9 Steps to Becoming a Freelance Copywriter

 

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.