How to find your first copywriting clients

Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen several friends lose their jobs. I've had emails from graduates looking for their first writing gig. And I've been asked the same question by everyone.

I want to go freelance. How do you find clients?

When I first started writing for a living, I had the same anxiety. I didn’t believe it was possible to earn enough money from words. I’d been a teacher for a decade, and quite frankly viewed writing as a little *wafty*.

In the beginning, it was extremely difficult. I didn’t believe in myself, didn’t know how to win business. I doubted my decision to leave a stable job for something creative. Whenever someone approaches me with questions about starting out, I get the same pang of doubt. Because you never really believe you’ve made it, even when you have.

This is for anyone who wants to become a freelance writer. It is, in essence, the three things I learned the hard way, the three things no-one ever told me, and the three things that help you keep going during the deafening silence that occurs when you start.

Right. Let’s crack on.

Overcome the nagging voice ??

If you suffer from doubt, imposter syndrome, anxiety, you’re not alone. Most writers are introverts. Most of us come from families who had a ‘traditional’ careers. Most of us don’t fully understand our worth, especially at the start.

Imposter syndrome is particularly common among women. 

Whatever you need to do to ignore the voice of doubt, do it. Here are some things that worked for me:

• Keep a folder of anything you’ve had published or are proud of. 
• Create a portfolio of everything you’ve written that is live online.
• Speak to a more senior writer and ask for advice or mentoring. 
• Post-it notes with positive affirmations sound tacky, but they work. Stick ‘em on your laptop. You can do it. You are enough.
• Get business cards printed. Yes, you probably won’t use them in the post-apocalyptic world of online networking, but they are affirming and cheap.
• Get your own blog. Even if no-one reads it. Put some stuff out there.

The best weapon against imposter syndrome is forward moving. As well-known philosopher Dory the fish said, ‘Just keep swimming.’ Keep swimming, wee’un.

Bang on some doors ??

Getting those first clients is rough. But (and I’m being serious here) NEVER WORK FOR FREE. NEVER. Your time is worth money. So don’t ever, ever, ever work for nothing. *Rant over*

How do you win your first clients? Well, it’s easier than it sounds, but that’s because the process is a bit nerve-wracking. Especially for introverts.

• Pick up the phone

What’s your niche? What interests you? What do you have knowledge or experience about? Google some local businesses that do that. Look for the ‘Call’ button on Google Maps. Most business owners list a number you can dial, and who knows, they might even pick up.

What do you say when they answer? Mate. Be honest. Tell them about you. Tell them you’re a writer (you are). That you want to help (because you do). And that you’re keen to learn, but not for free. Ask for a virtual coffee. And here’s the secret, ask them about their business. 

You don’t ever really need to sell your services. You just need to get good at listening to other people. Really good. Make notes. Ask for more depth. Basically, make a friend. See what happens next.

• Use social media

This might be more comfortable for you, which I get. However, it doesn’t have as much impact as calling people up. But, if you’re just starting and you’re nervous, use Twitter and LinkedIn to message or @ businesses that you like the look of. Be aware though, that this oft-used way of reaching out to businesses will be used by everyone else. So you need to be distinctive.

How can you be distinctive?

Well, be you. Be yourself. Your whole self. Write as you would speak. Be funny (if that’s you). Be weird. And write your message or tweet as if you’re speaking to a friend. Formality might come across as cold or salesy, so try your hand at some lovely, informal copy.

Just don’t expect a response. And don’t be put off if you don’t get one. Just keep swimming.

Create something ?

But what if this door banging doesn’t work? Well, I hate to break it to you, but it might not. You might be sat twiddling your precious thumbs, with no paid work to speak of. What should you do?

Write something. Create something. Anything.

Get yourself a cheapo domain, start a WordPress blog, and put some stuff out there on social media. Ask your local magazine if they want some of your content, send them the stuff you wrote and see if they want to repurpose it. Make friends with other bloggers on social media, see what they’re up to. Subscribe to fun and weird newsletters. Start your own on Mailchimp. 

Really, it doesn’t matter what you do. Even if it’s an Instagram account, based on fluorescent knitwear, it’s worth a go. 

The skills you’re learning are important:

• Publishing content into the ‘unknown’ that you are wholly responsible for
• Sharing your skills
• Building an audience from the ground up
• Basic SEO (learning what a meta description is, why image alt-text matters)

Over time, I managed to write 3 books. But I started off writing a hilariously awful blog about my love life (now deleted). That gave me the WordPress skills to understand a CMS. It also helped me understand how to overcome the nerves of hitting publish.

Creating something for yourself is the best kind of writing. And it kills imposter syndrome.

If you’re starting out, and you feel a bit lost, give me a shout.

I’ve started mentoring and coaching younger writers. And guess what? I’m bloody loving it, and it’s going OK. If you fancy a chat, you can get in touch with me here: