10 Ways to Kick-Start a Freelance Copywriting Career

10 Ways to Kick-Start a Freelance Copywriting Career10 Ways to Kick-Start a Freelance Copywriting CareerThere comes a time in every copywriters career when the thought of going it alone - as a freelancer - looks tempting. And why not? You platzdeckchen your own hours and can charge at least double what youmake as a full-time employee. You may already have a job as a copywriter in an agency and are tired of working long hours on projects that dont inspire you or you may be a budding copywriter whos just starting out. In either case, freelancing may be a great option. As long as you have a talent for writing compelling ads and can think creatively for a wide variety of mediums, you may find success as a freelance copywriter. So are you ready to hang up your hat and call yourself a freelancer? Youll need a few basics to get your geschftliches miteinander off the ground. Here are a few tips to help get your freelance career started 1. Start with the Basics First things first - youl l need a portfolio. Very few people use physical ones now, so a digital one is the best way to go. There is no end to the sites you can use - Krop, SquareSpace and WordPress all make it very easy - and of course, there are many others. They all have paid and free templates tailored to different careers, so be sure to look for one that shows off your talent as a copywriter. If youre really great at design or know someone who can, why not create your own customized site? Next, dont forget the basic necessities for any home office. A computer - either a laptop or desktop - is a must-have. You may also need business cards, letterhead and other stationery and supplies. Since you need to get noticed, make sure you create your own ad campaign. After all, you are your own marketing kollektiv now. 2. Create a Plan of Action Its not just big businesses that need a plan of action. As a freelancer, you are the business and you need a plan, too. Identify your goals How much work are you w illing to take on? How many hours are you willing to work per week? Are there any jobs you really want, and are there ones that you just wont take? Its also a good idea to identify whether you want to keep freelancing or if something full-time is in the horizon - and when.Keep a list of potential clients and reach out to them every now and then to make sure they know youre available.When youre starting out as a freelancer, you have to make sure you answer all your calls and emails. If youre not willing to pick up the phone or return an email, youll find it harder to pick up jobs later on. Dont forget the money. Since you have to pay your bills, make sure you know how much money you need to make each month. This will help you figure out how much time you need off for yourself. 3. Set Your Rates Deciding what youre going to charge is one of the most difficult decisions youll have to make as a freelance copywriter. Its crucial to set your rates right from the start. Your first deci sion is whether to charge by the hour, by the project or to include both rates.Your rates will also affect how you work with clients and get paid. Spend a lot of time developing your rates and evaluate what you can live with for a feebeforehand because clients dont want to work with freelancers who are constantly changing their rates and rate types. Keep in mind, when youre starting out with little experience, you may not be able to negotiate, and will probably need to go with your clients pay schedule. But a little negotiation may not hurt. 4. Create Writing Samples You cant show off your writing talent if you have no samples. If you dont have any writing samples to your credit, dont fret - theres an easy solution.Spec ads (speculative advertising) give you the chance to create samples even if you dont have any copywriting projects under your belt. And theyre not just for copywriters with limited or no experience. They are an excellent way for you to show potential clients how you would write for their particular industry. The best way to write a spec ad is to look around you and write an ad for something you may already have. And try to write something for different mediums - for print, digital and television ads. This will show how diverse you are. 5. Refine Your Online Portfolio As you add to your portfolio, make sure you update it constantly and showcase only your best work. An outdated portfolio will turn off potential clients - they want to see that youre able to keep up with the market. If youre after a particular type of client, use this time to tailor your websitebased on what the client is looking for in a freelancer. This lets you switch out your projects based on the clients needs, showing your ability to work with any type of client no matter what the product/service. 6. Develop a Freelance Contract When that first client calls, you want to have your contract ready to be faxed or presented in person. As excited as you may be to get t hat first client, you dont want to start working on any project until you have a signed contract in your hand. Creating a freelance contract is key to any freelancers success. Its your first line of defense if you ever find yourself with a client who doesnt want to pay. 7.Attend Networking Events You cant afford to be a wallflower if you are going to have any kind of success in advertising or marketing. As a freelancer, youre going to be on a constant search for work - at least in the first few years. Every town and city, large or small, will have events during each month that are golden opportunities for networking. Are the local microbreweries having a get-together? Maybe they need writing help. Is there a convention in town? Someone, somewhere could be looking for the skills you provide. You can also join online groups tailored to freelancers and/or copywriters like Meetup. LinkedIn also has professional groups to connect you with the right people online and in real life. S o make sure your LinkedIn profile is active, up-to-date and links to your digital portfolio. 8.Do Work That Creates Buzz If youre having trouble getting people to notice you, consider a lateral thinking move - go outside of your comfort zone and create work that generates its own buzz. Many students unterstellung days are putting spec ideas up on YouTube and seeding them to sites like Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more. By using a collection of relevant hashtags, and posting them to the right pages or groups, people will be able to find your work. If they like it, they can get in touch with you via the information on your page. 9.Write To Big Players in the Industry Dont ever feel afraid to ask for help from people who are already successful. If youre lucky, theyll remember being in your shoes or know what its like to freelance, and will be more than happy to offer help and advice. But be respectful of their time and position. A quick tweet or LinkedIn message sh ows little to no effort. Take the time to write to them, either with an email or a physical letter. You could also include samples of your work. Do it in a way that stands out. You will be surprised at the doors you can open this way. 10. Find Clients Remember all those basics you got together in step one? Now its time to put them to good use. Whether youre approaching agencies for freelance work, trying to get small businesses to use your services or both, you can take several different approaches to find your clients. Send out links to your website and develop physical mailers to break through the email clutter. Advertising agencies - especially smaller ones - need freelancers because the cost of a permanent, full-time copywriter is too much for the agency to bear. Be persistent in your search for clients and soon your freelance copywriting career will be so successful, youll actually be turning new business away.

Become a Student for Life

Become a Student for Life Become a Student for Life Once you graduate and become an adult, as they say, life is never quite the saatkorn. Still, I believe that,if you are lucky, you cantruly be a student for the rest of your life even if you are leid actually enrolled in any sort of formal learning programs.The world changes so quickly, and it is important to keep your skills current even after youve gotten your degree. I have often joked that diplomas should come with an expiration date, just like your milk carton does. I received my diploma more than 20 years ago. The basic rules are still the same for concepts like supply and demand, but many things in geschftliches miteinander have in fact changed quite a lot in the past 20+ years. For example, the Internet was not a factor then, and there was no social media. Students in business school today are discussing and learning about issues and tools that did not even exist when I was in schoolIf I had not taken the time and made th e effort to stay up-to-date on these current trends, Id argue that my degrees would be a lot less valuable today. Lawyers and doctors are required to take continuing education courses to keep their accreditations current, and I believe the best and most effective business leaders do the same sort of thingby reading books written bythought leaders, attending conferences, and listening to speeches by industry icons.It does not take long in a new job before you get so busy that you cannot remember the last time you picked up a trade magazine, attended a webinar or conference, or shook up your routine to think about things in new and different ways. When this happens, it is time for you to go back to school. Here are a few tips to get you started1. Brush Up on Who the Latest Competitors Are in Your IndustryDo you know who you have lost business to in the last year? Why did your clients and prospects choose these companies over you? Time to do a little market research and online analysis to see what your competitorsare offering and the claims they are making.2.Learn What the Hottest New Technologies and Tools AreWhat is everyone using and talking about? Remember when Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and Pinterest were new and getting all the press? What is new now? Why does anyone use it or care? Time to find out3.Find Out What Other New Hires Are Up ToThe millennials have their own toys and language. Do you know what they are talking about and doing? It is not enough to use LOL in an email and think you are in the know. Reverse mentoring can really help here.4.Sign Up for Online Demos for New Products so That You Can See What Is New in Your FieldThere are lots of webinars, teleseminars, TED talks, etc., to help you stay current. Carve out time every week for online learning so you do not get left behindWhether you are one year or 20 years out of school, I am certain you would benefit tremendously by making continuing education part of your life It is important to kee p those synapses firing. You will learn new things and have fun in the process. Here is to getting a great education and being a lifelong learner enjoy

Understanding Commercial Leases

Understanding Commercial LeasesUnderstanding Commercial LeasesThere are many types of commercial spaces that you can rent and many things to consider before signing a lease. The type of space you rent can affect the type of lease, the price per square foot, and the wrong location can hurt your geschftlicher umgang, while the right type of space and location can help your geschftliches miteinander to grow. What Types of Commercial Properties Can Businesses Lease? Should you rent space in a business park, industrial park, or retail location? Different types of commercial real estate properties all have pros and cons. Learn how to determine what type of space it makes the fruchtwein sense for your business.Commercial Industrial Spaces - Things to Consider When vermietung Commercial industrial space can also be used in place of traditional commercial office space, usually at substantially cheaper prices. There are pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages to ablokation commercial indus trial space. Pros and Cons of Subleasing Commercial Spaces Commercial subleases offer pros and cons to business owners. Before you sign a sublease, be sure to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of subleasing commercial space.How to Find Available Commercial Spaces for Lease Do Some Homework Before You Look at Space Before looking at business space make a checklist that details and ranks your needs and priorities before you landsee any space. It is easy to get excited about how a space looks and overlook drawbacks. An experienced landlord or realtor will pick up on your enthusiasm for a particular space and may hard-sell you to make a quick decision or be less flexible in negotiating lease terms. Having a checklist of questions to ask about the lease is also important because commercial leases can be very complicated. A checklist of leasing questions will help you remember what to ask so that you will have enough information about the terms to research more about the type of lease being offered to you. Checklist for Leasing Commercial Office, Retail, and Industrial Properties When it comes to selecting a location for your business you need to think things through. Make a checklist before looking at commercial spaces of all the things that your business needs to succeed and take it with you. If you have bedrngnis already written a technical feasibility study, consider doing so. A technical feasibility study can help you think about, plan, and address all the needs of your business that need to be considered when leasing commercial business space. Glossary of Leasing Terms and Definitions Before you start tackling commercial leases, take time to become familiar with basic leasing terminology. For example, it is important to know the difference between usable square footage and rentable square footage. In most commercial leases, you pay for more square footage than you actually occupy.How to Write a Technical Feasibility Study Writing a technical feasibili ty study can help you thoroughly consider and plan for all your present and future business needs when it comes to the space you need. Types of Commercial Leases and Common Leasing Terms Types of Commercial Leases Compare the types of commercial leases commonly used in commercial real estate in an easy-to-read chart.The two most common ways to lease office and other commercial spaces includeLease In a voreingestellt tenant-landlord lease you are the main business (or individual) named on a lease with the landlord.Sublease A sublease is when an individual or other business already has a lease with a landlord, but subleases (rents out) a portion of the space their space to you. Sublessors cannot transfer rights to sublessees that are not in the original lease or if the original lease prohibits subleases.Pros and Cons of Subleasing Commercial subleases offer pros and cons to business owners. Before you sign a sublease, be sure to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of subleasin g commercial space. Understanding and Negotiating Commercial Real Estate Leases Commercial leases are complicated and are very different from residential leases. Before signing any commercial lease you need to know what questions to ask, and how to rent, load fees and other added fees are calculated. Armed with knowledge you can negotiate the best deal possible Women are just as capable of negotiating a good deal in commercial leases as men are but negotiating starts with asking the right questions. Once you have answers to certain questions, you can research more about types of leases, leasing terms, negotiating commercial leases. You will also be better able to plan your finances, and your negotiation strategies if you know what questions to ask. Question 1 What Type of Commercial Lease is Being Offered? The type of lease being offered is probably the most important thing to consider first because it determines how you will be charged rent. The terms of commercial real estate leases are defined by the type of commercial lease.Question 2 Are the Terms of the Lease Negotiable? All commercial leases should always have at least some room for negotiation, no matter how small. A completely inflexible landlord is generally not someone you want to lease from because inflexible often equates with unreasonable. Question 3 What Insurance Coverage Does the Lease Require Tenants to Purchase? Few business owners new to commercial leasing will look beyond their actual monthly rent and utility costs when determining if a space is affordable, but you also need to consider your insurance costs. Moving from a home-based business into brick and mortar space will cost you more to ensure your business because, in addition to your own insurance needs, your landlord will probably require you to purchase insurance to protect him/her as well. More Questions and Considerations Before Signing a Commercial Property Lease Industrial Space Leases - Before You Sign, Look at More than NumbersQuestions to Ask About Industrial Space Lease Terms, Rent and Other FeesQuestions to Ask About Build-Outs and Renovations of Industrial SpacesQuestions to Ask About Business Use Restrictions When Leasing Industrial Space Terms You Need to Know to Understand Commercial Real Estate Leases When you rent commercial space, you will often be paying for more than the actual square footage you will be occupying. A landlord can easily take advantage of someone who does not understand the difference between a Triple Net Lease (NNN Lease) and Double Net Lease. While the difference may not sound like much, and NNN lease is the worst kind of lease for any tenant to sign as it almost always favors the landlord. Here are articles that will not only explain the different types of leases, but that also explains how rent and added costs, like Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fees are calculated Square Footage Formulas Used in Calculating Commercial Lease Rents Why The Space You Occupy is Not All That You Pay ForCommon Area Maintenance (CAM) Fees in Commercial Leasing 101Commercial Leases - Square Footage Used in Calculating Commercial LeasesAverage Percentage Rents Charged in Commercial Leases How to Negotiate the Terms of a Commercial Lease Once you have found the perfect space, you still need to make an offer, and sometimes a counter offers to negotiate the best deal on a commercial lease. Never accept any offer without asking for at least something better. It is voreingestellt and customary in commercial leasing to negotiation - the landlord expects it and usually will inflate rent or fees in some way expecting to come down a bit in price. How to Negotiate CAM Fees in Commercial Leases Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fees are dreaded by most tenants, and misunderstood by even more. But CAM fees are often negotiable. The larger the space you rent, the more likely you will be able to negotiate CAM fees and any associated administrative fees. However, no matter h ow small the space is, never accept the terms of any lease without asking for a better deal.Get Initial Asking Terms in Writing If a landlord or leasing agent simply tells you the terms, ask for something showing the terms in writing before you submit a counteroffer. If they are reluctant to offer a letter, ask for an email or a copy of the listing for space (which will contain at least the basic leasing information). Preparing An Offer or Counter Offer Letter A counter offer should be presented from your business, not from you personally, even if you own a sole proprietorship.It is helpful to remember that an offer letter is a sales pitch. You are asking for different terms than what was presented to you - terms that are more in your favor and you want the landlord to see you and your business as a good choice worthy of concessions.Listing Your Leasing Terms in an Offer or Counter Offer There are some key things you should include in the terms of your offer. For example, you want t o make clear the rate you will pay, the length of the lease, renewal options, as well as list any build-outs or improvements that you want the landlord to do, or, that you will do once you move in, and, when you will move in. If you need help preparing your offer letter, Women in Business has a Sample Offer Letter that you can refer to as a guideline for putting your terms into writing. Putting it All Together Looking for space should be exciting and fun, not scary. Do not be shy about taking notes, measurements or pictures of any space you look at. These things can help you research and compare more options after you leave the site. Perhaps the two most important things to remember are almost all leases are negotiable in some way, and, commercial leasing is complicated and landlords expect you to ask a lot of questions. In fact, when it comes to leasing, the more questions you ask, the more likely a landlord is to deal straight with you. Asking questions and being assertive wil l help you get the best deal. And when it comes to signing the actual lease, if you do not understand something, it pays to get a lawyer or trusted realtor to explain the terms to you.