How to Start a Copywriting Business

How to Start a Copywriting Business

Steps To Starting A Copywriting Business

If you are planning to make a career out of copywriting, you should consider starting your own copywriting business rather than picking up the odd job in your spare time. The following are some tips on how to start a copywriting business:

1. Create a website. Creating your own website is the easiest way to centralize your copywriting business. This will give any current or potential clients a base from which they can contact you or learn more. You do not need to worry about coming up with a name unless you want to, unlike other businesses. Having your name followed by ‘copywriting services’ is perfectly acceptable and an approach used by many freelancers.
2. Find clients. Having a social media presence will help attract send clients your way. However, as you start out, you will need to put in a lot of work reaching out to people and finding work yourself. Over time, you will become an established business with a reputation.  You can find freelance writing work on job boards or through agencies that will help you to grow your portfolio. You can also get your name out there by writing guest posts for other publications. This will eventually bring in clients to your website after some time.
3. Create invoices. Many writers do not think about this until after they have completed their first job and realize they do not know how their client is going to pay them. Creating a professional invoice template alongside your website will save you a lot of trouble in the future. Make sure you number each invoice and keep them in neat folders to make it easier to verify exactly which clients have paid you and which ones have not.
4. Pick a copywriting niche. There are many types of copy you can write. The most common type of copy is direct mail. You can also write media copy, newsletters, catalogs, sales copy, postcards, and self-mailers. Each of these types of copy has its own application and represents a copywriting niche you can enter.  Narrow your niche options for better focus at the start of your career. Pay attention to persuasive and advertising messages you read in newspapers, magazines, billboards, email, and on the Internet to get a feel for different types of sales copy.
5. Practice writing sample sales copy. Now that you have learned all the fundamentals of a copywriting business and narrowed down your niches to focus on, practice your new craft. Write sample sales and advertising copy to develop confidence, skill, and a writing habit. The sample copy might be for an existing business in your locality or for an imaginary business.

Now you know how to start a copywriting business. You can start putting your plans into action. Just like any business, it might take time to build and grow. Start small and do not be too quick to leave any other jobs that you have. Getting started is the hardest part, so once you get over the initial hurdle, things will be pretty easy.