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Getting Into Copywriting

by FingerPicker
14 replies
Dear copywriting community,

Since my first phrasing of the question seemed confusing, I rewrote it:

I'm looking for copywriting websites where copywriters can sign up and people who want a copy written can sign up as well. The website works as a mediator between two parties, making sure the better copywriters get the more expensive jobs and the lesser get lesser jobs.

I know these websites have a certain name, I just can't seem to find what that is. But I'm very sure they exist since I've been on them myself.

As for the experience, I have written copy for some companies I'm associated with, just for the practice. So I do have experience, I'd just like to smooth it out and see what I'm up for before I truly start showcasing myself. Learning and doing (for real) at the same time is 5x as effective in my experience!

Thanks in advance,
FingerPicker
#copywriting
  • Profile picture of the author Chriswrighto
    Hi FingerPicker,

    In the stickies there is this great post.

    In the above thread is a link to a site where you can do pro bono work - check it out here.
    Signature

    Wealthcopywriter.com :)

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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Jeffels
      Originally Posted by Chriswrighto View Post

      you can do pro bono work - check it out here.
      As a pro bono professional, you are the expert, which means that you are proficient and experienced in this work. It doesn't take decades of experience, but you should be able to provide evidence of your success and samples of your work.
      Just because I buy a toolbox and a wrench set doesn't make me a mechanic.

      Get an education on what you are trying to do first. Read as many books as you can and take notes. Investigate the rhythm of a successful sales letter. Buy some DVD's and study them.

      At least put some time and effort into this first.


      Bill


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      • Profile picture of the author FingerPicker
        Originally Posted by Bill Jeffels View Post

        Just because I buy a toolbox and a wrench set doesn't make me a mechanic.

        Get an education on what you are trying to do first. Read as many books as you can and take notes. Investigate the rhythm of a successful sales letter. Buy some DVD's and study them.

        At least put some time and effort into this first.


        Bill


        .
        Dude, please actually read the post before telling me to learn.
        As i've said, I've learnt what I could, but the best learning is in actual doing instead of already acting like a pro.

        Anyone could be a messy copywriter that has read thousands of books..
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    • Profile picture of the author FingerPicker
      Hi Chris,

      Thanks for your answer. I checked that thread already. I'm looking for copywriting gigs in my own country however, The Netherlands. So I need to know the type of name these sites have so I can find them in my own language.

      Thanks!
      Fingerpicker

      Originally Posted by Chriswrighto View Post

      Hi FingerPicker,

      In the stickies there is this great post.

      In the above thread is a link to a site where you can do pro bono work - check it out here.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8913370].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tim R
    If you want to practice your copywriting then just do it, you don't need anybody to hire you for that.

    Pick a random product or service and write some copy for it.

    Repeat a bunch of times and you'll have some samples to help you land a paying gig.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bill Jeffels
    Originally Posted by FingerPicker View Post

    I want to get into copywriting. Read some books
    Dude,

    I did read your post all the way through. Reading some books Isn't learning what you could.

    You are wrong. The best learning when it comes to copywriting isn't taking a haphazard approach like you want to do.

    Try again when you have an indication of what you're talking about.


    Bill


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    • Profile picture of the author FingerPicker
      Is it that hard to answer a question? Out of three people that answered, only one gave an answer to my question.

      It's like a copywriter who says right off the bat: "Instead of writing a copy about your product, I'm writing one about another product because it'll serve you better."

      Instead, you could say:

      - well, the thing you're looking for is called this.. BUT you definitely wanna try this other thing.
      or
      - I can't answer your question BUT have you considered this?

      Otherwise you're just being a smart ass!
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  • Profile picture of the author Bill Jeffels
    At first I thought you were confused.

    Now it's obvious you're oblivious.

    Originally Posted by FingerPicker View Post

    I have a lot of experience in writing many different writing categories.
    You should definitely centralize on your experience in your other writing categories.


    Bill


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  • Profile picture of the author Tim R
    Dude, take it easy. No one is being a smart ass.

    Did you consider that the reason you haven't got an exact answer is that your question is not very clear? I have no idea what you're talking about in terms of anonymous copywriting sites that are like a dating site, and I doubt anybody else does either. If you can't find it on Google, maybe it doesn't exist.

    Are you talking about sites like Elance? It's not that hard to use Google to find job boards where you can look for jobs... and if you search through the forums here there's tons of info on places to find jobs.

    But you've said you don't even know if you are any good at copywriting, as you've never done it before. So why are you worrying about trying to get jobs at the moment?

    What's stopping you from practicing right now? If you've read all the books like you claim, then you should know that they almost always recommend writing some sample letters before you even think about getting a paying job.
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    • Profile picture of the author FingerPicker
      Tim R,

      Thanks for your question for on clarifying the question! Since English is my second language (and not the one I will be writing copy in ;-)), I can understand that my questions might be confusing sometimes.

      What I meant with these websites is, couple of months ago I arrived at a website where copywriters could sign up and people who wanted a copy written. The website works as a mediator between two parties, making sure the better copywriters get the more expensive jobs and the lesser get lesser jobs.

      I know these websites have a certain name, I just can't seem to find what that is. But I'm very sure they exist since I've been on them myself.

      As for the experience, I have written copy for some companies I'm associated with, just for the practice. So I do have experience, I'd just like to smooth it out and see what I'm up for before I truly start showcasing myself. Learning and doing (for real) at the same time is 5x as effective in my experience!
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      • Profile picture of the author IMBlest
        Originally Posted by FingerPicker View Post

        Tim R,

        Thanks for your question for on clarifying the question! Since English is my second language (and not the one I will be writing copy in ;-)), I can understand that my questions might be confusing sometimes.

        What I meant with these websites is, couple of months ago I arrived at a website where copywriters could sign up and people who wanted a copy written. The website works as a mediator between two parties, making sure the better copywriters get the more expensive jobs and the lesser get lesser jobs.

        I know these websites have a certain name, I just can't seem to find what that is. But I'm very sure they exist since I've been on them myself.

        As for the experience, I have written copy for some companies I'm associated with, just for the practice. So I do have experience, I'd just like to smooth it out and see what I'm up for before I truly start showcasing myself. Learning and doing (for real) at the same time is 5x as effective in my experience!
        Are you talking about Content Broker websites?
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        • Profile picture of the author FingerPicker
          Originally Posted by IMBlest View Post

          Are you talking about Content Broker websites?
          My man, that was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
    Originally Posted by FingerPicker View Post

    I'm looking for copywriting websites where copywriters can sign up and people who want a copy written can sign up as well. The website works as a mediator between two parties, making sure the better copywriters get the more expensive jobs and the lesser get lesser jobs.
    It doesn't work that way.

    Some copywriters are paid based on their perceived value. Others are paid based on how low a marketer can get them for.

    It's all about positioning.

    Alex
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    • Profile picture of the author Chriswrighto
      Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

      It doesn't work that way.

      Some copywriters are paid based on their perceived value. Others are paid based on how low a marketer can get them for.

      It's all about positioning.

      Alex
      This is one of the biggest lessons you can have whilst getting started as a copywriter.

      Credit to Mark Pescetti for banging that one in to my head.
      Signature

      Wealthcopywriter.com :)

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