How to Start a Copywriting Business

Copywriting is writing copy for the purpose of advertising or marketing. The copy is meant to persuade someone to buy a product, or influence their beliefs.

Copywriters are used to help create direct mail pieces, taglines, jingle lyrics, web page content (although if the purpose is not ultimately promotional, its author might prefer to be called a content writer), online ads, e-mail and other Internet content, television or radio commercial scripts, press releases, white papers, catalogs, billboards, brochures, postcards, sales letters, and other marketing communications media pages. In book publishing, flap copy and jacket flap copy describe the brief summary of a book which often appears on the inside of the book's hardcover dust jacket; back cover copy is similar, often briefer text placed on the book's outside back cover; catalog copy is another book summary maintained in a publisher's catalog of published books. Copy can also appear in social media content including blog posts, tweets, and social-networking site posts.

Copywriting services have become a growing industry since the surge of the information technology revolution. Not everyone has the talent to string words into a form that readers and customers love, so good copywriters are in great demand.

Whether you're a small-business owner, a medium-size business owner, an eBay seller, or simply trying to break into the copywriting industry, understanding the fundamentals of writing sales-oriented copy and put you on a path to success. At its core, copywriting is another device in a business' marketing toolbox. Well-written copy can make or break an ad or marketing piece. With that in mind, copywriting can equate to either well-spent advertising investments or a waste of advertising dollars.


Launching a freelance copywriting career is not only possible, but profitable as well. Here are some steps to get you started:

Instruction:

Step 1

Make a Plan of Action. It's not just the big businesses that need a plan of action. As a freelancer, you are the business and you need a plan too. Not only does this give you information you need to identify your goals, it also gives you key information you can use to market yourself to potential clients.

Step 2

Start with the Basics. Ready to hang your shingle and call yourself a freelancer? You'll need a few basics to get your business off the ground. Business cards, letterhead, supplies and even your own ad campaign can be basics you might not think about at first. They're essential to getting prepared for your new career path, though.

Step 3

Learn about professional copywriting. Even if you've been a professional copywriter for a decade, if you're starting your own business there's a lot you'll need to master. For example, you may know all about crafting a persuasive sales letter, but may know little about how to look for clients or how to file taxes as a self-employed professional. Your local community college or technical school may offer seminars on both the writing and business aspects of becoming a professional copywriter. There are also online and distance-learning classes, such as those offered by American Writers and Artists Inc. Or, you can read one of the many books written specifically for people hoping to start a copywriting business. These guides cover every aspect of how to start a copywriting business, including how to contact prospects, how to manage your time, how to create various types of copywriting materials and how to master the financial side of running your own business. Most of these books are available in bookstores, at libraries and online.

Step 4

Set up a home office. Most copywriters start out working from their homes, but may rent office space later as their income increases. But for now, you'll likely be working with a limited budget. However, you still need a professional setup if you want to make a good impression on clients and produce high-quality work. Invest in the best you can afford, but don't feel you have to purchase the most sophisticated computer on the market. Designate a space within your home for working, whether it's an entire room or a corner of your bedroom. You'll need a desktop or laptop computer with a word processing program and Internet access. You'll also need a telephone and possibly a fax machine.

Step 5

Create a portfolio. Most prospective clients will want to see samples of your work before they'll even consider hiring you. If you have writing experience, compile several of your best samples. Also, try to include a variety of subjects and writing styles, to give clients a glimpse into your versatility. When meeting with a prospect, tailor your portfolio to include samples relevant to the client's industry or to the type of materials he or she wants you to produce. Samples don't have to be work you were paid for. If you don't have professional writing experience, you can write a few sample pieces, such as press releases or ads, to demonstrate your writing style and ability.

Step 6

Create Writing Samples. You can't show off your writing talent if you have no samples. If you don't have any writing samples to your credit, there is an easy solution. Spec Ads give you the chance to create writing samples even if you don't have any copywriting projects under your belt. Spec Ads aren't just for copywriters with limited or no experience. They are an excellent way for you to show potential clients how you would write for their particular industry.

Step 7

Set Your Rates. Deciding what you're going to charge is one of the most difficult decisions you'll have to make as a freelance copywriter. It's crucial that you set your rates right from the start. Your first decision is whether to charge by the hour, by the project or to include both rate types. This poll gives you an idea how other freelancers charge their clients. Your rates will also effect how you work with clients and get paid. Spend a lot of time developing your rates and evaluate what you can live with as a fee beforehand because clients don't want to work with freelancers who are constantly changing their rates and rate types.

Step 8

Start looking for clients. If you want to maintain a steady income and workload, you'll need to spend as much time marketing yourself and seeking clients as you will working on assignments. You can find clients by calling local businesses, sending out direct mail pieces, attending networking events and business functions, and by asking for referrals from friends, colleagues, former or current clients or other freelance professionals.

Tips:

• Pick a good name for your business. Your business name doesn't necessarily have to be relevant to writing, but that would help. At least make it relevant to your personality. Here are some examples: Pivotal Writing; Knock Out Words; Enlighten Writing; and Gunderson Writing. Many writers just use their names like: Sheilaashdown.com, Lisanatalieanjozian.com, and Rachelhisakowright.com. Decide what feels good to you and stick with it. If you know anyone with relevant marketing skills, ask for their input.
  

• Get a website. You can get a free blog/website from sites like WordPress.com, Blogger.com. Setting-up a basic website is pretty simple these days. If you want something a little fancier, a little higher end, consider hiring a web designer to do this for you. When it comes to your website, there’s no right or wrong way to do it. But there are plenty of strategies, tricks, and considerations. Look over the websites listed above and get an idea for the range of things you could do with yours.
  

• Get a business card. No, they’re not outdated. And yes, they are still very much a part of business. All the cool kids have them. I’d recommend printing on both sides. Because why not? Otherwise the back is just wasted advertising space. Stay tuned for more freelance copywriter start-up tips in future posts.
  

• Use a sales letter generating software to help you get started. You'd be surprised how many people would rather outsource this work than purchase the software and do it themselves.
  
  
• Don't be discouraged if your career doesn't immediately take off. It may take several months to establish a client base that hires you on a regular basis. With determination, you will have a steady amount of work and income.
  
  
• To work on your copywriting skills, you could purchase a pack of PLR (private label rights) articles and rewrite them. Make them into an eBook and then sell in on Clickbank.
  
  
• Make sure to compile a "swipe" file as you go along in which you can store most effective and compelling sales copies. It will serve you invaluable service when in doubt or lacking inspiration.
  
  
• People in the Internet Marketing field are always looking for someone to write a great sales letter. Sales letters are the meat of any good IM business. Advertise your services on places like Craigslist, Scriptlance or Rentacoder.
  
  
• A great way to get into the business is to offer to rewrite articles. Bloggers are always looking for content and often have articles or posts that need to be rewritten in order to make them unique. Always use a service like Copyscape to run your articles through once they are rewritten to ensure that they are unique.
  
  
• Even if all you get is requests, never be pressured to work for free! After all, you are putting your time and possibly money into doing things for people. Do charities or personal projects if you enjoy them, to add to your portfolio. It's better to do charity work than cheap work, as that may send the wrong message to potential clients of your regular fee. Keep branching out to different websites in the online community until you get offered commissions. Exposure is your best friend.

Reference:

• How to Start a Copywriting Business