I think we can all agree that the world of freelance writing is a pretty exciting place to be. While the economic landscape may be changing due to COVID-19, the demand for copywriting services has increased, and the competition is fierce! If you want to make sure your proposals get picked up by the right people and become profitable, then you need to take the time to find the most suitable places (and agencies) to do that. After all, your proposal is your chance to make a good impression and get the business you deserve. With that said, let’s delve into the different kinds of venues you may want to consider submitting your proposal to make sure you reach the right audience.
In-House Publications
No list of places to send your copywriting proposal would be complete without including in-house publications. For many businesses, their in-house counsel may be the person best suited to providing legal advice on a wide variety of matters, including publishing and marketing. In fact, some in-house lawyers may even have specific expertise in areas such as media law and public relations that they can share with you.
In addition to in-house publications, many large businesses have marketing and public relations departments that they can utilize for your proposal. If your target audience includes decision-makers at these businesses, then their public relations pros may be able to provide you with invaluable advice on how to effectively and efficiently pitch a proposal.
Online Marketplaces
Just as publishing and marketing departments come in silos within many large businesses, so do marketing and sales. If your target audience includes marketing and sales professionals, then online marketplaces like Marketo, HubSpot, and Pardot are great places to find them.
Whether you want to write blog posts, create emails marketing material, or design websites, these platforms make it easy for you to connect with over 150,000 prospective customers who are actively seeking your product. Not only that, but you can actually put a proposal into action and see immediate results.
Trade Journals And Databases
Just as traditional magazines target specific industries and audiences, so do trade journals. Many major businesses and industry associations maintain trade journals that they use to disseminate news about their specific sectors. If your target audience includes decision-makers within these sectors, then you may want to consider pitching your proposal in a sector-specific journal.
Similarly, business databases are places you can find relevant information about businesses and professionals in your industry. Whether you’re looking for competitive analyses, market trends, or just want to stay abreast of the latest news, you can often find it in a business database.
Newsletters
Newsletters are one of the most popular and effective ways to disseminate information to a broad audience. You can put together a professional-looking newsletter in no time at all, and with just a few hundred words, you can catch the attention of hundreds of decision-makers who are actively looking for content just like yours.
Many influential news publications, such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Boston Globe, utilize newsletters to distribute important information to their subscribers. Since journalists have to report closely to their sources and keep their jobs, these publications often call upon their paid subscribers to help with investigations and provide them with exclusive scoops.
Radio And TV News Reports
Stations like the major news networks and national radio stations regularly report on breaking news stories, which can often make for the perfect platform for your proposal. Whether you want to write a hard-hitting piece about a pressing social justice issue or want to create an engaging explainer video to educate consumers, these media platforms give you the opportunity to put your talent and expertise to work.
Televised news reports can attract a different audience than more traditional media channels. While senior citizens and housewives may tune in to watch the Today Show, you may want to consider pitching your proposal to a niche audience of digital marketers, social media strategists, and SEO experts to get the most out of this platform.
Mash-Ups
If you’ve ever shopped at Nordstrom, then you know how important it is to them that you feel welcome and valued as a customer. To ensure your experience is as pleasant as possible, they want to ensure that you have the information you need without being overwhelmed by excessive marketing material. So rather than pitching to traditional magazine editors who may try to up-sale you or bury your story in the middle of an infinite scroll, Nordstrom prefers that you connect with them on a more personal level via blogs or other web content.
The important thing to keep in mind is that your proposal should always be tied to a business goal. Do you want to generate more leads? Do you want to increase engagement on your website? Do you want to create a digital marketing strategy? Etc. By tying your proposal to a clear goal, you’ll be able to determine its success much more easily and, if necessary, make course corrections earlier than expected.
Pitching Legal And Compliance Experts
Another place you can pitch your proposal is to a team of legal and compliance professionals who work within the confines of an incredibly complex regulatory framework. Whether you’re in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, insurance, or finance, getting the regulatory approval you need to bring a new product to market can be a costly and time-consuming process. Finding the right mix of expertise to help you navigate this complex landscape may be beyond the scope of one person or business. In these situations, you can pitch your proposal to a team of legal and compliance consultants who can help you assess your options and find the best solution for your specific situation.
As you might imagine, many large businesses operate within a culture of compliance and ethics, so these professionals may be best placed to help you navigate the myriad of legal and regulatory requirements that come with operating a business.
When To Submit Copywriting Proposals
Since not all businesses and industry sectors have the same media preferences, it’s important to find the right time to submit your proposal. As we discussed, in-house publications and databases may be the best place to find your target audience, but if you want to make sure your proposals get the most attention, then you may want to consider pitching during one of the following times:
- New York is the hub of the media industry, so if you want to make sure your proposal gets some traction, then now may be the best time to do that
- Product launches and new business opportunities often rely on new product proposals
- While the media landscape is changing due to COVID-19, demand for freelance copywriting services has increased, and the competition is fierce!
- If your target audience is marketing and public relations professionals, then online marketplaces like Marketo, HubSpot, and Pardot are great places to find them.
- Since many businesses operate within a culture of compliance and ethics, legal and regulatory affairs professionals may be the best placed to help you navigate the myriad of legal and regulatory requirements that come with operating a business.