whatamydidnext wrote: ↑November 6th, 2021, 7:03 pm
Thank you!
I sort of want to be the Swiss Army knife of Graphic Design and Copywriting!
I love designing, but I miss writing so I want to get started with it again.
I think I'd like to start off with short form advertising copy. Particularly things involving technology, art, photography, music, film/tv, food, cosmetics, fashion. I'd also love to write about things I care about: the environment, our oceans, animal rights, pollution etc (Bit of a tree hugger, yes.)
That's a very ambitious array of interest Amy, you've covered quite a few profitable niches here.
And a few environmentally responsible ones as well. Which I applaud because I'm an old tree hugger too
.
The only small issue I see is they're also quite competitive niches, with many writers who have a head start on you.
I'm with Franklin on this one. It might be more prudent to narrow your focus a little. At least in the beginning until you build your reputation.
whatamydidnext wrote: ↑November 6th, 2021, 7:03 pm
As a graphic designer, I love designing things for publication; magazines, brochures, catalogues and so on, so yes I would love to do a bit of article writing (I'd rather not have someone else's wording on my design work) so I guess I'm one of those people who considers articles to be copywriting, haha!
I'm worried about creating a portfolio though. Obviously I'm a total beginner; no experience, no past clients, nothing to show off. So how do I build an attractive portfolio? No one will hire me if I have no proven record of being a good writer, so I can't get any experience; it's a vicious circle!
Yes, it can be a vicious circle... But it doesn't need to be.
Right now you're in a bit of a catch 22 - You need experience to attract paying clients... but how can you get experience without any clients to write for?
If you just start putting yourself out there as an inexperienced writer, you're most likely going to attract low end clients and freebie hunters…
And in good conscience I can't recommend anyone building their reputation on that kind of a weak foundation.
Also, the competition for low end writers is fierce (as can be easily seen on any of the freelance farms like fiverr, freelancer, upwork, etc)
So because you have no experience, in this case I recommend you start creating your own experience.
Let me explain...
One word of caution: This is not a one or two day process. It could take weeks, or even months of effort before it pays off for you. But it's the kind of effort that most newbies will never do (because it's too much like real work) and as a result, if you're willing to play the long game, in a short while you'll be ahead of 90% of the other writers who are just starting out.
If you're going for content writing, then start writing content.
Find a couple niches that are interesting to you. Like I mentioned above - narrow it down at the beginning so you don't get too overwhelmed.
Study some of the more popular websites and study the articles and posts for their style and formatting.
And then start writing you own blog posts, essays and articles about that niche.
Write as if one of those top websites has commissioned you to write for them, and they are going to publish it. (in other words... don't half ass it. You will learn to write with the same discipline as you train. So write like you mean it.)
These samples will become part of your portfolio. And you can put your samples on display. (on your own blog or website, a social network, or somewhere your target audience hangs out...?)
This will be the beginning of your "experience". And if you want to sound more professional you can refer to them as "spec" assignments (which, if we spin it right... basically means you wrote it for someone, but it never got used)
If you're going after the sales copy market, you can use a similar process, but it will take a few different tactics to get your foot in the door. It's a tougher market to crack, but it can be more lucrative.
And of course, the best experience you can get in writing sales copy is to actually find something to sell (either your own product, or someone else's affiliate product).
This will give you true first hand experience in finding the right message to market match. Because the market won't hesitate to let you know if your copy skills are any good.
If they respond... then it's good...
If the market doesn't respond... then it's the wrong message, the wrong audience, or the wrong timing (or any combination of the three)
Here's another topic from a while ago that can give you a few more ideas on this subject
Selling yourself as a beginner and building a portfolio
Anyway Amy, hopefully somewhere in my ramblings you'll feel a nugget of wisdom you can use.
All the best,
Steve