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Tips, Tools and Training for New and Aspiring Copywriters

The Simplest Way to Start Finding Clients

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the simplest way to start finding clients
For a lot of new (or would-be) copywriters, one of the most daunting parts of getting started is finding clients. “Where are they? Who are they? How do I talk to them? Will they reject me?”

We’ve talked a little bit about why you don’t need to be afraid of finding clients already, and today I want to talk about the simplest way to start finding them.

And when I say simple, I mean it. Ready? Here it is:

Start paying attention.

Now, wait—before you roll your eyes and leave, bear with me. It’s likely you spend a high percentage of your day online. And, while averages vary for how many sites people visit per day, let’s be conservative and say 20.

So, of the 20 websites you happened across yesterday, how many of them did you read? Not just skim, but read? On how many of them did you actually evaluate the copy to see if it’s any good? And how many of them did you do that for of the 600+ websites you visited last month?

–>Opportunities are crossing your path every day and you’re missing them.<–

Here’s another example: Let’s say you need a new dentist. You start Googling dentists in your town and visiting their websites. Some are good and some are bad—but when you see the bad websites, do you stop and take note of them. Each one of them is a potential client!

(And then you can start looking for bad dentist websites in other towns. And then you can start for looking for bad orthodontist sites. Bad ophthalmologist sites. Bad psychotherapist sites. Bad podiatrist sites. Do you see where I’m going?)

And how many banner ads do you notice every day? Of those banner ads, how many do you stop to read and evaluate? And, of the ones that you evaluate, how many of those are not very good? Each of those is an opportunity!

You come across so many more potential projects and clients every single day than you even begin to realize. There are literally opportunities for work everywhere.

So, it’s one thing to say “start paying attention.” Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. (Though you will if you want to be successful.)

But let’s make it a bit more quantifiable to help train you to start paying attention. Here’s your new goal: Make a list of 10 new potential clients every single day. Businesses you randomly come across who need your help. Or businesses like other ones you’ve randomly come across—start going down that rabbit hole.

You’ll find that finding 10 new potential clients each day is EASY once you get started.

So…who’s with me? Are you up to the challenge? I’m not even asking you to reach out to them yet—just make a list of 10 potential clients each day. If you’re in, post in the comments and let me know!

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Comments

  1. I’m in Nicki! Ive added this daily goal to my to do list as a repeat task, and added it to my accountability group goals list. I’ll have 50 by week’s end! YIKES!

    Reply

    • Hi Tahmina,

      Yay!!! Good for you. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting (and taking on the challenge!),
      Nicki

      Reply

  5. It’s crazy how I started doing this immediately without really realizing I was doing it. Today, my friends and I went to the lake and one of my friends were using a sun-block spray. They both started laughing at how little the wording on it made sense so I asked to look at it. I found myself taking mental notes and coming up with ideas to make labeling better so that it made sense with the function of the product. It was pretty cool 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Ashley!

      That’s awesome – what a great trait to have naturally developed! You’re going to find that that “prepping” will make it so much easier as you’re writing projects with clients.

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

    • Hi Diana,

      YAY! Good for you! You are definitely heading in the right direction. Now, when that Google reminder pops up, the key is to do it every time without snoozing or dismissing it. 🙂 Keep me posted!

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

    • Hi Jacqueline,

      Yay! Good for you. Be sure to check back in and let me know what you’ve found! 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

    • Hi Julie,

      Yay! Good for you!! Be sure to check back in and let me know how it goes. 🙂 (And/or post about it in the students-only Facebook group!)

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  10. I’m in! I have been rolling my eyes and sighing over bad websites for years! Now I just need to start making lists of them! 10 potential clients! EVERY day! I am typing it to get the commitment in the brain. I need to be consistent about following through with my goals…beginning… right NOW!

    Reply

    • Hi Kolleen,

      Yay! Good for you. 🙂 It’s going to make *such* a difference in your business.

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  12. This is a great idea, and I think it will really become a useful habit to instill now before I need it to make bread and butter.

    Thanks Nikki!

    Reply

    • Hi Nicholas,

      I’m glad you’re taking up the challenge! It’s *definitely* a useful habit to instill. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  13. Challenge accepted! Im relieved to find an outlet for my compulsion to find logic in everything. I’m really excited to get going!

    :

    Reply

    • Hi Marilee,

      Yay! Good for you! (And it’s especially smart of you to put it on your calendar… 🙂 )

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  16. Great first step. Challenge accepted! Thank You, Nicki. So excited to see what new collaborations this might lead to!

    Reply

    • Hi Christine,

      Good for you! Be sure to check in and let me know how it’s going. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  20. I am all in! I was excited to begin the course so it is quite late here in SC, but I intend to start my list in the morning over my coffee! It only takes 15 min a day (although I have already found myself wanting to do more)! I am fascinated about learning how to turn my writing talent into a copy career! So excited for this new chapter in my life!

    Reply

    • Hi Rebecca,

      Yay! Good for you! And yes – you can absolutely learn and make progress in just 15 minutes a day. (As long as it’s focused time and it’s every weekday.) But if you have more time, go for it! A little more time will just get you there faster. Just don’t try to put in *too* much time – it’s kind of like going to the gym. If you’re new to the gym and you start out by working out for 4 hours at once, you’ll burn yourself out and skip days and days. Persistence and consistency are the keys. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  21. Hi Nicki,
    I have started looking up potential clients, however I am not sure if I am choosing the right ones.
    What are some criteria I can use when analyzing copy? How do I know what is bad copy and what is good copy? Is this covered somewhere in the course?
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hi Rebecca!

      I see that you asked this question in the FB group – which is perfect, because that’s just what I was going to suggest! 🙂 In a nutshell, though, you *just* started learning – you’ll learn the criteria for good and bad copy as you make your way through the course. (Plus, of course, how to craft good copy of your own!)

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

    • Hi Jessica,

      Awesome! I’m so glad you’re up for it. And yes – when you start looking for them, it’s amazing how many potential clients are out there, isn’t it?? 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  24. Hi Nicki,

    Just started what looks to be your fabulous course!

    I’m in the business of compiling 10x potential clients (each day) to get set with good habits. My only concern is, *gee, this copy on this website seems fine, how could I possibly do better?

    I’m hoping that, with your tutelage, I can sell great ideas to these types of local businesses once I’m endowed with the knowledge (and confidence, of course!).

    Reply

    • Hi Elijah,

      Welcome to the CCA! And good for you for committing to compiling potential clients every day. Remember, though, that no matter how good their website looks, you have no idea what projects they’re working on behind the scenes. Be sure not to let yourself “disqualify” potential clients based on your outside perceptions. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  25. This is such a great idea! I read this article for CCA, and man am I glad I did! Starting this good habit and committment today!

    Reply

  27. I signed up for the CCA a month ago and finally watched the Welcome videos, which is how I came to this article. I’m excited to start digging into the actual course and will make this part of my daily tasks while doing the course. Thanks!
    Angie

    Reply

    • Hi Angie,

      Yay! Good for you – the more you can make learning and practicing a regular habit, the faster you’ll hit your goals. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  30. Wow, this is a very interesting strategy as I would be the first one to pass on a bad banner ad. Thanks, Nicki!

    Reply

    • Hi Karen,

      Absolutely – most people do! That’s one of the first challenges of becoming a copywriter: just starting to notice the copy all around you. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

    • Hi David,

      Good for you! And exactly – you can’t have too long of a list of prospects. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  32. That’s a great idea! I was already thinking about “dream clients” but finding businesses I interact with on a daily basis that might need help is good advice!

    Reply

    • Hi Abigail,

      Great! I’m glad you found it valuable – it’s a very useful habit to get into. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  36. I’ve just started the course ( 2 days) and now am currently learning the basics. So do I start with this assignment right away or build some knowledge and then proceed? Because currently I am at a beginner level and I cannot differentiate between a good and a bad copy.

    Reply

    • Hi Abhishek,

      You can absolutely start compiling clients now and then start pitching them when you get to that place in the course. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  38. I’ve been restructuring with better habits A LOT recently, gonna be too easy to keep the ball of changes rolling with adding this in as well. Challenge Accepted.

    Reply

    • Hi Melissa,

      Good for you! Stick with them and, as you know, what’s challenging now won’t even make you blink later. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  40. A great habit to get into. I love that this is forcing me to record examples of ineffective copy, instead of just scrolling to the next thing. When I’m ready to get out there, I’ll have a ready-made list of prospects.

    Reply

    • Hi Colleen,

      Absolutely! Learning to notice and analyze copy is going to benefit your learning, your writing, *and* your client-finding. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  41. I’m so in. I jumped right into your training academy last week & maybe I went a little overboard(I got through Module 1 Video 1 before my shift at 5 pm.) I am starting over to pace myself & take notes properly.
    I’m adding this to my morning routine tomorrow: Drink water, have breakfast, exercise, shower, find ten potential clients! The number one way to start a new day.

    Reply

    • Hi QuaShonda,

      Good for you! You’ll find *so* many potential clients out there once you start training yourself to look for them. 🙂 And what a great morning ritual!

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  44. Oh my. I see so many opportunities for this!! I came to America from Okinawa, Japan last year. You would not BELIEVE the “Engrish” on everything that is just begging for help. That’s not to mention the fact that small businesses rule the economy there (a much bigger share than in America), and it’s so clear that none of them have invested in copywriting. I would sometimes point things out on restaurant menus or store signs and offer help — for FREE! Why didn’t it occur to me for DECADES I could be doing this for a livingI I feel pretty silly now.

    Reply

    • Hi Jena,

      Absolutely! There are SO many opportunities out there it’s almost mind-boggling. And don’t feel silly – I actually used to write copy for my dad (who was a marketing director) in high school and it was only several years later that it occurred to me that I could do it as a career! Live and learn. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  45. I’m so in!!! I work in staffing and have to do cold and warm reach outs to SO many companies every week in my 8-5 job. Now while I’m building this I can double down on what I’m already doing to make it more bearable and, dare I say, fun!?

    Reply

    • Hi Malia,

      Good for you! And what a smart way to double your efficiency. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

    • Hi Charles,

      Good for you! And yes, talk about abundance; there are SO many opportunities out there! 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  47. Yes, I am definitely in. I’m taking the summer to try to get this new career off the ground, and this sounds like a fantastic way to get motivated!

    Reply

    • Hi Jennifer,

      Good for you! It’s definitely going to open your eyes to all of the possibilities. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  49. Starting this today! Such an easy, non-threatening way to move torward a goal. Thanks for the tip!

    Reply

    • Hi Jen,

      Yay! Good for you! And agree – it’s a pain-free way to make a big impact on your business. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  50. Very true! Potential clients are everywhere. I just have to find anything that has words. Which is not hard to do.

    Reply

    • Hi Omar,

      Absolutely! Any company or organization needs copywriting. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

    • Hi Debbie,

      Good for you – and good for you for actually adding it to your calendar. That’ll make a big difference!

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  53. It’s funny – reading this and thinking about it I’m always seeing typos or badly worded text when I’m not even paying attention. I’ll start doing this and pay more attention to what I’m reading 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Chris,

      Good for you! Now, you can add evaluating for effectiveness of the copy to your list. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  54. Just before reading this article I saw three pieces of writing on social media that were published with a few small errors. Seven more to go! I’m in.

    Reply

  55. I bought this course earlier in the year and just started it today. I’ve already started to make a list of local businesses that need new website copy, Great idea to make note of potential business daily. Definitely will help make prospecting a lot less daunting.

    Reply

    • Hi Tracy,

      Absolutely! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to creating (and keep adding to) a list of potential clients. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  61. I’m in! Natural curiosity, stickler-ism and a dormant Marketing degree make this a daily activity as it is. Now it’s on my calendar to do something about it.

    Reply

  64. I’m going to try this… I’m in! Was just looking for a dentist online the other day and some of the sites I was seeing really needed help. Thank you for the idea! 😊

    Reply

    • Hi Angela,

      Woohoo! Good for you! There are soooo many people out there who need your help. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

    • Hi Nigel,

      Good for you! You’ll be shocked at just how many potential clients are out there. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  67. Totally up for the challenge! It’s true, once your eyes are open to something and you start to notice regularly, you can’t stop! …Are dentists usually the best place to start? Is this why you used this as your example?

    Reply

    • Hi Neysa,

      Good for you! And no, dentists are by no means the best place to start – it was just a random example I chose. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  69. Thanks Nicki! I am up for the challenge. After reading your article I reviewed my own dentists website and found myself rewriting their introduction. It gives me confidence that this might be my new career path.

    Reply

    • Hi Douglas,

      Great! And dentists are just one out of thousands and thousands of possible industries to look at. The opportunities are immense! 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

    • Hi Maria,

      You are so welcome! And good for you for taking up the challenge. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  71. I’m in! I just got the course literally a week ago today, and I’m finally diving in! Can’t wait for my eventual success story :).

    Reply

    • Hi Ashley,

      Yay!! Good for you. 🙂 And I can’t wait for your eventual success story, either!

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  74. I am definitely in! My brain often looks at things with a critical eye (teacher brain is always marking!), but I like your suggestion to think of it now as finding potential clients rather than judging their professionalism.

    Looking forward to this course!

    Reply

    • Hi Courtney,

      Absolutely! That “critical” eye is really going to come in handy as you evaluate copy and evaluate opportunities. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  75. Alright, I’m in. I’ve put it in my ToDoist App as a daily task so let’s get crackin’

    But, first, I must sleep. Brain currently feels like sludge.

    Reply

    • Hi Tristram,

      Yay!! Good for you for taking up the challenge! It’ll definitely be worth it. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

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