Finding Quick Copywriting Work - Moving On

by 14 replies
20
I'm going to just edit this and just say, I will no longer be replying to this thread which was aimed to be a simple question because the replies and things I'm seeing people say here is simply amazing.

My head spins reading some of the stuff I've seen posted here...
#copywriting #copywriting #finding #moving #quick #work
  • Wrong forum, but I'll respond anyway.

    Me, me, me...

    Your post is all about you... instead of what you can do for clients.

    Don't take this the wrong way...

    But nobody cares about your frustrations. Nobody cares about your
    "court fines."

    If you want higher-paying clients, you need to focus your marketing
    on what you can bring to the table.

    What makes your articles different than all the low-priced crap out
    there?

    Answer that question. And make it the focus of your marketing.

    THEN... you can use your whole Christmas gift angle as the "reason why"
    you're offering your services for so little.
    • [ 5 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • ...You don't say? I posted this in the Copywriting forum hoping Copywriters could give me some insight on where exactly they find quick pick up clients.

      "Nobody cares"

      Glad you took the time to reply about how nobody cares.

      I know this... what I don't know is, where to find them. If you don't know the answer to the question, spare me with your general response just to increase your post count.

      Oh and as far as your ME ME ME comment goes, the Christmas angle isn't for me at all..
  • From your sig:

    This screams desperation to me. Would you want to work with someone desperate for your business?

    You may be desperate, but as the guy above mentioned, your target market doesn't need to know that. Vent to whoever you need to in order to relieve stress, and then figure out what your market wants. Then figure out a way to give it to them.

    You want higher paying clients? Figure out where they hire their writers and plunk yourself right down in front of them. Update your contract terms to specify what will and will not fly in your working relationship. It sounds simple - it's not at all. It's a lot of work, and a lot of trial and error to figure out what works for you while helping you attract and retain clients.

    Basically, be a professional and keep working at it. If you don't quit, you will eventually have no choice but to succeed.
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • Mario,

    what the hell are you talking about? Of course this post is about him... he's expressing his problems. Still, you do somewhat have a point.

    OP, this post isn't doing you any favours. It's making you look desperate, and that's the last impression you want to leave with any potential clients lurking around. As for some actionable advice, here's some.

    1.) Look at oDesk. Sure, there are plenty of foreign writers on there, who will undercut you by huge margins. But bear in mind many clients aren't looking for the cheapest writer; they're looking for someone who can do the job. Fill out your profile as much as you can, and make yourself look presentable.

    You wouldn't turn up to an interview in jeans and a ripped T', so why make very little effort online? There's no difference - an online business is still a business.

    2.) Private message some Warriors on here, offering your services. Be sincere, and don't portray yourself as spammy, arrogant or desperate. Be genuine. And the biggest tip for this: Actually seem like you care about your client's business.

    Who wants a copywriter whose just in it for the pay check? Not many clients, I'm sure. I always stress to my clients that I'm looking out for their interests. Sure, I get paid for it - only idiots work for peanuts - but my clients always know I'm looking out for them.


    Take action on these two, and see what happens. You might be surprised by the interest you garner when you simply put yourself out there.
    Oh, and one more thing. Be very picky. I'm serious - the Warrior Forum is home to many cheap-skates and bargain-seekers, more than most places. Figure out whose serious about their online business, and who isn't. You'll know the fakers by situations such as:

    - Offering you a 'partnership' in their business, in return for your copywriting services. One question: Do you want to get paid? If so, run like hell.

    - Asking for discounts on bulk work, promising you regular work. In fact, shy away from discounts unless there's a valid reason (I give discounts from time to time, like if a client is dubious about using me)

    - Not willing to put in the time to help you find out about their product/market. If a client doesn't have the time to help you figure out the mindset and desires of the market you're writing for, then there's something wrong. Stay away from these loonies.

    - And finally, people who don't have their sh*t together. Rubbish products, no idea of profit projections, their target market's desire or biggest problems. If they really cared about their business, they'd get to know their customers. As it stands, most internet marketers don't do this - and then wonder why there's no money rolling in.


    Take in all I've said; try those two options (both of which you can begin right away, which it sounds like you're after) and be extra picky. Remember: your clients need you, not the other way around (or at least make them think that, even if you're broke). You hold the power. That said, don't be an a**.


    Best of luck with it,



    Ben.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • And as to those clients who aren't looking for the cheapest writer, often they are the ones who have things in their ads like "need native English speakers" or "American English." This is not to say that they ALL pay more, but some do.
  • That was my point.

    I wasn't saying I didn't care, as I obviously took the time to reply to you.

    I was talking through the eyes of a potential client.

    Which, by the way, you'll find plenty on this very forum. Hell... in this very section. As long as you portray yourself the right way.

    Take a step back from your frustrations and problems and focus on what you can bring to the table. Then make sure it comes across in your marketing message.

    (You do have one, right? A Warriors For Hire offer? If not, that may be a good place to start.)

    Because (apparently this offends you but) your clients do not care about your personal problems. They care about how you can help them increase their business.

    Come off as desperate and they're going to run. Show you can bring value and your demand will rise. And then your prices can as well.
    • [1] reply
    • Dude it ALWAYS gets slow between now and the new year and then WHAM, all the work hits at once.

      Just take something to the pawn shop so you have your holiday money.

      And in the meantime, keep sending out proposals.
  • Corey,

    Have a well-oiled lead generation system in place with your irresistible offer and position your offer to ONE select segment of the market you want to work with. Do your homework - who do you LOVE to work with?

    In your offer, SOLVE a BIG problem for your prospects and then invite them to call you for a consultation. On your optin, request for their phone number so you can call them when they get in your funnel and start providing value with what you give.

    A regular newsletter, trainings, white papers, freebies that your ideal clients LOVE and focus on the giving...

    Your only concern after this is getting that site in front of the right people - go to where your ideal clients hang out - do speaking via webinars and teleseminars and get your name out.

    You want to be the GO TO person in your industry offering copywriting and consulting services. As long as you provide the value, align your expertise with the right market and raise awareness that you exist and you are there to help them, you should be fine!

    best
    Arfa
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • Hey Corey, from what I can tell you write articles...wasn't sure though because you posted in the copywriting section. So I'll give you some advice from a copywriter...

    First...

    There's nothing wrong with going out and getting a job until you make it. There are lots of copywriters that have worked for someone else until they made it.

    I started working in a restaurant when I was 16...even worked in a funeral home during my senior year. Finally got a sales job, and things took off from there. The experience I gained from working sometimes boring jobs, and working with people, was well worth the time in helping me understand people.

    Second...

    If you're a copywriter (not sure you are), there's no reason for you to be broke.

    Instead of trying to get clients to come to you, go to them.

    Find an ad or a sales letter that sucks...rewrite it and approach the business owner. The secret is to already have the new piece done. Sure, it takes some time, but the closing ratio is super.

    You could also send an email or letter.

    Dear Mr/Mrs XXXXXX

    I can increase your business by 500%.

    Was looking over your ad/letter etc., and saw several "holes" that were costing you sales.

    I've rewrote your ad/letter etc.

    Enclosed are some excerpts.

    I know what you're thinking...

    Who is this guy?

    I'm Corey. I spent 4 years flipping burgers at the hottest burger joint in Corn Cob Alabama.

    After an unusually rough day...my 60th birthday to be exact...I went home and plopped down on my worn out, tattered couch...the one I got from the local thrift store.

    I took a hard look at my life and where it was going...I didn't like what I saw.

    A friend of mine (billy) had given me a book by one of the greatest copywriters of all time (Ogilvy) a few months earlier. I pulled it out of the junk drawer that night and read it. I was hooked. I loved copywriting.

    I began a 2 year odyssey of studying everything I could about copywriting. Eventually I began to write sales pieces for free to gain experience.

    All 10 of the businesses I wrote free copy for are now my paying clients...

    Except for Mrs. Robinson...may she rest in peace...she passed away 3 months ago...

    When I wrote an ad for her, she had 1 hair cutting place. After I took her on as a client, she increased her hair cutting places to 4 within 18 months...plus a restaurant. Guess the restaurant was on advice from her accountant who said she needed a "tax shelter".

    Anyways...

    I now have an opening for another client.

    I noticed your ad because it's the type of business I've specialized in.

    Not sure if you've ever thought of opening a restaurant...but I'm quite sure as your copywriter I'll have you frantically searching for other places to invest your money.

    Your new copywriter...

    Corey

    I wrote this off the top of my head...but you get the idea.

    Go out and make things happen.
    • [ 4 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Hey Corey,

      Sorry to hear you are having some trouble. The Warrior Forum can be a great opportunity to make money, but for people with dreams of easy riches and little work, it will eat them alive.

      The important thing right now is to not panic, and make ridiculous and impossible commitments that will haunt you long after the money clears your PayPal account - just to make a few quick bucks at the holidays.

      First of all, Mario hit the nail on the head about the Warrior For Hire ad. Do you have one? I saw two lines in your sig, but they aren't active links so I don't know if they were leading to any "live" ad you may be running.

      Are you trying to generate business as a content writer? It sounds like that's what you're doing, and you are right, it's very, very difficult to compete as a content writer unless you have a proven talent in a particular area and can command decent rates. In which case, your sales letter/ad would focus on that talent, and not on the fact that you're writing for .02/word.

      If you can create a unique position for your services (based on your education, or years spent in a related field, etc) then start with your Warrior For Hire ad focusing on that, don't advertise your prices...If they have to ask, they can't afford you. But that gives you the luxury of quoting based on demand and scope of each project.

      The last thing you want to do is openly accept 20 article writing jobs for $200, and then end up having to write nonstop for an entire week for the hourly equivalent of an assembly line worker at Foxconn.

      Don't waste time with people that obviously haven't a clue, kicking tires, or don't have any interest in actually hiring you. The signs will be there. Don't hold out hope that you can "sell" these people. You are wasting your time. Move on to the next one...Even if you have to wait another day or two.

      You should be able to build up your business pretty quickly this way, and as your schedule fills and you begin getting repeat business, referrals, and testimonials, you can begin to raise your rates accordingly.

      Taking all of this into account, I hate to tell you that this is not going to provide you a full time income. You will still work your ass off and only make a couple thousand bucks a month if you are lucky.

      So as you work your schedule and take on content writing clients, develop your own business on the side. If it means learning everything about copywriting to get into the business, then be prepared to sleep 3 hours a night, spend lots of money on training, and devote your life to improving your craft.

      You may discover copywriting isn't for you. But in the course of writing inexpensive content, you will be exposed to a TON of people that are making money on the internet. Examine their ideas and business models. Work on developing your own business plan and ideas and do everything you can in your spare time to work toward your goals.

      It's not easy, and I know it can be frustrating. It's far easier to work full time somewhere and get some content work on the side to keep a flow of gas and beer money coming in each month.

      Like others said. Focus your pitch. People don't want to hire you so you can buy Christmas presents, or because you are willing to work for third world wages. Create value for yourself and your services, and control your OWN market.

      Hope that helps and good luck.
      • [1] reply
  • Hey man, like max5ty said I don't know if you're a copywriter or article writer. Night and day difference. So if you are a copywriter then do you have proof of making tons of money for your clients? Armed with that will get you further than anything else and will get you big time clients.

    If you just write articles well... that's outta my league (thank God).
Join the discussion

Next Topics on Trending Feed

  • 20

    Finding Quick Copywriting Work - Moving On

    I'm going to just edit this and just say, I will no longer be replying to this thread which was aimed to be a simple question because the replies and things I'm seeing people say here is simply amazing. My head spins reading some of the stuff I've seen posted here...