Struggling

12 years ago

Alex,

A lot of the questions you might have... well, the vast majority of them have already been answered in a sticky thread.

Joe Dietzel was kind enough to create this sticky, compiling all of the great resources and WF threads for new(er) copywriters to access.

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

Best of luck,

Mike

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RickDuris

12 years ago

I see your problem right off the bat. And you're not the only one who suffers from it.

You're a jack-of-all-trades.

You gotta get GREAT at a particular market. One, maybe 3 markets max. You gotta get where you know the players in those markets--and they know you. Not just by who you are, but by your work.

And that's rub.

You sound desperate right now, which means you'll take any work that has money attached to it. Thereby perpetuating your perdicament.

For instance, I know one copywriter who'll take on different projects, BUT his heart and soul is in the stock market/financial newsletters. It's where he spends 70-90% of his time.

As you become you become more experienced, as the internet matures, you're going to find that clients will want someone who is INTIMATELY familar with the market, the product/technology, the competition, etc.

The cool thing about this strategy is the quality of your work jumps, the fees you can charge jumps, the clients are a lot more fun to work with and they see your value implicitly.

As you imagine, charging 5-10 times what you're currently paid now would make things easier longer term.

It'd allow you the time and breathing space to do your best work. Rather than forever chasing the next assignment.

- Rick Duris

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alexandersmith

12 years ago

Thanks for the advice you guys! I totally understand that it's best to specialise in a certain trade/niche. For me, writing is a great way to earn money whilst training to be a professional copywriter - I'm putting a lot of time and effort into learning the skills needed to be successful, but finding clients is by far the biggest hurdle I face.

As someone who thankfully has few overheads currently, I don't need to charge too highly for work, and I only need to earn around $200-$300 a week to cover all my expenses plus some, and this is the budget I'm trying to work towards. At present some weeks are great, whilst others will be filled with no work whatsoever.

I'm thinking about a direct mail approach to local businesses (particularly those in the SEO/web design market) to offer my writing services. Maybe follow up with a phone call.

Thanks again guys,

Alex

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MikeHumphreys

12 years ago

Originally Posted by alexandersmith

As someone who thankfully has few overheads currently, I don't need to charge too highly for work, and I only need to earn around $200-$300 a week to cover all my expenses plus some, and this is the budget I'm trying to work towards. At present some weeks are great, whilst others will be filled with no work whatsoever.

Sorry to say but this is a scarcity mindset. You need to think about making more than just meeting your bills in a given week.

As you mentioned, when you have a slow week then you have no financial cushion to cover expenses.

Worse, it puts you in a position where you have to take on any project that comes your way -- even if it's a project that you don't know a thing about or that bores you to death.

Doing "meeting the bills" projects -- and a lot of copywriters have had to do so at one point or another in their career -- is a dangerous proposition. Sure you raise some needed cash but if your work bombs (more likely if you're not writing on an area of expertise or strength) then your professional reputation will suffer.

Copywriting is one type of business where your professional reputation can make a HUGE difference on how busy your schedule can stay.

Make money for your clients consistently and you'll always be busy with client work. Deliver bomb after bomb -- or be a nightmare headache for clients to deal with -- and you'll find yourself with little or no projects on your schedule.

Hope that helps,

Mike

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test11223344

12 years ago

Why not try selling your services on Fiverr? Copy writing gigs are very much in demand on Fiverr, and you can downsize your services to a $5 gig then upsell to customers who need more than say 100 or 200 words.

You'll make connections and likely get hired for larger projects/tasks through Fiverr if you're good at what you do.

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MikeHumphreys

12 years ago

Originally Posted by coreyvf

Why not try selling your services on Fiverr? Copy writing gigs are very much in demand on Fiverr, and you can downsize your services to a $5 gig then upsell to customers who need more than say 100 or 200 words.

You'll make connections and likely get hired for larger projects/tasks through Fiverr if you're good at what you do.

I can see how that would work for things like editing, transcription, or article writing but it's a lot harder to do with sales copy. At least if you're going to deliver sales copy that converts.

The rule of thumb for sales copy that converts is you use as many words as you need to effectively make the sale. The exception for high-converting sales copy is TV or radio where you're working in a strict time duration -- try reading something out loud for 30 seconds and you'll have a better feel for how short a radio spot normally is.

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RickDuris

12 years ago

I bargain with life for a penny
And life would pay no more
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store.

For life is a just employer
He gives you what you ask.
But once you have set the wages,
Why you must bear the task.

I worked for a menial's hire
Only to learn dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of life
Life would have willingly paid.

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alexandersmith

12 years ago

I really appreciate the advice guys. And I totally understand what you're all saying. That being said, I am a little desperate at the moment, and would take projects priced slightly below what I'd ideally work at, purely because work has dried up badly.

I've tried sites like ProBlogger, but there is so much competition it's hard to land any significant positions. Do any of you guys think I'd have much success with approaching local companies directly?

Many thanks,

Alex

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RickDuris 12 years ago

Do this and come back tell us how it worked:

http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...riter-how.html

- Rick Duris
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alexandersmith

12 years ago

Well I am notoriously bad with phone calls, but I'm happy to give that a go. Thanks!

Watch this space

Alex

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Mark Pescetti

12 years ago

Alex,

Mike and Rick nailed it.

You're always going to be living hand-to-mouth - if you don't charge enough to A) Focus on a project - until it's successful. B) Overcome your scarcity-thinking.

I looked at your website.

Your positioning is just awful.

You're offering too many services.

The moment I see someone selling article writing AND copywriting - on the same site...

...I know they have NO idea what they're doing.

That's the sense I'm getting right now.

Have you written much copy? Any successes?

If not, take it off of your site... while you learn.

If you have had some successes, eliminate the article writing.

Also...

Your website has zero personality in it. Zip. Zero. Zilch.

Start by putting some energy into developing your personal brand. Say something. Stand for something. Make a statement. Create an impact. You're doing none of that. There's absolutely nothing that makes you stand or JUMP out from the crowd.

Change that. Now.

And repeat after me...

"I make at least 3 times what I need every single month."

Feel like a lie?

Start making the changes you need for it to feel real.

Mark

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alexandersmith

12 years ago

Mark, thanks for that great advice. You actually mentioned that before to me in another thread, I'm not sure if you remember, but I've been learning all about copy-writing recently so I'm still learning.

I probably wouldn't say I'm quite ready to take on a proper project, but I'm not far off and I had an interview at a local website development company who have agreed to use me for some upcoming projects

Would you recommend focusing purely on copywriting, and sacrificing income for a few weeks or however long it takes until I can take on some proper copywriting projects?

Oh and.. "I make at least 3 times what I need every single month." Hopefully i'll be chanting this in the months to come

Thanks again,

Alex

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Petar P 12 years ago

Originally Posted by alexandersmith

Oh and.. "I make at least 3 times what I need every single month." Hopefully i'll be chanting this in the months to come

That could work.

But you might feel very frustrated.

You have no experience to back up that claim.

You self image will make a reality check and say: "you're lying, you
don't make that much."

Either get the proper experience or visualize. Your subconscious
cannot tell the difference between visualized and real experience.

Pro athletes do it.

Arnold Schwarzenegger did it (and is probably still doing it)

Don't get me wrong. Affirmations do work. But it's much better to
use them to trigger wanted emotion and experience.

Get this book:

"Release Your Brakes" by James Newman

and set bigger goals so you can stretch outside of your comfort zone.

Hey, but don't take my word for it. Dan Pena recommends that book.

Good luck,

Petar
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Steve The Copywriter

12 years ago

If I was starting from scratch...

I would concentrate on 2 "niches" (in case one crashes and burns). I would choose ones that really do interest me.

I wouldn't do any work for any others (so the "jack of all trades" label vanishes).

I wouldn't write an article for $5.00 (ever, ever, ever, even if after 20, 100, 200 I gained fame and acclaim - the pain in doing it would be way too much).

Special note - what if I was potless and bereft? - I still wouldn't write for a $5.00. I would get any reasonable job going whilst I built up the copywriting empire.

I would forget about the incredible interweb (a trillion, billion sites all battling to get top rankings and traffic? - who needs to join that herd?)

Particularly when...

There are hundreds (probably thousands) of bricks and mortar business in your area desperate for great Ads.

Ads that do what the clients want, bring in the customers, the money and the profits (remember we are not selling "copywriting services" we're selling "advertising copy that sells").

How do you get these good people to hire you? - just ask them.

By phoning, sending a letter, flyer or a postcard.

If the "pitch" is excellent it's almost impossible not to get a good response.

This "Secret Formula" might help with the pitch.

Attachment 20417

Steve

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alexandersmith

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter

If I was starting from scratch...

I would concentrate on 2 "niches" (in case one crashes and burns). I would choose ones that really do interest me.

I wouldn't do any work for any others (so the "jack of all trades" label vanishes).

I wouldn't write an article for $5.00 (ever, ever, ever, even if after 20, 100, 200 I gained fame and acclaim - the pain in doing it would be way too much).

Special note - what if I was potless and bereft? - I still wouldn't write for a $5.00. I would get any reasonable job going whilst I built up the copywriting empire.

I would forget about the incredible interweb (a trillion, billion sites all battling to get top rankings and traffic? - who needs to join that herd?)

Particularly when...

There are hundreds (probably thousands) of bricks and mortar business in your area desperate for great Ads.

Ads that do what the clients want, bring in the customers, the money and the profits (remember we are not selling "copywriting services" we're selling "advertising copy that sells").

How do you get these good people to hire you? - just ask them.

By phoning, sending a letter, flyer or a postcard.

If the "pitch" is excellent it's almost impossible not to get a good response.

This "Secret Formula" might help with the pitch.

Attachment 20417

Steve

Steve thanks so much for that info. Very touched with the amount of generous people there are in this forum willing to give honest advice.

I'll be sure to check out that PDF later on this evening!

I really like the idea of sending out flyers of postcards to local businesses as my phone skills suck. Not that i'm not prepared to attempt it, but I would like to try something I feel more comfortable with. But at the end of the day, if making a few "scary" phone calls is going to earn me a lot more money than sending out some postcards, I'm certainly willing to give it a go.

Thanks again for the advice. I think it's time for a re-brand with the website, and to stop these silly articles

Thanks guys,

Alex

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jimbo13 12 years ago

To be honest Alex you need to go and get some sort of job.

Having a job does not mean that you can't write for someone outside of the hours you work.

So in conjunction with what Rick has written about no niche and Steve has written about Print Ads here is what I mean by a job.

You live in Chichester.

So maybe get a job in a bar in a Marina. Get to know the people, the language and then offer to re-write some of their Ads and things for money over and above your bar job.

Then expand this into other boat Marinas or Yacht brokers.

Or maybe you get a job at a gardening centre. Same thing. You get to know people and language and then offer them re-writes of Ads or articles for newsletters.

Then offer service to associated trades such as landscapers, tree surgeons that sort of thing.

Or work in a restaurant and do the same.

See where I am going with this.

Get a job that pays you and turn that into your writing niche at the same time.

Hope that helps in some sort of way.

Dan
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ThomasOMalley

12 years ago

Try some of Bruce New Media's WSO's for offline marketing to local businesses...including offering SEO and web services. He has some good material at a reasonable price.

Best regards,

Thomas O'Malley

P.S. Read Emmet Fox's book, Power Through Constructive Thinking...it will help you with the mind stuff.

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alexandersmith

12 years ago

Thanks for your advice Dan. I had been thinking about getting some sort of real life job, even if it was part time just to get some sort of stable income in.

It's definitely something I'll bare in mind.

Many thanks for the suggestions,

Alex

P.S Do you live near Chichester as well?

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jimbo13 12 years ago

No, but I visit someone in Lee -on- Solent nearly every week and know someone in Soton.

I am near Reading in Berkshire. Along the M4 out of London.

Dan
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angiecolee

12 years ago

Definitely check out the resources posted above.

One was particularly helpful to me when I was in a similar position, because it helped me prioritize but keep the big picture in mind. That greatly reduced my stress loads and gave me the ability to climb out of my pit. Read the links provided above - Joe's post really will help you.

When I started out, I knew somewhere in my gut that I needed to stay in the SF bay area to build my career. But reality painted a different picture - I'd lost my apartment, was on unemployment, and the projects dried up, prompting me to seriously consider living in my car.

When you're struggling, you should definitely focus on getting your bills paid. You're not going to be creating world-class copy with an empty belly and a fatigued, stressed-out mind.

But you have to do double the work right now. By that, I mean that you have to do what you can to survive right now WHILE thinking ahead to where you'll be in the future.

You're going to have to turn down some gigs. It sounds scary, but dumping the bullshit projects frees you up to take on bigger, more challenging (and more LUCRATIVE) projects.

And don't dismiss the advice from the guys above - you're coming from a scarcity mindset and a SCARED mindset. Faith in yourself is going to take you a long way. If you don't have that faith, start making friends with people who can help you out, or save up to pay a mentor.

And most important of all - the rip-off artists and wannabe hacks smell desperation like a shark smells blood. They will glom onto you and take you for everything - your skills, your energy - EVERYTHING.

You need to make a promise to yourself that this shit stops now, no matter how much you need the money or experience. Otherwise, you'll always be swimming...looking back behind you for the sharks to see if they're closing in.

I'm sure you'd much rather be swimming in calm waters, preferably off the coast of some tropical paradise.

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Steve The Copywriter

12 years ago

Something else you could do...

Many say build a great portfolio to show the good people that you genuinely have real copywriter prowess. But it takes time to put a collection together.

And in 28 years I never have. All the work is (c) to the clients (seems only fair because they paid for it).

So, one thing you can do is - select some Ads from your chosen niches and improve them (best not to use the "company names").

Show your eager new prospects the "before and after" Most people are amazed.

Now, sometimes this may upset the "beforer's"

If they do find out you tinkered with their Ad and went flying around the town with the gleaming new version (although they may well hire you - so you might show them the masterpiece before anyone else).

So, step in option 2 - invent an "imaginary" product or service in your niche(s) *** and write an Ad for it (try for a mundane ordinary "product/service" and supercharge it with great copy).

With "notes" explaining how and why you did this, that and the other.

The finished piece has to be stunningly good.

With a real "shock, awe and wow" effect (but don't make it over the top, too good to be true or unbelievable).

Just turn something ordinary into something extraordinary.

Very quickly your potential clients say, "How soon can you get started on my stuff and who do I write the cheque out to?"

Steve

P.S. A cautionary note, try not to leave "samples" with clients because they may try and hack together their own Ad based on your work. The results are usually catastrophic.

If they say they want to have a shot themselves you'll get comments like "Yea, it's really fantastic, but come on, how difficult can it be to knock out something almost as good without paying £xxxx?"

Just say "Ok, by all means have a go, but for goodness sake let me see it before you print it/ send it/ bung it on the interweb, just to be sure it is great"

97.979% of the time they'll say "Errr, would you please, please, rewrite it for us"

*** if your "invention" turns out to be as good in real life as it is in your imagination - you've now become your own client. Just go out and market and sell it.

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The Content Professional

12 years ago

Some great advice from some very knowledgeable and experienced writers on the long game.

But I'm going to go slightly against the grain -- since I know very much what it's like to struggle -- and tell you to forget Fiverr and set up an account somewhere like Elance.

It gets dumped on regularly -- and for good reason -- but you can still pull in rates at $20+/hr.

Even though writing articles isn't necessarily going to make you a better copywriter, it will help you more than working an entry level part time job where you make minimum wage. And it will keep food in your stomach and a roof over your head while you study to break into copywriting full-time.

Also, another tip that I'd share which I'm currently applying myself is to constantly re-write your "Warriors for Hire" sales page. It will give you practice, allow you to apply the things you're learning, and possibly even serve as a sample for potential copywriting clients.

There are people who bring in the bulk of their income through that section so there is definitely work to be had. You just have to learn to sell yourself. I wasn't having much success with mine and put up a completely rewritten version earlier today. Already got a hit for a very large project that will keep me fed for the next couple weeks.

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alexandersmith

12 years ago

Again and again, thanks so much everyone for all the advice. I've spent the last few hours reading through the "1000th Post, Quick Links for new copywriters", and have already learned of many marketing methods I didn't even know existed!

I've read each and every one of your comments very thoroughly, and I appreciate all the help and support!

I think I am going to carry on working some small article writing gigs, at least for a month or so purely so I have SOME money coming in, but I am going to be devoting at least half my working day to learning to write copy and find clients.

Starting from tomorrow I'm going to starting re-designing my website so that it focuses on copywriting and nothing else. I'm also going to change the design/layout and make it a more "grabbing" experience for the people who come to the website. Thanks Mark for your advice there.

I think the next step will be to get some samples done. As I'm new to the copywriting business, the only sales copy I have really written is my WSO thread for my article writing, as well as one Copywriting assignment I did the other week. I like the idea that Steve suggested, finding ads from my chosen niches, improving them and sending them to prospective clients. So I'm going to start looking at that.

I also think I'm going to look at building up a list of potential local (ish) clients I can either call or email regarding my Copywriting services. This won't be something I'll jump into, and I will study the best and most effective ways to carry this out to ensure I get good replies, and that I sound confident and proud of my work.

Again thank you all so much for your help, I've learnt a lot today and I hope to be able to implement it as of now into my work!

Thanks,

Alex

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angiecolee

12 years ago

I think it's a great start - keep some money coming in but make sure you're dedicating yourself to learning and growing.

And prospecting.

Because the first few clients you land, even if you're writing medical copy for a 30+ page website (been there, done that), will help you build your faith in yourself.

Avoid writer's groups and those critiques because they won't be substantive enough for your purposes.

If you get up the gumption, post samples here and let the guys rip it apart and help you put it back together. That's a free crash course in good writing, and all you need to pay is a little pride.

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alexandersmith

12 years ago

Originally Posted by angiecolee

I think it's a great start - keep some money coming in but make sure you're dedicating yourself to learning and growing.

And prospecting.

Because the first few clients you land, even if you're writing medical copy for a 30+ page website (been there, done that), will help you build your faith in yourself.

Avoid writer's groups and those critiques because they won't be substantive enough for your purposes.

If you get up the gumption, post samples here and let the guys rip it apart and help you put it back together. That's a free crash course in good writing, and all you need to pay is a little pride.

Thanks for your help

Would you recommend direct mailing businesses in the local area, with the spin "I can improve your copy" kinda thing? Like previously mentioned I'm not great on the phone, something which I've been trying to improve yet still struggle with.

I'm keen to start earning, and today managed to land a client on Elance - Low paying, yet still a good start!

Thanks a lot,

Alex

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gjabiz 12 years ago

Originally Posted by alexandersmith

I'm keen to start earning, and today managed to land a client on Elance - Low paying, yet still a good start!

Alex

Alex,

You've rec'd some good advice and a lot of it. So, to balance things out, here's a different take.

You lack the skills to make ANY money as a copywriter. You think a "direct mail" campaign might bring customers? Total waste of your time and money.

Take a part time job as soon as possible. Then start writing with the idea of getting paid. Your samples on your site show a decent "catalog copy" type of writer...didn't see anything of a sales/persuasion nature.

You do have a command of the language. AND you ARE desperate, so face the reality of your life. Get a job, and use your spare time build up skills and clients.

OK, does this sound harsh? Let me balance my brutality with some possible advice...which I've posted several times before. LOOK for other type of writing gigs...short and sweet with quick cash factor. What would that look like?

Here you go:

Tips Business Booklets Small Business Promotion Publicity Paulette Ensign Business Card
Paulette Ensign the "Tips Booklet Baroness". Spend a few minutes at her site, think about LOCAL businesses, who could use a tips booklet for advertising? Example. furniture store selling beds, Tips Booklet, How to Find the Right Bed for Your Back sort of thing. Charge 250 bux or a billion Euros for it.

Booklets | Jimmy Krug's - Simple Publications

Read the article on Selling Your Publication to Companies and Organizations.

NOW, instead of a booklet, some companies offer sell sheets, mostly one page or folded pieces of paper with features and benefits on them (with the intent of selling their products). They hand these out to prospects. Take an extra hour while grocery shopping this week to LOOK FOR possible opportunities.

Can you help the dry cleaner, the butcher, baker or bicycle repair shop via your WRITING SKILLS? Persuasion and selling doesn't have to be pages and pages of copy, it could be a short and sweet "Hotsheet" which gets a person to take some action.

Find a part-time sales job, mobile phones are everywhere, they might need someone...and study copywriting and sales technique.

But first, feed yourself. You body, your mind, your spirit.

And SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR GOALS.

So, my advice and only you can decide if it is good, bad or just doesn't apply, is...

While looking for a part time job tomorrow, THINK about what you want to do and if copywriter is the answer, then gain the skills necessary.

But, Writers WRITE. So write. And write in the direction of your goals.

gjabiz
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angiecolee

12 years ago

Be careful with the "I can improve your copy" approach. Even if it's true, you never know who wrote it. You could be inadvertently insulting the very person you're trying to convince you deserve to be paid.

I'd advise reframing as a "money left on the table" angle, if that's the route you choose.

Direct mail could work, provided your target market and services provided are crystal clear. If you're not sure and you're just sending missives out, you could wind up in over your head.

Get out in your community and meet people too. Business associations, chamber of commerce events, meeting groups. Try freelancing online to build your portfolio.

The short is - there's no one right way to do this. Try something and see how well it works. If you liked it and it bombs, try tweaking and improving. If you hated it and it bombs, try another method of prospecting.

There are plenty to keep you occupied for years:
- cold calling
- cold mailing
- ROP/print ads
- cold emailing
- website/PPC/traffic-driving content
- volunteering for charities near and dear to you, then using those as samples
- I wrote IndieGoGo campaigns for myself and others, and then realized I consistently exceeded goals. You bet your ass that went into the portfolio.

Basically, get ready to fail and fail hard. But make it a goal to learn something from every failure and move forward. Because you're really only going to fail at being a copywriter if you stop trying and stop learning.

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