In Canada, the demand for copywriters is on the rise. According to Statistic Canada, in 2018, there were 37,400 new business owners. That’s compared to 30,600 new business owners in 2017 and 28,500 in 2016. If you’re curious as to why, it’s because having a well-written product is considered vital to the success of any business.
But how easy is it to start a copywriting business? Is there a formula that can be followed to ensure that your business can succeed? Is there a way to start up a copywriting business with little to no experience?
To answer these questions, we need to dive into the nitty-gritty details of how a copywriting business operates. So, let’s start at the beginning.
The Beginnings
You might be wondering how a copywriting business gets started in the first place. Is it simply a matter of setting up a small shop and listing yourself as a copywriter on a company’s website?
Well, sort of. In the beginning, you’ll want to develop a portfolio of your existing work. Make sure that you send off samples of the writing that you’ve done to various clients. While it’s not obligatory to have published work in order to become a copywriter, it certainly doesn’t hurt.
You’re going to want to approach various businesses and see if they’re interested in hiring you. Some of them might be, but others might not. So, you can’t simply take a job at any old company. You have to apply for membership in a professional organization such as the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) or the Graphic Artists Guild (6A’s).
This way, you’ll be able to network and meet with other professional copywriters. It also means that should a client request a specific writer, you’ll be able to direct them to your portfolio. So, it’s worth the investment in membership just to have the opportunity to work with top tier clients.
The Roles
Once you’ve landed a couple of clients, you can start to define the roles that you’ll be playing in the company. As a copywriter, you’re going to be responsible for coming up with ideas and concepts for marketing materials. You might be doing some of the writing but you’ll also be doing some of the art direction and layout. So, you’re not simply going to be writing up descriptions for products. You’ll be coming up with the copy that drives the marketing materials.
Depending on your own personal experience, you might want to consider whether you want to work on your own or want to join a literary agency. If you’ve got a specific area of expertise, such as financial copywriting, you might want to consider setting up your own boutique agency. Or, if you want to focus on marketing materials, you can start a freelance agency and build a team of writers and designers.
The Tools
Now, let’s move onto the good stuff – the gear that you need to run your copywriting business. It’s time to invest in some tools that will make you more efficient and productive. If you’re serious about running a copywriting business, you might want to consider investing in good quality equipment. Otherwise, you could develop a habit of using free or low-cost tools that can be accessed online.
When it comes to computers, you’re going to want to invest in a MacBook Pro or an iMac. Something that runs on solid state drives and has a fast processor. Other than that, you don’t need much else to get started. You can also get a good software package such as Quark Xpress or Aldus Page Maker to manage your documents and projects. Or, if you’re doing a lot of writing on the go, you can get a good notebook computer with a touch input device so that you can take notes on the fly. If you’re writing a lot, you might also want to consider getting a wireless keyboard so that you can type with ease. If you want to be efficient, consider investing in a good mouse too.
Where Do I Find Clients?
A copywriting business must have clients, right? Well, sort of. In the beginning, you’re going to want to focus on building up your portfolio. So, you’re going to want to approach various businesses and see if they’re interested in hiring you. Some of them might be, but others might not. So, you can’t simply take a job at any old company. You have to apply for membership in a professional organization such as the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) or the Graphic Artists Guild (6A’s).
From here, you can network and meet with other professional copywriters. It also means that should a client request a specific writer, you’ll be able to direct them to your portfolio. So, it’s worth the investment in membership just to have the opportunity to work with top tier clients.
What’s Next?
Once you’ve got your business up and running, it’s time to take a deep breath and celebrate. You’ve got a viable business that’s making money – eventually. But, it’s still early days. You’re going to want to look for new ways to grow and expand your business. Take a look at some of the top copywriting agencies in America and how they operate. Then, look at how you can get involved and start your own copywriting business.