's been said, hit all the IM forums and advertise your sig. Do a little write up on the importance of quality content and keep it updated.
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      • Profile picture of the author Amidala
        Originally Posted by cd928 View Post

        Hi Jake. It would be good if you have a website where you can put your portfolio. I've gotten a good amount of work from inquiries made through my website.

        Check the 2nd link in my sig for other ways you can sell yourself and find work (since I'm new here and can't post links yet nor send you a PM ).

        I hope that helps.
        Nice site Cedric and nice tips
        Thanks
        Signature

        Do you need translation services? I run an europe based translation agency and can help you tap other markets. Contact me!

        Looking to JV with Warriors - You have a successful product? Let me translate it for you, let's dominate the foreign market as partners.

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  • Profile picture of the author leanneb
    I have found that networking with fellow writers has helped me over the years get new jobs. I started out writing articles for $1, but over the last few years I have been able to make a full time income off of it. Selling quality articles will build yourself a good reputation, and more people will seek you out for work. Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author imamrktr
    Creating your own website and marketing yourself through that would be a natural way to get clients. Also, contacting Internet marketers and offering to do something for free in exchange to help you market yourself and your services is also a good way to get a fast start.
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  • Profile picture of the author imamrktr
    Also Jake, my partners and I work with new marketers in need of writing skills at reasonable pricing. You might want to send me a private message so I can learn more about your services and pricing.
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  • Profile picture of the author OnlineWriter
    Check out these two sites. You might find some tips. Probably more on the second one:

    onlinewritingjobs.net
    accentuateservices.com/xmb/
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  • Profile picture of the author Davidgenius
    Where better to start than the Warrior Forum? Put a sig link to a blog or static site showing some samples of your work and contact details.

    Then get to work contributing meaningful posts - by becoming active and engaging with the copywriting section and other areas of this forum, you'll be able to attract some pretty good, potentially long-term clients
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    BULKSEOARTICLES.com
    Crazy Article Blow-Out Bonanza
    Affordable, UK/US Graduate-Level Article Writing In Bulk From Only $10 per Unique Article!
    **CLICK HERE NOW TO FIND OUT MORE!**
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Matthew
    Hey Jake,

    Here's an idea that myself and my partner ran with about 2 years ago that is working very well.

    Writing Companies Yellow Page adverts! It's crazy, we met a guy at a conference who was doing some insane numbers in this market. So we figured we would jump in to test the waters...we hired a copywriter and a telemarketer then researched different categories of the yellow pages to determine a good niche and then promoted to them via direct mail.

    The direct mail letter directed them to either a landing page or to call.

    That's it...and it worked like a champ. And considering the enormous cost of YP ads, it is an easy sell because a professionally written can......you know!

    Just an idea
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    Professional CPV/PPV Testing, Tracking & Optimization for Experienced CPV Marketers (Not for Newbies).
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  • Profile picture of the author OnlineWriter
    That's a great idea Robert!
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  • Profile picture of the author westernseo
    Try writing some SEO articles based on relative keywords for copywriting.

    Submit them to ezinearticles.com with a link to your website or email addresss and then wait for some leads.

    Alternatively, post classified ads on forums like Warrior and Sitepoint.
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  • Profile picture of the author bambi211
    What my friend did was to syndicate her articles in ezine sites and post in some copywriting forums like this one
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    I am interested in learning more on the Philippine remittance industry.

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    • Profile picture of the author cherylwright
      Places like Guru can yield new clients but they expect you to write for peanuts. (You're not, are you? :confused

      I pick up most of my clients from networking, and I've also had new clients through my copywriting website (Write-Essentials.com - For all your writing needs).

      You may also pick up clients from forums such as this one, usually via your signature link and/or PM.



      Cheryl
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      Learn to write effectively - for all areas of your business. Click here now!

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      • Profile picture of the author cd928
        Originally Posted by Amidala View Post

        Nice site Cedric and nice tips
        Thanks
        Thanks and you're welcome.

        Originally Posted by cherylwright View Post

        Places like Guru can yield new clients but they expect you to write for peanuts. (You're not, are you? :confused

        I pick up most of my clients from networking, and I've also had new clients through my copywriting website (Write-Essentials.com - For all your writing needs).

        You may also pick up clients from forums such as this one, usually via your signature link and/or PM.



        Cheryl
        Popular job sites like Guru can be a pain when you're looking for work. The competition's stiff and it's not usually worth it. I tried eLance for several months and got frustrated especially since I getting work somewhere else anyway. And yeah, many businesses there expect you to work for, you said it, peanuts.
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        • Profile picture of the author cherylwright
          Originally Posted by cd928 View Post

          Popular job sites like Guru can be a pain when you're looking for work. The competition's stiff and it's not usually worth it. I tried eLance for several months and got frustrated especially since I getting work somewhere else anyway. And yeah, many businesses there expect you to work for, you said it, peanuts.

          I joined Guru as a paid member September 2007 after being a free member for many years.

          As a free member I didn't win even one job, but as a paid member I was awarded heaps. In a little under three months I earned nearly $1,000 (working only 1-2 days a week at most). My membership was up for renewal again Sept 08, so I renewed on the strength of the work I'd had in those previous few months.

          I got a bit of work after that, which covered my membership and then some, but after that, virtually nothing.

          I rarely even bother to bid now, because it seems most of the clients there do want the work done for peanuts, and I don't -and won't - charge or accept low rates. (My starting rate - for menial tasks like proof-reading - is $60 an hour.)

          I still occassionally bid at Guru, but I haven't picked up any work through there for a couple of months.

          I doubt I'll renew my paid membership again.

          I have some regular clients I've picked up at Guru and elsewhere, and get referrals all the time. I'm never looking for work, and that suits me fine.




          Cheryl
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          Learn to write effectively - for all areas of your business. Click here now!

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  • Profile picture of the author MisterEThoughts
    This is a great topic. As a new Copywriting, I am always looking for news ways to advertise and market my services. Thank you all for sharing.
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    www.911FreelanceWriting.com - Writing Portfolio
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