Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The World of Freelance Copywriting

By Ray Edwards

Copywriters work in a multitude of markets, such as: television, radio, magazines, brochures, direct mail ad campaigns, and many others. In fact, copywriters probably wrote most of the written content of the ads you see. It has been said that copywriters are merely salesmen behind typewriters; they write the written content of advertisements. Up until this point, copywriters were normally employed by advertising agencies or kept in-house by other companies. Now, with the advent of the Internet, copywriters are able to freelance their services and make more money doing it.

Freelance copywriting allows you to completely control your work experience. Unlike a regularly employed job, you aren't confined to a strict work schedule; you can work whenever you want. Since you are your own boss, you get to dictate when you work, where you work and how much you earn. You can even work from anywhere that has an Internet connection. You can't find that kind of freedom in too many different places.

With all its benefits, freelancers also have more responsibility as well. Freelance copywriters have to sell themselves, meet a deadline, and properly budget their resources and time. Freelance copywriters must also know their audience well, so most do research into their target audiences. They also need to be able to effectively and creatively sell a client's product. But this increased level of responsibility is certainly worth it when you consider the freedom you get over your life when you switch to freelancing.

BECOMING A FREELANCE COPYWRITER

There are many different kinds of copywriters out there. Some copywriters specialize their skills and work in a small niche of the market, like Search Engine Optimization (SEO) copywriting, while others generalize their abilities and write for many different kinds of clients.

Freelance copywriters are expected to write for many different markets and sell their client's products effectively. Freelance copywriting can be very rewarding if you take the time to grow your skills, make connections, and you have the drive to succeed.

Here are some helpful tips that will illuminate what is involved in becoming a freelance copywriter:

1. Educate yourself. Good copywriters never believe they have learned "it all." Successful copywriters recognize that there are always new things to learn and see themselves as lifelong students. It?s really important to learn new things and improve your skill set. You can start out by going online and searching for "copywriting tutorials."

2. Do some work for free. This is a great option if you lack any real experience as a copywriter. Doing some initial work for free allows you to build a client base and get your name out there.

3. Look into coaching courses. Many successful freelance copywriters offer coaching courses that teach others on how to become a successful copywriter. They also give you first hand experience with a copywriter, which is a valuable resource.

4. Constantly hunt for work. Since there are many copywriters out there, you must look for work constantly in order to stay on top of things. You should keep an eye out for local businesses that may need help with their advertising and you should join freelance Internet marketplaces.

5. Construct a website. Many copywriters do not have a website, so having one can give you an advantage over some of your competition. Your website will function as your shop front window and display your services to potential customers. Therefore it should be neat, organized, and contain examples of your best work.

These were just a few pointers on how to become a freelance copywriter. Freelance copywriting is a great career that offers many benefits and exciting challenges. If freelancing excites you, then you should do some more research to see if this is the right career for you. - 15790

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