The opportunities afforded to freelance copywriters are attracting a lot of attention these days. If freelance copywriting interests you, then you should take a look at what it takes to be a freelance copywriter.
1. Learn when to say "no." Freelance copywriters have to know when to say "no." At times you will have to say "no" to new projects because your schedule won't allow for more work, and knowing when that point has come is very important. Otherwise you can jeopardize your entire business by taking on too much work and inhibiting yourself from meeting your deadlines. Other times you have to say "no" to the suggestions your clients offer. Remember that you are the advertising expert and they are not, that is why they are hiring you. You must be able to say "no" and offer a better alternative in a gentle way.
Sometimes a client will persist on a particular idea; if they don't budge then you need to learn how to compromise without surrendering. Managing persistent clients will help ease your work experience. But there are always going to be clients who do not compromise and it is best to know when to get out of these situations. They are not worth the money or the trouble.
2. You should also be polite, persistent, and positive. You need to always communicate with your clients professionally and listen to their desires intently. You must persistently stand by your ideas on how to sell your clients' products, and you must also look for work vigilantly.
3. Become a constant learner. The most successful copywriters understand that you can never stop learning. You must be learning how to improve the quality of your copy constantly. This keeps you competitive and will help you climb the ladder of success. There is plenty of material out there, so go out and start learning how to be the best at what you do.
4. Remember to relax. Most people switch to freelancing to escape their stressful work environment, so it doesn't make much sense to make your new work environment as equally as stressful! So make sure that you relax, put it in your schedule if you must, but just make sure to do it. Consistent relaxation also helps you write better and faster. So in the end, you'll be happier and more productive if you take time to relax.
5. Have fun even if the going gets tough. If you're going to be successful, you have to love your profession, so start learning how to keep a positive attitude now. If you let the stress of your work consume you, you will eventually burn out and miss out on the amazing opportunities in freelance copywriting.
6. Take time for your personal life. A successful businessperson also has a life outside of their work. You need to nurture your personal life for your emotional health, not to mention your friends' and family's emotional health as well. Even though you're making a career transition to make more money, your personal life is the most important part of whom you are. What gain is there if you spend your whole life making money but have no one to share it with? In the midst of growing your business, don't lose sight of the greater things in life.
7. Always practice honesty and good ethics. This is really important, you need to be a person of honesty and integrity. Don't make any promises you can't keep. Tell your clients if you're failing to live up to your agreement and try to make recompense. Never compromise on your integrity just to get a project. And always be ethical in conducting your business arrangements.
8. Be a good businessperson. Freelance copywriters run their own businesses and therefore have to manage their business well. Make sure to read-up on operating a small business and learn about your rights as a small business owner.
You should always be aware of the most recent ethical standards, laws, and tax reforms. You should also update yourself with the current pricing guidelines, learning new effective negotiation skills, and looking for better ways to maintain your records.
9. Never take a rejection personally. This is a business and your self worth should never be wrapped up in what you do. Try and maintain a level of professionalism and don't take rejection personally. There are plenty of reasons someone might pick another copywriter over you that have nothing to do with your ability to write good copy.
10. Do not miss deadlines. Missing deadlines will severely hurt your chances at success, so you must make every effort to manage your time well and get your projects completed on schedule.
Hopefully this article helped you see what's involved in freelance copywriting. There is plenty of information out there on freelancing, so if it interests you, go ahead and do some more research about this exciting career. - 16651
1. Learn when to say "no." Freelance copywriters have to know when to say "no." At times you will have to say "no" to new projects because your schedule won't allow for more work, and knowing when that point has come is very important. Otherwise you can jeopardize your entire business by taking on too much work and inhibiting yourself from meeting your deadlines. Other times you have to say "no" to the suggestions your clients offer. Remember that you are the advertising expert and they are not, that is why they are hiring you. You must be able to say "no" and offer a better alternative in a gentle way.
Sometimes a client will persist on a particular idea; if they don't budge then you need to learn how to compromise without surrendering. Managing persistent clients will help ease your work experience. But there are always going to be clients who do not compromise and it is best to know when to get out of these situations. They are not worth the money or the trouble.
2. You should also be polite, persistent, and positive. You need to always communicate with your clients professionally and listen to their desires intently. You must persistently stand by your ideas on how to sell your clients' products, and you must also look for work vigilantly.
3. Become a constant learner. The most successful copywriters understand that you can never stop learning. You must be learning how to improve the quality of your copy constantly. This keeps you competitive and will help you climb the ladder of success. There is plenty of material out there, so go out and start learning how to be the best at what you do.
4. Remember to relax. Most people switch to freelancing to escape their stressful work environment, so it doesn't make much sense to make your new work environment as equally as stressful! So make sure that you relax, put it in your schedule if you must, but just make sure to do it. Consistent relaxation also helps you write better and faster. So in the end, you'll be happier and more productive if you take time to relax.
5. Have fun even if the going gets tough. If you're going to be successful, you have to love your profession, so start learning how to keep a positive attitude now. If you let the stress of your work consume you, you will eventually burn out and miss out on the amazing opportunities in freelance copywriting.
6. Take time for your personal life. A successful businessperson also has a life outside of their work. You need to nurture your personal life for your emotional health, not to mention your friends' and family's emotional health as well. Even though you're making a career transition to make more money, your personal life is the most important part of whom you are. What gain is there if you spend your whole life making money but have no one to share it with? In the midst of growing your business, don't lose sight of the greater things in life.
7. Always practice honesty and good ethics. This is really important, you need to be a person of honesty and integrity. Don't make any promises you can't keep. Tell your clients if you're failing to live up to your agreement and try to make recompense. Never compromise on your integrity just to get a project. And always be ethical in conducting your business arrangements.
8. Be a good businessperson. Freelance copywriters run their own businesses and therefore have to manage their business well. Make sure to read-up on operating a small business and learn about your rights as a small business owner.
You should always be aware of the most recent ethical standards, laws, and tax reforms. You should also update yourself with the current pricing guidelines, learning new effective negotiation skills, and looking for better ways to maintain your records.
9. Never take a rejection personally. This is a business and your self worth should never be wrapped up in what you do. Try and maintain a level of professionalism and don't take rejection personally. There are plenty of reasons someone might pick another copywriter over you that have nothing to do with your ability to write good copy.
10. Do not miss deadlines. Missing deadlines will severely hurt your chances at success, so you must make every effort to manage your time well and get your projects completed on schedule.
Hopefully this article helped you see what's involved in freelance copywriting. There is plenty of information out there on freelancing, so if it interests you, go ahead and do some more research about this exciting career. - 16651
About the Author:
For an inside look at the techniques of a sought-after web copywriter, check out the blog of Copywriter Ray Edwards. There you'll find many marketing resources and and free copywriting advice.
