(Guest Post) 4 Reasons Why Copywriting is the Best Way to Enter Into the Freelance Writing Industry

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Published By William Ballard
Written By Jess Lander

For those of you who don't know, I've recently invested in Jeff Goins Tribe Writers course and have already been connecting with several freelance writers, bloggers, and authors. Inside one of the forums in the course I put a proposal out about starting a series of guest post here at WilliamBallard.org, of which, a handful of talented writers, bloggers, and authors have shown interest in sharing their valuable ideas with you (my audience).

With that said, I am glad to kick this series off with a very talented freelance writer that is already making a huge name for herself in the freelance writing industry. Jess earned a degree in journalism from Emerson College and was hired on as a social media specialist for a company that she ended up producing a following of over 400,000 fans/followers before venturing out and entering into the freelance writing space. 

I am going to go ahead and step aside and let Jess take it from here as she tells you the four main reasons why copywriting is the best way to enter into the freelance writing industry. 

All freelancers are risk takers. Freelancing means leaving behind steady, guaranteed income and health benefits for the chance to be your own boss, make your own hours, and love what you do while still making money.

Yet, while many freelancers struggle to find consistent work, copywriters have a bottomless well of opportunities to drink from. Here are four reasons that copywriters have it best in the freelance world.

1) Any Writer Can Be a Copywriter

If you’re a writer, you can be a copywriter.

It doesn’t matter if you typically write poems or children’s books. As long as you can write well—clear, concise and error-free—you won’t have any trouble adapting your writing expertise to any client’s ask. Fiction writers especially have the innovation and creativity that many brands search high and low for in order to stand out from the competition.

Take it from me, a journalist-turned-copywriter. I’m happy to report that copywriting not only pays exponentially better than the newspaper industry, but also gives me the ability to work from home as a freelancer.

2) Everyone Needs Copywriters

Seriously, everyone. Every functioning business needs copy for their website, advertisements (ads, banners, flyers, etc.), social media channels, marketing emails and newsletters, packaging, video scripts—the list goes on and on.

Few freelancers are as essential to a business’ day-to-day as copywriters. For instance, even though virtually every business needs a website, a website developer’s job is typically a one-time project with each company. Photographers are hired for product launches or campaigns, but likely not even on a monthly basis. Copywriters on the other hand, are needed for a wide array of projects, which means consistent work and income.

3) Finding Clients is Easy
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Because every business has a need for copywriters, you shouldn’t have to go far to find work. I have more than a dozen active clients and I didn’t write a single cover letter or waste time browsing any job sites to land them.

Put away your computer and head to the local businesses where you live. Start with the places you frequent most where you’ve formed a connection with the owners or staff. This might be the coffee shop you love to work in, your gym, or your favorite happy hour spot.

Inquire about their content marketing needs. Most small businesses won’t have the budget for full-time marketing staff and would be much more willing to hire a freelancer, especially if that freelancer is also a friendly face that supports them often.

It’s also worth reaching out to friends, family and former colleagues for leads on opportunities. These people already know you, trust you, and would most likely happily recommend you.

4) Copywriters Make the Best Self Promoters

Freelancers spend a significant amount of their time looking for work and marketing themselves and their services. But copywriters won’t struggle with this nearly as much as freelancers in other industries simply because it’s what they do for a living.

If your words can successfully market a client’s product that you’re not even personally invested in, surely you can market yourself.

Moreover, most writers will already have an existing portfolio of work to showcase their abilities, even if it’s not in the copywriting space. For example, I once landed a client because I wrote a review about their winery on a personal blog and they liked my writing style.

If you’re a naturally-born writer looking for a way out of your 9-5 that lets you work for yourself and pursue your passion while still paying the bills, freelance copywriting could be your ticket.

It definitely was mine!

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Jess Lander is a freelance writer and digital marketer living in the Napa Valley. She will work for wine. For more tips on freelancing, you can visit her blog No Pants Freelance and follow her on Twitter @jesslander. ​

While you are connecting with Jess don't forget to check out her Freelance Writing Portfolio that really highlights her skills and expertise in journalism, content marketing, and social media. 

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