Ever wanted a job where you could spend all day, every day, writing clever and inspiring prose? Yes? Well don't become a freelance copywriter!
1) Invest in a website
So what does a freelance copywriter do other than write copy? Well, basically, they run a business. This article discusses 6 daily rituals involved with running a freelance website copywriting or advertising copywriting business (other than writing). It also provides some tips for performing them successfully.
1) Quoting
How do you generate business? Cold calls? (See http://www.divinewrite.com/coldcallingcopywriter.htm.) Website? (See http://www.divinewrite.com/articles.htm for numerous website & SEO articles.) Networking? Word of mouth? Repeat business? Agencies? (See also http://www.divinewrite.com/freelancecopywriting.htm for some tips on succeeding as a freelance copywriter.) No matter what your strategy, you need to give it the time it deserves. It's a good idea to average around an hour a day to thinking about and implementing marketing strategy.
3) Cold call, cold call, cold call
A quote is not the same as a proposal. A quote is generally contained within a proposal, but it's not the same thing. When you submit a copywriting proposal, you're marketing your skills, your solution, your work ethic, your customer service, your commitment, and your experience. Basically, you're justifying your price, and differentiating yourself from your competition. And it's not just about WHAT you say. It's also HOW you say it and how you PRESENT it. Everything about your proposal plays a part in the client's decision! If possible, include additional helpful information. Use a title page, a table of contents, headers, and footers. Introduce at the beginning and summarize at the end. Include your price, but call it an investment, not a cost. Show the client you've thought their job through by summarizing their requirements. Outline your proposed solution. And most importantly, give the client a clear call to action (Where to from here?).
4) Use a contacts & jobs database
The freelance copywriter is almost never the bottleneck in a copywriting job. In 99.99% of copywriting jobs, the bottleneck is the review process. Most clients take a long time to review. In fact, about a third of clients need to be prompted at least once before they'll get back to you with their changes. It's not uncommon for a one-day writing job to take a full month to reach sign-off or longer. Some clients will put the copy review on the backburner for months (just another reason to request a deposit before commencement of work)! As a result, freelance advertising copywriters and website copywriters spend a lot of time chasing reviews. Make sure you factor the delay and the chasing time into your quotes as best you can. And always record which clients take a long time, so you can be prepared when discussing deadlines on the next job.
4) Project scheduling & tracking
The first year or two as a freelance advertising copywriter or website copywriter will be difficult. It takes a while to generate momentum and during that time, you'll probably find yourself wondering if you've made the right career choice. While it's possible to earn six-figures each year, you have to be patient (so it's not ideal for new or intending parents or anyone with huge mortgage commitments).
6) Invest in an accounts package
Issuing invoices, processing payments (and part payments), chasing outstanding invoices, recording expenses, managing bank accounts, putting tax aside It all takes a lot of time. Don't be fooled into thinking you can handle your accounts manually (or with Microsoft Excel). Even if you only have a few clients, you NEED a proper accounts package like MYOB or Quicken (they both offer small business versions). You'll understand why the first time you do your GST reports or annual taxes. In fact, you'll understand why whenever you need to chase down outstanding invoices
7) Give great service
Although the wonders of modern email let a freelance copywriter get through about 95% of their work without ever leaving the office, it's sometimes still a good idea to do things the old-fashioned way especially if you expect to work with them quite a bit. Shake hands and put a face to a name. And remember, everything about the meeting reflects on you and your business. As with your proposals, think about WHAT you say, HOW you say it, how you PRESENT.
Always organize the meeting with plenty of notice, confirm the day before the meeting, be on time, summarize the meeting, and provide a call to action. (Try to do these last two both at the end of the meeting and via email after the meeting.)
In one important respect, website copywriting and advertising copywriting are no different from any other form of writing; planning is vital. For more specific planning information, see http://www.divinewrite.com/benefits.htm and http://www.divinewrite.com/webbenefitwriting.htm.
1) Invest in a website
So what does a freelance copywriter do other than write copy? Well, basically, they run a business. This article discusses 6 daily rituals involved with running a freelance website copywriting or advertising copywriting business (other than writing). It also provides some tips for performing them successfully.
1) Quoting
How do you generate business? Cold calls? (See http://www.divinewrite.com/coldcallingcopywriter.htm.) Website? (See http://www.divinewrite.com/articles.htm for numerous website & SEO articles.) Networking? Word of mouth? Repeat business? Agencies? (See also http://www.divinewrite.com/freelancecopywriting.htm for some tips on succeeding as a freelance copywriter.) No matter what your strategy, you need to give it the time it deserves. It's a good idea to average around an hour a day to thinking about and implementing marketing strategy.
3) Cold call, cold call, cold call
A quote is not the same as a proposal. A quote is generally contained within a proposal, but it's not the same thing. When you submit a copywriting proposal, you're marketing your skills, your solution, your work ethic, your customer service, your commitment, and your experience. Basically, you're justifying your price, and differentiating yourself from your competition. And it's not just about WHAT you say. It's also HOW you say it and how you PRESENT it. Everything about your proposal plays a part in the client's decision! If possible, include additional helpful information. Use a title page, a table of contents, headers, and footers. Introduce at the beginning and summarize at the end. Include your price, but call it an investment, not a cost. Show the client you've thought their job through by summarizing their requirements. Outline your proposed solution. And most importantly, give the client a clear call to action (Where to from here?).
4) Use a contacts & jobs database
The freelance copywriter is almost never the bottleneck in a copywriting job. In 99.99% of copywriting jobs, the bottleneck is the review process. Most clients take a long time to review. In fact, about a third of clients need to be prompted at least once before they'll get back to you with their changes. It's not uncommon for a one-day writing job to take a full month to reach sign-off or longer. Some clients will put the copy review on the backburner for months (just another reason to request a deposit before commencement of work)! As a result, freelance advertising copywriters and website copywriters spend a lot of time chasing reviews. Make sure you factor the delay and the chasing time into your quotes as best you can. And always record which clients take a long time, so you can be prepared when discussing deadlines on the next job.
4) Project scheduling & tracking
The first year or two as a freelance advertising copywriter or website copywriter will be difficult. It takes a while to generate momentum and during that time, you'll probably find yourself wondering if you've made the right career choice. While it's possible to earn six-figures each year, you have to be patient (so it's not ideal for new or intending parents or anyone with huge mortgage commitments).
6) Invest in an accounts package
Issuing invoices, processing payments (and part payments), chasing outstanding invoices, recording expenses, managing bank accounts, putting tax aside It all takes a lot of time. Don't be fooled into thinking you can handle your accounts manually (or with Microsoft Excel). Even if you only have a few clients, you NEED a proper accounts package like MYOB or Quicken (they both offer small business versions). You'll understand why the first time you do your GST reports or annual taxes. In fact, you'll understand why whenever you need to chase down outstanding invoices
7) Give great service
Although the wonders of modern email let a freelance copywriter get through about 95% of their work without ever leaving the office, it's sometimes still a good idea to do things the old-fashioned way especially if you expect to work with them quite a bit. Shake hands and put a face to a name. And remember, everything about the meeting reflects on you and your business. As with your proposals, think about WHAT you say, HOW you say it, how you PRESENT.
Always organize the meeting with plenty of notice, confirm the day before the meeting, be on time, summarize the meeting, and provide a call to action. (Try to do these last two both at the end of the meeting and via email after the meeting.)
In one important respect, website copywriting and advertising copywriting are no different from any other form of writing; planning is vital. For more specific planning information, see http://www.divinewrite.com/benefits.htm and http://www.divinewrite.com/webbenefitwriting.htm.
About the Author:
Serge Musoka owns Quick Ways To Make Money Online where Reviewed Copywriting Business Ideas and Opportunities are Tested Rigorously.Visit today for more info or check out our #1 work-at-home program at
http://www.PlugInProfitSite.com/main-35184
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