Presently, web content continues to be in demand. With the expansion of digitalized remote offices, businesses will need a competent copywriter in their team. Digital marketing remains to be an effective strategy to reach target customers, boost brand awareness, and increase sales. Notably, copywriting is a critical part of this success.
The Significance of Copywriting
When individuals discuss about “clickbait” headlines, they’re referring to copywriting. This is a style of writing performed to prompt a sense of urgency to select a service, purchase a product, or even simply subscribe to a newsletter. A lot of digital platforms have been using copywriting to persuade their target audience to spark action.
Considering their significant role, copywriters will always be needed in the marketplace, regardless of economical shifts or demand fluctuations. Copywriting has become one of the most lucrative jobs in the online marketing sphere as it fulfills a crucial role for many brands. With the rise of competitive ads, consumers can only distinguish among products through a consistent, empathetic, and clear-cut message from a skilled copywriter.
Due to the nature of the job, copywriters can work for businesses on a freelance basis. Working as a freelance copywriter allows you to engage with various businesses and organizations within the same period. You will discover this when you sign up for freelancing platforms and start earning from numerous clients and projects that you can work on. Consequently, this will help expand your experience, master your skills, and establish your reputation.
However, getting into this stage doesn’t occur overnight. It will require consistency and the application of the right strategies. To guide you, below are three tips towards becoming a competitive freelance copywriter.
Tip 1. Determine Your Niche
Do you have a specific subject or industry that you enjoy and know so much about? Lean on to that discipline, delve deeper, and establish yourself as an expert in that field.
Specializing in a niche is efficient because it allows you to focus and pitch projects to companies that are truly in need of your expertise and skill. With this, clients can easily remember you as they can associate you as a credible expert in the field. As a result, you can gradually demand for higher fees.
However, take note that if you’re a newbie in the freelance landscape, it's best to write about various or general niches. A general copywriter can work on nearly any project their clients would want them to. Some clients opt to work with a generalist because they’re regarded as versatile and adaptable professionals.
Apart from this, being a generalist provides you the opportunity to explore, try out varying disciplines, and become familiar with them. This will then allow you to identify your strengths and identify the niches that you enjoy writing best.
Tip 2. Build A Website
As a freelance copywriter, you could benefit from a decent-looking website. There are a lot of digital platforms to choose from—WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, and the like. Although you don’t necessarily need to build a website to pitch projects, know that establishing one can conveniently help customers reach out and learn more about you. Potential clients can also have access to your past works and portfolio. On a similar note, this will help you build your professional identity.
Once your website is up, create and prioritize a “Portfolio” page to add in the work samples and creative projects you’ve compiled over time. Your online portfolio should ideally be a reflection of your professionalism and competence in certain niches.
In addition to this, it would be excellent to apply SEO best practices to attain more exposure and direct more clients to your business. Carefully choosing the right keywords for your digital portfolio and linking other websites to your site are examples of SEO strategies that can help you establish authority.
If you’re still starting a career of being a freelance copywriter, you don’t have to establish a website right away. Since you’re still determining your niche and building your portfolio, creating a website can be done later when you’ve refined your expertise and polished your skills.
Tip 3. Learn the Basics of Persuasive Writing
At its core, copywriting is basically a form of persuasive writing. To repeat, copywriters should master the art of influencing their audience to take immediate action. Presently, in the competitive landscape of freelance copywriting, knowing how to apply persuasive language helps you pitch projects to ideal clients.
Commonly, clients will not teach you how to market and produce copies that are effective and results-driven. As a freelancer, you will be tasked to learn this on your own. Initially, you need to study your client’s services, assess their competitors, and craft a creative and fresh copy to boost revenue. Know that this doesn’t usually require fancy language. All you need to keep in mind is to apply the basics of persuasive writing.
Considering this, it would be an advantage to equip yourself with various learning courses and training to sharpen your skills and understand consumer behavior. Apart from this, you may also invest in time and money to work with a coach to help you master your craft. Keeping yourself updated with new consumer trends and changing customer behavior can also help you write better copies.
Additionally, persuasive writing teaches you how to place yourself in the shoes of your target audience, know their motives, and determine their values. From there, you can immerse your client’s tone and communicate solutions for their target customers. It is a complex process that may take a lot of time. Commonly, freelance copywriters are encouraged to collaborate with other creatives to convey a message that speaks volumes to their readers.
Final Thoughts
With the rise of digital marketing and e-commerce, more businesses are eager to hire freelance copywriters. With this in mind, continue to put in the effort to find your niche, refine your skills, and build your portfolio. As soon as you pile up your network of contacts and prove the standard of your work, projects will start rolling in.