Left a job I hated, looking for work

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by James2011, Jul 20, 2011.

  1. #1
    I recently resigned from an editing job that I found mind-numbing and completely dull. It never offered me the opportunity to showcase my creative skills or to grow as a writer. Instead, it was simply about distributing press coverage to angry clients using a complicated database, plagued by computer problems. I am glad that I have left, although I now face the uncertain situation of returning to freelancing.

    I am relatively new to the world of copywriting. However, I have had extensive experience in content writing, particularly SEO content. I am on this forum to search for valuable advice that I hope will facilitate me to achieve my goals in the future.

    It's virtually impossible to find a full-time job with a copywriting agency because they demand previous agency experience.

    Everyone wants a portfolio but I have to find clients in order to do this. I've tried the whole website thing but that never worked since I had to use samples of 'un-published' work.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2011
    James2011, Jul 20, 2011 IP
  2. YMC

    YMC Well-Known Member

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    #2
    The easiest way around the portfolio issue is to develop at least 2 websites or blogs - one should be for selling your writing services. The other site(s) can be about anything. The idea is to showcase your writing and SEO skills. The easiest way to prove to a potential customer that you know SEO is to show them a site that ranks well in the SERPs.
     
    YMC, Jul 20, 2011 IP
  3. dailyapp

    dailyapp Peon

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    #3
    Hi,

    I just want to say something..I can't offer you a job or something.
    I was like you years before..hatted my job, then decided to start online.
    here I'm supporting my family..working..doing what I LOVE to do...
    I really wish you the best of luck..hang in there.. :)

    T
     
    dailyapp, Jul 21, 2011 IP
  4. payaldurga

    payaldurga Peon

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    #4
    Hi James, this was the case for me too. I initially liked my script writing job , then they changed my nature of job saying it was temporary, then i had just to send mails talking to clients and market the products and finally i was held responsible for not brining in projects etc.....I was never for this job. eventually i resigned and started to work as a freelance writer. I worked for very less price and slowly I started getting good work....it is tough actually but i am very much satisfied. I found legit sites for academic writings. so u also search extensively for work in your expertise. I do not know whether u r a tech or a normal writer. either one you can excel in this field....all the best.
     
    payaldurga, Jul 21, 2011 IP
  5. domainnamesalez

    domainnamesalez Peon

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    #5
    As far as the portfolio is concerned, like YMC suggested, it would be better if you make some website on your own and work upon them. Write some quality content and then you would be able to show them to potential clients as your sample work.
     
    domainnamesalez, Jul 21, 2011 IP
  6. unknownpray

    unknownpray Active Member

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    #6
    Considering the way the market is, I would say that it was a bad idea to have left your job in the first place, you can always look for your dream job as a part time one.
     
    unknownpray, Aug 22, 2011 IP
  7. thesickearth

    thesickearth Active Member

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    #7
    Yes resigning without a bonus/settlement or whatever was a big mistake. Let's hope you won't have to eat your own junk as a result. On the other hand, most of employed people are slaves.
     
    thesickearth, Aug 23, 2011 IP
  8. guna

    guna Active Member

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    #8
    You did the right thing following your mind rather than your head. There is always a demand for excellent writers who can impress readers with their style and substance. If you can send me samples of previous work, rates and turnaround time I can send some works on your way to start with.

    Good Luck
     
    guna, Aug 24, 2011 IP
  9. guitarizma

    guitarizma Active Member

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    #9
    My heartiest congrats to you. I've always had a liking for people with an entrepreneurial bent of mind. Great job buddy :)

    You could go through the following thread. It's gonna help you get some gigs I guess. Best of luck.

    http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=2258045
     
    guitarizma, Aug 24, 2011 IP
  10. Terry Hatfield

    Terry Hatfield Well-Known Member

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    #10
    One thing that you could do is piggyback off others let them find the job and you help them do the work. Go to sites like odesk or elance and look for web designers that are looking for work. Contact them and let them know that you do copywriting and handle on the writing of the website content and they can focus on what they are good at, the design part of building websites.

    You could also Google "web designers" and contact them and work up a joint partnership like you did at the freelance sites above.

    It may take you a bit of emailing but I am sure you can build up quite a substantial business of repeat work in no time. You can start off really cheap and as you get more web design partners start raising your rates.
     
    Terry Hatfield, Sep 2, 2011 IP
  11. PinoyMMO

    PinoyMMO Peon

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    #11
    why not create your own blog? on wordpress or blogspot.
     
    PinoyMMO, Sep 2, 2011 IP
  12. roxanne1

    roxanne1 Peon

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    #12
    What are your rates for writing a few articles for a blog?
     
    roxanne1, Dec 5, 2011 IP
  13. 913imer

    913imer Member

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    #13
    Sometimes it takes bold moves to be happy. If you truthfully hated every second you were there you made the right choice. Heck I bet your not bored now! You have one hell of an adventure digging up new work. I wish you the best man.
     
    913imer, Dec 5, 2011 IP
  14. awundrin

    awundrin Well-Known Member

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    #14
    Good luck to you on your bold move!
     
    awundrin, Dec 5, 2011 IP
  15. Sam Gilmore

    Sam Gilmore Peon

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    #15
    Hi, James. You should offer your invite posts for free. You won't get ny profit but rhis sort of articles will make you a good portfolio
     
    Sam Gilmore, Mar 27, 2012 IP
  16. sarahdb

    sarahdb Peon

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    #16
    Build a portfolio. You'll have a hard time landing well-paying jobs if you have nothing to show for it. Get your own blog going if you can't do anything else. At least it will showcase your writing.
     
    sarahdb, Apr 4, 2012 IP
  17. Sam Gilmore

    Sam Gilmore Peon

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    #17
    I agree. I tied to offer my posts on different websites and they won't answer my letters until I started to add a link to my website.
     
    Sam Gilmore, Jul 10, 2012 IP
  18. timbonitus

    timbonitus Active Member

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    #18
    Just write your own portfolio - write a few articles about random topics and make sure to put a lot of effort into polishing the articles. If the samples are good people will want to hire you immediately.
     
    timbonitus, Jul 24, 2012 IP
  19. freelancerIT

    freelancerIT Peon

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    #19
    You should first get your own blogs. It is better to have an expertise one( about SEO for example) and one about private stuff, fiction, etc. This way you can get a portfolio.
    In the meantime, you can try some freelancing sites. there are a lot like that which have copy writing in their options. Some, are only for copywriters.
     
    freelancerIT, Jul 24, 2012 IP
  20. bimmer

    bimmer Peon

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    #20
    You can showcase your skills. You don't need clients to do that. just create a few sample pieces of original writing to showcase your talents and creativity. If it's really good stuff, you should have no problems getting clients.
     
    bimmer, Jul 24, 2012 IP