Freelance Copywriting Career - Uncover the Skills, Salaries and Secrets You Need to Succeed

I don't know many people who got into their copywriting career without already possessing a love of writing. Myself, I wrote fictional short stories and half finished novels for years before I even considered a career as a freelance copywriter. It turned out to be the best decision I've ever made. My business has been rewarding personally, creatively and financially. For those just getting started here's a few tidbits of information, some of it's even useful.

Salary - A freelance copywriter makes anywhere from several thousand dollars a year to six figures and beyond. It all depends on the which market the writer focuses on, the writer's experience, setting one's own rates and business leads strategy. Do some research up front to decide how much of an hourly rate you'll charge.

Skills - Of course, you gots to has some talent in writing (it's a sliding scale) if you are going to pursue a new freelance copywriting career. But you also have to KNOW you're good! You know you're good, right? What? Well, don't wait for me to tell you, read your stuff. Go on, I'll wait.

See? It's good, right? So, don't sell yourself short by underbidding. The more confident you are in your success, the greater your chances of achieving it. You're certainly not doing yourself a favor by charging too little, but you're also contributing to lowering the fees other freelance writers may be able to charge as well. We all get more accomplished if we stick together.

Sales - No, not creating ad copy for your clients. You need to sell yourself before you'll be able to see any clients coming in. First try to identify who your ideal clients are, how old they are, salary ranges, socioeconomic or geographic areas.

Use this information to create a powerful Unique Selling Proposition (USP). Design your USP to both address the potential client's needs and have a compelling reason why they shouldn't go to the other guy across the street. Show them why you're unique.

Know that starting a new freelance copywriting career means you will be in charge of your new business. Like, running the show...alone. Be prepared to work on developing skills such as organization, customer service and the dreaded and ever-elusive self discipline.

The great news is that this can all be done for little or no money at all. Check out sites like Elance or Freelancer who act as a third party and allow you to easily set up your new freelance business and start bidding on jobs.

If you have been considering a copywriting career, stop by and say "hi!" We're happy to share any advice, tips or tools that we have at our disposal. We didn't succeed without the help of others and now it's time to give that back. In the market for a snazzy new web content writer? Stop by for a free quote and a completely innocent complimentary virtual hug (we all need one from time to time.)