Sunday, December 28, 2008

Insights Into Freelance Copywriting

By Ray Edwards

More and more copywriters are looking into freelance copywriting because of the freedom it offers. If you're interested in freelance copywriting, then here are some ideas to help you see what's involved in freelancing.

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 a client will persist on a particular idea; if they don't budge then you need to learn how to compromise without surrendering. Managing persistent clients will help ease your work experience. But there are always going to be clients who do not compromise and it is best to know when to get out of these situations. They are not worth the money or the trouble.

2. Be polite, persistent, and positive. Always communicate professionally with your clients. Listen intently to your clients and be persistent with your ideas if you must. Your persistence must be two fold: You must constantly look for work, and persistently stand by your ideas on how to market your clients' products. This will help improve your success dramatically.

3. Educate yourself. There are always new things to learn and the most successful copywriters see themselves as lifelong students. Learning new ways of writing copy will help your business stay competitive. There is plenty of material out there, so go ahead and start learning.

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. Take time for your personal life. A successful businessperson also has a life outside of their work. You need to nurture your personal life for your emotional health, not to mention your friends' and family's emotional health as well. Even though you're making a career transition to make more money, your personal life is the most important part of whom you are. What gain is there if you spend your whole life making money but have no one to share it with? In the midst of growing your business, don't lose sight of the greater things in life.

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. Never miss a deadline. As a freelance copywriter you cannot afford to miss deadlines. Failing to miss deadlines will severely hurt the success of your business, so make sure to manage your time well.

Hopefully you found these pointers illuminating and helpful. If you're interested in learning more about freelance copywriting, there is plenty of information out there that can help you become a successful freelancer. Just search the Internet for tutorials on copywriting, and start digging in. - 15634

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