Pernell P wrote: ↑January 17th, 2020, 3:12 pm
So I’m making the switch from just studying to deciding how I want to get into the copywriting game. So thought I’d ask you guys a question or two if you don’t mind.
Which do you think is best to make your first sale?
Creating your own product(s) and selling them
Or finding your first client?
Also, there’s a second thing I’m wondering about…
How did you make your first sale and what was it like? For me it’s a little intimidating starting out despite being an unproven newbie. So I’m curious to see how you guys overcame that. Thanks for reading!
After I quit my last official JOB, I started by selling products. It was an MLM company named Matol – mineral supplements, protein shakes, power bars, etc. – selling through direct mail. (wow, I just did a quick google search and it seems the company is still in business, all these years later
)
At the time, I didn’t really think about it much. I knew I had to do something to survive, so I just closed my eyes and jumped in with both feet.
It was only after a couple months that I realized I didn’t know what the fuc< I was doing. Then I started getting worried because WTF am I gonna do if I can’t make a living???
Keeping a short story, short… I started reading everything I could find on the science and art of marketing, advertising, and even self help motivational rah-rah.
As I applied what I was learning, eventually things started turning around and sales started coming in.
Then, when I started my small home improvement business I got to use what I learned from the MLM, and started getting better at advertising. Especially copywriting.
In the early 2000s my E-commerce business was another great training ground for learning and testing web copy.
So that’s how I got started…
I can’t tell you what to do, Pernell, but if I had to start all over again I think I would still try to sell something on my own, before trying to attract clients.
The PROs are that you get to make all your own mistakes, and learn the most valuable lessons early on. Without the embarrassment of explaining to a new client why you seemingly don’t know what you’re doing.
Unless it’s an internship. But if it’s a paid gig, most clients aren’t too happy to have someone “figure it out” on their dime.
One CON to selling your own products is that you’re working off your own dime. And if you don’t figure it out, you could go hungry.
Another route would be to sell other peoples products on commission, as an affiliate (Affiliate marketing). That way I could start out with minimal investment other than time.
This could be one way to learn how to track and measure promotions, understand target markets, get some hands on experience in real time and even make a few dollars while learning.
After I got some experience under my belt, I might start looking for clients (unless I was having too much fun, and making too much money. Then I’d probably just keep doing what I was doing)
Anyway, that’s probably the route that I would take.
P.S.
One
PRO to going after clients first is that you get to learn lead generation. And who knows, you might just get a client?
A
CON could be competing against the multitudes of low priced writers on the internet, that seem intent on turning writing into a commodity
…
)
…