 Copywriter UK | Copywriter Services | Markets | About Len Smith | News | Testimonials | FAQs | Copywriting Blog |
Contact Me |
|
|
How to become a freelance copywriter. The untarnished truth.
First published on E-Zine Articles, 3rd October 2008
“How do I become a copywriter?” I’ve been copywriting for more than 20 years – loving every minute - and that’s the question I get asked the most.
Reality check
First, ignore all the ads offering instant success with megabucks returns. Damien Hirst is a ‘Young British Artist’ (YBA) who commands huge fees – a single exhibition in 2008 topped $198 million. Weekend painters shouldn’t get too excited, though.
And would-be copywriters would also benefit from a reality check. Like many freelance copywriters, I earn a very, very good living, working from home, doing something I love. But not $millions!
Traditional routes into copywriting
There is no simple career path. In fact, it’s a jungle.
There are four well beaten paths:
Journalism – lots of ex-journalists move into freelance copywriting. They have the skills, understand the pressure to meet word-counts and have learned to deliver to tight deadlines. They tend to start off providing Press Releases and ghosted articles.
Ex Ad agency – advertising agencies do take on trainee copywriters. First job (just like the journalists) is making the coffee. They may have been taken on as trainees in some other discipline, but with opportunistic career juggling, end up writing ads, jingles and sales brochure copy. Breaking out as as a freelancer, they tend to start writing sales letters, direct mail and adverts.
Ex marketing managers – lots of people percolate up into marketing positions in large organisations, often having started in sales. They usually start freelancing by writing sales brochures, web copy and, possibly, corporate video scripts.
Ex ‘nothing-to-do-with-any-of-the-above-but-with-the-balls-to-have-a-go’.- Been around a bit, good with words and resiliant. Most hopefuls reading this article probably come under this heading. So that’s the area I am going to address.
Chicken and the egg
However talented, the ‘nothing-to-do-with-’ brigade have a real challenge. It’s the old chicken and egg conundrum. Before commissioning a copywriter, prospective clients want to see a portfolio. They want testimonials. They want proof of your ability to deliver.
See the dilemma? You can’t build up a portfolio without clients and you can’t win clients without a portfolio. Shucks.
My suggestion is to invest in a portfolio. Offer your services free of charge to local organisations, charities, new local start-ups. The only cost to them is an agreement to provide your glowing testimonial.
The benefit is three-fold. First, you develop your showcase, second you learn if you really are persistent enough and, thirdly, you will find out if you do have useful wordsmith skills for the real world.
OK, that wasn’t very gung-ho, ‘everyone can be a hero’, ‘success in just weeks’. But it was honest.
If this brief article generates responses, I will publish a whole series of down-to-earth, honest articles for would-be copywriters that, over time and given some talent, will launch them into a profitable home-based career – plus the best ways to promote your services. It’s up to you to respond.
|
Latest News
Global offshore law firm appoints financial copywriter, Copywriting-on-demand“Ogier is an incredible organisation,” says Len Smith of Copywriting On Demand. “For example, they act for more than 60% of the top global law firms and top 50 global banks. It’s been a delight working with them. A clear brief and a great offering.”
How to build a website - free guideAt last, an easy to read, up to date, layman's guide - how to build your own website. More (including free download)...
Copywriting On Demand wins FLA website copy projectThe Finance & Leasing Association is the leading trade association for the asset, consumer and motor finance sectors in the UK. More....
Website SEO copywriter bags 10,000 visitors in one monthThe world is full of SEO gurus and experts. Many of them copywriters. The only problem is – when you check out their own performance - it sucks. That’s why Len Smith of Copywriting-On-Demand is so pleased with himself. More...
Website copywriter boosts PR successPublic Relations consultants, Shepherd PR, have achieved top SEO rankings with help from Copywriting On Demand. More...
Glocal Talk goes with Copywriting-On-DemandInternational telecoms company, Glocal Talk, asks Len Smith to develop new website copy
International Telecoms Giant commissions White Paper copywriterUK Copywriter, Len Smith, works with CTI group to develop ground breaking telecoms industry report.
Energy Performance industry giants launch new company, with help from Copywriting On DemandA group of the UK’s leading experts in energy performance and energy management has launched EPC Solutions, helping property and facilities managers to go beyond compliance to real commercial gain.
SEO copywriter wins top rankings in 230 million websitesSEO copywriting? Copywriting On Demand celebrates a client who has achieved top rankings in a fiercely competitive marketplace. more...
Website SEO copywriter wins with Hutchison Technologies InternationalHutchison Technologies is one of the new breed of companies that really know how to operate globally. Great fun, then for Copywriting On Demand to work on their search engine optimisation copywriting.
Manchester copywriter wins ‘Italian Job’“Manchester copywriter, global reach” For some years that has been a strapline of Copywriting-On-Demand, with clients in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. But for some time, currency exchange rates have made the services uncompetitive in a number of markets. Not so now.
White Paper coup for Copywriting On Demand.More than 50 Fortune 500 companies rely on Digital Reality Trust to provide their data centre requirements. Len Smith of Copywriting On Demand was delighted to be invited to help DRT assemble their definitive industry White Paper “European Data Centre Study”. more...Vodafone calls on Copywriting On Demand for intelligent copyGreat project, great client. All delivered on time, on budget
Audatex chooses Copywriting On DemandAudatex, global leader in business solutions for the motor claims industry, asks for copy - on demand!
International website launched in record timeWebsite copy and SEO are just two of the areas Copywriting On Demand gets involved with. Many clients also ask for the website build.
More on the Woburn website copy/build...
.Global financial services report - with a little help from Copywriting on Demand
Writing copy for the financial services sector has interesting challenges all of its own. Imagine then, how delighted Len Smith of Copywriting On Demand was to be invited by specialist publishers, Euromoney Yearbooks, to write the keynote article for their most prestigious publication
Top UK web company signs up Copywriting On DemandLet’s face it, when it comes to web development companies, Fivesite is right there amongst the top performers. In air transport, no less than 22 airports, including London Luton, Cardiff and Belfast International, all entrust their web development to Fivesite.
More on what Copywriting On Demand is doing for FiveSite...
World's largest Contract Sales Organisation recruits Copywriting On Demand
Innovex, the world’s leading contract sales organization (CSO) in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device sectors has appointed Copywriting On Demand to write all the copy for their dedicated recruitment website.
Lloyd’s selects UK Copywriter, Copywriting On Demand
LRQA's Supply Chain Assurance services in food safety, security, environmental issues and product conformity help over half of the world's top 200 global brands manage their supply chain risks. Copywriting On Demand was delighted to be able to deliver urgent copy - on demand.
International Gold Medallist takes on Copywriting On Demand
Kim Rothman is an extraordinary woman. After an outstanding career as a long jumper, she went on to take gold medals in the European and World Championships in 2005.
Read about Kim's Fit Camps Bob Rothman - the man the bookies banned - goes online with Copywriting On Demand.
Bob Rothman has been the UK's top racing tipster for 20 years, making as much as £500,000 a year by talking to the trainers, studying form and picking up racing yard gossip. Bookmakers no longer accept any bets of a substantial size from him.
Visit the Bob Rothman website |
|
