Hello,

I'm green. I graduated in December with a bachelors (U of Wisconsin - Journalism). I want in - realy bad. I'm 28 and have been chasing this copywriting thing since getting back into school 5 years ago.
I went to LA, didn;t get a job, so now I'm at my parents in Florida. Just applying everywhere for an entry level copywriting gig. I'm thinking about moving to Chicago just to be in the mix.

I've gone 5 months without an interview and I am getting really poor. I got an amazing opportunity to do a commercial that aired on mtv2 (for slayer), a basic 15 second spot. However, marketing took alot of the oomph out of it.
So I have that commerical under my belt and a ad campaign I did for oscar mayer in college - with other "team members" who were 20 year old crazy women. I was the "old guy". Our group wasn;t functional, but i still think my ads are ok, not great, but I did what I could. I also did a basic campaign for environmental class...

So that's what i have, not much. But I still want in.

I got my first interview. Looks like the work they do is kinda cheesey. business to business stuff. But they gave me an interview, so I'm not complaining. I fly up there this week to take the interview.

So I have a few questions:

1. Do I need to go to ad school? 30k+ just to make 45k when I'm done? hmmmmm seems fishy.

2. What should I wear to the interview. a suit? I just got one that looks great. Or is that too dressy? Maybe just a shirt and tie? Jeans and a blazer?

3. Why does it seem so impossible to get a job in copywriting? I heard on another forum that it is harder than getting into the entertainment biz- that true? And once your in , how long to people last?

4. By taking a job at a cheesey agency, will I be harming my reputation and will be stuck with a crap portfolio?

5. How do I get CD's to understand that my spec work is basic. I;ve never had the chance to work with a art director. I think in an environment like that, i woudl thrive. I have had to create the spec ads myself, with a good art director, i would rock...


Any advice would be very welcome. I'm starting to get really poor.

Joe

Joe... you're looking at this all the wrong way...

You don't want to get a job at an agency. If you look around this place, most of us are freelance direct marketing copywriters.

Some of the guys who have been doing it for a couple (I really mean 2 or 3) years are making 6 or even 7 figures. They work for themselves and work when they want.

Being a student of the craft myself, I recommend you just buy a couple books on it, and hang around places like this. You'll learn a lot.

So, this different angle on your career probably won't lead to anymore mtv2 commercials, but you have a chance to make some real money.

tvwriterguy

PS - The move to LA was not needed. I've been in LA writing television for over 15 years. I got into this so I can move AWAY from LA. If things go as planned, I'll be buying a house in Florida this winter.

Joe,

Although I agree that studying the copywriting masters and networking with the great folks you'll meet on this board are an excellent way to learn your craft. You still need to eat.

And I don't necessarily think moving to Chicago is the way to go. I learned long ago that -- no matter where you are -- there you are. That means (to me) that you will be no better off in Chicago than you are in Florida.

Listen man ... you got a degree in Journalism for goodness sake. That's a license to write -- Editorial copy.

Why not start there? Get a job working for a newspaper or a local publisher. Get your feet wet. Learn the ropes. Snuggle up to the marketing folks ... then make a break for it.

In essence back your way into it. I'd take a warm prospect over a cold prospect anyday!

There's opps in Florida, I know I live here. Stay put, get focused and get a job! And by the way for the interview's -- wear a suit.

Best of Luck!

Hope that helps,

Julie McManus

Julie, what's a suit?

Ya now ... that dusty two piece thingamjiggy in the very back of your closet that you only wear to funerals ...

Julie

Oh that.

Used to wear one every day.

Now, when I walk out of the house dressed in workout clothes,
my wife says, "you aren't going out like that are you?"

I tell her the swipe files don't care...

lol I hear ya.. I only wear my monkey suit ($3K brioni) for videos and seminars, the other 24/7 I'm wearing boxer shorts (only) or workout shorts (only)... or when I go out, it's dockers or 501s...

usedta do that corporate suit and tie thang, for corporate clients... very glad no more ties/cuffs ... the salesletters don't care...

back when I was a sales training/mgmt consultant in Hawaii, the formal dress up attire is aloha shirts and blue slacks/black shoes, so I wore that for 10+ years... great shirts by Reyn Spooner, Kahala Shirts, and Tommy Bahama silk shirts (my current favorite casual shirts).

dressing the part is great... for at-home entrepreneurs, that's the "in your shorts at the kitchen table/pc workstation" deal...

ken

If you want to know the easiest way in the world to get clients,
send me a PM with your contact details.

Keep in mind, I had no experience at all and had no problem
quoting $5000 for a 5 page letter for my first job.

Guess what?

I got the job and the client was stoked with the results.

Jason,

How could you get $5,000 without experience to back you up? Didn't the client want proof that you were able to get results for other clients?

I'm asking because it seems so hard to break into copywriting. I'm so glad I'm past the breaking in part, although it's for a less lucrative kind of copywriting. It would be great for others here to know how. And frankly, I wouldn't mind knowing how to make $5,000 on a job.

Can you share this with us?

Namaste,

Janet

Doc ... same for me. I've been a year out of the corporate gig. Most day's it's jeans, t-shirts and crocs for me. I'm lovin' live!

The thought of going back to the daily commute makes me wretch!