How to Become a Freelance Copywriter - The Untarnished Truth

"How do I become a copywriter?"

I've been copywriting for more than 20 years - loving every minute - and that's the question I get asked the most.

Reality check

First, ignore all the ads offering instant success with megabucks returns. Damien Hirst is a 'Young British Artist' (YBA) who commands huge fees - a single exhibition in 2008 topped $198 million. Weekend painters shouldn't get too excited, though.

And would-be copywriters would also benefit from a reality check. Like many freelance copywriters, I earn a very, very good living, working from home, doing something I love. But not $millions!

Traditional routes into

copywriting

There is no simple career path. In fact, it's a jungle.

There are four well beaten paths:

* Journalism - lots of ex-journalists move into freelance copywriting. They have the skills, understand the pressure to meet word-counts and have learned to deliver to tight deadlines. They tend to start off providing Press Releases and ghosted articles.

* Ex Ad agency - advertising agencies do take on trainee copywriters. First job (just like the journalists) is making the coffee. They may have been taken on as trainees in some other discipline, but with opportunistic career juggling, end up writing ads, jingles and sales brochure copy. Breaking out as as a freelancer, they tend to start writing sales letters, direct mail and adverts.

* Ex marketing managers - lots of people percolate up into marketing positions in large organisations, often having started in sales. They usually start freelancing by writing sales brochures, web copy and, possibly, corporate video scripts.

* Ex 'nothing-to-do-with-any-of-the-above-but-with-the-balls-to-have-a-go'. Been around a bit, good with words and resiliant. Most hopefuls reading this article probably come under this heading. So that's the area I am going to address.

Chicken and the egg
However talented, the 'nothing-to-do-with-' brigade have a real challenge. It's the old chicken and egg conundrum. Before commissioning a copywriter, prospective clients want to see a portfolio. They want testimonials. They want proof of your ability to deliver.

See the dilemma? You can't build up a portfolio without clients and you can't win clients without a portfolio. Shucks.

My suggestion is to invest in a portfolio. Offer your services free of charge to local organisations, charities, new local start-ups. The only cost to them is an agreement to provide your glowing testimonial.

The benefit is three-fold. First, you develop your showcase, second you learn if you really are persistent enough and, thirdly, you will find out if you do have useful wordsmith skills for the real world.

OK, that wasn't very gung-ho, 'everyone can be a hero', 'success in just weeks'. But it was honest.

If this brief article generates responses, I will publish a whole series of down-to-earth, honest articles for would-be copywriters that, over time and given some talent, will launch you into a profitable home-based career - plus the best ways to promote your services. It's up to you to respond.

Len Smith, UK-based copywriter with international clients. Visit my copywriting website for lots of hints, tips, advice and more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Len_Smith