The Secret to Writing for Your Dream Clients
No matter your experience as a writer, you have the power to get clients whenever you want.
Robert Rice
It may seem hard to believe, especially when starting out, but you’re more marketable than you think. Just by studying copywriting, you have a lot of insight into marketing and selling that could help businesses grow.
(If you don’t believe me, legendary copywriter John Carlton said so himself!)
You can leverage that knowledge to get a foot in the door with your dream companies … giving you projects most freelancers would kill for.
All you have to do is come up with a few business-boosting ideas and create an effective pitch that’ll excite those companies to work with you.
The fact is, while you certainly can find quality work by going through hiring websites like DirectResponseJobs.com, networking at major events, and doing spec assignments … you’re waiting on others to start your career.
By generating your own ideas and pitching them directly to clients, you’re taking matters into your own hands. You’re approaching businesses you want to work with and showing them exactly why they should hire you.
That way you position yourself as an expert and show your value right off the bat. And, once you successfully finish your first project, you could very well become their “go-to” writer!
But first, in order to effectively pitch to a company, you have to do a little prep work. And the first step is deciding who you want to work with.
Do you have an industry you’d love to write in? Any companies in particular you think you’d be a perfect fit for? It’s okay to dream big here!
Take the time to do a little personal research and find a business you’d like to pitch to. It can even be AWAI – they’re always looking for fresh new ideas.
Put together a list, then choose one you’d like to work on this week. And please be sure to share your choices with me in the comments.
Tomorrow, you’ll discover the best way to uncover what your ideal client needs and how you can use that intelligence to craft an irresistible pitch (and practically guarantee a “YES!”).
The Professional Writers’ Alliance
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I can't wait to see what the rest of the week holds. I'm looking forward to your tips. Thanks Robert!
Valerie Swiderski – April 6, 2015 at 2:16 pm
Thanks for the nice comment, Valerie! Hope it helps you in your career :). Keep me posted and feel free to ask any questions~
Robert R – April 7, 2015 at 9:54 am
The encouragement in the Writer's Life is very good.I would like to write on Agribusiness and also with AWAI.
Guest (Lois) – April 8, 2015 at 9:33 am
Hi Robert,
One thing I have noticed since I have been with AWAI (since June 2014)is that there are next to no one in the field of mental health/mental illness. I certainly do not see any articles here focused on mental health/mental illness as a niche specialty. I know that self-help is a niche specialty but this is different. I have been conducting research on companies and government organizations that serve this population. I'd like feedback from anyone about this.
Nora King – April 9, 2015 at 2:12 pm
Thank you Robert for your input. I know that I truly love to motivate people to empowering there lives with all types of knowledge, so self-help and empowerment is what I long to pitch, but I am not sure how to narrow it down. If you have any suggestion, please share how you found your niche to give me some direction. Also, how do you know what industries use direct-response copy?
Guest (Sharon Mitchell) – April 13, 2015 at 1:18 pm
Sharon: I found my "niche" by accident, really. I started taking odd jobs through Elance and then got a junior copywriting job where I was working with different kinds of clients. After going to Bootcamp, I felt I had enough experience in the "self-help" and "biz-opp" markets to pitch article ideas to AWAI.
Many, many "Expert business owners" are in self-help and empowerment. Who are your favorites? Why not pitch to them? Who is their competition, both direct and indirect? All of them are potential clients!
Robert R – April 28, 2015 at 5:20 pm
Nora: I've not worked in the Mental Health niche, but I'd imagine there is plenty of work to go around. Check out the websites for companies you'd like to work with. Anything that's written on the site -- newsletters, blog posts, etc -- is something you could help with.
Or, if something is noticeably missing, you could offer it as a service!
Robert R – April 28, 2015 at 5:20 pm