Starting something new is always a bit of a challenge, which also applies to copywriting. You need to create a steady stream of work and seek a few clients. But where do you start? What do you do to persuade someone to hire you?
Looking for work as a freelancer can be scary at times. It can be easy to make mistakes, and although these mostly won’t lead to you not having any clients for long, it may take some time to fix those mistakes. After all, no one likes making those mistakes, and everyone wants a fast track to the place they want to be in the most efficient ways possible.
This article highlights 7 mistakes to avoid when looking for a new copywriting client, so you’ll have all the tools you need to succeed and be in demand as a writer.
You’re probably familiar with Craigslist and Indeed. These sites are great for finding freelance projects but aren’t the best places to look for full-time gigs.
The problem is that too many people compete for the same jobs. You will never get noticed if you only post on these sites. And even if someone does contact you from one of these sites, it’s not likely that they will hire you as a permanent employee or pay well enough for your time and effort.
Instead, focus on finding clients through networking events, professional organizations, social media groups, and local meetups. These are much more effective ways to find work because there aren’t as many people competing for each job/client.
If you’re trying to get into business as a freelance copywriter, you should use social media. Not necessarily Facebook or Twitter. Those may be useful for connecting with other writers and learning about new trends in your field (and making friends), but they won’t help you find clients.
The real gems are LinkedIn (specifically for professionals) and Google+. The key here is to use these networks for more than just posting links to articles about copywriting or sharing memes about cats who write better than you (although both can be fun).
If you want to build a network of potential clients, connect with other people who could benefit from your services — whether they’re businesses looking for help with their branding or individuals who need help writing their personal statements or blog posts. Don’t worry if some of them don’t seem like natural fits at first glance; just keep connecting.
As a copywriter, it can be easy to get caught up in your world of words and forget that you’re writing for other people. And when you do that, your copywriting suffers.
So how do you avoid this mistake? Focus on them — as in the person who will actually use your product or service.
This may seem obvious, but it is evident all the time with new copywriters. They go through their process without taking into account what their clients need and want from their copywriting services.
When trying to get new clients, you have to describe your services in a way that makes it obvious what you do and why they should hire you. You need to clearly communicate who you are and why they should hire you while also ensuring they know what they’re paying for and what they’ll get from working with you.
Unfortunately, many copywriters fail this task because their pitches are technical or complicated for potential clients to understand. The best way to avoid this is by using simple language whenever possible and keeping things clear and concise rather than overly elaborate. That way, even if someone isn’t familiar with the industry jargon or terminology, they’ll still understand what you do and why it matters for their business.
The most important step in finding new clients is building relationships with potential customers. This can be difficult if you only focus on short-term gains.
For example, if you’re just looking for a quick paycheck from someone who needs an urgent job done, that person probably won’t be interested in working with you again (or referring others).
Instead, spend time getting to know prospective clients and building long-term relationships before pitching them on projects or quoting prices. This will allow you to build trust over time and increase the chances of securing repeat business from these individuals or their colleagues/friends/family members.
Another mistake you can make when looking for a new client is not knowing what to charge. This is an easy mistake to make, but it’s also easy to avoid.
You have to ensure that your rates are competitive with the market. If you charge too little, clients will think your work is inferior. You won’t get hired if your rates are too high!
One of the best ways to figure out what other copywriters are charging for similar services is by asking them directly. You can also research their websites and social media accounts for information about their rates and services.
Copywriters, just like other freelance professionals, need to have an online portfolio.
If you’re not familiar with the concept of an online portfolio, it’s basically a website that showcases your writing skills and experience. Sites like WordPress are great places to start.
The problem is that many copywriters don’t take advantage of this opportunity to show off their work. They either don’t have a site or simply post their pieces on their blog or social media accounts. If a potential client wants to see more samples of your work, they’ll have to go through several clicks and screens before they can find them.
Instead of wasting time going through this cumbersome process, simply show off your best pieces in one place — your online portfolio!
Hopefully, the points raised will help you avoid these same “don’ts” and mistakes when working with new clients wherever possible. Go out there and make yourself—and your business—shine!
