Tuesday, December 23, 2008

An Introduction to Freelance Copywriting

By Ray Edwards

Copywriters are pursuing freelance copywriting more and more these days because of the great opportunities it offers. If you're interested in freelancing, then here are some basic pointers to help you get an idea of what is involved.

1. Know when to say "no." As a freelance copywriter you have to learn when to say no. Sometimes you have to say no to projects because you're schedule is overloaded or sometimes you also have to say no to poor suggestions made by your clients. In this situation you need to remember that you are the advertising expert, not your client. They are hiring you to sell their product, so you have to learn when to say "no" gently enough not to make your client angry.

Sometimes clients will insist on a particular point, if this is the case then you have to learn how to compromise without surrendering. Learning how to manage persistent clients will make your life a lot easier. There are also situations from which you just need to walk away. These kinds of clients are not worth the money or the time.

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. Take time to relax. Getting away from a stressful work environment is one of the main reasons copywriters switch to freelancing. So make sure not to make your new work environment equally as stressful! Set aside time to relax, write it into your schedule and stick to it. Not only will this help you lead a happier life, but consistent relaxation will also help you write better. So in the end, you'll be more productive, happier and writing better copy if you take time to rest.

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. Nurture your personal life. A successful person is also a well-rounded person. You need to have a well-nurtured personal life for you and your family's emotional health. Even though you're working to be more successful as a copywriter, your personal life is far more important than your occupation. If you become super successful but neglect your friends and family, then all you have is a really nice empty house.

7. Always practice honest work ethics. You need to be a person of love, honor and integrity. Therefore, don't make any promises you can't keep. Be honest with your clients. Tell them if you're failing to meet a requirement and try to make it up to them. Never give moral ground in order to gain economic prosperity, and always be ethical when conducting 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.

Be up to date on the most recent ethical standards, laws, and tax reforms. Make sure you're also aware of the current pricing structures. Learn new effective ways of negotiating and looking for better ways to keep your business organized.

9. Do not take rejections personally. Your personal worth and intrinsic value is not determined by what you do or how much money you make. Therefore try to keep a professional composure when clients reject you and do not take it personally. There are plenty of reasons that a client can reject your bid that has 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.

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