For newer copywriters, a few bits of advice for getting paying clients.

It is free advice, so, take it or leave it.

My personal favorite handle or moniker for what I did when I was working was...

Creative Marketing Professional or, when calling on small businesses for some quick and easy money was...

Independent Marketing Analyst...and a free 150 offer to do a quick assessment of where their ad dollars were going...what the cost of a new customer, called acquisition and the lifetime value of the customer...

figuring out the LTV can tell you how much to spend to acquire a customer.

Exampe...if you had kids, you are probably familiar with HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN...which goes up to 5 years in the HOLE (red) to acquire a new customer...sound outrageous? Not when you consider the LTV.

Anyhow, my first piece of advice (remember it's FREE) for new copywriters trying to get clients is...

QUIT calling yourself a copywriter. Unless you approach one of those guys on that list that keeps popping up here, the AWAI seminar list, the chances are that most of your potential clients don't know what a copywriter is or what she does. They are clueless.

And you have to educate them, and believe it or don't, most small business owners are UN educable.

If they don't know what a copywriter does, how?

Call yourself something different. What does a creative marketing professional do? Anything and everything needed to get the bottom line to fatten up into the black side of business life.

Which includes writing copy as needed.

Here is one you can try.

Write a PERSONAL LETTER with name of business owner, I liked to use square thank you cards, something different.

I'd THANK them for their time and attention. And I would call myself a REMOTE SALESMAN. Every business guy knows what a salesman is.

Remote salesman?? What is that? You simply tell the business person you are able to use your computer, which is remote from his business and MAKE SALES AND INCREASE HIS PROFITS...AND IF YOU HAVE THE BALLS...MAKE it a no cost, no expense offer.

OR a trial test.

Have a PLAN. HOW will you help this business get new customers?

What is his LTV of his customer? Or is it a one off deal?

Would a postcard mailing in his zip code work? Direct mail? TV? Radio? Coupon Clipper? Rewards card? Referral program??

HOW can YOU, as a remote salesperson, help any business make more money and what exactly will you do? Tell them you will write copy...or you are a copywriter...and they just don't get the value you bring to the table.

NOW, when I was assessing marketing, I KNEW what the prices are for other media...like 495 for half page ad in coupon clipper...995 for shoutouts on radio, or 1495 for a 30 second tv on local access or something like that...

IF YOU CALL yourself a professional, then you should act like one.

Advice 2...start with the coupon clippers, local weeklies where local businesses advertise week after week, month after month...

KNOW how much these ads cost. Write a letter or cold call and tell him what you can do for him...I like letters, if I think I'm a copywriter, then I think I can write a persuasive letter to at least get an interview...eh?

So, quit calling yourself a copywriter, cause unless you are dealing with businesses who currently use them, you're shooting a blank gun at a blank target.

What they want is PROFITS, more money, for less work, for doing nothing, and don't forget you're dealing with HUMANs, and if you are just starting out, try the spec route, or offer to rewrite their coupons...get business and get more and more and more...

Also, all those media you are competing against, are also in need of a remote salespeople.

Call yourself anything you want, but be sure you can deliver the goods and remember this...

"It is better to get shot out of the water than to rot at the dock."

Free Advice, for what's it worth.

gjabiz

PS. As an Independent Marketing Analyst, a 1500 dollar per day NET profit was not uncommon, for a few hours of work.