One of the biggest challenges any copywriter will face is finding a steady stream of clients. And while active prospecting can’t be beat, there are also a few other tactics you can use for attracting interest and nurturing potential clients. You already know that having an online portfolio is non-negotiable—if you want to be seen as a professional, you have to have a site … [Read more...]
How To Mess Up a Call With a Prospective Client
Recently, I was on one of the worst sales call I’ve ever been on. But let me clarify: This guy was trying to sell me on a solution. And he was terrible. Periodically, I’ll watch webinars and hop on sales calls to see what kind of new information is out there. I’m not an omniscient marketer; I know there’s always more to learn, and there’s always information I can pass … [Read more...]
5 Unusual Places for Freelance Copywriters to Find Clients
Someone once said that “the richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work.” This was American businessman and author Robert Kiyosaki, one of the most successful book writers of the millennium. His meaning? That building a successful business (and earning a good income as your own boss) starts with finding opportunities, not just … [Read more...]
Common Copywriting Mistakes You Cannot Afford to Make
There are a lot of variables and flexibility in copywriting, which is part of what makes it such an appealing career for people who love to write. But I can also tell you that over the course of my 20+ years in the industry (and from making my own mistakes...so many mistakes!), there are also certain inescapable truths. Here, for your learning pleasure, are eight common … [Read more...]
Copywriting Q&A: How to Get More Work From Past Clients
Most copywriters work hard to get their clients. But when the project is over, they let those same valuable clients disappear, never reaching out to them again. Today, we’re going to talk about a strategy to get more work from previous clients. Read on… Today’s question from Molly W., who asks, “I finished up some projects with clients I really, really liked. Do you have any … [Read more...]
The One Question That Makes Copywriting Networking Easy
Say the word “networking” and most people grimace—most people don't like talking to strangers. Most people don’t enjoy talking to strangers. And when it has to do with career advancement and connections, you can double that dislike. But networking (meeting new people in your industry) is essential to building a career. That includes copywriting, whether you want to work in … [Read more...]
Copywriting Q&A: How to Find Solopreneur Clients
Solopreneur clients—one-person businesses—can be great copywriting clients. But where do you find solopreneurs? Read on… Today’s question is from Jakob F., who asks, “I read your article about solopreneurs and think they might be a great target for my growing copywriting business. Where do I find them to pitch myself?” As you know, I always recommend that brand new … [Read more...]
Creative Ways to Market Yourself as a Copywriter
Marketing your copywriting services via your website, networking, and with pitch emails is both crucial and here to stay. But with new technology and new outlets appearing every day, there are all kinds of opportunities to market yourself as a copywriter in new and creative ways. As I’ve said before, and I’m sure I’ll say thousands of times more, you absolutely must have an … [Read more...]
The 5 Things New Copywriters Should NEVER Do
It's hard enough to get started in copywriting without making one of these huge mistakes. And when I say huge, I mean huge: Any one of these is enough to delay your success, if not bring your career to a grinding halt. And what's worse, the vast majority of copywriters will make at least one of these mistakes, if not more. So read on to find out what these mistakes are, … [Read more...]
How to Find and Write for Solopreneurs
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...]