Copywriting: Secrets of a Freelancer

Lately, I've been getting emails from other copywriters who ask me questions like "What's your secret?" and "How did you do it?" and "Can I be your apprentice?"

Aw, heck, are you serious? People are talking to me like I'm some kind of demi-goddess... when really, I'm just a humble girl from Jersey who's having a fun time running a freelance copywriting business.

I take that back. Freelancing isn't fun. It's AMAZING. Brilliant marketing, like beautiful music, makes my arm hairs stand up. Meeting people who share my passion for writing and dreaming up clever advertising strategies exhilarates me. Connecting with entrepreneurial geniuses who can teach me things I didn't know before is such an incredible privilege. Having the option to walk away from people I don't respect... well, that feels mighty fine too!

To all who want to know what it takes to be successful:

It takes will and determination. That's pretty much it. Here's a crazy analogy for you. Suppose you haven't eaten in days. You're starving beyond belief, and there's a thick, juicy steak just out of your reaching distance. You reach out your arm but you can't get it. You're sooo hungry. If you just stretch your arm a little further, maybe then you can grab that steak. It might mean you'll dislocate your arm. Do you stretch beyond your limit? Of course you do. You would sacrifice the temporary use of your arm for that meal you need so badly.

That's what freelancing is like. The steak is your paycheck, and your success. The stretched arm is your time, resources and patience. You'll have to make a lot of sacrifices if you really want to be successful as a freelancer. You'll be forced to do things that writers aren't always naturally good at, like math, and negotiating, and dealing with people on the phone! You won't see your friends nearly as much as you used to, because you'll be shackled to the computer. But that's in the early stages.

As you grow and learn, your circle will expand, and you'll have more help to run things. Your income will grow. You'll have money to buy little gifts for your business (your baby!). And the more you put into your business, financially and otherwise, the more you'll get back. It's like a rolling snowball that just keeps growing bigger and bigger. And it's ALL YOURS! That's a glorious feeling. That's worth some sacrifice, I think.

To the people who asked if they could be my apprentice:

I don't like to use that word. I might know more about some things than you do, but maybe you have something to teach me as well.

If you think you'd enjoy being associated with the Wordfeeder.com brand, well, okay! Send me an email and let's get you some writing jobs.

Knowledge really is power. I was once a floundering little freelancer, groping around in unfamiliar territory. But now I see that there are so many wonderful, smart and honest people out there who are willing to pool talents. Are you one of them?

Don't be intimidated by what you have yet to learn. Don't be a lost babe in the woods! Instead, grab my hand... and together we'll run toward the light. :D

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Kick off your freelance copywriting career with guidance and commissioned assignments! Dina Giolitto is a Copywriting Consultant and web marketer with ten years of experience. Visit http://wordfeeder.com. Email your bio and writing samples: dina@wordfeeder.com.

In The News:


Project Leader Copywriting
Oneworld, Netherlands - Jul 18, 2008
The department is responsible for six projects: Public Relations, Advertising, Publicity Stunt, Copywriting, Online Media and Website. ...

The Copywriting Institute Announces New Media Marketing Package ...
Free press releases (press release), UK - Jul 8, 2008
The Copywriting Institute, a training and resources company for copywriters, announced the launch of their New Media Marketing Package. Denver, CO — July 8, ...

Pakistan-Based MSCopywriters Achieves Outstanding Growth as a ...
PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria - Jul 8, 2008
Com currently provides copywriting, editing and journalism projects for clients in more than fifteen (15) countries. Available services range from feature ...

Search Engine Optimisation and Copywriting Will Help Your Business ...
Promotion World (press release), CA - Jul 9, 2008
This is where Professional Copywriting and SEO comes in. Working hand in hand these 2 industries will now produce amazing results for your website. ...

Web copywriting: setting the record straight
Bizcommunity.com, South Africa - Jun 30, 2008
As it turns out, web copywriting is a contentious issue - peppered with strongly differing views and hotly defended opinions. At this kitchen of contention, ...

ABC Copywriting unveils new website
PR Leap (press release), CA - Jun 27, 2008
COM) ABC Copywriting, the independent copywriting agency based in Norwich, UK, has created a new site providing full details of its writing and editing ...

Cape Peninsula University of Technology Advertising Students Use ...
PR-USA.net (press release), Bulgaria - Jul 18, 2008
Toronto, ONT (PRWEB) July 17, 2008 -- Over 200 Advertising students are using the 19 "New" Rules of Social Media Copywriting as part of the National Diploma ...

Business Intelligence Middle East (press release)

Website overseers, a natural trend in the Internet world
Business Intelligence Middle East (press release), United Arab Emirates - Jul 20, 2008
When web professionals give quotations for a new website, they may include design, graphics, SEO, SEM and perhaps even copywriting. ...

Focus Media announces new hire, staff promotions
Times Herald-Record, NY - Jul 20, 2008
Feller will work with clients on government and media relations, as well as copywriting, press release generation, media coordination and marketing ...

SEO Peace, Inc. Launches 100% Result Oriented SEO Services With ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Jul 14, 2008
The trial SEO Campaign on sister copywriting company website of Content Axis brought it in top 5 positions within less than 2 months for many targeted and ...
copywriting - Google News

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