How Can A New Copywriter Find Copywriting jobs?

One of the questions that new copywriters frequently ask is, "How do I get clients to write for?"

  

Finding clients as a new copywriter can be a daunting task. After all, when you start out, clients will not be knocking on your door to request you to write for them. This means that you will have to go out and find them.

  

But where do you start your search for clients?

  

When you're first starting out, you might feel like you need to take any job that comes your way.

  

I get it. Been there.

  

However, you should try not to give into this urge to write for everyone. Instead, create a strategy for building your copywriting career.

  

Start by thinking about the types of industries that you want to work with so that you can target your client search more easily.

  

It is important that the you target the industries that you have experience in.

  

For example, if you have a background in medicine and health, it would make more sense to target businesses that are involved in health such as your local doctor, dentist, or websites that offer health and fitness related information. Stating your experience when you first approach your prospects will help give them confidence in your ability to understand their communication and marketing needs.

  

However, this does not mean that you cannot work with experts in other industries. Rather, targeting an industry within your experience circle gives you a stronger starting point.

   

Once you have at least a general idea of the industries that you would like to target, you can then try to target one or a few of the client pools below:

  

Corporations are great sources of regular and well-paying freelance writing jobs. Most companies have a website or a blog that requires new content on a regular basis. You can also find press release job, technical writing assignments, product descriptions, product reviews, and advertising copywriting jobs with them.

Who to contact: Go through the companies' websites and look for the positions of marketing manager, brand manager, VP of marketing communications. Send them an email and inform them how you can help them with their content marketing efforts and also list your experience.

  

 

Small businesses also need freelance copywriting services to fuel their marketing efforts. However, small businesses do not have a huge budget to spend on copywriting. You should quote a reasonable pay per article or an hourly rate in order to land a job.

Who to contact: small businesses are owner operated. Try to find out who the owner is and reach out to him/ her.

 

Team up with freelance graphic designers. People who buy website templates and also require copywriting services. Reach out to designers and propose a partnership where they refer their clients to your business for their copywriting needs and you in turn refer any clients that require graphic work to their website.

Who to contact: Many graphic designers are on their own when freelancing. So just do an online search for local designers. You can also look for them through local job searches and online.

   

Advertising agencies have a lot of copywriting work. While most of them employ in house staff to handle these jobs, they sometimes require independent freelancers to help them with periodic surges in work.

Who to contact: You should contact the creative director of the advertising agency because they are in charge of hiring freelancers. You can also contact the HR manager and ask them how you can get on their hiring list.  Attending advertising events in your area will also help you connect with influencers in adverting.  Check the website of the American Advertising Federation, American Marketing Association and Public Relations Society of America for dates when an event will be in your area.

 

Social media platforms like LinkedIn is also a good place to get work. However, you should not fish for work. Try instead to join groups and provide value in discussions. Sometimes people will post help wanted posts.

Who to contact: Join and contribute to social media groups. Some of the groups that you can join in LinkedIn include: Advertising Copywriting, Advertising Freelance, Content Marketing Institute, LinkEDs & Writers Marketing Communication, Medical Marketing and Communications Group, Public Relations and Communications Professionals, Writers Hangout and Higher Education Marketing & Communications.

  

Join a job board like Upwork and Copypeer. Most job boards work on a bidding system. You should be careful not to get into bidding wars that lower your fees to a point where the work just isn't worth it.

Who to contact: Search online to find available writing boards. Some of the boards that I know include Textbroker, Upwork, copypeer, and freelancer. Get familiar with them and decide which, if any, work for your needs.

 

Former colleagues are often excellent referral sources. That's why you want to stay in touch with people you've worked with in the past. Tell them what you do and ask them to refer people who might need copywriting services

Friends and family can do your marketing free of charge. They might know people in their own networks to connect you with. Tell all your friends and family what you are doing so they can sell for you to people within their circle!

  

How To Connect With Your Prospects

Once you decide who you want to connect with, the next step is to reach out to them. Below are the ways that you can make your connections:

 

1. Cold Calling

Yes, I know. Cold calling can feel yucky, especially if you have never done sales before. However, this is one of the most effective and viable ways to get work.

Some basic tips that I have found to be helpful include:

  

Identify and talk to the person who makes the decision to hire freelancers. You can refer to the above section on who to call.

  

Know what you're going to say. Write down what you are going to say to them when they answer and practice before you call. A simple cold calling script might look something like this:

  

"Hi [name of person you're speaking with]! My name is [your name]. I am a freelance copywriter based in [city/town]. The reason I'm calling is to introduce myself and to see if you have a few minutes to discuss your writing needs and how I might be able to help you. Is now a good time?"

  

If the prospect says "yes” ask them what their needs are and suggest ways that you can help them. If they say no, ask them when it might be a good time to call back.

  

You should keep in mind that not everyone who receives your call will be polite or happy to hear from a random person looking for work. However, don’t be discouraged by any bad reception that you get after calling. Keep calling your contacts and soon enough, someone who needs your services will say yes.

    

2. Warm Calls/Emails

If a friend has made an introduction with a prospective client for you, you can call them and say something like:

  

"Hi [name of person you're speaking with]! My name is [your name] and I'm a freelance writer from [city/town] area. [Name of your friend] mentioned that you might be in need of copywriting services, so I wanted to introduce myself and see if you'd be interested in discussing how I might be able to help you."

   

3. Direct Mail

Despite all the bad publicity that direct mail has received in recent years, it still remains one of the most effective ways of making new contacts. Gather a list of email addresses for local businesses and send them a postcard with your services.

   

4. Attend Events

People like to do business with people they know. And networking events are a great way to make those crucial introductions. Attend any networking events where you can meet up with other writers, graphic designers, marketing professionals or individuals who are in the industries that you want to target.