The Internet has single-handedly helped turn freelance copywriting into the success it is today. Copywriters looking to make more money should think about freelance copywriting. Freelancing frees you from the restrictions of a full-time employed job and allows you to dictate your workload, your schedule, and your paycheck.
Copywriting requires some skill; you must understand your audience, which marketing avenues effectively reach them, and you have to be able to write something that actually sells your product. Many copywriters go to seminars, attend workshops, and do personal research in order to help improve their copywriting abilities.
Freelance copywriters have many more opportunities than regularly employed copywriters. When freelancing your services you can work in many different fields at once, such as: commerce, web content management, publishing houses, advertising agencies, direct response ad campaigns, and many others. Freelance copywriters work on a project-to-project basis for companies in these fields in order to help them better sell their products.
SOME POINTERS ON BECOMING A FREELANCE COPYWRITER
Freelance copywriters can choose their projects, handpick the jobs that are in their area of expertise, and bring in more money. Since you are your own boss as a freelancer, most experts agree that freelance copywriting is one of the best fields in which to work.
You must know how to give your customers what they want in a the most effective and creative manner. Here are a few pointers if you're considering starting a new freelancing career:
1. Set goals for yourself. If you don't have any goals you don't have anything to shoot for, you're like a ship setting sail with no heading. Therefore it is important to set goals for yourself. These goals should be tangible and attainable. Goals also give a practical way of measuring your success. Try to figure out what your strengths are as a writer and set up a business plan with goals to help you transition into your new career.
2. Construct a portfolio. Your portfolio will function as your resume in the freelancing world. It will be one of the first things that someone sees when they are considering hiring you for their project. Therefore make sure it has some of your best work in it and includes testimonials from past clients. It is important that your portfolio is organized, clean, and professional.
3. You need to build a website. A website acts like your storefront window. It also allows possible clients to examine your work and portfolio when considering your bid. Also, many copywriters do not have a website, so building one will give you an advantage over some of your competition.
4. Create good relations with your clients. People like to feel like they are working with a real person, which is a feeling that is diminished when working on the Internet. There is very little person-to-person contact, so you must make an effort to build good working relationships with your clients. The more a client knows you, the more likely they are to hire you again and refer other people to you.
If you find out that you live near your client, let them know that you're available to meet in person if they like. Also let them know that you are always available if they need to contact you with any questions or concerns. Make yourself personable, the more you seem like a real person to your clients, the greater the success you will see in your business.
5. Don't be afraid to educate your clients. It is very important that you listen to what your client wants from you, but don't let them necessarily dictate your end product. You're the expert on marketing that is why they are hiring you. So don't be afraid to explain why you think you might need to do things differently. Try to incorporate as many of their ideas into an effective marketing strategy. You don't want to be rude. You want to gently explain why you think you ideas will help better sell their product.
These were just a few ideas to help you get started thinking about your new freelancing career. Hopefully you found this article helpful. Freelance copywriting allows you to choose when you work, where you work, and how much you work. You can't find that kind of freedom in too many other jobs. Freelancing is a very liberating and exciting career.
Copywriting requires some skill; you must understand your audience, which marketing avenues effectively reach them, and you have to be able to write something that actually sells your product. Many copywriters go to seminars, attend workshops, and do personal research in order to help improve their copywriting abilities.
Freelance copywriters have many more opportunities than regularly employed copywriters. When freelancing your services you can work in many different fields at once, such as: commerce, web content management, publishing houses, advertising agencies, direct response ad campaigns, and many others. Freelance copywriters work on a project-to-project basis for companies in these fields in order to help them better sell their products.
SOME POINTERS ON BECOMING A FREELANCE COPYWRITER
Freelance copywriters can choose their projects, handpick the jobs that are in their area of expertise, and bring in more money. Since you are your own boss as a freelancer, most experts agree that freelance copywriting is one of the best fields in which to work.
You must know how to give your customers what they want in a the most effective and creative manner. Here are a few pointers if you're considering starting a new freelancing career:
1. Set goals for yourself. If you don't have any goals you don't have anything to shoot for, you're like a ship setting sail with no heading. Therefore it is important to set goals for yourself. These goals should be tangible and attainable. Goals also give a practical way of measuring your success. Try to figure out what your strengths are as a writer and set up a business plan with goals to help you transition into your new career.
2. Construct a portfolio. Your portfolio will function as your resume in the freelancing world. It will be one of the first things that someone sees when they are considering hiring you for their project. Therefore make sure it has some of your best work in it and includes testimonials from past clients. It is important that your portfolio is organized, clean, and professional.
3. You need to build a website. A website acts like your storefront window. It also allows possible clients to examine your work and portfolio when considering your bid. Also, many copywriters do not have a website, so building one will give you an advantage over some of your competition.
4. Create good relations with your clients. People like to feel like they are working with a real person, which is a feeling that is diminished when working on the Internet. There is very little person-to-person contact, so you must make an effort to build good working relationships with your clients. The more a client knows you, the more likely they are to hire you again and refer other people to you.
If you find out that you live near your client, let them know that you're available to meet in person if they like. Also let them know that you are always available if they need to contact you with any questions or concerns. Make yourself personable, the more you seem like a real person to your clients, the greater the success you will see in your business.
5. Don't be afraid to educate your clients. It is very important that you listen to what your client wants from you, but don't let them necessarily dictate your end product. You're the expert on marketing that is why they are hiring you. So don't be afraid to explain why you think you might need to do things differently. Try to incorporate as many of their ideas into an effective marketing strategy. You don't want to be rude. You want to gently explain why you think you ideas will help better sell their product.
These were just a few ideas to help you get started thinking about your new freelancing career. Hopefully you found this article helpful. Freelance copywriting allows you to choose when you work, where you work, and how much you work. You can't find that kind of freedom in too many other jobs. Freelancing is a very liberating and exciting career.
About the Author:
For an inside look at the techniques of a sought-after web copywriter, visit the site of Copywriter Ray Edwards. Claim your free podcasts, marketing tips, videos and free copywriting advice.
