So You Want To Be A Copywriter?

Aus Salespoint

Wannabe copywriters often check out my website for data relating to my services and charges. And fairly correct too! I nevertheless give my competitor's web sites a 'gander' every now and then, in case they're performing something that I really should be undertaking.

I get a lot of emails from students working towards their advertising or other media degrees, asking for a couple of guidelines about securing perform in the 'Copywriting Industry' I didn't realise we had an market! If we have, it's surely a cottage sector since most copywriters are freelancers who operate on their personal and typically from home.

"Effectively what about marketing and marketing agencies?", They enquire. "Properly what about them?", I ask. And so it goes on and on until they realise that a copywriter who functions for a structured and institutional organisation, is a absolutely various animal to that of the freelancer.

Institutional versus Freelance

So what are the differences in between them? There are a lot of. Let's look at the agency writer. He or she is most likely a talented person with creative expertise and a good command of the English language. They will have learned, from their program function, the psychology of selling, elements of communication and how to write in a flowing and fascinating style.

Each day, at the agency workplace, they will function on their assignments, which have been delegated to them by their manager. Their operate will be scrutinised by their manager or team leader, who, in the interests of their business, will make a decision whether it really is worthy of publication.

After a couple of years, performing comparable 'run of the mill' stuff, they might be supplied the opportunity of coming up with one thing completely original. All by themselves, with no guidance, un-tethered by their mentor. And, in the interests of the company, not to mention their job security, they will generate a thing as institutional as they have been carrying out previously. They'll play it secure. Effectively wouldn't you?

Sooner or later, their creative awareness and talent may break by means of the institutional membrane and they'll want to move on. They'll want to do a thing for themselves. They may possibly even turn into a freelancer.

A freelancer is just about anyone with a passion and a flair for writing. Some have began out on their career path by working for agencies, some have graduated in English and just feel 'qualified' to do the job, whilst others come into the 'industry' from a range of other routes.

By whichever signifies, as soon as they grow to be a freelancer, they rapidly discover to survive. To survive and prosper as a freelancer you need to have the capacity to adapt, diversify and create the skill of writing in any and every single style humanly achievable. But there's much more! You will have to meet deadlines, at times function for less than the lower national wage limit and learn to turn your brain inside out. Sounds painful!

What does it all amount to? What is the bottom line?

Let's summarise thus far.

A copywriter operating for an agency will function in a nice warm workplace with nice friendly colleagues, writing basic institutional letters, brochures, ads and info packs. They will be paid somewhere between 18K to 26K, get 4 to five weeks annual paid holiday and get to slag off the boss at the office Christmas party.

Sounds fairly good to me. If you want to be a copywriter, I suggest you go down this path. It offers a great salary and a steady secure position.

The freelancer's life is not so clear cut. They largely perform on their personal, write all types of stuff about every little thing and wonder exactly where their next packet of fags is going come from. They only take brief breaks, get stressed and slag everyone off at any party.

They are self-employed, so have to keep accounts. They have to purchase all their personal stationery, stuff their personal letters and post off their mailings. They have to advertise or even worse, they have to compete to sell their services for a pittance to unknown clients through some on the web freelance web site. The pits!

Sounds terrible does not it? Then why do we do it?

The uncovered truth about freelancing

Effectively, naturally I can't speak for absolutely everyone so I'll tell you why I do it and how I do it. "Listen up"

The primary purpose I write for a living is simply because I love it. I've usually been a inventive individual so writing comes as second nature. And let's face it, it is not very tough to do.

I love the challenge that every assignment brings. I have ghost-written many books for clients and each and every has been on a fully various topic. The downside of ghost-writing is possessing to sign away all rights to the operate, which implies you cannot showcase it or put it in your portfolio. The collegebeddingforgirls.org, college bedding for girls, college bedding for girls: how to pick the right set client gets all the credit for your masterpiece.

I've written several articles for web sites, emails and sales letters. I write poetry, humor and boring stuff like FAQ's and product information. But I am never ever bored due to the fact the operate can be so varied.

Then there's the income of course. A very good freelancer ought to be in a position to make about 50K a year. Some make much less but some can make more than 100K a year. There truly is no limit. Make a name for oneself and not only will you be earning a very good living, you could possibly uncover your self in the enviable position of becoming in a position to pick and choose the work you do.

Still want to be a copywriter?

Great! Now let's dispel a few myths by answering a few questions that I get asked all the time.

The 6 Most Regularly Asked Queries

1. Do you require a formal education and a degree?

No way! Even though most agencies will only employ graduates, there's no purpose why a freelancer needs anything other than a great command of the English language, creativity and a flare for writing. There are a lot of copywriting courses obtainable, if you're a little unsure or want to hone your expertise, but make positive the course operate is set by an knowledgeable and respected copywriter.

two. Can prior operate experience assist?

Yes! Sales and marketing and advertising knowledge is very valuable if you intend to make a living as a sales copywriter. At the very least, you really should realize the sales process and the buyer service aspect.

3. I don't have a portfolio. How can I get perform?

Create one! Write some articles, create a modest book, write some sales letters, brochures and emails. Show what you can do. Write for no cost. Write for charities, magazines or newspaper letter pages. Use your imagination and write about something.

4. Exactly where are the best areas to get operate?

You could attempt contacting advertising and marketing agencies by way of a letter of introduction, but do not hold your breath. Magazines are often seeking for fillers, so this would be a good spot to start. Neighborhood tiny companies could be interested in possessing some leaflets written for door to door delivery. Speak to them by letter, listing your services and your rates.

When you have gained a small encounter, go on-line and subscribe to some of the freelance websites. Elance, Freelance Perform Exchange and Getafreelancer are very good, but be prepared to compete with other bidders from all more than the planet. Some Indian freelancers will perform for as small #three an hour, so you happen to be up against it. Nonetheless, I believe it really is worth the experience. I get some of my assignments this way.

Create a internet site or have someone do it for you. I am of the opinion that all corporations should have a website if they want to keep in enterprise.

Generate a mail shot and work your way via your local Yellow Pages. Sell oneself. It's what you will have to do anyway, so get utilised to it.

five. What should I charge for my services?

This is just a guide. You are going to instinctively know when you've become established.

A one particular page letter consists of about 500 words and really should take no a lot more than 2 hours to create, revise and finalise. If you want #ten an hour, that'll be #20 for the job. Don't bother quoting a price tag per word as you'll find oneself writing a load of drivel in order to fill the pages.

Again, once you're established you can charge what you think your work is worth. It's not uncommon to charge #400 for a 6 page sales letter, if you happen to be good.

6. What do you feel is the most crucial ability of a productive copywriter?

If you can not do this, you will not be quite successful.

"Write as you talk"

That is it! You have to be in a position to communicate with your reader proper off the page. Your words must be conversational. You need to be in a position to 'speak' to your reader and stir their interest, their emotions, their desires.

If you're attempting to sell them something, you must be convincing. Your letter has to be compelling and consideration-grabbing. Finally, your letter has to make them take some action. This could be filling in a form, producing a phone call or writing a cheque. It is a contact to action.

Still feel you have what it takes?

Then go forth and return with the bountiful harvest of your inventive genius!

If you want to know more, and there is a lot much more, subscribe to my newsletter.

Good luck and warm regards,

Bill Knight