We’ve asked some of the busiest, most successful copywriters in the business to help us compile this list of 26 ways to land freelance writing jobs. Look over the list and try the ones that are the best fit for you.
Whether you’re looking to get paid to write content, sales letters, emails, advertorials, or any one of the 75 writing projects we’ve identified in our annual State of the Industry Report: Copywriting Pricing Guide, the list below will give you 26 unique methods used by some of the best and busiest copywriters in the world to fill their calendars.
For starters, the internal search engine makes it easy for you to connect with your ideal clients. Once you find a company you’d like to work with, it's easy to find and connect with the right person within the organization.
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This will showcase your writing skills while building an audience that trusts your expertise and authority. You’ll become the logical choice to hire for their writing jobs.
And, if there’s an industry forum where multiple prospects could discover you, even better. It just increases your odds of landing writing gigs.
The key is to think like a client — what words will they search when they need a copywriter with your industry expertise?
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Remember, clients won’t search for the term “general copywriter.” Clients want a copywriter who understands their industry and knows how to talk to their audience.
When you have a defined niche and an optimized website, you’ll be super-easy to find — and more likely to get hired.
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Once you’ve identified the clients you want to write for, send them an email selling your services, focusing on what you can do for them. Personalize each message so you get the prospect’s attention right away.
But these emails are short and to-the-point. They take a little research up front… but you'll distinguish yourself as a professional that understands the client, their industry, and their copy needs. It's a simple, easy way to create a meaningful connection.
Then here’s another way to reach out to prospects with email that doesn’t require you to research each company and personalize every message.
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Instead, you’ll write one message that’s tailored to the industry — which will let you make a lot of contacts at once.
And, this method works for all kinds of niches. It can be as wide as the health niche, or as obscure as doll-making. As long as the niche contains businesses that are selling something — whether it’s to consumers like you or other businesses — it’s a niche you can target.
But in reality, only 1%-2% will contact you on their first visit. And many will never return to your site once they leave. Marketers and business leaders are notoriously busy!
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In exchange for their contact details, you’ll give them something of value… like an ebook or special report on a topic of interest to them.
And the free ebook or report makes for an excellent writing sample. It’s a great method for getting clients because it can show your writing ability out of the gate.
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You begin by positioning yourself as an authority in your niche. You can do this by writing e-books… speaking… and getting your content published on high-profile websites.
The key is surrounding yourself with people who could be a potential client or could connect you to potential clients. Conferences, trade shows and other business events are great places to make contacts.
To make sure you’re effective — and take the pressure off if you’re more of an introvert… try connecting with other attendees or speakers online
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You’ll find it much easier to talk with them, once you’re in the same room. And, you may be able to eliminate those people who aren’t worth your time.
Even if you can’t connect with anyone ahead of time, make sure you know who you want to meet at a networking event…
You can get interviewed on a podcast or webinar… take part in a Q&A panel… even go on stage to introduce another speaker.
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Any speaking engagement in front of potential clients will position you as an expert… an expert that has solutions to their writing problems.
You don't need to close anyone on the first call. Just focus on demonstrating your value and set yourself up for another call — or, even a simple follow-up email.
So, even while you’re working on your projects, your marketing won’t slow down — and your pipeline for new work will stay open.
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The more you rely on your e-newsletter to develop relationships and get clients, the easier it’ll be to set your work calendar in advance.
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It also gives you the chance to personalize a message and impress your client with the time and effort you put in.
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When you stay in touch with current clients this way and show them you genuinely care about them and their business, they’re going to want to continue working with you.
It’s filled with samples of your content. And, it proves you’re an expert who already understands the industry and knows how to talk to this audience.
This checks pretty much all the boxes clients are looking for. They’ll know you’re a copywriter they can trust for their freelance writing jobs.
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Web copywriting expert Nick Usborne will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know to get your website up, running, attracting visitors, and making money. It will also serve as the perfect writing sample to demonstrate your knowledge and writing ability to prospective clients.
Or, if you have experience but are looking to work with a specific client — or even change your niche — specs will help.
Of course, that means you could end up writing specs for free. But, they can still be worthwhile, because they’ll build your portfolio.
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Eventually, you’ll want to outgrow specs. Once you have a track record of success, testimonials, and referrals, you won’t need to take on specs to prove yourself.
And, even if you submit a spec assignment that doesn’t get used, you’ve made a connection with a potential client. You can follow up down the road and leverage into paid work.
There are all kinds of steps you can take. Try using personal stories and pictures in your communications that will help them get to know you. Or email a client months after finishing a project just to see how they’re doing. You can even take a client out for coffee or lunch, if they’re local.
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When clients and prospects know and like you they will be happy to hear from you. If you're likable, easy to work with and can add value to their business they will look forward to your calls and emails.
Not everything will be relevant, of course. But, you’ll find plenty of opportunities where a business is at “peak need” and most likely to look for a freelancer’s help.
It takes about a minute up front to set up your Google Alert. And then another minute or two a day to scan your results.
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An overlooked way to get freelance writing jobs is to link up with other service providers. Graphic designers, web companies, printers, and consultants are all great sources of referrals.
Simply reach out to everyone in your circle. Family members, friends, old classmates, coworkers, employers, members of your church or social group… even people you used to know but have lost touch with…
A lot of the people you contact won’t need a copywriter themselves. But, they might know someone who does. It’s a matter of finding out which people are in a position to introduce you to a potential client, or hire you themselves.
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And, since you’re talking to people you already know… you won’t get that uncomfortable feeling that comes from reaching out to strangers.
Experienced writers sometimes sub-contract work when their schedules fill up. Or, they’ll look for help if they take on a project that requires specialized knowledge they don’t have.
If you and the hiring writer are a good fit, this can be an easy, low-maintenance income stream for you. You can build your portfolio without doing any more self-marketing.
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And a ton of experience that will make you more marketable to clients, if you decide to leave your job in the future.
You will learn faster because you’ll be immersed in copy. It’s like learning another language by staying in a foreign country — you’ll be forced
