Tuesday, January 6, 2009

How To Become A Freelance Copywriter

By Ray Edwards

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 a lot of opportunities that other copywriters do not. Some of the most profitable freelancing fields are in the world of commerce, web marketing, publishing houses, online services, advertising companies, direct response ad campaigns, and many others. Freelance copywriters are hired on a project-to-project basis by companies in these fields to help sell their products more effectively.

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.

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 some goals. It is important to set some tangible and attainable goals before you set out as a freelance copywriter. This way you have a target to shoot for and a practical way of measuring your success. Try to develop a business plan that helps you utilize your skills and achieve your goals.

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. Build good relationships with your clients. There is very little person-to-person work on the Internet, which makes it difficult to build good working relationships with your clients. Good relationships are important because people like to feel that they are working with a real person. It also increases the likelihood that they will hire you again or refer their friends to you. Therefore you have to try harder than usual to build a connection with your client.

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. - 15431

About the Author: