5 steps to book your first copywriting client. Tips for new and aspiring copywriters
If I were at the beginning of my copywriting journey today, here are the 5 things I would do to book my first client. If you’re a new or aspiring freelance copywriter struggling to book your first client, these 5 simple yet effective tips might be just the ticket to getting client contracts signed and cash flowing in. Let’s get to it.
In this post, we’ll look at:
How to leverage your network
Look beyond your niche
Find the client’s copy crisis
Design a believable hypothesis for fixing the problem ASAP
Craft your perfect personalised pitch
We’ll explore each area in detail so you can book your first copywriting client as soon as possible. We’ll stack each tip on top of the previous one so they work more like steps towards your goal of booking your first client.
Step 1: Leverage your network
Look at your network. Who do you know in your network with a business or company that you can contact? Ideally, they should be in growth, sales or marketing divisions.
They could be the founder, entrepreneur or owner. Scroll through your phone and dive into your LinkedIn network.
If you’re struggling to find someone at this stage, who can you be introduced to? Ask around. You’re looking for people who are in decision-making roles or in positions of influence in an organisation. By leveraging your network you increase the chances of starting meaningful conversations and potentially booking your first client.
Step 2. Look beyond your niche
Be open to branching outside your niche… at least at the very beginning of your copywriting journey. Yes, I believe, selecting your niche as early as you can is a smart strategic move in the long run because it helps to separate you from other new and aspiring copywriters. Specialising in a particular type of copywriting and occupying a specific niche is a good idea.
But when you're just starting out and if you are eager to get some cash rolling in your direction, consider writing copy in neighbouring fields to your niche or in an entirely different niche altogether. When you look beyond your niche you give yourself permission to swim in slightly bigger pools and as a result, possibly increase the chances of attracting more clients; people looking for a copywriter just like you.
Step 3. Find the client’s copy crisis
Once you've found your potential client (or clients) the next step is to identify the copywriting problem they are facing. This is the copy crisis that your copywriting services can solve.
Your ability to clearly and persuasively articulate their real-life problem and present your copywriting services as the ideal solution is where the magic lies. When done right, compassionately highlighting the client’s copy crisis, can lead to booking your first copywriting client.
Step 4. Design a believable hypothesis for fixing the problem ASAP
Ethical urgency is a powerful marketing tool. Do some research into their brand and industry. Look at their competitors, market trends and other factors that might negatively impact their decision to “hang about” or “dilly dally” on fixing this problem.
Find ethical ways to encourage them to take action towards fixing the problem as soon as possible. Are there any benefits they can enjoy if they don’t procrastinate? The more convincing your argument is, the more likely they are to take notice of you. If you can present a believable hypothesis for fixing the problem as soon as possible, you’ll be increasing the chances of booking your first copywriting client.
Step 5. Craft your perfect personalised pitch
It's now time to write your email. This is where you present your pitch in a compelling and captivating way. By this point, you should feel confident in reaching out. You’ve covered your bases and carried out research on the potential client. You’ve looked at their business, their target audience and the copywriting problems they might be facing. You’ve worked on your believable hypothesis and now it’s time to craft the perfect personalised pitch.
There’s an art and science to crafting the perfect email pitch. I walk you through the process step-by-step in this video. Watch it now.
The key to success with your pitch is to make it personal. The worst kind of pitch is one that you can sniff out from a mile away because it’s been sent to the world and it’s mum. There’s nothing special in that. And the point of a personalised pitch is to make the recipient feel special.
You also want to show you’ve done your homework by clearly showing an understanding of their brand and target audience. Include a little personality to help build rapport and be sure to highlight the benefit of working with you. As I said, there’s a lot more to consider when crafting the perfect personalised pitch so if you’re ready to book your first client and craft the perfect email pitch then watch this video.
And there you have it, 5 simple yet effective steps to booking your first copywriting client. These are the steps I’d take if I were brand spanking new in the copywriting world and desperate to land my first client.
Remember to be patient. There’s no such thing as an overnight success. Work on your craft and hone your copywriting skills; read books, enrol in programmes and work with coaches or mentors who can help you develop your copywriting skills and business acumen. Do this while you implement the 5 steps listed above. That way, you’ll be in a strong position to deliver the best copywriting service you can when you book your first client.
Now, I’d love to hear from you.
Where are you in your copywriting journey?
Are you a new or aspiring copywriter looking to book your first client?
Did these 5 tips help in any way?
I’d love to know. Share your answers with me in the comments.
Till next time.