How To Become A Freelance Copywriter

If you want to become a freelance copywriter, you are going to need to hone the basic skills first. Not everyone has what it takes to become a copywriter, but it is a skill that can be learned. It’s not something that you are born with. Read on to find out how to become a freelance copywriter.
If you want to get your first freelance job quickly, use these steps:
Create a “swipe file” from classic direct mail copy control pieces that are already selling well in the marketplace where you want to work.
Write for a market where you already are a customer, or you have intimate knowledge of the customer. You can branch out more later, but start here. for example, if you like golf, write copy for the golfing market.
Go out in the market where you want to write and find a business that is using a sales letter that needs some help. Think of a few suggestions that will drastically improve the letter, and mail the business owner a copy of their ad, your suggestions, and a copy of your business card. If they want more help they are going to call you first.
Sell your own product. This is a great way to test headlines and make sure that you know all of the mechanics of copywriting before someone else pays you for results.
Do not skimp on your fees from the beginning. If you start out as the low priced copywriter in your area, then that is what you will be known for and you will have a hard time raising your fees.
Develop your personal brand. People buy from other people, and many times your personality and whether or not a client wants to work with you, is what will sell a job.
You will need to develop a portfolio. If you are just starting out, clients are going to want to see samples of your work. Do not hand them a copy of your research paper from high school. If you have no sales letters under your belt, write some for fictitious products or companies. This will allow the reader to understand how you write.
As you get your first few jobs in freelancing, you are going to hone your skills and tweak your approach so that you get better with each client. Work towards long-term relationships, where you can count on a certain level of income every month, which will be a lot less stressful.