Landing Copywriting Clients: 5 Proven Strategies for Beginners
I’ve found numerous discussions on how to get started as a newbie copywriter. One of the questions that many writers ask is “what are the tactics for landing copywriting clients?” Training as a copywriter is one thing, but the mystery lies in breaking in to monetize your copywriting skills.
Getting copywriting clients doesn’t require you to send emails to established companies asking them if they have got work. As a new copywriter, you can easily break in by writing for small local businesses in your town.
Why does it sound easy? Small firms that require marketing help are everywhere. Most of these businesses have gone online, and they need content for their websites and social media.
Here are 5 proven strategies to help attract high-paying clients.
1.?????Brand Yourself
The first and most important step in making your copywriting skill sell is to get yourself noticed by your ideal clients. Identify them and work in front of them. That’s the best way to create your brand.
With repeated exposure of yourself and stellar content, you will eventually stick in the mind of the clients. The fact that you have proven that you're an expert in what you do will make them think about you when a copywriting job emerges. Besides, they will refer you to their friends or anyone else who needs to hire a freelancer.
So, where are you likely to find your ideal clients? Try the following tactics.
·????????Look at the social media profiles of the content managers and editors at the firms you want to work with and see where they get the content they share.
·????????Research the successful copywriters within your niche and see where they get their content.
·????????Ask the experts. Successful copywriters could be within your reach. Contact them and find out where they get their bylines.
When I was a newbie copywriter, I discovered that the people I wanted to work with were on guest post sites.
As a new writer, it's important to have a personal blog where you publish your work. However, creating a blog comes with a domain and hosting costs, thus proving costly for some copywriters.
To bypass these costs, you can craft your articles and blogs and publish them on free guest posting sites like medium.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a medium profile and publish your articles.
i.???Visit the site's address at https://medium.com/.
ii.??On the top-right side, click on “get started.”
iii.??Choose your preferred method of signing up. You can sign up via google, Facebook, or email. In this guide, we shall choose "sign up with email."
iv.??Enter your email address to create an account and click “continue.”
v.???Click the link sent to your email to complete your account sign-up.
vi.??Once you confirm your email, fill in your name, and click on “create account.”
vii.?Select the niches you’re interested in, for example, technology, writing, self-improvement, and politics. Medium allows you to choose three or more areas of interest. Click on “continue.”
viii.?At this point, your account creation process is complete. To write a new article, click the “write” icon at the top right near the notification icon.
ix.?Write your heading, then craft your story, and click on “publish.” At this point, you have an article that you can use as a sample when sending pitches to your ideal clients.
Like a personal blog, a guest post account helps both new and maestro copywriters increase their brand visibility and establish credibility. Published articles and blogs are more credible than those presented in word or google documents.
Generally, creating your brand as a copywriter aligns your business to accomplish your goals by reaching out to your ideal clients and telling them how you're the right person to solve their problems. With that, you have to communicate a strong call to action that makes them decide to hire you as their freelancer.
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2.?????Join Social Media Networks
Establish social media and online networks and let them know you're a copywriter. Online platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn have a lot of prospective companies looking for freelancers to work on their website pages. Strike up conversations in social media groups and provide the links to your portfolio then make your pitch.
New writers looking for clients on social media should be systematic and cast their nets wide. For instance, Facebook is a great place where you can cast your net-though not all of it.
But why is Facebook a great platform for copywriters?
Well, the platform has billions of people looking for information, networking with others, seeking advice, and finding recommendations. Besides, you'll find a great deal of these people are marketing managers and business owners.
Your potential clients are on social media, and here are 3 tips on how to reach them:
·?Join the right groups- If you’re looking for clients on Facebook, join groups where those potential clients are. That’s the only way you can insert yourself into conversations revolving around your work.
The right groups might include groups for social networking, groups for real estate, groups associated with websites, or groups for business gurus…and the list goes on. Research more and find out which group fits you.
If you’re a new Kenyan copywriter, a Facebook group like Online Article Writers Kenya can serve as your stepping stone before reaching out to business owners.
· Create helpful posts and comments- Some groups won’t allow you to post promotional messages and links. Once you join the groups, check the rules. Promotions aren’t the best way to make yourself noticed.
Instead, you can check out for people creating posts related to their marketing, emails, and copy on their sites. That way, you will discover a lot of people looking for help. For instance, you're likely to encounter a post like, "I am looking for a skilled copywriter to create a landing page for my website."
Here, I won't suggest a full rundown of what you should tell them about how to create a landing page but offer a few tips to show them that you're a pro in what they're looking for. The poster will most likely be curious and take a look at your profile (or page) or click your portfolio link.
It won’t stop there. Probably, the poster might not be the only one looking for a copywriter to work on the website. Someone else may have a site whose landing page is not converting. These people will see your helpful and insightful advice and reach out to you.
Here is an example of a helpful comment:
Hi (NAME), I am a professional copywriter, and I took a look at your landing page. I'd recommend (state the changes here). If you'd like us to talk more about this, feel free to send me a message."
If you’re lucky, your comment will start a conversation. Additionally, it’ll get several people checking out your profile and clicking your portfolio link.
·?Follow them and be a regular commenter- Once you've identified potential clients in social media groups, follow them and be a regular commenter on their posts. I got my first client through my comment on Social Saturday Squad post on LinkedIn.
However, be moderate in your comments. Commenting on every post will make you look obsessed. Post appreciative and thoughtful comments once in a while to create a network relationship.
Once the potential clients identify you as a regular commenter, they’re likely to look into your profile and keep you in mind in case they need a copywriter. Additionally, they’ll refer you to their business friends looking for content writing services.
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3.?????Sign Up for Copywriting Sites
Conduct a quick google search for "best copywriting websites 2023" and see the overwhelming horde of results. Visit each site, read their lengthy copy, check client reviews, and narrow your sign-up options.
Some websites don't accept non-natives and are highly IP sensitive. Such websites include Textbroker, Iwriter, Zerys, and Copify, among others. If you’re a non-native, you will need an RDP and powerful VPNs to create writer accounts with these websites. The benefit of working on these sites is that you take the available jobs without having to bid. Thus, landing copywriting jobs is easy.
However, hundreds of websites will allow you to work with them regardless of your location. Sites like Upwork and Fiverr are ideal for copywriters; both novices and gurus.
To create an account on Upwork, just visit the website and fill out your profile details. To get clients, your profile should be 100% complete. Pitch on the available job posts by submitting catchy proposals. Include links to your portfolio.
Here is a sample proposal that has helped me win hundreds of jobs on Upwork:
Hi (NAME)!?
How are you? I have viewed your job post, and I wish to express my interest in working with you. I am experienced in article and blog writing, and I assure you of high-quality and error-free content.?
How will I make this project successful?
? I will conduct keyword research and develop a list of keywords that will boost your page rank on Google.?
? I will make your content look incredible.?
? I will optimize your content for search intent.?
? I will add a hook to your content.?
? I will create unique content that will push your website far ahead of your competitors.
I currently write articles and publish them on medium and other high-authority sites. Since my long-time experience has equipped me with competitive skills in content writing, I will handle your project efficiently and qualitatively to ensure that it does not only help you realize your website goals but also wow your readers. I am available 24/7, and I assure you of a fast turnaround.?
Here are links to my published work.?
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I look forward to working with you.?
Kind regards,?
Joel Wanjiku
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Fiverr is a bit different from other sites like Upwork because it has no visible job posts. As a copywriter, you create a seller account and create between 1-7 gigs describing the copywriting services you’re offering.
Write the gig description well and choose your keywords carefully to make your gigs rank on Fiverr. That way, a buyer who comes looking for the writing service you’re selling will be quick to notice your gig.
Here is a perfect gig for SEO-optimized pet blogs on Fiverr.
4.?????Start A Blog
Whether you're a newbie copywriter or someone who has been in the copywriting world for years, starting a blog can expose you to a lot of opportunities.
Anyone can start a blog, and it’s simple regardless of your skills. Contrary to the past when skilled web designers were the only ones who could create blogs, people with little to no skill in web development can start a blog and create their online presence.
Content management systems (CMS) like WordPress have tools and themes that make it easier to build and maintain a blog.
Blogging allows you to show off your skills. Even the most talented copywriters are finding themselves getting lost in the blogging shuffle.
By starting a blog, you’re creating a medium to promote yourself and portray yourself as the best. Since you’re the controller of your blog, you can control everything that goes in it. Thus, you can use it to showcase your skills without displaying your weaknesses.
Once you start a blog, craft beautiful blog posts that will intrigue the readers. Some of these readers are potential clients, and through your blog posts, you can get a client or two.
Precisely, a blog is a great way to help you establish your copywriting brand and portray you as an expert in your field. Your blog posts will provide visitors with quality advice and information. For that reason, they’ll gain your trust and show others how much you know about your niche.
5.?????Job Boards
Both newbies and copywriting gurus can land copywriting gigs on job boards. If you're a beginner in copywriting and looking to make a living with your freelance writing, conduct a quick search on the "best freelance writing job boards to find great writing gigs in 2023." The results will amaze you.
Job boards can save you from frustrations by skirting past content mills. Even without much effort, you can find a lot of opportunities on job boards like Smart Blogger, ProBlogger, BloggingPro, and Craigslist, among others.
Being a beginner does not mean that you should write content for employers who don’t value you. On a platform like Craigslist, most employers compensate you for your work. It is unusual to find an employer asking you to offer free a writing service for you to get exposure. Even as a beginner copywriter, employers compensate you fairly for your time and effort.
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Plenty of Copywriting Jobs Are Out There
There are plenty of copywriting opportunities out there. It’s just a matter of branding yourself and reaching out to potential clients.
Keep writing and pitching, and you’ll improve with every practice you make.
Once you get the first one or two clients, the next thing would be to get testimonials, referrals, and more job opportunities.
The question is, how many of these strategies for landing copywriting clients will you try this week?
Best of luck!