| Expect A New Boom In Writing for the Web |
Copyright © 2003 by Angela Booth
If you've been keeping your fingers on the economic pulse, you'll
have noticed that the worldwide economy is picking up. All
indications point to a new Web boom. This means that writers
should gear up and get ready for all the work they can handle.
I keep a busy copywriting practice, and several of my regular
multimedia agency clients have told me they're getting many more
enquiries and many new contracts.
If you're looking for writing work, start now to pursue more Web
copywriting work.
As a copywriter, what can you write for the Web? Anything and
everything. Main pages to Web sites, sales pages, product
descriptions, blogs (yes, companies do pay writers to write
blogs, which are Web logs or journals, if you're not au courant),
newsletters, ezines --- the list goes on and on.
If I were a new copywriter starting out today, I'd focus strictly
on the Web. You get to work with companies worldwide, you work at
your own pace, and you can see the results of your efforts almost
instantly. What chiefly appeals to me is the wide variety of the
work, and the terrific relationships you can make.
I've started a new coaching program for writers who want to write
for the Web. If you're not sure how to get started, what
experience you need, or how to get Web clients, consider taking
the coaching program. The program is completely one-on-one, and
tailored to your needs. So, whatever level you're at in your
career, the program will give you a huge boost.
How much money can you make? If you're a complete beginner, you
can estimate that you'll make $50,000 for the first year. If
you're more experienced, you can easily double that amount.
Here's the info:
http://www.digital-e.biz/coaching.html
Yes, all the coaching programs are guaranteed. :-)
=> How to get started as an online copywriter
How do you get started copywriting in the online world?
It's not a requirement to have your own Web site, but it helps.
With your own site, you can point prospective clients to work
samples, and can show them that you know how the Web operates.
They can also get an idea of your writing style. The biggest
benefit of a Web site is that it's painless marketing. After the
site has been up for a year or so, clients will come to you, you
don't have to hunt for work.
You can find Web writing work in many ways. The best way is to
approach companies directly, with a proposal.
I've written about proposals here ---
http://www.digital-e.biz/articles/art_writing8.html
In that article I used the example of offering proofreading
services to a site. This was ONLY meant as AN EXAMPLE. Please
find some other service to offer to Web sites, like creating
additional features, pages, autoresponder sequences, newsletters,
and so on. The amount of money you make proofing sites won't keep
your canary in birdseed. :-)
You can also respond to online job ads. However, please be
careful when responding to such ads. I've received several
anguished yelps from writers who've been conned by rip-off
artists. These characters get writers to write (and write and
write), and when the writer sends an invoice, there's no payment.
If you have doubts about someone after Googling them (entering
their company name into Google.com), check out the Whispers and
Warnings at ---
http://www.writersweekly.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=14
You can also post an enquiry on the above discussion board.
=> Please get a retainer up-front
A further warning--- if you don't know the client, and haven't
worked for the company before, get some money BEFORE you start
working on a project. Copywriting is not speculative work. Please
make sure that you get your writing services agreement signed,
and that you get a retainer up front. You might not require a
retainer for small projects, but you should definitely get a
retainer for any job over $500. The retainer can be as low as ten
per cent for a large project, with regular payments to be made at
intervals, or half the total fee.
If you don't have a writing services agreement, please create
one. It's a simple form explaining the scope of the project, its
deadline, the number of revisions, the payment, and how and when
that payment is due.
If you enjoy writing, please make the most of the coming Web
writing boom. It's a chance for you to get started with a writing
career if you're a beginning writer. If you're a pro, it's a
great chance to increase your income.
*** Resource Box ***
To read more articles by Angela Booth, visit the Digital-
e Web site--Information for writers and creatives.
Ebooks, free ezines, Creatives Club. Love to write? Turn
your talent into a business! http://www.digital-e.biz/
|
Back to Articles Index
|
|
 |
|
