I always recommend thatbrand-new copywriters start with brick-and-mortar, local small business clients. You have a lot to offer them, even when you’ve just started learning. But there is another excellent source for copywriting clients: solopreneurs. A solopreneur is a person running a one-person business—hence the “solo.” They run the gamut from health and business … [Read more...]
The Best Copywriting Courses vs. Waste of Time (and Money!)
As soon as you decide you want to learn copywriting, you discover that there are a whole lot of copywriting courses out there. But which ones are good? And which ones are a waste of money? Today's article is all about the five things a copywriting course absolutely must have to be worth your time and money. 1. A Copywriting Course Must Cover All Kinds of Copy There are … [Read more...]
Tips for Your Professional Headshots
Your work—your samples in your print and online portfolios—are your biggest selling points. But there are other elements that impress prospective clients and sway them to choose you. One of them is your very own professional headshot. Today we’re going to talk about what your photo needs to look like in order to speak to your own professionalism. But first, I want … [Read more...]
Why Copywriting Matters So Much
I was talking to a young woman who was thinking through her career options. She was good at writing (I’m sure you can relate) and was interested in copywriting. Her big objection to it, though? “Yeah, but I want my job to really mean something.” She had no idea how much she didn’t understand. People tend to think of marketing and sales as bad things; “forcing” people … [Read more...]
Copywriting for Nonprofits: 2 Tips to Crafting Compelling Copy
Copywriting for nonprofits can be great for your portfolio—and your personal fulfillment. But nonprofits are one of the most challenging clients to write for. How do you get their message across and compel people to take action when writing for a nonprofit? As you know, conveying the benefit to the consumer so they will take whatever action you want is crucial to crafting an … [Read more...]
Copywriting Q&A: Planning for Taxes
If you’re moving from on-staff work to freelancing—or even just freelancing on nights and weekends—you’re in for a whole new world of taxation. Here’s what you need to know… Today’s question comes from Meera V., who asks, “Are there any tax implications I should know about when I accept freelance work? Clients don’t withhold taxes, do they?” This is a very astute question. … [Read more...]
Here’s Why HR Is Not Your Friend
When you’re already in a job, your friendly HR team is a great ally. But HR is not your friend when you're looking for a copywriting job and, in fact, it might be your biggest barrier to landing an interview—never mind landing the job. Here's what to do when you find a copywriting job you really want. Don't Submit Your Resume for Copywriting Jobs The number one tip I … [Read more...]
Should You Sign a Copywriting NDA?
When a potential client or employer gives you a document to sign, most of us just sign it without a second thought. After all, you want the work, right? But this is an important decision to make. But here we dig a little more into the implications of one of the most common legal documents you’ll sign and the considerations you should make: the NDA. What Is an … [Read more...]
The Biggest Banner Ad Writing Mistakes
Banner ads are all over the internet—and, as a copywriter, it's almost certain that you’ll write them at some point in your career. And there are some great ones…but there are definitely some bad ones. Let’s explore what makes a banner ad especially bad so you can avoid making these mistakes. Succinct = Success A banner ad is an especially challenging kind of … [Read more...]
Quiz: What Kind of Writer Are You Meant to Be?
In what direction are your natural writing talents meant to take you? Take our quiz now to find out! … [Read more...]