Hi guys I am looking to become a copywriter. I have been reading Bsy 'Handbook', some blogs, etc. Well, I need: • A website + blog • Ways to market • Testimonials • References Can you help me, what's my first move in becoming a copywriter?
I'm in no way attempting to be factitious here but you have already made the first step to becoming a copywriter. Namely you have the *desire* and the motivation to become one. Now the dynamics of how to go about it? Well, I'll leave that one to a copywriter to explain.
Practice writing as much as possible about topics you really enjoy. The more you write, the better you will get. Write. Then write some more. Then once you're done, do a little more writing. Keep writing. Don't stop writing. Write write write. Start a blog. Write on it. Write on it a lot! Then market your blog. The best way to do that is to write about it on other blogs and forums. Once in a while, take a break from marketing to write. Write some more. Keep writing forever. Testimonials and references will come with good writing. So keep writing, eventually you'll write something good and everything will fall in place. Once that happens, you'll need to write some more.
Practice what you read. Copywriting is a skill that develops through practice. Knowledge is one thing. Putting that knowledge to use, developing a skill, is a whole other ball game. Developing your skill, becoming a strong copywriter, should be your main focus. Yes. A professional looking website will work to your advantage. It's a tool to market yourself. A blog is a useful tool as well. You'll need a portfolio that showcases your work. Visit the Content Creation forum here and the thread on this board that talks about places to find jobs. Search the web for people looking for a copywriter. It's a tough go at first because you're a unknown. But, there are people who will be willing to give you chance. Don't forget about the real world. The world that exists when you log off the internet. Market to the brick and mortal world. You'll get clients online and in the real world. From there, you build a reputation, gain references and actual true testimonials versus false testimonials people fill their website with to add credibility. It just doesn't happen overnight. Use social media to your advantage. Use the various forums here to learn how to build, or have some build for you, a professional looking website, marketing strategies and concepts, and the ins and outs of social media. Always present yourself in a professional manner.
Just to clear things up.... Do you want to be a writer or a copywriter? There is a major difference between the two.
As I understand it...a writer presents a story or idea with the intention of that idea and the understanding of the idea itself as well as later contemplation of the idea itself being the main focus, whereas a copywriter writes with the intention of making a reader aware of a product or service and tries to make the conversion from reader to customer for the target subject. A writer will elaborate and get as detailed as can be about the subject matter in a personal way, whereas a copywriter has to minify sentences and deliver short informative blocks that present info with a marketing intention while removing their identity from it as they want to make you interested in the project, not themselves the writer. Am I understanding this correctly?
Writer: News articles in your daily newspaper Copywriter: The sales flyers/advertisements you see in your daily newspaper
I suggest you practice writing first and become a writer. That is the first step. If you already have a good background in writing, then move on to reading about marketing and writing sales copies. You can also go to CopyBlogger. Check out their lessons for information on how to transition from writer to copywriter. Hope that helps. Have a good day!
Hey, guys thanks for some valuable feedback. (btw, if you are interested, here is my introduction. To keep in short, I do write. Everyday. It is my job. The thing is that what I write as my daily assignments is a bit low-quality promotional stuff. But whatever I learn from copywriting books, I still try to apply so it counts as practice. But I can not use what I write everyday at work as references, etc. due to my contract. I just made a wordpress blog, I will start working on it and its marketing, plus this will give a chance to write more quality stuff on topics I like. so, what I get from you is: • Write and then write some more. • Make a blog and market it to get some • Content Creation forum to find someone willing to give me a chance( that's a road to testimonials and references) • Copyblogger for lessons Do I miss anything? Btw, is it important to use your real name when copywriting? I just feel due to my last name (it's clearly not native-English) potential clients may prejudge me before even giving me a chance?
This I trust is a useful tip for you. Follow Drayton Bird's blog. Who's Drayton Bird? He's a legendary copywriter, in his mid to late 70s or older who is still plying his trade. He knew and worked with the likes of David Ogilvy and lot of other famous names. You'll learn much that is useful from him (if you care to.)
You mention that you have a contract. Be careful there's not a local non-compete or other clause that could prevent you from hanging out your own shingle or get you fired for doing so.