I have to apologize here for starting a topic in the newbie section after it was
already in the other section. Since I can't edit/change my title, I'll just change
the question in here... let's make it how long have you been copywriting?

I've been a freelance writer for a long time, but I'm just more recently getting
into the net/copywriting jobs... like within the last couple of years.

Hi Katharina.

It has been a long time since I have had to look for copywriting work
or SEO copywriting clients. The clients contact me or ad agency's call,
at least some, that know my work.

My first online company was B & C Compusoft. We were online in 1993
and that was my first ever real copywriting job. Before that I wrote
tech manuals, articles and short stories. Two novels (unpublished) are
also collecting mold somewhere. About 1996 was the first time I remember
consciously writing SEO copy. It all goes hand in hand.

Seems like around fifteen years, give or take.

Verb

How wonderful, Verb! I have clients coming to me for my
regular freelancing work (non-fiction/journalism) but I'm too
new at genuine copywriting for that. It will be great when I
reach that point.

Can't help it, I have to say this as a freelancer... consider
pulling those moldy (your term not mine! hehe) novels out
and see about polishing and getting them published!

Lately, I've been collecting direct mail fliers from local businesses. When I get some time, I intend to look at them and see if I can improve their results, then offer my services rather inexpensively if so. That way, I can get some experience and hopefully referrals.

I also noticed the free membership at guru.com isn't as bad as I originally thought. They've been emailing me job opportunities every day this week, so I might start applying for those after I complete my profile there.

I've heard of some people getting work this way in the past. Will you be
approaching the businesses face to face, phone, or will you mail them a
proposal first to see if they want a meeting?

I think I will mail them a proposal first - that way I don't have to take the kids anywhere and make a bad impression!

Sometimes this is better than a phone call, yes. A lot of people need to
see something tangible on paper. It's much too easy to say a quick "sorry,
not interested" when it's a phone call.

Katharina, you have started a very thoughtful thread, and I found Stephanie and Eileen's comments enlightening. I hope this thread continues as it asks a really important question. I think I'll give guru.com a shot.

In answer to your question, most of my work has been accidental, with people hearing about me, but I'd like to start a marketing campaign that I can rely on for a steady flow of clients. I did build a website, and I'm in the process of refining it, but it hasn't done much for me yet. Hopefully that will change soon.

All of you are awesome. I'm enjoying reading your various posts.

Cheers,

Sal

I stumbled across another site today. It's a writers forum, so they have a lot of noncopywriting items, but there were a few copywriting jobs posted as well

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=24

I also am new to copywriting but I've been working online as a free lancer also and trying to learn how to make it thorough copywriting also. Seem like a very lucrative work.

Copywriting has always been evasive to me. I find words so comforting though, so I decided to make sure I was the best writer first and then move on to copywriting. I push most of my work through freelancing websites to better my grammer and I am going to launch my own site next year. Cross fingers and toes.