Copywriting Tips to Boost Your Freelance Writing Business
by Natasha Link
My route has not been traditional in any way, shape, or form.
I majored in psychology and started an entirely different career path. Writing has always been my dream, but I set it aside.
At 34, I decided to start a blog. After that, I started submitting pieces to publications like Elephant Journal and Medium Magazine. Medium can be difficult to make money on, but Elephant pays their top writers via a top-ten contest, every week.
My first paid copywriting client found me through one of my Elephant Journal articles. I had been thinking about copywriting, but I was not sure how to start. She loved the work I did for her and I enjoyed doing it.
That was the turning point for me.
I decided it was time for a plot twist in my own life. I decided that I wanted to make a living from my passion and I was determined to succeed.
The Best Way to Attract New Clients: Be Yourself
I could not box myself into a narrow niche at this point. I dabble in a lot of different areas.
I enjoy writing personal stories that would be beneficial to others, but I also love writing poetry and fiction. As a copywriter, I am working on a lot of different projects for a variety of businesses.
In truth, I am relatively new to all of this, but the best way to attract the right clients is to be yourself. People will not buy what you’re selling unless they like you. Your ideal clients will be drawn to you because of your authenticity.
I have not hit the point where business has slowed down yet, keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t.
My Most Lucrative Writing is Copywriting for Businesses
[My most lucrative type of writing is] copywriting for businesses that need ongoing work. Product sell sheets, web copy, blog posts, user guides, etc.Be willing to take on projects that you haven’t done before, even if you are not sure how to do it. Say yes first, then figure it out.
I had never done a product sell sheet before, for instance, but I said yes to the project and Googled any info that I could find. I found other examples and pieced it together. The client was really happy with the outcome and requested more work from me.
We are often more afraid of the unknown than we should be. As writers, we can write anything.
There are many avenues to explore when it comes to getting clients. I would suggest having a website, and a Facebook page. You can share your website on social media and create ads on Facebook and Instagram from your page.
Network, and keep putting yourself out there. There are several freelancing sites which can be great places to start.
SEO Tips for Writers and Their Clients
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. This means writing content geared toward having it rank higher in search results. (For more information on SEO, see
Ideally, you want your post to be on the first page of Google results.
How often you look beyond the first page when you Google something? I am guessing you rarely do. That is why you want your client’s website or blog post to be on that first page of results.
You do this by using keywords that people would search for, and there are a couple of other tips and tricks to get more organic rankings as well.
1. Link building.
Put links to your articles or website in your posts. If it is picked up by another site, readers can link it back to you directly.
2. Create a Social Media presence with content that attracts your target audience.
Unfortunately, you cannot set up a Twitter account and only tweet about your books. You need to build a following through engaging content.
Connect with other people in your genre and grow those relationships. People are more likely to buy your books if they like you.
Tips to Help Freelance Writers Set Payment Rates
This one can be tricky when you are just starting.
Writers often charge on a per word basis, but with the projects I have been working on, it makes more sense to charge an hourly rate. I was underpaid for my first couple of projects.
I think it depends on where you are at in your journey and what type of clients you are working with. I would not charge any less than $0.10 a word to start. Hourly rates are all over the place depending on your experience and clientele.
This could range anywhere from $20 to $80 per hour. Start where you feel comfortable and remember they can always change.
Advice for a Young Writer: Get Your Work In Front of As Many Eyes As You Can
Write! Start getting your work in front of as many eyes as you can. Submit it to various places and connect with other writers on social media platforms. Enter contests and think of every rejection as being one step closer to success.
Expand your skill set by exploring different genres and figure out what you enjoy the most. Get on Fiverr or Upwork and bid on gigs to gain experience and start earning income. Enter contests and apply for freelance writing jobs.
Touch base with your local paper for opportunities. Be ready and willing to hustle. Never give up!
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Natasha Link is a freelance writer based in Minnesota. She specializes in B2B copywriting, SEO Web content, blog posts, and articles. She is creative and enjoys thinking outside the box. She is a genuine person and communicates straightforwardly.
Natasha prides herself on her open mind and fierce heart. She is raising two strong, sassy little girls and is married to her best friend. Natasha still believes in Magic. Love is her religion, and writing is her Church. She loves the way a good book makes her feel when she finishes it and hopes her words will inspire others in that way.
She loves nature, coffee, and the simple joys in life. Her goal in life is to learn and grow as much as possible while having as much fun as she can. She believes that life is meant to be lived fully and that everyone should go after their dreams.
For more information on Natasha and her work, please see her website, or connect with her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Photo by Artem Podrez from Pexels.
