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Making a Living Online as a Copywriter
by Kristine M Smith
At the end of 2008, after a year of experience as a full-time
copywriter at a brick-and-mortar firm, I decided to hang my
shingle online. It was a risky proposition but by then I had
been a freelance writer for 35 years and had self-published
four well-regarded books. I was no slouch as a wordsmith.
But putting myself out there was daunting: I’d compete with
tens of thousands of other folks, many with impressive
portfolios and stellar feedback. Wresting enough work to keep
my head above water would not be easy.
I hemmed, hawed and hesitated, then dipped my toe in. I only
bid on projects I could ace. I made $2K in two months as a
newbie. The reviews from my clients were all terrific.
Gaining confidence, I bid on more projects in 2009. As client
feedback and portfolio grew, I received invitations from
buyers. I refused a lot of them out of fear until one client
insisted I was the only copywriter he would consider. I told
him I had never written a long-form sales letter, and hated
reading them! My forte was short sales letters. Nothing
dissuaded him, so I agreed to spend 20 minutes writing the
beginning of one “on spec.” If he liked it, he would pay me.
If it wasn’t up to snuff, he wouldn’t pay me or leave feedback.
He loved it, so I fulfilled the commitment while gaining a
new skill.
Today I bid on projects that stretch me; otherwise I would
stop growing as a copywriter. But whenever I do, I let the
buyer know I’m being stretched, that it may take a little
longer, and that there may be a hiccup or two along the way.
So far, I’ve made every deadline (by more than a few days) so
I continue to receive great reviews even on the “stretchers.”
My suggestions—based on what I’ve learned:
• Starting out, only bid on projects you know you’ll ace.
Your client feedback will tell the tale.
• Add your best production to your online portfolio. Get
your clients’ permission for work you’ve written for them.
• Nail down the parameters of every project before you bid.
It’s amazing how many clients want to keep you forever once you
start! Thank them for their enthusiasm, then let them know that
additional work will be done under a REPEAT PROJECT, or that
they’ll have to agree to append an additional milestone with
your additional charges for new obligation(s) under your
existing agreement.
• Don’t begin work for any client until escrow has been
funded. Most buyers at Elance are reputable, but if you don’t
adhere to this, you’ll get burned eventually.
• Check out the buyers’ history. View the ratings they’ve
given other providers. If they seem overly nit-picky or punitive,
steer clear. Don’t risk your reputation on chronically-crabby
clients.
Email me ( kristinemsmith@msn.com )
and I’ll be happy to send you
an Elance article I wrote and a content questionnaire I compiled
so you can quickly get up-to-speed on what a good project
description (from the buyer) should include and what kind of
information you’ll need from clients to make them 110% happy.
BIO
Kristine M Smith has been stringing words together since
grade school far surpassing the 10,000 hours prescribed in
The Tipping Point for gaining proficiency. She has written
five books. Today Kris makes a living as a copywriter and
editor. You can contact her at
http://www.kristinemsmith.biz/
and see her profile, portfolio, client feedback and certified
test results
http://www.elance.com/s/kristinemsmith/.
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