Are you an experienced copywriter looking for some extra cash? If so, then you might consider looking for freelance copywriting jobs. As the name implies, freelancing is when you contract with a company or individual to produce written content (such as copy or press releases) for you. While the work isn’t usually a full-time job, it can be pretty lucrative, providing you land the right clients.
In this article, we will discuss how to find freelance copywriting jobs and negotiate the best possible terms with your prospective employers.
Understand The Value You Bring
The first step to finding freelance copywriting jobs is understanding the value you bring to the table. More specifically, it’s important to figure out how you can use your copywriting skills to bring financial value to the table of your potential employers.
One key to being valuable to employers is having a demonstrable record of successful placements. This can be a difficult task, but it can be greatly assisted by establishing strong connections with key decision-makers. If you can develop these strong connections, then it’s a lot easier to get your copywriting skills into the mind of an employer. Stronger still, if you can get these decision-makers to value your copywriting skills highly, it’s practically assured that you’ll get the work.
Know What You’re Worth
The second step to finding freelance copywriting jobs is to determine how much you’re worth. This is a tricky one, as there is no set rate per hour for copywriting. However, there are many established benchmarks for media placements and brand recall that you can use to come up with a value range. It is also important to look at what you have to offer in terms of experience.
To determine your brand recall, you can look at factors such as the strength of your brand, how well you market to the target audience, and how frequently your product or service is mentioned in the mainstream media. There are also a variety of tools available online to track mentions of your brand and evaluate the strength of your brand’s image. For example, Brand Strength analyzes over 100 million annual Google searches to assess the popularity of over 100 brands. Not only can you tap into this valuable data, but you can also use the tool for free.
Establish Strong Connections
The third step to finding freelance copywriting jobs is to establish strong connections with key decision-makers. This is important for two reasons; first, to get your work into the hands of people who can hire you, and second, to get your work published in high-quality media platforms.
To begin establishing these strong connections, you can try reaching out to the media relations department at a company you’re interested in working for. Alternatively, you can send a quick email introducing yourself and your background to the CEO or top management team at your target firms. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a response within one month, as people start to lose interest in those they’re contacting regularly.
Networking Is Key
Once you have a few leads, it’s time to begin networking. This is when you reach out to other individuals (usually in your target industries) and ask them for introductions to other people you can connect with. This is also a good time to start creating your LinkedIn profile, which can effectively become your business card. Make sure you keep this updated as much as possible.
Networking will not only get you in the door, but it will also help you get the work you want. Once you have a few introductions, it’s time to begin pitching your talents to potential employers. Pitch a few of these at a time, and make sure you follow up with a call and/or email to make sure they’re aware of your efforts. A good rule of thumb is to target three to four interviews per week, as this tends to be the sweet spot for employers and candidates to meet. You can also follow up with a newsletter to keep in touch and continue establishing your value as a copywriter.
If you follow these simple steps, you will be able to find a steady stream of freelance copywriting jobs that you can take on to establish yourself as an expert in your chosen niches.