Many people dream of working from home, but few are able to make the transition from workplace to home office as easily as a freelance copywriter. Many copywriters spend years with an advertising agency to hone their craft and build a client base. Then when an opportunity comes along, they retire from the public business world to work from home, often by telecommuting with clients via the Internet.
If you are a copywriter who would like to try a start-up business for yourself, here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:
1. Make sure you are experienced in all the facets of copywriting so you won't get stumped or disappoint a client when working from home. Of course, you can keep previous samples or handbooks available for consultation, but you want to be skilled and confident enough to manage most aspects of any assignment to avoid disappointing your client and negatively impacting your reputation. Give yourself adequate time in the regular copywriting business before attempting to go off on your own.
2. Find out how to operate a home business. You will need to undertake all the office functions that other staff members typically handle in an agency, from record-keeping to filing and even making coffee! Tacitly shadow other staff members while publicly employed and ask questions to find out more about their job duties. Then, when you have to tackle these yourself, you'll know what to do.
3. Learn how to maintain records. Keep copies of everything you do, from work orders to email instructions to the final job. Set up files for each client or individual assignments using an alphabetical or numerical system. Take good care of your client's interests and manage the details appropriately to build a reputation of integrity and trustworthiness.
4. Keep current with industry trends. Attend conferences, network in discussion groups, and sign up for an occasional seminar to polish your skills and stay abreast of developments. You don't want your clients to think you're out of date or old fashioned when they find you no longer are part of the public workforce. If you obtain certifications or licensing of any kind, be sure to indicate it in your promotional materials.
5. Don't steal clients from your public employer. It may be tempting to advertise that you are leaving the company to set up shop on your own, but it is more ethical to let clients ask for you and beat a path to your door of their own volition. Become an aggressive marketer. Build a Website, try cold calling, send a mailer, and network through local community organizations. Before you know it, you should have plenty of customers who will appreciate your scheduling flexibility and competitive rates.
Copywriting from home is a terrific way to manage your career without the overhead issues of management and costs. Hold on to your professional veneer while adding a home-style touch that will make your customers feel well taken care of. Soon you may have to hire an assistant freelancer to handle your overflow of clients!
