Every copywriter needs a standalone portfolio site. There's no way around it. And while we give you all the steps and support you need in the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy to create your site, we thought it would be helpful to see some examples of stellar copywriting portfolios. CCA students have created some incredible portfolios over the years (we've reviewed … [Read more...]
Tell Your Friends About Your New Copywriting Career
One of the first things you need for a copywriting career is training. After all, to have a career in anything you have to know what you’re doing, right? The next steps are to put together your online portfolio and begin pitching potential clients. But there’s an important step in between: telling your network about your business. This is an intimidating step for a … [Read more...]
Why Companies Requiring Experience for Copywriting Jobs is a Good Thing
Every once in a while, I’ll hear a lament from one of our students who is interested in landing an in-house or agency job. They’ll say, “I really want to apply for these, but they all require at least two years of experience! I haven’t got that yet!” And I get it: For someone who’s been studying and working diligently to practice and hone the craft, as well as build a great … [Read more...]
The Importance of Freelancing in Today’s Working World
I say “new truth” but it’s really been creeping up on us for a while. First, companies got rid of pensions…then workers moved away from being “lifers” at companies…then it became common—if not necessary—to change jobs every three to five years. Now, the importance of freelancing is clear: you need the skills to find and land clients (and bring in income) whenever you need (or … [Read more...]
Find Copywriting Clients on Facebook: 3 Tips and 1 Big Warning
When it comes to finding clients, the keys are to be systematic, but also to cast your net wide. Facebook makes for a great place to cast some of that net—though not all of it. To mix metaphors, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket! What makes Facebook so great? Well, it’s already a place that billions of people go to seek information, find recommendations, network with … [Read more...]
4 Perks of Working in an Office Before Starting Your Own Copywriting Business
Wanting to start your own business is a fantastic (and doable!) goal as a copywriter. It’s a major reason why many of us pursue this career—because we can increase our work-life balance and make a fantastic income. But laying a solid foundation for your copywriting career is crucial, especially when you’re first starting out. One of the best ways to get the foundation … [Read more...]
You Don’t Have to Work with Clients You Hate
First of all, let me reassure you: There is absolutely NO shortage of copywriting clients out there. In fact, it’s exactly the opposite: There’s a shortage of skilled copywriters. Lots of people who need great copy and too few great copywriters to write it. (Pretty great for us, huh?) I want to be sure to mention this because I think that some people let the idea of who … [Read more...]
Freelance Copywriting for Introverts
Maybe it’s because writing itself requires so much time alone, but it seems that a lot of people who love to write also require solitude to recharge their batteries. It makes sense, then, that we get a lot of questions about whether freelance copywriting is a good career for introverts. And it can seem like the perfect career for introverts—freelancers get to work from … [Read more...]
The Real Math on Job-Bidding Site “Success”
You already know that I strongly discourage copywriters from using job-bidding sites like Upwork or Fiverr or Freelancer to find work. (If you need a reminder, here’s why.) And people love to try to argue that with me. Case in point, here’s an article someone posted on one of our ads to “prove” that people can make six figures on Upwork. Now, I’ve never said that you … [Read more...]
Recessions Are Huge Opportunities for Copywriters. Here’s Why.
The first time I made six figures as a copywriter was in 2008...right in the middle of the Great Recession...right after I left my full-time job to go freelance. Why then? Especially knowing that period was when, sadly, companies were laying off staff left and right. But here’s the key: **Companies still needed copy because copy drives business.** Remember, copywriting … [Read more...]