Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Insights Into Freelance Copywriting

By Ray Edwards

The opportunities afforded to freelance copywriters are attracting a lot of attention these days. If freelance copywriting interests you, then you should take a look at what it takes to be a freelance copywriter.

1. Know when and how to say "no." Freelance copywriters have to know when to say "no." Sometimes your schedule is overloaded and you can't take on any new projects. Other times your clients have terrible ideas on how to market their product, so you have to correct them, gently of course. Remember that you're the professional and they are not, that is why they are hiring you, so don't be afraid to voice your ideas.

Sometimes a client will persist on a particular idea; if they don't budge then you need to learn how to compromise without surrendering. Managing persistent clients will help ease your work experience. But there are always going to be clients who do not compromise and it is best to know when to get out of these situations. They are not worth the money or the trouble.

2. Be polite, persistent, and positive. Always communicate professionally with your clients. Listen intently to your clients and be persistent with your ideas if you must. Your persistence must be two fold: You must constantly look for work, and persistently stand by your ideas on how to market your clients' products. This will help improve your success dramatically.

3. Become a constant learner. The most successful copywriters understand that you can never stop learning. You must be learning how to improve the quality of your copy constantly. This keeps you competitive and will help you climb the ladder of success. There is plenty of material out there, so go out and start learning how to be the best at what you do.

4. Take time to relax. Getting away from a stressful work environment is one of the main reasons copywriters switch to freelancing. So make sure not to make your new work environment equally as stressful! Set aside time to relax, write it into your schedule and stick to it. Not only will this help you lead a happier life, but consistent relaxation will also help you write better. So in the end, you'll be more productive, happier and writing better copy if you take time to rest.

5. Have fun even if the going gets tough. If you're going to be successful, you have to love your profession, so start learning how to keep a positive attitude now. If you let the stress of your work consume you, you will eventually burn out and miss out on the amazing opportunities in freelance copywriting.

6. Nurture your personal life. A successful person is also a well-rounded person. You need to have a well-nurtured personal life for you and your family's emotional health. Even though you're working to be more successful as a copywriter, your personal life is far more important than your occupation. If you become super successful but neglect your friends and family, then all you have is a really nice empty house.

7. Always practice honest work ethics. You need to be a person of love, honor and integrity. Therefore, don't make any promises you can't keep. Be honest with your clients. Tell them if you're failing to meet a requirement and try to make it up to them. Never give moral ground in order to gain economic prosperity, and always be ethical when conducting business arrangements.

8. Be a good businessperson. Freelance copywriters run their own businesses and therefore have to manage their business well. Make sure to read-up on operating a small business and learn about your rights as a small business owner.

Be up to date on the most recent ethical standards, laws, and tax reforms. Make sure you're also aware of the current pricing structures. Learn new effective ways of negotiating and looking for better ways to keep your business organized.

9. Never take a rejection personally. This is a business and your self worth should never be wrapped up in what you do. Try and maintain a level of professionalism and don't take rejection personally. There are plenty of reasons someone might pick another copywriter over you that have nothing to do with your ability to write good copy.

10. Do not miss deadlines. This is very important. Missing deadlines will crush your chances at success. Therefore you have to learn to manage your time well.

Hopefully you found these pointers illuminating and helpful. If you're interested in learning more about freelance copywriting, there is plenty of information out there that can help you become a successful freelancer. Just search the Internet for tutorials on copywriting, and start digging in. - 15275

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