Copywriting is the art of writing words to promote products, ideas, services, or businesses. A good copywriter has several different purposes in mind when they write – persuasion, entertainment, brand awareness, brand loyalty, and more. Since more and more people have started turning to the internet as their go-to source for almost all of their consumer needs in the last few years, copywriting is more sought out than ever before. The easiest way to earn money from copywriting is to know how to do it right – and there are a few simple tips to get you started.
1. Offer Different Types Of Copywriting
Most of your clients will need a copywriter for more than just one aspect of their business. That’s why it’s important that you offer diverse copywriting services – you want to be flexible enough to take on as many different types of jobs as possible, but you also want to make sure that your clients are getting the best service for their money. Some types of copywriting are pretty closely connected, so it shouldn’t be too hard to branch out:
- Product description writing – The product description is the place you have to convince a consumer why they need your product in their life. Starting here is a great way to get your foot in the door because anybody working for an e-commerce business will need this service.
- Website copywriting – A website is the first thing a customer will see when they decide to purchase a product. Offering this type of service will make you a very hot commodity fast.
- SEO copywriting – This type of copywriting is focused on writing in a way that makes a site show up as the first result in a Google search.
- Email copywriting – Email marketing is still among the more effective online marketing strategies, which means that this type of copywriting is always in high demand.
- Social media copywriting – There’s no way around it, if you’re offering social media services, you want to make sure that you are able to write Facebook posts, tweets, Google+, and LinkedIn updates for clients.
- Article Writing – Writing articles related to a client’s business that they can distribute throughout the internet is a very popular and often efficient way to market a company.
Once you get the hang of one type of copywriting, it’s a lot easier to expand your repertoire and attract more clients.
2. Keep An Eye On Current Trends
Just like any other industry, the trends in copywriting change over time. Keeping an eye on what is currently popular can help you stay ahead of the game and attract more clients because let’s face it – nobody wants to hire a copywriter who doesn’t know what they’re doing. Aside from the obvious – knowing what the current best SEO practices are, it’s also important that you stay on top of popular marketing strategies and new buzz words and phrases. That way, you’ll always provide your clients with service that is in demand, and that means more money coming your way. It may seem a bit intimidating at first, but once you dip your toes in the copywriting world, you’ll see that it all comes quite easily.
3. Build Your Reputation
One of the best ways to ensure a steady flow of clients is to establish a reputation as a good copywriter. If you’re a freelancer, your clients are going to be depending on word of mouth to generate new business. The better your reputation, the easier it will be for people to find you and recommend you. One way you can build a good name for yourself is through testimonials. If you do a really good job for one client, ask them if they’d be willing to put a testimonial on their website. If you do exceptionally well for one client, ask them to be a reference for future jobs – if they’re satisfied with your work and services, they probably will. The more positive reviews and recommendations you have, the easier it will be for people to find out about you, which means more opportunities.
4. Use Multiple Platforms
If you’re looking for a steady flow of clients, you need to be present on more than one platform. Just like any other business, the key is to get your name out there and make sure that people know about you. To do this, it’s a good idea to have a presence on a number of different platforms at once – both when it comes to social media, and the platforms for your actual chosen type of copywriting. Having your own website is a great option as well – and since you’re good at what you do – you can ensure that the site looks professional and is inviting to potential clients.
5. Research The Business You’re Working For
Before you accept a job from a potential client, make sure that you know as much about the business as possible. It may seem like common sense to research your clients before accepting a contract – but not everyone does it! By doing this basic legwork, you can increase your chances of earning more money and providing better service by understanding exactly what the business does, what their product is, and what they are interested in. Understanding their brand image will also enable you to better understand who their audience is, and that will make your job much easier since you’ll know exactly who you’re targeting.
6. Always Include A Call To Action
In this line of work, it’s essential that you always include a call to action. A call to action basically asks your reader to take the next step – whether that is by clicking on a link or signing up for an email list – it’s important that you give them some incentive to do so. If you don’t want people to simply read your copy and then leave, a good call to action can help you turn readers into clients. When your clients see the influence your work has on their revenue, you’ll find that they’ll come back to you for more – and you’ll have a much easier time earning money.
The best way to ensure a steady income when you’re in copywriting is to be really good at it. If you want people to hire you and keep coming back for more, then you need to ensure that your knowledge of marketing strategies and current trends is up-to-date. You also need to build your reputation by providing great services through your work. The more well-known you are, the easier it will be for people to find you and make recommendations. Lastly, don’t forget to use your skills to promote yourself!
