Thursday, December 18, 2008

How To Become A Freelance Copywriter

By Ray Edwards

The Internet has created a lot of new opportunities for freelance copywriters. Copywriters looking to make more money should check out freelance copywriting. Freelance copywriting not only frees you from the confinements of a full-time job, it also allows you to dictate your workload, schedule, and paycheck.

There is skill involved when writing copy; you must know your audience, which mediums that effectively reach them, and you have to be able to motivate your reader into buying your product. A lot of copywriters go to seminars, take workshops, and perform some research in order to improve their skill level.

Freelance copywriters have a lot of opportunities not found in other vocations. Freelance copywriters can work in the world of commerce, web marketing, publishing houses, direct response mail ad campaigns, and many others. Freelance copywriters work on a project-to-project basis and are hired by clients in these fields in order to help them more effectively sell their products.

WHAT'S INVOLVED IN 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.

The most important thing you need to know is what your customers want and how to give it to them in a creative and effective way. If you're an aspiring freelance copywriter here are some things you should know:

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. Build a portfolio. Your portfolio will function as a resume to potential clients. This will be one of the first things people see when considering your project bid. This means that it should have examples of your best work, a sales letter explaining your credentials, and some testimonials from past clients. It should also be neat, organized, and look professional.

3. You should construct a website. A website gives your potential clients an easy way to access your material and portfolio as they consider your bid. Also, many copywriters do not have a website, which gives 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.

Talk to your clients by phone when possible and let them know they can contact you whenever they want. Also let them know that you can meet with them personally, if they live near you. Be sure to be friendly and personable. The more you seem like a real and friendly person, the more success you will see in your business.

5. Don't be afraid to educate your client. You must listen to your client and mold what they want with what will actually sell their product. It is important to remember that you are the expert and that they have hired you to sell their product. Their ideas may not sell their product, so try to gently educate them on how you think their product should be marketed. Don't be rude, instead, considerately explain why you think your ideas will more effectively sell their product.

These were just a few pointers to help you get started in your new freelancing career. Hopefully this article helped you better understand freelance copywriting. Freelancing gives you the freedom to work whenever and where ever you want. You also get to choose whom you work for and how much work you take on. Freelance copywriting is a very rewarding and flexible occupation. - 16035

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