Comments on: Getting Started In Freelance Writing

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:18:49 +0000

My favorite copywriting book of all time is Cash Copy by J. Lant – out of print, might find it at a library and it’s based on print tech… but the principles – write for the target, not for the company selling – is right on.

By: lillya

lillya — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:20:17 +0000

Hmm, good advice, and thanks for the info John. I’ve printed your comments and I’m going to pay serious attention to everything you said.

Much appreciated
Lillya

By: John Clausen

John Clausen — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:11:40 +0000

Lillya,
Direct mail copywriting can be tough to break into…for the very reason that you want to break into it. It’s extremely lucrative and sometimes old veterans are reluctant to show newbies the ropes for fear that they will end up bidding against them for future jobs. It’s a highly competitive area of writing, more so than any other sort of advertising copywriting. Also very results oriented. If you can put together a winning package, your client will not care one little bit if the writing stinks from a pure writing standpoint. If you can bring in big net numbers by writing a letter on toilet paper or used rags, your client will not object and you’ll make a fortune. A little more than 98% of all direct mail gets tossed, so you have to develop a tough skin.

One thing you might do is contact the Direct Marketing Association. I think they are in NYC, but a Google search will probably turn them up where ever they might be. Contact them and ask what books and education material they recommend. A woman named Joan Throckmorten used to have a pretty good book about direct mail copywriting. I’m sure there are more. Get the books, study them, and keep an eye on your own mailbox for some examples of what the big mailers are doing.

It can be tough to get in because mailers are risking hundreds of thousands of dollars on printing and postage. The difference between hiring a seasoned professional for $20,000 or a newbie fo almost nothing…well, it’s insignificant compared to the disaster of a badly written package.

On my website (www.writingformoney.com) under Writer’s Resources, I have an article on getting started in the direct mail copywriting business. You might check that out.

Don’t be discouraged if it takes a while to get established. It’s well worth it. I came home from teaching one afternoon, made a handful of calls in the three hours before my next class…and made more money than I’ll make in three years as an adjunct English teacher. Something to think about, huh?

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:14:35 +0000

Jake, sorry you’re not finding what you want here. Kathleen and John, thanks!

By: lillya

lillya — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:42:09 +0000

John, how would I get started on writing direct response sales copywriting? I know Michael Master has an accelerated course on earning 6-figures, but that course costs about $500. I’d rather learn another way thank you. Any ideas?

thanks

By: John Clausen

John Clausen — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:14:51 +0000

Jake,
Go to http://www.writingformoney.com and contact me. I’ll be happy to send you a copy of my book “Too Lazy to Work, Too Nervous to Steal.” I’d be interested to know if you feel it’s just another book offering the same old advice. Be careful reading it, though. I had an email from one reader who said he read it and it made him give up his thriving law career and become a freelance writer.

By: KathleenL

KathleenL — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:17:04 +0000

Well Jake, it was nice of you to stop on by.

But, you need to keep in mind, there are always new people coming into industries and they are looking for sources of useful information via different avenues.

And where there is an avenue for a freelancer to make a bit of change, as selling words is part of the business, and help someone else decided whether Freelance Writing is for them can be a personal perk, then so be it.

You don’t have to purchase the information, unless you are interested in finding helpful information.

But others are more then welcome to seek the help.

By: Jake

Jake — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:07:07 +0000

yet another one of those blogs on how to write — probably about the 100th one I’ve come across. Why is it all of these look the same, have the same posts, and offer the same things for sale (e-books on making money). When will people realize that there is such a thing as too much BS circulating…?

By: Is a freelance writing career your dream? Here’s some advice | money news blog

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:25:34 +0000

[...] this recent post, Anne gives some advice to an aspiring freelancer. She also lists lots of freelance jobs each week for you to check out. And if you want information [...]

By: Is a freelance writing career your dream? Here’s some advice

Is a freelance writing career your dream? Here’s some advice — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:42:25 +0000

[...] this recent post, Anne gives some advice to an aspiring freelancer. She also lists lots of freelance jobs each week for you to check out. And if you want information [...]