Entries Tagged 'copywriting jobs' ↓

When starting out as a copywriter, there is one question that always remains firmly in your mind – how on earth do I price my services?

Many make the mistake of choosing the option of charging for the time it takes to write the copy. But hourly (or even daily) charging doesn’t really cover the full picture.

Let me explain:

• If you were looking to hire a builder you wouldn’t expect to pay by the hour
• If you went to a plastic surgeon you wouldn’t pay by the hour

Why?

Because it’s their experience, expertise and talent that you are paying for, not the length of time it takes for them to complete the task. That’s why you are willing to pay them for the end result.

Charging for the difference you make

A company will seek out a copywriter because they need expert help. They are looking for someone to:

• Turn their business around
• Generate more sales
• Attract more leads
• Increase the number of visitors to their website

Therefore, you must base your charges on the difference it will make to your client.

It doesn’t matter if it only takes 2 hours to write a cracking sales letter, but what does matter is the 80% boost in income that sales letter will generate.

Copywriting, as with the other elements of marketing, is an investment – the client pays for the output and results your work produces, i.e. for your experience, expertise and aptitude.

Better for the client

If you are still struggling with the concept of not being paid for your time, think of it this way – by coming up with a fixed fee for the project (based on the brief, your considerable experience and talent and the difference it will make to your client) your client will be happy because they will know exactly how much the job will cost.

Just make sure you clearly show in your proposal exactly what is covered within the quoted fee (e.g. number of revisions, meetings etc.) so everyone knows where they stand.

Over to you

How do you feel about pricing?

Do you have a method that reflects the quality of your writing?

Have your say by leaving a comment below.

Last year I was asked by the Guardian On Line to take part in their Q&A forum about how to become a freelance copywriter.

Well, that discussion was such a success I was asked to take part in another Q&A session on How to break into Copywriting.

You can follow the discussion here and learn from myself and other copywriting experts how to get into copywriting and other copywriting issues.

A lot of great stuff came out in the forum so if you’ve ever considered looking at copywriting as a career it’s well worth a look.

As a freelance copywriter, in my perfect world I would be able to generate an unlimited number of original ideas at the drop of a hat.

I would never be stumped by a project, and subject-matter for my blogs, articles, client web copy, emails and newsletters would flow freely without any effort on my part.

But sadly it’s not a perfect world and, yes even I suffer from writers’ block every now and then.  I have been known to be sat in front of my PC waiting for inspiration to strike. Only the number of empty coffee mugs littered across my desk betrays the length of time I’ve been wracking my brain trying to come up with a winning concept.

So how can you get over a barren spell?

The simple answer is a swipe file.

As I read newspapers, magazines, mail shots, websites and emails I make a note of anything that grabbed my attention.

If a particular layout was particularly effective or an image suitably eye-catching – anything that made me stop and read, it goes in my swipe file.

One word of warning—a swipe file is not there to be directly copied or plagiarised—a swipe file is there for inspiration.

After all if a headline grabbed your attention it will probably grab others’; if an email subject line made you open it others will too; if the layout of an advert made you stop and take notice others will also stop.

Over time you will build up a reference tool of hundreds of ideas to which you can add your spin.

Let others inspire you to create copy that sells.

Yesterday’s post announced the Q&A session I was asked to take part in for The Guardian today.

Well, as you can see, I am still able to type!

Loads of excellent questions were thrown at the panel covering all aspects of copywriting and how to get started in the industry. Not only did we manage (I hope) to help a number of the participants, I think we learnt a lot from each other too.

Find out what it means to be a copywriter

Starting out as a new copywriter can be a daunting experience. There are so many things to think about:

• Do I start as a freelance copywriter or get a job with an agency
• How do I find clients?
• How do I start my portfolio
• Do I need an online presence?
• Do I need any special qualifications?
• Are there any courses I can do?

The best way to find out how to get started is by asking someone already doing it.

Visit The Guardian’s forum and discover a few tips for starting out in the world of copywriting. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, drop me a line and I’ll do my best to help you.

Many of you know about me and my freelance copywriting business – Briar Copywriting. Well now you have the opportunity of learning a bit more about me.

The Guardian’s Careers Forum – Copywriting

On Friday 15th January The Guardian are running an online forum about careers in copywriting. So, if you are considering a career change or want to know about copywriting and how to get started, come along!

I will be amongst an esteemed panel of experts from the copywriting world. We have all come to the industry from different backgrounds so you’re sure to learn a lot from our experiences.

Visit the forum this Friday 15th January between 12pm and 3pm and post your questions to us.

It’ll be great to see you there.

Sally

Freelance Copywriter