With the rising prices of the cost of living, many people are searching for ways to bring in more income. Some have turned to taking on a second job, but this can be difficult and time consuming. Not to mention the stress it adds to family life and the original job. This is also more difficult for those people already entrenched in a career, such as copywriters; taking on a second job would be very impractical. But fortunately there is a way to bring in more income without taking on another job: freelancing.
Freelance copywriting has become a viable and successful option for many copywriters who want a larger income. Freelancing keeps you within your field and can bring in more money than standard copywriting.
Freelance copywriters can earn more money because they no longer work for a company or firm, meaning that all the income from a project goes directly into their pockets and not to an advertising agency. Freelance copywriters can also acquire more simultaneous work that employed copywriters because they control their project load. Also, if they work hard enough and really practice improving their product, they can work more efficiently, finish projects quicker, and take on more projects in a given time period than regular copywriters.
Freelancing also affords copywriters more free time compared to standard copywriting. This is because freelancing does not require the person to work a specific number of hours. Jobs are on a per project basis, giving a person the freedom to choose when and where they work. It is up to the person to manage and budget their time in order to meet the deadline. This is a great freedom that you won't find in most jobs.
You also have great control over your office as well. The Internet allows freelance copywriters to work from anywhere as long as they have a connection to the web. Therefore a copywriter can work from anywhere in the world with clients in any other part of the world.
Even with all these benefits, becoming a freelancer takes a lot of work. Here are some helpful pointers that will show you what is involved in becoming a freelance copywriter:
Build Up Your Name
Freelance copywriting differs from other jobs in that your workload is completely dependent on your ability to market yourself and do good work. So one of the most important things you have to do as a freelancer is to get your name known in the industry. Do whatever it takes: attend copywriting seminars and workshops, give business cards to people as you meet them, and offer your services to existing clients. Ask for referrals from previous clients and other copywriters you know in the business. Network with other copywriters and team up on projects. You should also build a portfolio containing examples of your best work and testimonials from past clients. You can then post this portfolio on a website and make it available for viewing.
As important as it is to get your name out there, it is more important to produce good work consistently. Your end product will lay the foundation of your career. If you write bad copy, then you won't have many clients. Therefore, you need to consistently do your best work in order to establish your credibility as a freelance copywriter. You should also continue learning how to improve the quality of your copy. The better you get, the more successful you can be. Search for "copywriting tutorials" and read some books by copywriting experts. Dan Kennedy is a great example. Studying and learning will help your career greatly.
Also make sure to run your business well. Meaning that you need to be personable and meet deadlines. You won't get much business if you're difficult to work with; people will generally choose to work with a pleasant person and spend a little more than working with a jerk. Your reputation will also depend on your ability to meet deadlines. If you fail to meet project deadlines, than your credibility will be very tarnished, inhibiting your chances at success.
Hopefully this article showed the benefits of freelance copywriting and gave you an idea in what was involved. Becoming a freelancer can be a great career move. If freelancing interests you then don't be afraid to do some more research and to see if freelance copywriting is right for you.
Freelance copywriting has become a viable and successful option for many copywriters who want a larger income. Freelancing keeps you within your field and can bring in more money than standard copywriting.
Freelance copywriters can earn more money because they no longer work for a company or firm, meaning that all the income from a project goes directly into their pockets and not to an advertising agency. Freelance copywriters can also acquire more simultaneous work that employed copywriters because they control their project load. Also, if they work hard enough and really practice improving their product, they can work more efficiently, finish projects quicker, and take on more projects in a given time period than regular copywriters.
Freelancing also affords copywriters more free time compared to standard copywriting. This is because freelancing does not require the person to work a specific number of hours. Jobs are on a per project basis, giving a person the freedom to choose when and where they work. It is up to the person to manage and budget their time in order to meet the deadline. This is a great freedom that you won't find in most jobs.
You also have great control over your office as well. The Internet allows freelance copywriters to work from anywhere as long as they have a connection to the web. Therefore a copywriter can work from anywhere in the world with clients in any other part of the world.
Even with all these benefits, becoming a freelancer takes a lot of work. Here are some helpful pointers that will show you what is involved in becoming a freelance copywriter:
Build Up Your Name
Freelance copywriting differs from other jobs in that your workload is completely dependent on your ability to market yourself and do good work. So one of the most important things you have to do as a freelancer is to get your name known in the industry. Do whatever it takes: attend copywriting seminars and workshops, give business cards to people as you meet them, and offer your services to existing clients. Ask for referrals from previous clients and other copywriters you know in the business. Network with other copywriters and team up on projects. You should also build a portfolio containing examples of your best work and testimonials from past clients. You can then post this portfolio on a website and make it available for viewing.
As important as it is to get your name out there, it is more important to produce good work consistently. Your end product will lay the foundation of your career. If you write bad copy, then you won't have many clients. Therefore, you need to consistently do your best work in order to establish your credibility as a freelance copywriter. You should also continue learning how to improve the quality of your copy. The better you get, the more successful you can be. Search for "copywriting tutorials" and read some books by copywriting experts. Dan Kennedy is a great example. Studying and learning will help your career greatly.
Also make sure to run your business well. Meaning that you need to be personable and meet deadlines. You won't get much business if you're difficult to work with; people will generally choose to work with a pleasant person and spend a little more than working with a jerk. Your reputation will also depend on your ability to meet deadlines. If you fail to meet project deadlines, than your credibility will be very tarnished, inhibiting your chances at success.
Hopefully this article showed the benefits of freelance copywriting and gave you an idea in what was involved. Becoming a freelancer can be a great career move. If freelancing interests you then don't be afraid to do some more research and to see if freelance copywriting is right for you.
About the Author:
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