If you’re looking to break into the world of freelance
copywriting, knowing how to get started can be intimidating. The Internet is
teeming with advice on how to become a freelancer, but it can be hard to separate
the great advice from the not-so-great advice. Here are nine ways you can help
you make your transition into freelance copywriting smoother and more
successful!
1) Set Up A Dedicated Space
So you're on the brink of becoming a freelance copywriter.
But before you can dive in, there are some essentials that you need to get in
order first. Namely, the workspace! I know it sounds overly specific but when
you're just starting out, it's crucial that your working space be clean and
free of distractions. That way you can stay focused on the task at hand and not
worry about answering texts or fixing a sloppy pile of papers on your desk.
Once your work space is set up, download my 9-step plan for freelancing -
complete with templates and checklists - so you can start earning money from
home without any outside help! That way you can stay focused on the task at
hand and not worry about answering texts or fixing a sloppy pile of papers on
your desk.
2) Build A Portfolio
If you're looking for work, build up your portfolio. If you
have the ability to promote it, all the better. Let people know what you offer
by word of mouth and email, with both yourself and your writing samples ready.
Target specific clients in various industries--tech-savvy companies will require
more technical content; software designers need different material than
attorneys. Offer services based on this knowledge and experience, like SEO
copywriting or abstracts for peer-reviewed journals. In time, as well as
capitalizing on existing relationships and repeat business from new customers,
more work will come your way. You'll soon be able to hire others to help with
your workload. As you grow, don't forget about marketing - continually update
social media pages, expand blog posts and become active on LinkedIn. Consider
investing in tools that make your life easier, such as Basecamp to organize
projects and Trello for managing deadlines. Create an attractive website that
highlights who you are, including links to any published articles or examples of
your work. The search engine optimization specialist can also rank high on
Google if you give him/her access to publish through the site. An account at
online freelancing websites is another good option, especially if there's not
enough freelance copywriter jobs in one area. Build Your Portfolio: Build A
Portfolio: 9 Steps To Become A Freelance Copywriter - Build A Portfolio
Freelance Online - What Is It?
Freelance Copywriter, Content Writer: If you're looking for
work, build up your portfolio. If you have the ability to promote it, all the
better. Let people know what you offer by word of mouth and email, with both
yourself and your writing samples ready. Target specific clients in various
industries--tech-savvy companies will require more technical content; software
designers need different material than attorneys. Offer services based on this
knowledge and experience, like SEO copywriting or abstracts for peer-reviewed
journals. In time, as well as capitalizing on existing relationships and repeat
business from new customers, more work will come your way.
3) Pitch To The Right Clients
It can be difficult to know who to pitch your services too.
You may find that some clients are tough sell or that you don't fit the bill
for their project. Here are some helpful tips for finding and pitching the
right clients:
-Do your research! The more you know about what they're
looking for, the easier it will be to figure out if they're looking for a
content writer or not. Or, if you're not sure, it never hurts to take another
look at the job posting to see if there's any wording in there which might
signal whether or not they're open.
-Think of examples of past jobs which would work well with
this client's goals. For example, if you had written an informative blog post
on how to make chicken noodle soup from scratch for your last project as a
copywriter, then offer up something like You may also want to check out my blog
post on how to make chicken noodle soup from scratch. That way they'll know
that you have experience writing blogs on topics related to cooking.
-If possible, contact them through social media. Even if
they're not interested in hiring you after following these steps, at least
they'll have seen that you put forth effort. If they follow back and seem genuinely
interested then by all means continue following up with them!
4) Deliver a Great Product
A great copywriter understands the needs of a variety of
clients and creates clear, concise and compelling content. A successful
freelance copywriter also offers value beyond just words—creating videos,
infographics or presentations that help inform the audience. To excel as a
freelance content writer, it's important to deliver a great product, know your
limits, find your niche and keep learning. - Deliver a Great Product: A great
copywriter understands the needs of a variety of clients and creates clear,
concise and compelling content. - Know Your Limits: Don't over-promise; if
you're not sure about something, ask for more information or research on your
own time before you try to tackle it. If you're not able to complete an
assignment satisfactorily within budget/deadline parameters set by the client,
let them know ASAP so they can decide whether they want to continue with your
services or not. - Find Your Niche: Try experimenting with different types of
writing so you'll have an idea of what will work best for you (i.e., company
website content vs. marketing brochure). Keep up with trends in your industry
to make sure you're always up-to-date on recent developments. Use social media
platforms like LinkedIn to connect with potential clients and market yourself
effectively. It's never too late to start working towards achieving success as
a freelance content writer, but be aware that there are challenges that may come
up along the way (e.g., finding enough hours in the day).
5) Connect with the Client on an Emotional Level
People hire freelance copywriters for the way that their copy makes them feel. You must connect with the client on an emotional level so that you can create content for their business that is authentic and persuasive. No matter how talented of a writer you are, you cannot be successful if your writing does not make the client want to read more. Whether it's an online ad or social media post, if they don't feel compelled enough to keep reading then they will click away from your post or stop scrolling past your banner ads on social media feeds. Here are 9 ways you can connect with the client on an emotional level
1) Ask questions - asking questions in your
initial outreach emails shows that you care about the person on the other end.
It also helps you understand what information might help persuade them to work
with you.
2) Listen - sometimes all people need is someone who will
listen to what they have to say without judging them. It could be a good idea
to ask open-ended questions like How do you feel about X? when they contact you
because this allows them space to share their feelings with you in an
unpressured environment.
3) Don't push too hard - pushing too hard when contacting
potential clients may turn some people off because it feels like salesmanship
rather than connection.
6) Learn From Failure
So, you've decided you want to become a freelance copywriter
and have some journalism experience. You might be thinking: Where do I start?
How will I know if this is the right career for me? It seems like it's
difficult work. To help, we've put together 9 steps you can take on your way to
becoming an established freelance content writer with stories like ours. We
hope these nine steps inspire and prepare you so that when you get started,
it's not such a struggle. To write successfully, first learn from failure. -
Write every day. If you're anything like us, there are plenty of days where our
words sound better in our head than they do on paper or screen. But writing
consistently is key because without fail - something good always comes out of
those days.
- Take criticism as feedback and use it to improve yourself
and your craft. Listen closely to feedback from editors who reject your work -
don't just brush off the feedback because someone doesn't want what you're
selling!
7) Look For Opportunities
As a freelance content writer, I look for work opportunities
all the time. There are many sites available for freelancers, and there are
even more opportunities posted on the Internet every day. I look for jobs in my
area and go for them. You can also post your resume on different freelance
websites, like Elance or Upwork. Simply apply to any job that interests you and
go from there! Opportunities are always looking for people who have the desire
and motivation it takes to succeed. I hope this guide has been helpful in
answering some of your questions about freelancing online. If you're interested
in taking the next step, start by searching out freelance opportunities. Keep
an eye out for interesting projects, and make sure to take advantage of these
great career choices. Be proactive-contact potential clients directly and send
them samples of your work. Write down ways you can use social media to promote
yourself as well as try new things such as writing articles, conducting
research, and doing public relations campaigns. The sky is the limit when it
comes to being a successful freelance copywriter-and remember: anyone with
determination and drive can be successful at it!
8) Never Stop Learning
If you're just starting out, one of the best pieces of
advice is to never stop learning. You never know when an opportunity will
arise, and if you're not keeping your skills sharp, you may miss it. There are
many ways that people are always keeping their skills fresh while also
freelancing online. One great idea is to read online articles on various topics
that are in the same industry as your expertise so that you can remain
up-to-date on new trends and have the resources available if needed. Another
way is by keeping up with industry news. This can be done by signing up for
newsletters and social media accounts from companies or publications in your
field, as well as checking blogs from other writers within your specialty. It's
also important to stay connected with others in your industry via networking
events, conferences, and job fairs. Many freelance copywriters enjoy getting
together with peers regularly for professional development chats like Facebook
groups or Google Hangouts. These types of activities help keep the work
interesting and give you ideas about where to focus your time and efforts.
Another way to learn more about writing is by reading good
examples of content in various forms such as blog posts, magazine articles,
books, advertisements, tweets, etc., then figuring out what makes them
effective. It's important to do this because every type of writing has its own
unique voice based on who is delivering it; if you want to write in someone
else's voice instead of yours then understanding how they write will make that
easier.
9) Keep Expanding Your Market
In the information age, freelancing online is common and it
has created unprecedented opportunities for people looking for flexible,
independent work. You can freelance as a designer, content writer, marketing
strategist or copywriter. But no matter which field you choose, there are some
key steps that you need to follow in order to land work and keep growing your
market.
1) Build Your Network – Connect with other freelancers so
that you can meet clients on both sides of the equation. This also helps you keep
current with developments in your industry and stay up-to-date on what it takes
to be successful. Plus, word-of-mouth referrals make up most of the client
leads that come my way!
2) Develop Your Brand – Nail down who you are and what you
want to say in just one sentence.
This statement should be included on your website or blog,
printed out on business cards, and integrated into all social media profiles.
It will help potential clients know exactly who they're working with before
they reach out to request an estimate from you.
Continuation (six+ sentences): For example: I'm Cindy
Gallop, founder of MakeLoveNotPorn®, author of Sex & Social Media: What's
Missing? We won't tell you how. We'll show you how...
This single sentence says it all and helps me identify
myself as someone who speaks openly about sex and pornography, while also
emphasizing my experience in this arena.
3) Invest Time in Your Portfolio – A well-rounded portfolio
is essential for landing any job, but especially if you're a freelancer. If
employers don't think that your skillset matches their needs after taking a
quick look at your website or portfolio page, then they'll simply go onto the
next candidate's site instead of contacting you to set up an interview.
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