Small jobs - advice and offers!

Hello

I'm a part-time freelance copywriter in the UK (I also work part-time as a technical author, my main career to date). My business, StrayGoat Copywriting has been up and running for about 2 years now. During my first year, I contacted many marketing agencies and advertising agencies offering my services but got nowhere. Luckily, I was able to find work through forums etc. mainly working directly with new businesses. Over the past 6 months or so, business has been drying up (although I must admit I've not been giving it as much attention as I should). I wondered if anyone has any tips for finding new business?

Now, before everyone tells me to go to networking meets - it doesn't really work for me. Unfortunately, I grew up in a fairly rough area and I tend to come across as a bit of a thug! Same thing on the phone. It definitely goes against me.

What I'd really like to achieve is several contacts with on-going small projects such as web site content. I've worked on a few websites already and have recieved great feedback. I've also worked on other types of copywriting projects such as press releases and direct mail. I have a BA Hons in technical communication, a diploma in copywriting from the Institute of Copywriting, and 9 years of professional writing experience as a technical author, so I know what I'm doing and have a proven track record as a writer - it's just finding work that I'm not so hot at!

If anyone has any advice for someone in my position, or indeed has a need for a writer like myself, I'd love to hear from you. I'm UK based (Midlands) but am happy to work for companies anywhere (except Nigeria...we've all had the scam emails!).

Thanks everyone

Craig

 

Craig,

In my opinion, there are two ways for you:

1 - You could do a search on Google for "webmaster forums" and start being active on as much forums as you can. In this way, you'll get projects.

2 - You could build a service presentation/portfolio web site which could lead you to new projects.

The first web sites which appears on Google when you search for "copywriting" has a quite small amount of inbound links which means that being in top ten would be a realistic goal for you.

If you'll consider the second possibility, I can help you with web site development and basic SEO.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I'd certainly be willing to go the second route - it seems to be the best option available at the moment. I already have a website up and running at www.straygoat.com and it definitely could use some specialist SEO treatment...but what would it cost?

If you don't want to communicate these details on here, please feel free to email me at craigwright@straygoat.com

Thanks again

 

E-mail sent.

 

Join the top 10 or so forums where domain/website/seo pros hang out, and develop some "street cred" with the locals of their respective forums.
Keep your sig clean but clear as to what it is you do, and offer the services in the "for sale" section as often as is appropriate.
Develop a one page site that is easy to remember that you can direct people to.
For example, I have no need for content at the moment, but I know I have agnoized for many an hour in the past to come up with a decent paragraph for a site, only to give up and go the wikipedia route (Not usually, but you get the drift - this is more of an "on demand" industry that you're in - so make it so the demand can find you easily and clearly)
Lastly, keep your rates straightforward and flat - don't go with pref pricing or word will get out (The net is gossip-licious!)