How to break into copywriting.

There are many experienced copywriters out there searching for a permanent job. So for the copywriter just starting out, searching the employment job boards or applying to advertising agencies is not the way to get started.

Instead, set yourself up as a freelance copywriter and sell your services to businesses. Contact these businesses, show them what you can do for them, and you have your start. There are three great places to start.

1. Small Business

Every business has a need for copywriting. For many small businesses, this job does not fall to someone experienced in copywriting. Many of these businesses will not want to take on a full-time employee. But if you can offer them a convenient on-call service, many of them will take you up on the offer.

2. Companies that prospect (or look for business)

Look for any company that employs telemarketers or does door-to-door prospecting. Show them how you can design brochures and pamphlets to bring in sales.

Tip: These companies often pay on commission. If you offer to work on commission too, you are speaking their language and there is no risk for them. When working on commission, you will usually make more money than you would with a set fee.

3. Website Development Companies

Contact these companies and offer to provide the writing for the websites. You can partner with them, so they can offer a full range of services. Or you can work out an agreement to refer work to each other.

Three Steps to Getting in the Door

1. Phone the company and ask to speak to the manager. On the phone, the best thing to do is to try and get an appointment. Face-to-face is always best. Tell them that you are a freelance writer and that you would like to come in and talk to them about what you can do for them.

Tip: Use the word ‘writer’ not ‘copywriter.’ Many people have no idea what a copywriter does.

2. At the meeting, find out about them. Ask them if they have a website, a company newsletter, and how they advertise. This will give them the impression that you want to be a partner to them.

3. Tell them what you can do for them. Relate it to what they have just told you. Sell the benefits to them. For example, companies spend a lot of money on advertising: you can make that advertising far more effective.