Tips for freelance copywriters: how to start your career

There are hundreds of thousands of writing opportunities on the web. However, only a few people are taking advantage of these opportunities. As a freelance copywriter you write without belonging to any particular company but acting as an independent contractor.

You can earn a decent income as a freelance copywriter. In fact you can turn this into a fulltime job. Alternatively, you can turn this into a part-time job to supplement your regular income. You can also write as a hobby. If you are wondering where to begin as a freelance copywriter, here are some tips on how to do this.

Be a good writer

This may look obvious but there are writers who believe that they can write but they cannot. When they try to write, their work lacks good grammar, originality and self-discipline. Therefore, if you want to start your career as a freelance copywriter, you must start by ensuring that you are comfortable writing. English should be a language that you can express yourself in with ease and clarity.

If you have no writing qualifications, you can consider going to a journalism school or taking a workshop that will help you improve your writing. This will ensure that you are aware of the major requirements and writing terminology. However, it is also worth noting that there are some very good writers who did not go to college. As long as you have good grammar, great research skills and can follow instructions, you can become a writer.

Be comfortable communicating

You will need to market yourself as a writer, chase leads and drum up business. You will need to need to submit work within the given time frame and in accordance with the client’s instructions. All these will require good negotiation and interaction skills. The good thing is that you can do this via email.

Think bigger

Rather than guessing who will be paying the best rates, you should carry out a research to identify the prospective markets that are likely to pay well. You should bear in mind that most companies do not advertise for writer’s jobs. You can land good gigs when you go through the hidden demand for writers. Instead of the startups, you can seek the more established successful markets. The national publications that have big circulations usually pay better. The niche publications such as for doctors, lawyers and CEOs also pay better. Use these tips to become a good freelance copywriter.