You’ve been dreaming of this day for as long as you can remember. The day when you can finally start your own copywriting business. Perhaps you’ve even created a business plan, applied for loans, and started building a team. But what happens now? How do you actually go about starting a successful copywriting business?
You’ve come to the right place. You’re just a few steps away from discovering how to start a profitable copywriting business.
In this article, I will guide you through the most common questions I get asked about starting a copywriting business and provide the answers.
How Do You Write Copy For Clients?
The first thing you need to do is decide how you want to write copy for clients. Some people prefer to write descriptive material while others prefer to write more persuasive copy. You need to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a copywriter and decide what would be the most effective use of your skills.
You can’t be effective at both. If you want to be successful you need to master one form of copywriting and develop your skills in this area. Once you’ve done this you can then branch out to other forms of copywriting as needed.
Do You Need To Have A Masters Degree To Become A Copywriter?
Masters degrees aren’t necessary to become a copywriter. All you need is a college degree and the ability to string words together. If you’ve got the former, you’ve got the latter. While it’s helpful to have an extra qualification, it won’t necessarily guarantee you’ll be successful. What will help is having the drive to succeed and the determination to learn.
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a copywriter, now is the time to pursue your dreams. The demand for copywriters far outstrips the supply. There are literally thousands of copywriting jobs available across the globe, and thousands of others are looking to enter the field. As a result, competition is fierce, and only the most determined and talented will succeed in this field.
What Kind Of Office Do You Need To Have?
You don’t need to have an expensive office to be a successful copywriter. In fact, working from home is often the preferred option for creative types like you. Home offices come in all shapes and sizes, so you can choose one that’s comfortable and has everything you need to get the job done. If you don’t want to work from home, then an office space in a high-rise building with others of your creative sisters would be the next best option.
You’ll also need reliable internet access and a computer or notebook computer with a large screen to be able to write effectively. You can also get laptops and tablets for less nowadays, which makes them even more accessible.
Where Do You Want To Live?
If you want to be a successful copywriter, you need to live somewhere that allows you to thrive. The cost of living is often more affordable in some locations, which provides you with more opportunity to pay your bills and save up money for investments. This coupled with a highly populated area with lots of potential clients might just make it the perfect location for your new business.
Other places such as New York and Los Angeles have tons of opportunity but become even more expensive. While London has always been a popular choice among creative types, the cost of living there isn’t exactly reasonable. If you want to be a successful copywriter, you need to consider where you want to live and work.
How Many Hours Do You Work?
If you’re looking to build a successful copywriting business, you need to understand how many hours you’ll need to work to make that happen. People who work full time usually put in around 40 – 50 hours per week. But that’s not necessarily the case. Some people prefer to work more while others prefer to work less. It takes some trial and error to figure out what works best for you and your lifestyle.
How Do You Handle Contracts?
Having a solid business plan doesn’t mean much if you don’t know how to actually make it a reality. One of the most important things you need to do if you want to be a successful copywriter is to find a way to deal with contracts. Your time is worth something, and so is your reputation. Make sure you protect both of these by taking care of the legalities surrounding your agreement with clients. You can use a contract management program to keep all of your agreements and correspondence in one place and easily accessible. And since you’ll be submitting proposals and bids to various clients, it’s important that you have a way of handling revisions and changes as smoothly as possible. A contract management program can help you keep track of all the details so you don’t end up needing a series of emails to track a simple change.
What Kind Of Car Do You Need To Purchase?
As a copywriter, you’ll be spending a decent amount of time traveling to and from your clients’ locations. You might want to consider investing in a nice car, since you’ll be driving to work more often than not. But choosing the right car is more important than just wanting to make your daily commute more comfortable. What you need to have is a car that is easy to maintain and allows you to get around comfortably. You also want to look into the gas mileage of the cars you’re considering as well as their depreciation rate. Finally, make sure to check out the safety features of the vehicle before making a purchase decision.
If you’ve decided to pursue a career in copywriting, you’ve come to the right place. You’re just a few steps away from discovering how to start a profitable copywriting business. Don’t hesitate to get started, because the demand for copywriters far outstrips the supply. Good luck out there!