If writing is your passion, a valued and credible career to explore is one of freelance office copywriters. These are freelance writers who work on-call, in person within an actual office or online as a virtual copywriter. Many offices require the services of a skilled writer, but some managers may not need to hire someone to actually work in the office as an employee.
When you are a freelance office copywriter, you can schedule your own hours in many cases, and only work when you wish to do so. You can find these jobs online at a content provider website or solicit jobs on your own as private clients.
Tips
- Don’t try to fake it. You must be an experienced copywriter, able to analyze jobs and determine what is needed. You also need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely.
- Keep separate client folders for every client you do work for. This makes your job easier because you have copies of all the work you have done.
- Keep careful records of your time per job, payment and client information so you are able to do your taxes correctly each year.
Advice
- Communicate on a regular basis with your freelance office clients. Hopefully they will contact you when they need copywriting.
- You can develop a little “tips” newsletter, so your communications do not look so much like ordinary solicitation emails.
- Treat each job as if you were in an office setting; always be professional in your contact with clients, your writing and your billing.
Resources
- www.irs.gov – Find information here to structure your freelance office copywriters business and to do tax records.
- www.sba.gov – The Small Business Administration has great information if you wish to finance your business and grow it larger. They can help you create a business plan and get grants or loans.
- www.nolo.com – Legal questions? This is a good reference website for legal information.
- www.aopfc.com – Association of Professional Freelance Copywriters
- www.the-pcs.org – The Professional Copywriters Association (PCA)
Industry News
- www.news-the-cma.com – Content Marketing Association – this website contains valuable information for freelance copywriters who are providing articles and other online content.
- Watch for local writers’ group meetings or nearby conventions.
- www.bls.gov – Information about industry pay to help you set rates.
Office copywriters are not very organized as a group, per se, like some other broad categories. You can find opportunities everywhere, from websites like Monster.com to local Craigslist opportunities. Once you are established and have a few clients, you should be busy writing, but never stop looking for better opportunities.
Linda E is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.
