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Advice From Successful
Copywriting Freelancers: Starting & Maintaining A Freelancing
Copywriter Career
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1. Why did you start freelancing as a copywriter? Yuwanda Black, Writer, Editor, Small Business Columnist
My sister and I worked at the same company. We were freelancing on the side. Once we realized that we were making more as freelancers than as full-time employees, she quit and started Inkwell Editorial. Once the business was able to support two salaries, I joined her, which was one year later (1997).
2. How long have you been a full-time copywriting freelancer? Eileen Coale: Marketing & Corporate Communications Writer
I don't work full time. On average, I work about 15 hours a week, sometimes a bit more. I work mornings until my youngest gets home from kindergarten, and sometimes I'll put in evenings and Saturdays as well. Sixty to 70% of my work hours are spent networking and marketing to get assignments. The remainder is spent writing. In another year or two, I expect that ratio to flip.
3. How many years of experience do you have as a copywriter? Marcy L. Brown: Cataloging, Indexing & Information Management
I have five part-time years of indexing, but 10 years of library employment including cataloging, some indexing, and information management.
4. Do you specialize in a certain area, e.g., legal, medical, production? If so, what? Cathy Moore: Writer, Instructional & Marketing Copy
Instructional writing and marketing copy. I write appealing text for any readability level, including kids.
5. What specific marketing tips have you personally tried that worked? Jennifer Lawler: Writer, Editor
I tried a direct mail letter to editors that included the type of editing I could do, a few companies I had worked for, and my business card printed in such a way that it could be popped right onto someone's rolodex. This letter generated so much business for me that I never had to do another direct mail package.
6. How do you get most of your clients? Katharine O'Moore-Klopf: Editor, Copy Editor, Factchecker
When I first started freelancing, I got them mostly by word of mouth, and some were former employers. Now, I get them mostly by word of mouth and via my Web site.
7. Under what circumstances would you turn down work? Jennifer Dirks: Journalist, Editor, Writer, Speaker
I've turned down work if the pay (or potential payoff) won't compensate me for the work I'd put into it. I also once turned down work from a magazine publisher who in the past has asked for several rewrites without explanation and I was unsure if anything new I did for her would ever please her.
8. Approximately how many hours a week would you estimate you work? Nan Yielding: Copywriter
Anywhere from 50-60. I pretty much work a 9-hour day ... weekends included. However, I do allow myself some time off every so often to just 'play,' so it averages out.
9. If offered a well-paying, full-time position, would you accept? Please explain why you would accept/refuse. Richard Adin: Desktop Publishing & Copyediting Services
This cannot be answered yes or no; there are too many factors that I would have to consider. "Well-paying" is important but also important, perhaps more so, are matters of responsibility and challenge.
10. What is the number one piece of advice you would offer to freelance newbies? Rachel Goldstein: Web Developer, Graphic Designer, Muralist
In order to assure your chances for the greatest success, you should do some self-evaluation before you leap into copywriting as a freelancer. Not only does it take a special temperament to run a successful business, but it also takes talent and expertise in your field. This includes some or all of the following personality features: self-confidence, common sense, innovation, and ambition.
Summarizng the experts:
►Have experience in your area: All of the contributors worked full-time in their area at some point to gain experience.
►Marketing: Simply put, you will not succeed unless and until you learn how to market your skills (effectively and consistently).
►Perseverance: Simply hanging in there is the final piece of advice our contributors offered.
Excerpted from Advice for Successful Editorial Freelancers: How They Built Their Careers & How You Can Too! on 11/01. It is a companion to How to Really Make a Living as an Editorial Freelancer.
Yuwanda Black is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and syndicated small business columnist whose focus is controlling your destiny through small business ownership. Her most recent e-books, How to Really Make a Living as an Editorial Freelancer and Advice from Successful Freelancers: How They Built Their Careers & How You Can Too. Visit her on the web at http://www.EntrepreDoer.biz for a complete list of how-to, small business books and articles.