How To Transition Into Copywriting By Moonlighting - Even If You Already Have A Full-Time Job
Keywords: copywriting, freelance, moonlighting
There’s a lot of overtly self-serving marketing taking place in the “new copywriter’s space” of the Internet, and I don’t want to add to that.
So permit me to give you my very considered perspective on the question “Can I transition into copywriting by moonlighting?”
I’m happy to report that the answer to that question is “yes”…but with caveats.
Many people who want to transition into copywriting hold full time jobs and have the responsibility of families. That doesn’t leave much time for copywriting, and copywriting is time-intensive.
Although I frequently advise my coaching students to look for national and international clients, I’d advise a moonlighting copywriter to look for local clients.
It’s often easier to land a local client simply because you can meet with him. (This eventually becomes a liability, however, because meetings are unnecessary time-wasters, and the client will often tell you to “stop by and pick up the check.”)
Another question you’ll need to ask yourself if you want to moonlight is whether you can communicate with your client during working hours.
If you’re absolutely unable to return a call or respond to an email during regular working hours, it’s going to be really tough to create a relationship that works.
That said, most people have at least a lunch break where communication needs can be handled.
Another reason I suggest local clients for the moonlighter is that to work for non-local companies you need good marketing materials, and today it’s almost essential to have a Web site. By working locally you can get by with letterhead and business cards.
If you’re thinking about just “throwing a site together,” don’t do it! A hastily conceived site will look it, and will damage your “portfolio”… because it’s a reflection of the kind of work you’ll do for the client. Best to do it right the first time.
Many new copywriters fail to think of people they know who have businesses that could use a Web site or sales letter.
Friends and family are more likely to be flexible and understanding about time and career-transition issues. So be sure to consider opportunities that are even “closer to home” than local prospects if you want to moonlight.
I’ve also been asked if there are particular markets that have longer turn-around times so a copywriter would feel confident about never missing a deadline.
My Answer: Business-to-Consumer (B2C) copywriting has more order-generating work than Business-to-Business (B2B), and that usually requires longer copy.
Companies that need long copy to sell their product or service usually understand that it will take weeks or months to compete a large project.
But you still have to put the hours in. And it’s a lot harder to estimate your time on a large job than a small one.
What’s a small job?
There’s lots of jobs you can do in direct response copywriting that you can do in a day or two. For instance, in the Business-to-Business space, you’ll find a preponderance of lead-generating work.
Lead-generation work is much lighter work because all you have to do is get the prospect to raise her hand. In fact, there’s a rule of thumb to tell only enough to get interest…you don’t want to give so much information that the prospect can decide without the aid of a “next step” (usually contact by a salesperson).
You can get paid a tidy sum for a 2-page lead-gen sales letter (say $2,000) and knock it out in a day or two.
The most important thing to remember when you pick up moonlighting jobs is to estimate your time, and then double it.
Award-winning copywriter Chris Marlow publishes a free newsletter for freelancers who want to build a successful business. Visit:
www.FreelancersBusinessBulletin.com Chris Marlow, all rights reserved
Previous Articles Highlighter:
How To Price A Job Correctly Even When You're Totally Stumped (1)
Do you offer creative direction? Project management? Are you expected to attend on-site meetings? When you price, price for everything you bring to the table... not just the copy.
Specialty Copywriting: How To Select The Right Niche Market For You (2)
For him, we focused on a special copywriting talent this niche would value highly: that of being able to get and use extremely powerful testimonials. Another past student didn't want to use her advertising background, so she decided to follow a passion: that of quilting (she's a fifth generation quilter).
How Copywriters Can Bounce Back After A Client Messes Up A Direct Marketing Campaign (3)
On that basis we won lots of clients. But when it came time to execute their campaigns, the marketing directors would often put roadblocks in the way of our success.
What Copywriters Can Do With Good Work That Was Never Used (4)
In an ad agency, the copywriter's work is called a "copy deck" and when printed out, it builds thicker with each revision. When most of the changes are made, it then goes to the art director, and the work becomes a "copy proof." At this stage there are final copy edits, art direction edits, and refinements from others such as the creative director and production.
The Biggest Lie Potential Clients Will Tell A Copywriter (5)
One thing is clear: they do value copywriting and understand its power to add to THEIR bottom line. Why is this situation such a dilemma for the freelance copywriter?
Understanding Auto Depreciation - What The Salesman Won’t Tell You (6)
This occurs due to the fact that the customer pays retail price at the dealership, which is the price the dealer chooses for the car. As soon as you leave after signing on the dotted line, the car is worth the wholesale or actual price of the car, which could range from 5-15% less than the original, retail value of the car.
How Important Is It For Copywriters To Have An Agency Quality Website? (7)
The second mistake I see is mentioning price on the Home page (or anywhere in the site, for that matter). Quality clients do not put price first, and any discussion of price usually comes after the copywriter has a complete picture of the marketing problem that needs to be solved.
Conquering Insecurity: Every Copywriter's Hobgoblin (8)
Several hours later the piece was done. I handed it in and spent the next three days waiting for the inevitable firing. When the copy came back from the client, it had only minor edits!
How To Get 50% Of Your Freelance Fee Up Front -And A Whole Lot More! (9)
In her own words: "I've been in this business for 23 years and only in the last two years do I finally see the need to have a contract with new clients." Now I've seen a lot of contracts in my freelance life, but none more complete or protective of a freelancer's interests than my own.
Where To Find The Best Copywriting Clients (10)
One of my list-building secrets is the online database, Who's Mailing What!. Who's Mailing What! is a huge archive of "classic" direct mail packages, postcards, magalogs, catalogs, and self-mailers.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Fatal Negotiation Mistakes Copywriters Make, And How To Avoid Them (1)
Is the copywriter always right to demand payment when a client's satisfaction is unrewarded? If the copy is indeed poor, then of course the client shouldn't have to pay anything at all.
How To Get B2B Clients: A Primer For Copywriters (2)
Samples are the equivalent of showing a portfolio. For new copywriters, this is a tough one. But there are lots of ways to work this to your advantage.
Your Unique Selling Proposition: Use It. Or Lose Everything (3)
5. What can my product offer that the competition can't? 6. Is my product unique on price, functionality, compatibility, ease-of-use, market share, customer service, development, past performance, etc.?
How The Freelancer Can Build A Super Powerful Prospect List (4)
After helping dozens of coaching students build their niche market list, I have a folder full of rich places to look for high quality names. Compiling your own personal prospect list is never fast or easy, but there is a silver lining.
Why Every Copywriter Needs Great Testimonials... And How To Get Them Quickly (5)
Testimonials are about credibility. If you don't supply the details, what's the point? Award-winning copywriter Chris Marlow publishes a free newsletter for freelancers who want to build a successful business.
What Copywriters Need To Know About The Proper Use Of Copyright (6)
So the lesson learned is that if you can't even recycle a concept, you'll never be able to recycle copy, which is much more granular. Therefore it makes no sense to try and retain copyright; if your work is "for hire," meaning that you're being paid to do the writing, you can't retain copyright anyway.
Failed Agreements: What Copywriters Must Know About Negotiation (7)
DON'T get defensive. Instead, study and analyze a client's response. Get a clear picture of what the client is complaining about, then fix it. If the client can't specifically tell you what's wrong, then it becomes obvious to both parties that it's the client who is failing in the communication process.
The World's Most Powerful Marketing Model For Freelance Copywriters And Their Clients! (8)
For a long time, when you keyed "copywriter" into Yahoo, my site would come in at the top along with Bob Bly's and Ivan Levison's. I'm sure there were others, but these are the sites I remember.
Can You Pass This Quick Google AdWords PPC Quiz? (9)
It removes the beneficial 'pre-qualification' function performed by higher position competitors' ads d. All of the above 9. Which of the following words has research proven to be the most effective at increasing a typical Google ad's CTR?
Choosing The Right Bedroom Furniture Is Crucial! (10)
Contemporary bedroom furniture is the perfect fit for modern homes, as it has been designed for functionality, practicality, and versatility, as well as for comfort. Teenage bedroom furniture forms an important part of the overall decor of the room for the youngster, as this room is where teens spend so much of their time.