So You Want To Be A Copywriter?

Wannabe copywriters frequently examine out my website for information relating to my services and costs. And quite right too! I still give my competitor's web sites a 'gander' each and every now and then, in situation they are doing one thing that I ought to be undertaking.

I receive numerous emails from students working towards their advertising or other media degrees, asking for a handful of ideas about securing operate in the 'Copywriting Industry' I did not realise we had an industry! If we have, it's certainly a cottage business simply because most copywriters are freelancers who function on their personal and typically from home.

"Properly what about advertising and marketing agencies?", They enquire. "Well what about them?", I ask. And so it goes on and on till they realise that a copywriter who performs for a structured and institutional organisation, is a entirely different animal to that of the freelancer.

Institutional versus Freelance

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

Each day, at the agency office, they will function on their assignments, which have been delegated to them by their manager. Their work will be scrutinised by their manager or team leader, who, in the interests of their organization, will make a decision whether it's worthy of publication.

Immediately after a couple of years, performing equivalent 'run of the mill' stuff, they may possibly be provided the opportunity of coming up with something collegebeddingforgirls.org, college bedding for girls, college bedding for girls: how to pick the right set entirely 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 create a thing as institutional as they have been performing previously. They will play it secure. Well wouldn't you?

Eventually, their inventive awareness and talent may break by way of the institutional membrane and they will 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 anybody 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 selection of other routes.

By whichever indicates, as soon as they turn into a freelancer, they swiftly understand to survive. To survive and prosper as a freelancer you need to have the capability to adapt, diversify and develop the skill of writing in any and each style humanly achievable. But there is more! You will have to meet deadlines, at times work for less than the lower national wage limit and understand 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 working for an agency will perform in a nice warm office with nice friendly colleagues, writing basic institutional letters, brochures, advertisements and data packs. They will be paid somewhere amongst 18K to 26K, get four to 5 weeks annual paid holiday and get to slag off the boss at the office Christmas party.

Sounds fairly excellent to me. If you want to be a copywriter, I recommend you go down this path. It gives a very good salary and a steady secure position.

The freelancer's life is not so clear cut. They largely operate on their personal, write all sorts of stuff about everything and wonder exactly where their subsequent packet of fags is going come from. They only take brief breaks, get stressed and slag absolutely everyone off at any party.

They're self-employed, so have to hold accounts. They have to buy 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 internet freelance website. The pits!

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

The uncovered truth about freelancing

Properly, obviously I cannot speak for every person so I'll tell you why I do it and how I do it. "Listen up"

The main purpose I create for a living is since I love it. I've usually been a creative person so writing comes as second nature. And let's face it, it is not very hard to do.

I really like the challenge that every single assignment brings. I have ghost-written numerous books for customers and each has been on a totally distinct subject. The downside of ghost-writing is having to sign away all rights to the perform, which means you can not showcase it or put it in your portfolio. The client gets all the credit for your masterpiece.

I've written a lot of articles for websites, emails and sales letters. I create poetry, humor and boring stuff like FAQ's and product information. But I'm never ever bored since the function can be so varied.

Then there's the income of course. A good freelancer really should be able to make about 50K a year. Some make less but some can make more than 100K a year. There genuinely is no limit. Make a name for oneself and not only will you be earning a very good living, you could possibly locate oneself in the enviable position of being able to choose and decide on the operate you do.

Nevertheless want to be a copywriter?

Very good! Now let's dispel a few myths by answering a few queries that I get asked all the time.

The 6 Most Frequently Asked Queries

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

No way! Even though most agencies will only employ graduates, there is no reason why a freelancer demands something other than a excellent command of the English language, creativity and a flare for writing. There are a lot of copywriting courses accessible, if you happen to be a tiny unsure or want to hone your skills, but make positive the program function is set by an skilled and reliable copywriter.

2. Can earlier operate experience aid?

Yes! Sales and marketing and advertising encounter is quite useful if you intend to make a living as a sales copywriter. At the extremely least, you ought to recognize the sales approach and the consumer service aspect.

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

Produce 1! Write some articles, write a modest book, write some sales letters, brochures and emails. Show what you can do. Write for free of charge. Create for charities, magazines or newspaper letter pages. Use your imagination and create about something.

4. Exactly where are the greatest locations to get operate?

You could try contacting marketing and advertising agencies by way of a letter of introduction, but don't hold your breath. Magazines are usually looking for fillers, so this would be a great location to begin. Nearby little businesses could be interested in getting some leaflets written for door to door delivery. Speak to them by letter, listing your services and your rates.

When you have gained a little expertise, go on the web and subscribe to some of the freelance web sites. Elance, Freelance Work Exchange and Getafreelancer are very very good, but be ready to compete with other bidders from all over the world. Some Indian freelancers will function for as small #3 an hour, so you are up against it. Still, I believe it is worth the expertise. I get some of my assignments this way.

Construct a web site or have somebody do it for you. I'm of the opinion that all companies must have a site if they want to stay in business.

Produce a mail shot and work your way by way of your neighborhood Yellow Pages. Sell oneself. It's what you will have to do anyway, so get utilized to it.

5. What really should I charge for my services?

This is just a guide. You will instinctively know when you've turn into established.

A a single page letter consists of around 500 words and really should take no more than two hours to create, revise and finalise. If you want #10 an hour, that'll be #20 for the job. Do not bother quoting a cost per word as you will discover yourself writing a load of drivel in order to fill the pages.

Once again, once you're established you can charge what you assume your work is worth. It really is not uncommon to charge #400 for a 6 page sales letter, if you're good.

6. What do you assume is the most essential ability of a effective copywriter?

If you can not do this, you will not be extremely productive.

"Write as you speak"

That's it! You must be able to communicate with your reader appropriate off the page. Your words need to be conversational. You need to be able to 'speak' to your reader and stir their interest, their feelings, their desires.

If you are attempting to sell them something, you must be convincing. Your letter has to be compelling and focus-grabbing. Lastly, your letter has to make them take some action. This could be filling in a form, generating a phone contact or writing a cheque. It is a contact to action.

Still think you have what it takes?

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

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

Great luck and warm regards,

Bill Knight