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Free work to build my portfolio

by St Pierre
9 replies
I am very new to the whole freelance writing world and I was looking for some advice. I was recently told that I should offer some free work to local business in order to strengthen my portfolio to better reflect my work ethic. Is this a good idea and if so how should I go about doing so? Any advice is much appreciated.
#advice #build #copywriting #free #freelance work #portfolio #work
  • Profile picture of the author Jason_V
    Welcome to the forum, this is going to be your best friend (it's stickied at the top of the forum):

    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...pywriters.html

    Your question would be best answered by the section in that thread of:

    "How to Get Clients"
    Signature
    "When you do something exactly wrong, you always turn up something."
    -Andy Warhol
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    • Profile picture of the author Hugh Thyer
      You'll find they won't value it and won't use it.

      I'd offer your services to other copywriters on this forum. What do they have to lose? If it's good they'll run with it. If it sucks, they'll tell you why and that'll help you grow.
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      Ever wondered how copywriters work with their clients? I've answered that very question in detail-> www.salescomefirst.com
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      • Profile picture of the author medway
        Good advice and thanks for the link.
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        Tasty Copy:
        US/UK Native Writer for Articles/Product Reviews
        Highly Experienced in SEO/Copywriting
        Click For Samples...
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      • Profile picture of the author marc@clickbitz
        Originally Posted by Hugh Thyer View Post

        You'll find they won't value it and won't use it.

        I'd offer your services to other copywriters on this forum. What do they have to lose? If it's good they'll run with it. If it sucks, they'll tell you why and that'll help you grow.
        You beat me to it. Many small businesses stay small because they don't value and do the things that would make them grow.

        OP, just pick some random products and write your own copy for them.
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        • Profile picture of the author St Pierre
          Yeah I'm beginning to gravitate more towards just writing copy for myself to build my portfolio. Thanks for the input guys.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    Originally Posted by St Pierre View Post

    I am very new to the whole freelance writing world and I was looking for some advice. I was recently told that I should offer some free work to local business in order to strengthen my portfolio to better reflect my work ethic. Is this a good idea and if so how should I go about doing so? Any advice is much appreciated.
    Freelance copywriting is about results. Your prospective client must believe you can help him make sales.

    If you're going to write for free, why not create your own product... and write your own sales copy?

    Once you have a good conversion rate, you have results. You can then quote them when pitching prospective clients.

    Alex
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    • Profile picture of the author St Pierre
      That seems like a great way to go about it Alex. Thanks for the input! One of the businesses I was considering writing material for is fairly small and friendly and I believe I could make a profit off creating material for them. What would be a fair rate for me to charge them?
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      • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
        Originally Posted by St Pierre View Post

        That seems like a great way to go about it Alex. Thanks for the input! One of the businesses I was considering writing material for is fairly small and friendly and I believe I could make a profit off creating material for them. What would be a fair rate for me to charge them?
        Without knowing the niche or the product, I couldn't say.

        If you send me an email, I'll be happy to help you privately...

        http://www.warriorforum.com/sendmess...member&u=63301

        Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author SEOJunky
    Never work for free. By all means write great copy, but not for zip.
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