Making $3,000 In 30 Days From Copywriting...

He could start by posting up some examples here. Who knows, an established copywriter might be looking for someone to write first drafts for them and may appreciate his help.

@theOP: do you have a website? If you don't, consider making one with Google Sites, which is Free. Mine is on there and I keep it because it shows prospective clients that if I can save them a buck while still having something effective, I will.

No hosting, domain name, or design costs there.

All this site does is act as a credibility tool for you to send prospects to after you've spoken with them.

Second, go on elance or odesk and find copywriting jobs. People seem to love the idea of getting a copywriter for cheap at these places. Fulfill their need. Use your free website to augment your profile.

Third, know that it is not necessary to provide samples of what you've done in order to get new clients. The quality of the questions you ask will show your prospect whether or not you understand their business and can speak for them.

Fourth, if you are willing to learn how to prospect (cold call), then read this. This is the quickest and most effective way to find new clients.

Fifth, when you are actually able to get into a dialogue with a prospect, rather than the one-way bidding on a subcontractor site, get them to come up with a value for your services. They will always pay you more than you believe you're worth if you do it this way. What you would do for a $200 they will probably pay $1500 or more if you get them to value it correctly. Look at this post for an example of how to do it.

If they say it, it's true. If you say it, you now have to defend it.

Sixth, position yourself as a higher-value copywriter. Yes you know you're not at the top level like Mal the Copy Nazi or Mark Andrews (neither am I, for that matter--but I make thousands of dollars per project), making $2000 a page, but you are probably better than an article writer who gets paid a few cents a word. Read this and absorb it. Show it to your prospects. I do: sets them straight right away and qualifies them In or Out without me having to do anything. Insist on 50% down payment or 100% down payment. The world tends to take you at face value. Work, work, work to get to the level where you're getting the results you promise.

Your goal of $3000 is easily achievable, even off a single project, if you are willing to put in the effort to uncover the right kind of prospect.

Well, Kaniganj summed it up nicely. Follow his advice, and you'll have plenty of opportunity to make the 3k.

While they're implementing all the great advice from Jason, Steve, and Ewen, I'd give them something extra to work on:

There's hundreds, if not thousands, of writers with "decent" skills.

So I'd have them spend at least an hour a day sharpening their abilities, making the transition from decent to excellent, then onto world-class.

The better they become, the more everything they do stands out. And, in terms of marketing, the more they know, the more they'll be able to help themselves.

And personally, I've found the saying "competence breeds confidence" to be 100% true for myself.

This may not be of much strategic or tactical help, but from a mindset perspective, it could make all the difference.

When confronted with financial obstacles, here's what I've done:

I multiplied what I needed by 10. So in your case, I'd focus on making $30,000 in 30 days.

When you do this, three things happen:

1. All the negatives voices in your head start screaming "It can't done! No way! It can't be done!"

2. To quiet that inner negativity, what I do is ask "I know, I know it can't be done, but if it could be done, how would I do it?"

3. At this point, I have my pad and paper or laptop handy because then I get a burst of ideas on how to make it happen.

What normally happens is I don't hit my big goal, but I overshoot my smaller goal.

- Rick Duris

PS: Relayed from Tony Robbins.

Perhaps you could expound on this one- Your checklist for pre-qualifying clients; statements clients can make that will make run for the hills; clients you never touch, even with 10-foot pole; industries you abhor and those to you love.

Thanks, I appreciate your input.

1. Ezinearticles has gone through a downswing lately...when I made the site it had a better reputation. But still, anything that adds credibility for the typical reader is a plus.

Rudy Guiliani shared in On Leadership a story of when he was getting experience clerking for a judge. At some point he prepped a brief and the judge scolded him by saying, "I don't want just enough proof: I want a preponderance of proof."

Set up an avalanche of credibility to overwhelm your visitors into thinking, "I've gotta talk to this person" -- or, since the time to show this website to prospects is after you've spoken with them, "I'm now, more than ever, assured that this is the writer I should be working with!"

2. You should be able to get free memberships on several job boards. Keep your pipeline full by continuously applying for work--but to do this, you'll have to juggle the few opportunities the free memberships will allow you to pursue. This is why your best chance is to work with several job boards simultaneously.

Go after opportunities:

* for $501 or more (you don't want to waste your valuable connects on low-dollar work; and, when you do get work, you want it to be for decent pay)

* posted by a credible client--verified payment, has used the board before and spent at least $200 on it, and has an award ratio of greater than 50%

* that fit into your target market/topics of choice.

This will protect you from wasting your time on prospects who never buy, don't have the budget, or are flakes.

3. In my PM to you, I asked what you like to talk about all day. The answer will focus you on a target market, if you don't already have one. Your natural enthusiasm for the subject, as well as the knowledge you've picked up in your interest, will convey your credibility to the prospect. Only those people who have bothered to learn the jargon of the field are able to competently use it. Poseurs are quickly revealed.

As for "fit", see 6, below. If the prospect can't tell you what they want, you can't work for them. Simple.

4. PM replied to.

5. Looks like you "get it" about pricing. Don't push prospects about price: get them to tell you what they believe, and then adjust as necessary or qualify Out. Quicker and less stressful all around.

A nice person on the forum posted Kevin Halbert's post on hiring a copywriter. I now forward this to my prospects. If they understand and agree with it, we can move forward on the terms explained in the post. If not, then we're not a fit. Bargain basement prospects hunting for the lowest price can go to fiverr.

6. As a sales trainer, my "fit" equation is like a three-legged stool.

Leg 1: Need

If the prospect has no urgent, emotional need for what I provide, then we're not a fit. I'd rather find people who badly need what I have to offer than try to push someone into accepting my services.

Leg 2: Budget

If the prospect cannot afford my services, and no other satisfactory arrangement can be made, then they qualify Out.

Leg 3: Personality

This is most important. One bad client can ruin your life. If the prospect gives off signals that they are unlikely to stick to an Up Front Contract, then we're not a fit. If they won't agree to certain terms (such as a fixed number of 'rounds' for writing and revision--which could otherwise go on forever as they get their next door neighbor, dog and high school guidance counselor involved to give their oh-so-qualified input on the copy) then we're not a fit. Any number of 'alarm bells' that ring unease or serious concern into your gut, and that you cannot resolve by directly confronting the prospect about, could be cause for qualifying them Out.

As for your favorite topics or fields, that's up to you.

If one of the legs is weak or missing, the stool will fall over when you try to sit on it...indicating that your project will almost certainly implode.

I've been lurking for a while, and while I'm not a copywriter, there is an incredible amount of gold here for anyone involved in sales.

Your "what" is clearly defined - "how" seems to be elusive. Great tactics have been suggested. Only you know which of them you will truly commit to actually do, and if you aren't going to actually do it, it doesn't matter how compelling the tactic is.

I know this may not even qualify as sales 101 - many people I work with have found it useful. Admittedly, I'm not qualified to make any assumptions regarding your market - and, I recognize my assumptions probably are not accurate. Hopefully you already have this information.

Goal: $3000 Income
Average sale per project: $750 = 4 projects
Closing Ratio: 1 sale for every 3 proposals given = 12 proposals

How are you going to reach the prospects necessary to give 12 proposals?

Cold calling (old fashioned in person) - 1 prospect per 25 approaches = 300 Cold Calls
Telemarketing - 1 prospect per 50 approaches = 600 conversations
Direct Mail - 1% response rate = 1200 mail pieces

As previously stated, I don't know what assumptions would be accurate for your market.

There's an old sales manager adage that says, "sales people lie; numbers don't." I've never met anyone, myself included, who likes tracking their sales activity... and, what people often find when they do - what is measured gets done.

The biggest advantage I see you have is your copywriting skills. I was talking with an associate of mine yesterday, and she was telling me about a meeting she had with someone regarding SEO for her website. She couldn't answer my question, "$400/month - what do you get for that?"

I think he can get the sum from freelance copy writing work if he combines multiple resources together. For example, he can post his service here, apply for freelance copy writing work in big freelance marketplaces around and generate income.

Rick's advice is on the money.

But even more so, the idea is to network. Brian Mcleod said this recently.

Another idea is to launch a WSO. It would be easy if there's some useful information someone is willing to share or create. For less $100 you could launch it.

Personally, I don't like pressure (even self-inflicted). It works for some people, it doesn't for some.

Lot's of creative ideas up above, so here's a twist.

Your budget - 100 bucks.
Your objective - $3000

1. We need to make the best of the 100, so let's see how we can "leverage" other people.

Who services businesses?
- Accountants who do business taxes
- Corporate Lawyers
- Commercial Real Estate Agents
- Business/Commercial banking
- SEO/Social Media and other hoopla
- etc etc etc

You can try and get a JV proposal with one of these going. You can even connect two of them and be the conduit of business.

Send 100 letters to prospects for a JV. Printing and mailing shouldn't be more than a 100 bucks (or you can call them to save money. You're inviting them for a deal - it's not soliciting business. Position yourself correctly).

Let's just say you talk your accountant into mailing their business on a social media marketing offer (You don't really need to know how to do this or even have a social media marketing company).

Your accountant agrees to help you send 100 letters on his behalf with his endorsement for a 20% cut of the deal. You offer something for say as low as $1997 setup fee and $997 a month to your accountants clients who already spend that kind of money on advertising (Important: Your accountant knows their expenses, but he will not be able to disclose the numbers. He can choose them for you though, since he's the one mailing them on your behalf).

Say, you close 2 deals in a 100.

How hard would it be for you to turn around and find someone to service it for you. You can call ANY local SEO or social media consultant and tell them - I've got 2 clients who want to pay you. Do you do seo? social media? blah blah.

How much?

Let's just say, you'll have them lining up to work with you.

Even after all expenses paid, I think you should be pretty close to your goal. In fact if you've played your cards right, you could end up with some residual income from the commissions you get 2nd month onwards. You're happy, your accountant is happy.

Rinse and repeat. First with another service with your accountant then with others.

You can do this with ANY service that businesses buy.

2. How about becoming an ad agency. Easier than you think

Call yourself one and you're one. Yes, it's that easy. Now call businesses who advertise. All you need to do is pick up the paper, read the ad, get in touch.

"Hey, I see you advertise in ____. How would you like to save 10% on your advertising?"

How many places do your advertise in?

When you talk to the paper, magazine ... tell them you're and agency and ask them what their standard agency discount is - It's usually 17%-18% and you can even negotiate rates etc. But, the agency discount is so standard, you don't even need to argue.

Find out what the ad space costs, ask your client how much they paid.

Even if you take the same spot at the same rate, you still get a 17% discount. Cut the client a 10% break and pocket 7%.

If you can negotiate rates, you'll pocket more. Everything is negotiable. Magazines are easier then newspapers usually.

You can use your 100 bucks to contact prospective clients via mail. Cut out the ad, call the newspaper/magazine and find out how much. Tell them you're an ad agency and want to place a similar size ad.

3. Who hires copywriters?

Direct mailers and online marketers. Very few brick and mortar businesses even have a clue. So, you'd be better off going where they're already doing it.

Pick a niche.

Find direct mailers. There are many places you can find them including in the SRDS (free access at your local library). Don't have access and don't want to spend the money. Go find a local subscriber (and local ad agency) and ask them if they have any older issues of the SRDS lying around that they want to sell for scrap. You should be able to get them for 10-20 bucks (This tip came straight from Ted Nicholas btw).

Pick 100 of them and send them a letter. You only need one of them to choose to work with you.

You do want to solicit them via direct mail so they know you're capable.

phew ... It's late and I'm tired.

Even though there's tons more in this restless brain of mine, I think this is enough to at least get your head spinning/buzzing which is what I believe the OP intended.

Find clients who you know you can improve their ads (like google adwords), the copy on their site, their sales process, etc.

Find those that are currently spending money on advertising. Then approach them and offer them to improve their stuff risk free.

Make a deal so they pay you "X" amount if they get a 20% increase in profits or whatever. Set performance goals. Then do it and get paid.

Not every business owner will take you up on this. But you can find good ones and is a good way to get paid well, especially if you don't have a large track record to convince people to hire you.

Yet you can still make 5 figures per deal.

Good luck!

My bordering on spammy, but best and honest answer is to buy my copywriting WSO.

If they're looking for free advice, I'd say take a group of 100 qualified leads, and hit them from all angles: phone, email and direct mail, if you do those right, you should land at least a few thousand.

Finally, no matter how desperate you are, get yourself into a non-desperate mindset because the easiest deals to close are always those you "need" the least.

Thanks for the great information provided here,

I would like to just add - the emphasis of focus on the client, be a really good listener. There is always someone out there who has a problem, find what there problem is, if you have a solution, perhaps think about helping them out and in return you may find help yourself.

Thanks
Richard

There is a tremendous wealth of information in this thread that I most certainly will utilize. Thanks to all that have contributed so far. I know I'm not the OP, but there is a lot to be learned.