Copywriting is one of the most in-demand services for businesses today. As a result, there is a growing demand for freelance copywriters. If you have a passion for writing and want to start your own business, then starting a copywriting business may be a good option for you.
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when starting your own copywriting business.
Table of Contents
- 1. Have a Strong Understanding of Copywriting
- 2. Find Your Niche
- 3. Build a Portfolio
- 4. Create a Website
- 5. Make Your Offer Differ from Your Competitors
- 6. Establish Workflow and Create Contracts
- 7. Get Paid What You’re Worth
- 8. Marketing Your Business
- 9. Successful Samples Can Convince Customers
- 10. Develop Your Brand
- 11. Pitch Your Business to Potential Clients
- 12. Ask for Referrals
- 13. Sharpen Your Skills
- Final Thought
1. Have a Strong Understanding of Copywriting
You need to make sure you have a strong understanding of what copywriting is before you start your own business. Copywriting is the art of writing, and it’s not as easy as it sounds. It takes a lot of practice and skill to be able to write good content.
If you don’t have a strong understanding of copywriting, then you won’t be able to produce quality work for your clients. Take the time to learn about copywriting and practice your skills before starting your business.
2. Find Your Niche
There are many different types of copywriting, such as SEO copywriting, web copywriting, and email copywriting. You need to find your niche and focus on that type of copywriting. This will help you stand out from the competition and attract clients who are looking for someone with your specific skill set.
3. Build a Portfolio
You always need to build up a strong portfolio before or after you start your business. This will show potential clients what you’re capable of and help them decide if you’re the right copywriter for their needs.
Make sure to showcase the best work in your portfolio and include a variety of different copywriting samples. This will give potential clients a good idea of the type of work you can do.
4. Create a Website
Having a professional website is essential for any business, and this is especially true for copywriting businesses. Your website should include your portfolio, rates, and contact information. Creating a website is relatively easy and can be done with WordPress.
5. Make Your Offer Differ from Your Competitors
When you’re just starting out, it’s important to make your offer differ from your competitors. This will help you stand out and attract clients who are looking for something unique.
For example, SEO is a crucial skill for almost any copywriter. This is because SEO copywriting is one of the most in-demand types of copywriting. If you know how to optimize your content for the search engines, then you will be able to attract clients who are looking for someone with that skill set.
You can also offer additional services that your competitors don’t offer. For example, you could offer to write a free sample of copy for potential clients.
6. Establish Workflow and Create Contracts
Before you start working with clients, you need to establish a workflow and create contracts. This will help keep both you and your clients organized and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Your contract should include your rates, the scope of work, deadlines, and any other important information. You can use a template or create your own contract.
7. Get Paid What You’re Worth
As a freelance copywriter, you need to make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Don’t undercharge for your services just to get clients. This will only lead to burnout and will hurt your business in the long run.
You need to make sure you’re charging enough to cover your costs and make a profit, but not so much that clients are discouraged from hiring you.
Do some research to find out what copywriters in your area are charging and price your services accordingly. Use this information to come up with a rate that is competitive but still allows you to make a profit. It’s also a good idea to raise your rates as you gain more experience.
8. Marketing Your Business
Just because you have a website and portfolio doesn’t mean clients will automatically find you. You need to actively promote your business and market yourself to potential clients.
There are many ways to promote your copywriting business, such as online advertising (SEO + Google Ads), social media marketing, and content marketing. Experiment with different marketing techniques and find what works best for you.
It is recommended to write deep articles related to copywriting on your own website to win potential customers’ trust. For example, you can write some copywriting articles related to your niche, like:
- What is SEO copywriting
- Why copywriting is important
- What is email copywriting
Your articles should be deep research, have long words, and have no grammar/spelling mistakes. You can also write articles regarding problems that an employer may face when hiring a freelancer for copywriting. Such topics are useful to your potential employer and thus will bring you leads.
You can also post guest posts on other blogs in your niche. This will help you get your name out there and attract new clients.
You can also use social media to market your business. Create a profile on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter and share your content with potential clients. You can also attend networking events and meetups to meet new people and market your business.
If you have the budget, you can do some Google Ads to rank keywords like “Freelancer Copywriting + Your Location”, “Copywriting + Your Location”, or “SEO Copywriting Freelancer”.
9. Successful Samples Can Convince Customers
Your potential clients are always going to be interested in your previous work and what you can do for them. This is why it’s essential to have a strong portfolio that showcases your best work.
When you create your portfolio, make sure to include a variety of different copywriting samples. This will give potential clients a good idea of the type of work you can do.
Your past work can determine your feasibility to some clients, so it’s necessary to have some good samples. You can show your customers which of your previous works rank keywords on the first page of Google or attract high conversion rates.
If you don’t have any previous work to showcase, then you can create some sample pieces. You can also offer to write a free sample for potential clients. This will give them a taste of your work and might convince them to hire you.
10. Develop Your Brand
Your brand is what sets you apart from other copywriters in your field. It’s important to develop a strong brand that clients will remember and associate with quality work.
Your brand should be reflected in everything you do, from your website to your social media presence. Take the time to create a strong branding strategy before launching your business.
11. Pitch Your Business to Potential Clients
Once you’ve built up a strong portfolio and developed your brand, you can start pitching your business to potential clients. This can be done through online job boards, cold-emailing, or networking.
When pitching your business, make sure to emphasize your experience and skills. You should also include links to your website and portfolio so potential clients can see your work.
12. Ask for Referrals
One of the best ways to get new clients is through referrals. Once you’ve satisfied a client with your work, ask them to refer you to their friends or business contacts.
You can also offer incentives for referrals, such as discounts or free services. This will help encourage clients to spread the word about your business.
13. Sharpen Your Skills
Copywriters should always be improving their skills and learning new copywriting techniques. This will not only help you attract new clients but also keep existing clients happy.
There are many ways to sharpen your skills, such as attending workshops, taking online courses, or reading industry-related books. Make sure to invest in your development as a copywriter so you can continue to grow your business.
Final Thought
Copywriting is a good way to make money as a freelancer. Running a copywriting business takes time, effort, and dedication. With hard work and the right method, you can build a thriving business in this competitive field that meets the needs of clients and helps you achieve your financial goals.