Thursday, December 25, 2008

The Advantages of Freelance Copywriting

By Ray Edwards

The Internet has created a lot of new opportunities for freelance copywriters today. If you are a copywriter looking to make more money then you should look into freelancing your services. Freelance copywriting frees you from the confines of a full-time job and allows you to dictate your own work schedule, load, and paycheck.

Copywriters must know how to reach their audience effectively. They must know what mediums to use and how to motivate their readers into buying their product. Many copywriters attend seminars and workshops in order to learn new skills and improve the quality of their product.

Freelance copywriters have a lot of opportunities that other copywriters do not. Some of the most profitable freelancing fields are in the world of commerce, web marketing, publishing houses, online services, advertising companies, direct response ad campaigns, and many others. Freelance copywriters are hired on a project-to-project basis by companies in these fields to help sell their products more effectively.

WHAT'S INVOLVED IN BECOMING A FREELANCE COPYWRITER

As a freelance copywriter, you can hand pick your work, choose work that maximizes your expertise, and bring in more money. The freedom found in freelance copywriting has caused many experts to think that freelancing is one of the best career options on the market today.

Freelance copywriters must know how to give their client what they want in a creative and effective way. Here are some things you should know if you're considering freelance copywriting:

1. Set goals for yourself. Goals are very important, without them you're like a ship setting sail without a heading. In order for your goals to be effective, they have to be tangible and attainable. This way you have something to shoot for and a practical way of measuring your success. Take a look at your skills and try to develop a business plan to help you achieve your goals.

2. Construct a portfolio. Your portfolio will function as your resume in the freelancing world. It will be one of the first things that someone sees when they are considering hiring you for their project. Therefore make sure it has some of your best work in it and includes testimonials from past clients. It is important that your portfolio is organized, clean, and professional.

3. You need to build a website. A website acts like your storefront window. It also allows possible clients to examine your work and portfolio when considering your bid. Also, many copywriters do not have a website, so building one will give you an advantage over some of your competition.

4. Create good relations with your clients. People like to feel like they are working with a real person, which is a feeling that is diminished when working on the Internet. There is very little person-to-person contact, so you must make an effort to build good working relationships with your clients. The more a client knows you, the more likely they are to hire you again and refer other people to you.

Talk to your clients on the phone and let them know you are always available for questions or concerns. If they live near you, then let them know that you can meet with them in person of they like. Try to make yourself as personal as possible, the more your clients feel like they know you, the more success your business will see.

5. Don't be afraid to educate your client. You must listen to your client and mold what they want with what will actually sell their product. It is important to remember that you are the expert and that they have hired you to sell their product. Their ideas may not sell their product, so try to gently educate them on how you think their product should be marketed. Don't be rude, instead, considerately explain why you think your ideas will more effectively sell their product.

These were just a few ideas to help you get started thinking about your new freelancing career. Hopefully you found this article helpful. Freelance copywriting allows you to choose when you work, where you work, and how much you work. You can't find that kind of freedom in too many other jobs. Freelancing is a very liberating and exciting career. - 16651

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