Do you want to become a freelance copywriter but don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you already have experience writing articles for websites but aren’t sure if you could turn those into successful freelance copywriting projects.
If you answered yes to either question, this article is for you! In this guide, we’re going to give you valuable tips on how to become a successful freelance copywriter.
We’ll also show you how to get started as a freelance copywriter and build your portfolio so that you can begin getting paid for your work.
So let’s jump right in!
What is a Freelance Copywriter?
Freelance copywriters write the content companies use to promote their products, services, and brands. Copywriting is an integral part of marketing campaigns because it shapes how potential clients think about a product or service and whether they will buy it.
A freelance copywriter can be an independent contractor who works for multiple companies or writes for one company exclusively. They may also work for a company as part of their marketing team.
Freelance copywriting is the most in-demand type of writing. It involves writing advertising, sales letters, brochures, product descriptions, and other marketing materials.
Why Become a Freelance Copywriter?
As a freelance copywriter you will be writing copies for company websites, social media posts, ads, email marketing campaigns, and more.
You can make money online as a freelance copywriter if you have a knack for writing. You can find clients through freelance websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Guru. You can also market your services directly to businesses through networking on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.
It’s time to stop thinking and start doing. It’s time to focus on what matters most to you. The best way to do that is to begin taking action on the things that will help you get closer to your goals.
How to Get Started as a Freelance Copywriter
Freelance copywriting is a lucrative career option that can create a stable revenue stream for years to come. As a freelance copywriter, you’ll be in charge of writing content for multiple businesses and organizations.
However, before you can start making money, you have to get clients first. This will take some time and effort, but it will pay off in the long run when you have a fully polished business foundation that works for your needs and goals.
Many people would like to become freelance writers, but they don’t know where to start. The following tips explain the process of getting started as a freelance copywriter and becoming a successful one.
1. Get Experience
Getting experience means having real-life projects under your belt. If you want to become a freelance writer, you should take on small projects from time to time. These can be anything from blog posts to press releases to web pages.
When you complete each project, ask yourself: What did I learn from this particular task? How could I improve my skills? What was challenging about completing this assignment?
The answers to these questions will help you identify any gaps in your knowledge. Once you’ve identified them, you’ll be able to fill them with new information by reading books, watching videos, and attending seminars or courses.
2. Create Your Portfolio
Your portfolio is your calling card. It represents your ability to produce high-quality work. To build a strong portfolio, you need to have samples of your previous work. You can showcase your sample work on portfolio sites, such as Behance, Dribble, and others.
You can also make use of sites like WordPress to build your won custom website to advertise yourself to clients. This takes more time and effort than using a portfolio hosting site, but you will ultimately have more options for the kind of content you can display and won’t be sharing a with fellow competitors.
3. Find Clients
Once you have built your portfolio, you’ll want to find clients. There are many ways to go about this. You can post your resume on job boards, such as Indeed.com, SimplyHired.com, or LinkedIn.
You can also get work on freelance marketplaces, such as Upwork, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour, and Fiverr. Finally, you can reach out to friends and family members who may be interested in hiring you for their writing tasks.
Cold-calling and cold emails to prospective clients is another option. You can search for people you believe might need your services through LinkedIn networks or word-of-mouth.
4. Deliver Quality Work
Delivering the highest quality work is essential for being a successful freelance writer. However, providing quality work isn’t easy. To provide quality work, you need to practice good habits, such as:
• Being timely – Always meet deadlines.
• Doing research – Make sure all information is accurate.
• Proofreading – Read over your work several times until you’re satisfied with its quality. Consider services like Grammarly if you aren’t confident.
5. Establish Long Term Relationships
Establishing long-term relationships with clients should be your top priority. Once you’ve developed a relationship with a client, make sure to provide excellent service.
To maintain a steady flow of income, you must always put your best foot forward. Remember to keep your clients happy so that they want to work with you again in the future.
6. Don’t Forget to Network
Networking is an important step towards success. This is where you connect with other freelancers and find potential clients. You can use social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin, and Instagram for networking.
This can open up opportunities to collaborate with other freelancers. Some of those connections will likely lead to paying jobs if you keep in touch.
7. Stay Organized
Being organized is the most important skill when working as a freelancer. By staying organized, you save time and money. Keeping a calendar keeps you on track for deadlines and ensure you have enough time in your day to devote to your projects.
When using a calendar or planner, make sure you stick to it strictly. Scheduling meetings, setting reminders, and keeping track of assignments are just some of the things you can keep track of with diligent scheduling.
6 Core Copywriting Skills You Should Learn
Now we’ll discuss six core copywriting skills you should learn to become a successful freelance writer. These skills will allow you to grow as a writer and generate more business from your clients.
1. Headline Copywriting
If you want to be successful at copywriting, you have to learn to write headlines. A headline is the first thing people see when they land on your website or read through your email newsletter. It’s also the first thing that converts visitors into leads.
So if you’re going to spend time writing any marketing material, you should make sure that it has a great headline.
Headlines should be around 5-10, in the present tense, and use active verbs. If you care about SEO, or search engine optimization, then make sure your keyword is also present in the headline.
2. Value Proposition Copywriting
A value proposition copywriter creates compelling messaging around a product or service that tells customers why they should choose it over competitors. This copywriting requires understanding how people think about products and services as well as consumers’ motivations and desires.
A good value proposition copywriter knows how to write copy that helps customers understand why they should choose one product or service. They know how to articulate the benefits of their products and services so that potential buyers can see them clearly and easily.
3. Landing Page Copywriting
A landing page is one of the best ways to get more visitors to your website. It’s also one of the easiest ways to convert those visitors into leads or sales. But if you don’t know how to write compelling copy for landing pages, then you’re missing out on a lot of potential revenue.
This post here has some examples of excellently done landing pages.
4. Email Copywriting
This copywriting focuses on email marketing campaigns. It can be tricky because there are so many different types of emails out there. But if you have a good understanding of how people read and respond to these messages, you can make them work for you.
5. Ad Copywriting
A good copywriter should have a strong understanding of writing for different audiences, be able to write compelling headlines, and know-how, to structure their work effectively.
Writing copy that sells products or services is one of the most challenging aspects of digital marketing. It requires extensive knowledge of sales psychology, product design, and the ability to craft compelling headlines.
However, if you’re effective at writing ads, you can make a lot of money by creating ad copy for other businesses. And, if you can create ads that help small businesses grow, you’ll grow a positive client-base that will keep coming back.
6. Video Script Copywriting
A video script copywriter is responsible for writing scripts for videos. This is one of the most challenging aspects of writing because it requires the writer to be creative while maintaining the brand’s integrity. It’s also essential to understand how to write a great title.
Video script copywriting is one of the best skills to have if you want to get into video marketing. It is also one of the hardest things to learn because of many different aspects to consider.
Where Do I Find Freelance Copywriting Jobs?
You can find freelance copywriting jobs through sites like Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, Guru, and People Per Hour. Apart from these freelance marketplaces, you can find copywriting work through several job boards, such as LinkedIn and Indeed. Cold-calling and cold emails to prospective clients are also an option, but are typically more hit-and-miss.
Let’s discuss these platforms one by one, how they work and how you can use them to get work.
Upwork
Upwork is an online freelancing marketplace where companies pay freelancers to complete specific tasks. If you’re a freelance copywriter looking for work, you can search for copywriting projects on Upwork and send your proposals to clients.
There are two main categories of projects available on Upwork – hourly and fixed price. The difference between these two categories depends on how much time the client wants to spend working on the project. If you want to earn extra money quickly, go for the hourly projects.
Freelancer
Freelancer is another popular platform where both employers and freelancers connect. As a freelance copywriter, you can browse projects posted by different clients and bid on them. You can set your pricing based on what you think the project will cost.
Fiverr
Fiverr is one of the most popular freelance websites around. There are hundreds of thousands of buyers who assign work on Fiverr.
If you are a freelance copywriter, you can list your services on Fiverr and start earning right away. Most of the customers usually choose writers with experience and expertise. So, if you are new to the field, you may not get many orders initially.
Guru
Guru is a site similar to Fiverr. You can list your service here, and people can hire you directly. However, the marketplace is smaller than Fiverr, meaning you won’t see too many projects.
However, it can be a great alternate place to try your luck if you’ve failed to have any luck on Fiverr.
People Per Hour
People per hour is another place where freelance copywriters can get paid for their services. Here, you can sign up and post your resume or profile. Once potential clients view your profile, they can contact you directly.
LinkedIn is a professional networking website where individuals share their experiences and knowledge. Since the website has an extensive database of professionals, it can be used to source copywriting work.
To make the most out of LinkedIn, you should update your profile regularly. Add some content about yourself and your past experiences. Also, add any relevant links to your website and social media accounts.
Potential clients may check your LinkedIn profile while searching for a writer. In this case, you may have the edge over other candidates because you seem more experienced.
Indeed
Indeed is another good resource for finding freelance copywriting jobs. They provide a database of various positions across the globe.
To find jobs on Indeed, enter keywords such as “copywriter” or “content writing.” Then, filter the results according to your location and preferred salary range, and apply.
How Much Does a Freelance Copywriter Make?
Freelance copywriters can make anywhere from $10 an hour up to $50 per hour depending on their experience level and the size company they work with. The average salary for a freelance copywriter is between $25-$35 per hour.
The average yearly income for a freelance copywriter ranges from $40k to $50k. This includes all revenue earned during the year, including bonuses and commission payments.
Final Words
In conclusion, freelance copywriting is a highly competitive industry. You need to be unique and creative to stand out among the crowd. You should also have a portfolio to show off your previous works. If you’re just starting out, don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to build a portfolio. As long as you keep learning new things and improving your skills, you’ll eventually become successful in the industry.