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The Simplest Way to Start Finding Copywriting Clients

By 227 Comments

the simplest way to start finding clients
For a lot of new (or would-be) copywriters, one of the most daunting steps in the process is to start finding copywriting 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.

Consider Websites You Visit Every Day

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.

Start Finding Copywriting Clients on Google Maps

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…and bad ophthalmologist sites, bad psychotherapist sites, bad podiatrist sites. Do you see where I’m going?

Notice Banner Ads on Sites You Visit

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.)

Take Action: Add 10 New Clients to Your List Each Day

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.

Read More: Should You Write for Free?

Some copywriters offer to work for free, but offering your services for free will ultimately hurt your career. Listen to our podcast episode to hear Nicki and Kate share why this is a bad idea. And read our post on why working for free is a cardinal sin for new copywriters.

Your Turn

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!

Last Updated on December 11, 2023

About Nicki Krawczyk

Nicki is a copywriter, copy coach and the founder of Filthy Rich Writer. She's been writing copy for more than 20 years.

Comments

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      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

  3. Chris says

    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

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      Hi Chris,

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

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  4. Charlie says

    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

  5. Tracy Paige says

    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

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      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

  11. Jen Schiffner says

    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

  14. Angela says

    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

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      Hi Angela,

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

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      Hi Nigel,

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

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  17. Neysa Medina says

    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

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      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

  19. Douglas Geis says

    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

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      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

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      Hi Maria,

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

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  21. Ashley Norton says

    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

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      Hi Ashley,

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

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  24. Courtney says

    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

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      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

  25. Pratichi says

    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

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      Hi Tristram,

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

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      Hi Lauren,

      Absolutely – a little bit each day is sooo much more manageable than trying to tackle a big hunk of work once a month!

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  28. Kurt says

    started this exercise this morning just sorting through the “call to action” emails (from my bank, vet, etc.) in my personal Inbox. It’s day one of a new career and I see the world with new eyes.
    regards, Kurt

    Reply

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      Hi Kurt,

      That’s a great place to start – good for you! And I’m so glad you’re seeing things with a fresh perspective. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  29. Leanne Wells says

    I can definitely do this every day! As soon as I started thinking about copywriting, hundreds of potential clients came to mind. This seems like a great goal to start with!

    Reply

  30. Rachel Wadsley says

    I’m starting to add copywriting into my new content writing business. The tactic of looking local at small business sites resonated with me. If I go to a site that is bare-bones or poorly written I feel like if they can’t put time into their business the how will they be able to provide me with a quality service. And I have already thought of a previous content writing client whose site copy is lacking even though he’s well known and established. I already have a foot in the door with this client and now I can offer them support beyond blog posts. Writing down 10 a day sounds very doable and then I’ll have a stockpile of ideas for pitching when I’m ready.

    Reply

    • Nicki Krawczyk says

      Hi Rachel,

      Absolutely – websites speak volumes about companies and so many small business’ websites are sending the exact *wrong* messages! Good for you for committing to 10 per day. 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!
      Nicki

      Reply

  32. Dani says

    I just signed up today and got started. I have taken a host of of other courses and was left with no support. I am SOLooking forward to not working alone and getting restarted.

    Reply

  36. Danny says

    I’m in!

    (Why do I feel road trips are never going to be the same again, looking at billboards and analyzing them!)

    Reply

    • The Filthy Rich Writer Team says

      It’s not just billboards! You’ll look at all advertising in a new light…and hopefully gain inspiration from some!

      Reply

  37. Natalie says

    Count me in!

    I joined CCA yesterday evening and just started watching the Welcome section this afternoon. I’m looking forward to setting this goal and crushing it!
    What a great way to have countless potential clients at my fingertips when I’m ready to start pitching.

    Reply

  38. Angela says

    I am up for the challenge! Have finished my first 10 already, It fees a little les daunting when you keep moving.
    🙂

    Reply

    • The Filthy Rich Writer Team says

      Wonderful! Something about lists (and then crossing off the tasks once you get them done) is so satisfying!

      Reply

  41. Hameera says

    Today is my first day of training. I am up for the challenge, stepping out of my comfort zone in order to grow into an excellent copywriter!!

    Reply

    • Kate Sitarz says

      Welcome, Hameera! And way to step up to the challenge and get outside your comfort zone. We’re here to support you 🙂

      Reply

  45. Laura Carter says

    Is it bad that I want to get into this industry but i am not sure what a bad website is compared to an amazing one?

    Reply

    • The Filthy Rich Writer Team says

      Not at all! As you learn the fundamentals of copywriting you’ll start to develop an eye for that sort of thing!

      Reply

  48. Hillary Hammers says

    I’m in! I’m just getting started on my copywriting journey and I am so excited about where it will take me. I am going to take this suggestion to heart and begin finding at least 10 new clients a day. Thank you so much!

    Reply

  49. Mel says

    Definitely in! I am just getting started in the CCA but I think this is a great task in order to not get overwhelmed once I feel ready to take the step and start pitching!

    Reply

    • The Filthy Rich Writer Team says

      Wonderful! Welcome to the CCA! When you are ready to start pitching I really recommend that you check out the Pitch-A-Palooza on your CCA dashboard for some great tips and ideas.

      Reply

  50. Keegan says

    I’m in, up, and running. Not only that, I’m feeling fortunate that the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy found its way to me. Thanks, and be well.

    Reply

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