If you're earning a living freelance copywriting (or close to it), do you have recommendations for the percentage of time that needs to be spend marketing services? (I know people can be in the situation where they get a few clients who just keep coming back, so I'm talking about the person who does not have those first few clients).

I did not spend a great deal of time marketing, as I found most of my jobs/clients on online job boards. These jobs led to repeat business, so I have to say I am fortunate in that regard. I have heard some people say the spend a couple of hours a day on marketing when they first start out, and I certainly would have invested at least that much time if I needed to drum up business.

From the sounds of it this isnt what you wanted to hear, but I have to say the same thing too, I spend a little time browsing some forums and a couple of similar sites, but recently thats purely been in between doing more jobs for the first few clients I picked up hitting those sites.

I'm begining to see now more often than not that if someone is willing to pay for writing to be done, and you can satisfy them, a lot of people just plain need more doing, and if you did it right for them first time round you'll probably get the job.

I probably spend around an hour a day on marketing. I use the time when I first log on with a cup of coffee in the morning, and around lunchtime when Im having a 'break'.

I see my marketing time as a bit of a warm up for the main event of writing. I will say that Im sure I could use my time more effectively, and somehow marketing doesnt seem like 'work'. On the other hand, Ive build up a nice client list, so it must be working!

pp