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When you start as a freelance copywriter... stick to your plan.

by Nick Usborne

 

As I wrote in my last article, the road to success as a freelance copywriter is long.

 

It takes time to master the craft, find good clients and start making good money.

 

If you stay on your chosen road and keep moving at a steady, deliberate pace, you’ll probably do just fine.

 

Just keep in mind that success in copywriting takes time.

 

The danger of being distracted...

 

Let’s say you start out with a good plan.

 

You have decided to make your niche as a business-to-business copywriter for the home electronics industry, for example.

 

You do a lot of reading, maybe take a course on B2B copywriting. Then you start to get a few clients.

 

Perhaps you get smaller jobs first...writing case studies, white papers, short brochures and maybe an ad or two.

 

Little by little things start to work for you. You have some good months.

 

But you have some bad months too. It happens to everyone.

 

For freelance copywriters just starting out, those bad months can be a confidence shaker. And you start to get a little nervous. You wonder if maybe you should try something different.

 

Perhaps you consider expanding your niche to include anything that might come through the door.

 

Or you might be tempted by a friend’s success with building web sites that make money off advertising or affiliate deals.

 

This is the point of danger.

 

Your copywriting business is you, and you alone. Your resources are limited to the time you can spend at your desk.

 

If you leave that road, move away from your plan, your attention will become divided. And that’s not good.

 

Think very carefully before changing plan...

 

You planned your road to success, and you need to think very carefully before changing plan.

 

For sure, there are times when one truly does need or want to switch plans. I did it myself in 1996 when I jumped from copywriting for the direct mail business to writing for the web only. It was a big risk. Fortunately, it worked out OK.

 

But you can be sure of one thing: I thought very long and hard about it first.

 

And during 25 years as a freelance copywriter, that is the ONLY time I have changed plan.

 

Far better that you stay on that one road, moving ahead steadily.

 

That’s how you build your true expertise. That’s how new clients get to know and respect you. That’s how you become known in the industry.

 

Find your niche, make it yours and stay there. Even during the tough times.

 

 

Related learning materials:

 

Nick Usborne's Million Dollar Secrets to Online Copywriting

The demand for print and direct mail copywriters is static, to say the least. The real demand right now is for copywriters who have the skills to write effective copy for the web. This is a professional-grade course that will make you a specialist in online copywriting. This is where the future for copywriters lies! More about this online copywriting course...

 

 

Michael Masterson's Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting

Improve your copywriting skills and enter the very lucrative market for direct marketing copywriters. This is a comprehensive course and my #1 recommendation for anyone who wants to learn how to write copy that drives results. Read my in-depth review

 

 

Writing for the Web

Get this 35-page Guide FREE when you sign up for the Excess Voice Newsletter.

 

Get your copy of Writing For the Web #1 - 7 Challenges every Writer and Copywriter faces when writing for the Web.

 

PLEASE NOTE: This is my new newsletter, for my site at nickusborne.com, and replaces the old Freelance Writing Success Newsletter. However, the focus is still on writing for the web and freelancing. So don’t be confused when you find links to my nickusborne.com site in each issue! : )

 

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