So You Want To Be A Copywriter?

Wannabe copywriters typically examine out my internet site for info relating to my services and fees. And quite right also! I nevertheless give my competitor's internet sites a 'gander' every single now and then, in case they're undertaking a thing that I must be performing.

I obtain a lot of emails from students operating towards their advertising and marketing or other media degrees, asking for a handful of ideas about securing operate in the 'Copywriting Industry' I didn't realise we had an sector! If we have, it is surely a cottage market because most copywriters are freelancers who function on their personal and generally from house.

"Well what about marketing and advertising and marketing agencies?", They enquire. "Properly what about them?", I ask. And so it goes on and on till they realise that a copywriter who operates for a structured and institutional organisation, is a completely distinct animal to that of the freelancer.

Institutional versus Freelance

So what are the differences among them? There are numerous. Let's look at the agency writer. He or she is likely a talented person with creative abilities and a very good command of the English language. They will have learned, from their course perform, the psychology of selling, aspects of communication and how to create in a flowing and exciting style.

Each day, at the agency office, they will function on their assignments, which have been delegated to them by their manager. Their function will be scrutinised by their manager or team leader, who, in the interests of their organization, will choose regardless of whether it is worthy of publication.

Immediately after a couple of years, undertaking similar 'run of the mill' stuff, they may possibly be presented the opportunity of coming up with some thing totally original. All by themselves, with no guidance, un-tethered by their mentor. And, in the interests of the firm, not to mention their job safety, they will produce some thing as institutional as they have been undertaking previously. They'll play it safe. Effectively would not you?

Sooner or later, their creative awareness and talent could break by means of the institutional membrane and they'll want to move on. They'll want to do some thing for themselves. They might even become a freelancer.

A freelancer is just about anyone with a passion and a flair for writing. Some have began out on their profession path by working for agencies, some have graduated in English and just feel 'qualified' to do the job, whilst others come into the 'industry' from a range of other routes.

By whichever indicates, once they turn out to be a freelancer, they rapidly discover to survive. To survive and prosper as a freelancer you have to have the potential to adapt, diversify and create the skill of writing in any and every single style humanly attainable. But there's far more! You will have to meet deadlines, occasionally work for less than the lower national wage limit and understand to turn your brain inside out. Sounds painful!

What does it all quantity to? What's the bottom line?

Let's summarise thus far.

A copywriter working for an agency will function in a good warm office with nice friendly colleagues, writing easy institutional letters, brochures, ads and data packs. They will be paid someplace amongst 18K to 26K, get four to five weeks annual paid vacation and get to slag off the boss at the office Christmas party.

Sounds fairly great to me. If you want to be a copywriter, I recommend you go down this path. It offers a excellent salary and a steady secure position.

The freelancer's life is not so clear cut. They mostly perform on their personal, create all kinds of stuff about every little thing and wonder exactly where their next packet of fags is going come from. They only take short breaks, get stressed and slag every person off at any party.

They are self-employed, so have to hold accounts. They have to buy all their own stationery, stuff their own letters and post off their mailings. They have to advertise or even worse, they have to compete to sell their services for a pittance to unknown clients by way of some online freelance web site. The pits!

Sounds terrible does not it? Then why do we do it?

The uncovered truth about freelancing

Effectively, clearly I can't speak for everybody so I'll tell you why I do it and how I do it. "Listen up"

The primary reason I write for a living is simply because I adore it. I've usually been a inventive person so writing comes as second nature. And let's face it, it really is not quite hard to do.

I enjoy the challenge that every single assignment brings. I have ghost-written several books for clients and each and every has been on a totally different subject. The downside of ghost-writing is getting to sign away all rights to the function, which implies you cannot showcase it or place it in your portfolio. The client gets all the credit for your masterpiece.

I've written numerous articles for internet sites, emails and sales letters. I write poetry, humor and boring stuff like FAQ's and item info. But I am by no means bored since the perform can be so varied.

Then there's the income of course. A great freelancer ought to be able to make about 50K a year. Some make less but some can make over 100K a year. There actually is no limit. Make a name for your self and not only will you be earning a very good living, you could possibly uncover your self in the enviable position of getting in a position to choose and choose the perform you do.

Nonetheless want to be a copywriter?

Great! Now let's dispel a handful of myths by answering a handful of queries that I get asked all the time.

The 6 Most Regularly Asked Concerns

1. Do you need a formal education and a degree?

No way! Even though most agencies will only employ graduates, there's no purpose why a freelancer requirements anything at all other than a very good command of the English language, creativity and a flare for writing. There are a lot of copywriting courses available, if you're a small unsure or want to hone your skills, but make certain the program perform is set by an knowledgeable and reliable copywriter.

two. Can preceding work expertise aid?

Yes! Sales and advertising knowledge is very beneficial if you intend to make a living as a sales copywriter. At the extremely least, you should understand the sales procedure and the client service aspect.

three. I don't have a portfolio. How can I get work?

Produce 1! Create some articles, create a modest book, write some sales letters, brochures and emails. Show what you can do. Write for free. Create for charities, magazines or newspaper letter pages. Use your imagination and write about something.

four. Where are the greatest places to get operate?

You could try contacting marketing and advertising agencies by way of a letter of introduction, but do not hold your breath. Magazines are usually searching for fillers, so this would be a great location to commence. Nearby modest organizations may well be interested in having some leaflets written for door to door delivery. Speak to them by letter, listing your services collegebeddingforgirls.org, college bedding for girls, college bedding for girls: how to pick the right set and your rates.

When you have gained a small encounter, go on the web and subscribe to some of the freelance sites. Elance, Freelance Function Exchange and Getafreelancer are rather good, but be ready to compete with other bidders from all over the globe. Some Indian freelancers will perform for as tiny #3 an hour, so you're up against it. Nevertheless, I think it's worth the experience. I get some of my assignments this way.

Develop a site or have an individual do it for you. I'm of the opinion that all organizations really should have a site if they want to keep in business.

Produce a mail shot and function your way by means of your nearby Yellow Pages. Sell your self. It's what you will have to do anyway, so get employed to it.

five. What should I charge for my services?

This is just a guide. You are going to instinctively know when you have become established.

A one page letter consists of around 500 words and should take no much more than 2 hours to create, revise and finalise. If you want #10 an hour, that'll be #20 for the job. Do not bother quoting a price per word as you will find oneself writing a load of drivel in order to fill the pages.

Once again, once you happen to be established you can charge what you feel your work is worth. It's not uncommon to charge #400 for a 6 page sales letter, if you happen to be very good.

6. What do you believe is the most essential ability of a successful copywriter?

If you cannot do this, you will not be really profitable.

"Write as you talk"

That's it! You should be in a position to communicate with your reader correct off the page. Your words should be conversational. You have to be able to 'speak' to your reader and stir their interest, their feelings, their desires.

If you are trying to sell them one thing, you need to be convincing. Your letter has to be compelling and focus-grabbing. Lastly, your letter has to make them take some action. This could be filling in a form, creating a telephone contact or writing a cheque. It really is a call to action.

Nevertheless believe you have what it takes?

Then go forth and return with the bountiful harvest of your inventive genius!

If you want to know much more, and there is a lot a lot more, subscribe to my newsletter.

Excellent luck and warm regards,

Bill Knight