How To Become A Freelance Copywriter & Get Your First Client!!

I’m gonna share the very first 6 steps WITH you should take if you're looking to start a freelance copywriting business. Now, I might be a little bit biased but I truly think that copywriting is the best business around…

Because, 1, every single business on the planet needs a copy. Whether you’re familiar with precisely what copywriting is or not, just think of it as any single word written for the purpose of business or making sales. So Facebook ads, social media posts, emails, print copy, website copy, all of that is considered copywriting and is needed by businesses small, large, offline, online, you name it. Copywriting is one of the only creative businesses that allows you to get paid with nothing more than your laptop. You don’t need any fancy software programs or Adobe Premiere to edit video or Photoshop to edit graphics. All you need is a word document. It will be given you time independence, location independence.

Before you dive into the following 6 steps you need to take before you start your copywriting business,... there’s something I wanna nip in the bud about copywriting..... And that is this misnomer that in order to be a good copywriter you have to be a classically trained writer or you needed to get straight A’s in English class in university or high school, or you’re a grammar nazi. I can tell you none of that is true. All you need is empathy, creativity, and a passion for writing.

Here’s the thing we are given this extremely amazing skillset to be able to communicate through words. And every single business needs that skill set, that’s why copywriters are so highly paid and are so sought-after by every single business on the planet. So truly, all you need to start writing is empathy, creativity, and a passion for writing. And then with that, you layer on the tactics and the strategies, and the conversion principles, and the psychology.

Following are the 6 first steps you should take if you’re starting your at-home copywriting business.

1, study.

Whatever you do never stop studying, always hone your craft and focus on how you can get better and better and better.

2, get crystal clear on what you offer.

As I mentioned before every single business on the planet needs writers, but will you write copy or content? copywriting and content writing. Do you want to write long-form sales letters, social media posts, videos, Facebook ads, how do you want to serve your client? Do you want to work part-time, full-time, contract basis, retainer? Just really take some time to map out what that dream freelance business would look like and how you could offer your services.

3, get crystal clear on who you want to serve.

And I know in the beginning it can be tough because you’re like ahh I’ll take any old job. And that's fine but just remember that the first few clients you have really set the foundation for the types of clients you’ll get in the future.

And that's because a lot of business owners want to hire writers with experience in their particular niche.

Remember empathy is absolutely key in being a good copywriter. So really think about your own personal life and experiences… If you want to write about pets, or parenting, or real estate, or finance, there are literally so many niches that are looking for great copywriters, and the more specific you can be the better you can show up and serve your ideal client. So take some time to think about this in the beginning because this will set the foundation for the types of clients you'll attract in the future. And really niche you into a specific area of copywriting. And the more experience you have the better you're going to get.

4 write a self sales pitch.

I know this sounds a little bit icky especially if you don’t feel comfortable selling yourself... But if you're going to learn how to write for other people and sell products for other people, you need to know how to sell yourself.

So that’s why the last two steps were so important. Once you get very clear on what you offer and who you serve, this step will become so important and will really help you find your niche.

The most important thing to remember with this step is just, to be honest about where you're at. A lot of business owners actually don’t want to hire the most seasoned and experienced writers because they’re looking to train someone whos really going to learn and adapt to their brand voice. So if you are really green and you are just starting out, don’t worry about it. Just be super honest, show up, and deliver results.

5, build your online portfolio and profile.

Because how are your clients going to find you if they can't find you? So now that you’ve taken some time to get clear on what you offer, and who you serve, and you've written out a little bit of a self sales pitch. Be on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, have a personal website, get an Upwork profile, because here’s the thing when clients start hearing your name they’re immediately going to go Google you and see where you're present and where you're active online. So with that, you're really going to want to have a portfolio and some social proof. So if you have worked with anyone in the past, get a testimonial from them.

This is so huge, and what so many creatives forget to do. Immediately after you have a positive exchange with a client, ask for a testimonial. These can be added to your Facebook fan page, to a Google review, to your website, all of this is going to increase your chances of getting more and more clients. And be sure you're building your portfolio in the meantime.

You don't have to have it available online for everyone to see, but just know that people are going to be asking you for it. So have some writing samples, whether they’re paid, or whether you've done them in your free time, go out and find clients you can do some sample work for, anything you can do to really build up that portfolio is just going to help you in the long term. And then of course the more clients you get, the easier it is to build your portfolio.

6, find clients.

I’m a huge believer in both a push and a pull strategy. Get very clear on what you offer, who you serve, and get an online portfolio presence and profile set up so the right people can find you. In terms of a push strategy, which means really going out there and finding those clients you wanna work with, you gotta be a little bit more strategic.....4 methods for finding clients: The Hunt, the Gather, the Pray, and the Slay.

All right guys there you have it ... 6 steps you should take if you’re looking to start a freelance copywriting business.