I am trying to break into copywriting, which I would like to do part-time. I have no "Book." I do have examples of my writing through papers written from various college courses I have taken. I have been told that, since I have spent alot of time training for the nonprofit world, I should make that my specialty.

My question is, without having created a catalog, brochure, press release, etc., why would a nonprofit organization take me seriously -even on a volunteer basis? And what would I tell them I could do for them if I have no experience? Is it better to take the time and energy to publish an article first, and then use it as an example of my writing abilities to get volunteer positions writing? This seems like it could take a long time to get my first real paying job. Is there an easier, more productive and lucrative way to get started with no background?

There are many sources that say, "Do This," but do not "Show" or "Explain" how one would go about it. I feel that making a sloppy product due to inexperience would actually cause harm to my "business" later. There is precious little information for the TRUE beginner - one not already possessing journalistic or marketing experience to use as leverage, or the money to take an expensive copywriting course.

I would really appreciate any and all advice you could give on this. Due to what I consider to be conflicting information, I seem to spend more time researching and reading than I do writing.

Thank you.

I think you should seriously ask yourself whether copywriting is for you.

These posts aren't asked by someone who understands copy. Who even grasps the basics of what it takes to succeed.

What you need is...

A rock solid foundation
Good education and...
Training, training, training

If you have no money, it's going to cost time. Pure and simple. You're going to have to read passionately, devour all the pro's knowledge, write out 1 succesful ad each day and spend the rest of your time finding new direct marketing successes to study and write out in the future.

Do this for 6 months and you'll get so good, you'll be able to do your own promotions without even bothering with clients....

Guys, I decided I want to be an eye surgeon. I haven't studied for it in school, though I did take a science course. I don't have any patient testimonials yet either. So, what can I do to make patients believe that I can help them and hire me?

Okay, Beginner - here's the straight answer. What kind of "copy" do you want to write? If it's sales copy - ads, direct response letters, etc - here's what you are going to do... Today!

Buy Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples.

Then while you are reading it, you're going to spend the bucks to purchase the following:

Million Dollar Mailings by Denny Hatch
How to write advertising that sells by Clyde Bydell

Next, you are going to do one of the following...

1) Get a job as a gofer, lacky, apprentice at an direct response ad agency, or for a company like Philips Publishing or Agora that use sales copy to survive. You might even offer to do ANYTHING for an experienced copywriter for free.

2. Find a few small businesses that you will help for free - you'll take what you learn out of Tested Advertising or Bydell and start making small changes to their ads and webpages and see what happens.

3. Take a regular job at a "small" compnay and then for free offer to write and modify and edit any sales copy they have. (essentially what I did). Large companies have marketing departments that hire marketing majors. Small companies are not as tight on the requirements and need lots of help. They often don't know what they are doing - but are willing to test and experiment. Could work as a great incubator for your sales-in-print skills.

4. Start your own small business and begin writing your own copy for websites, ads, sales letters etc. (a route Alan and some others have probably taken)

I would be very interested to see what Troy, Alan, Michel, Marcia and others who's writing and skills are proven would suggest to a beginner?

Hi Trebor,

I just posted an article that is tangentially related to this in the Articles thread. Go read that first. Then, building on that, here are a few ways the people that I have trained have gotten their first paid copywriting assignment (it's different for everyone, tailored to their situation and experience):

* Created a special offer for other small businesses in the coverted mill where he had his office and stuck flyers in their mailboxes

* Sent a postcard mailing to a few hundred people in the profession where she worked for eighteen years

* Did cold-calling to executives in his former profession, asking for a meeting and then selling them on creating a sales letter

* Placed a notice in the newsletter of her church about the opening of her practice

* Sent a press release to her local paper and got a huge writeup with photo about her new practice

All the above worked - for people who had completed their training with me but had never before been paid to write copy.

Hope this helps!

Marcia Yudkin

Thanks Marcia,

The key word in your paragraph below was "completed their training"

Beginner, are you listening?

1. Yes, start in a field where you have experience. It lets you talk with authority.

2. Articles don't impress clients. They simply demonstrate that you haven't got a real portfolio.

3. Don't go looking for clients until you're sure you can write great copy.

4. Training is essential. One place to try is the Institute of Copywriting at www.inst.org/copy

5. When you're ready to launch your service. be aware that many clients - especially the smaller ones - won't ask about your experience. They assume that if your card says 'Copywriter', that's what you are.

6. When you're new, don't knock on ad agencies' doors. Stay away from them until you have lots of experience.