magazine article writing does not pay the bills!!

I am new to this board and copywriting. I have to admit, I am truly fascinated! You guys (generalization meaning guys and chicks...I wouldn't want to offend!) really know what you're doing.

Anyway, back to me. I have been writing in the magazine article genre and stumbled across the art of copywriting. I have actually started a business aiding realtors in their marketing efforts. I currently have a client for whom I am rewriting his website. I also will embark on a monthly marketing effort for another agent.

Here's my problem, I think I am slowly getting this copywriting thing down. I have bought many of the "must have" books and studied a lot of what you all post here. I am hoping to get some help from time to time. You see, I really do care about helping the realtors out. I would love to help grow their businesses by creating marketing material that rocks. I would just like to get a little input from time-to-time regarding the copy that I have in mind.

I really do respect what everyone here is doing and I am so excited to have found such a great resource! You guys are awesome!

Hello Evelyn:

Welcome to the board! I think you'll find everyone here to be very helpful!

All the best,
Dale King

Welcome to the dark side, Evelyn! I did the magazine thing for a little while, too, and got published in some national mags. But I hated the whole querying process and dealing with editors, especially since the pay was so crummy. The query process was downright exploitative - "Send us your best ideas, and we'll sit on it for eight months while we decide if we like it or not ... meanwhile, we don't want you shopping this pitch to any other magazine." Thanks, but no thanks!

I discovered Peter Bowerman's "Well-Fed Writer" in '01 and never looked back. Today I have my dream life - earn a full time income working part time, with plenty of freedom to enjoy my husband and four kids. Just keep reading, writing, and learning, and you'll soon find there's plenty of work out there for you.

Dale:
Thanks for the warm welcome. I have to say...you are one driven man! I am constantly amazed by the number of great posts you add.

Eileen:
I so know what you mean about the query process. It takes up so much of my time and I can't even be sure the query will bring in one dime. Frustrating!! I am glad to see that moving to the "dark side" can be so rewarding. Thanks for the encouragement!

Hi Evelyn,

Welcome to the board as well. And I know what you mean about clients
finding your post. I got in trouble once because I aksed for a critique
on a sales letter I was writing for a client. He didn;t want anyone to know
about the product before launch time.

Anyway we are ALL learners around here.

Regards,

Ray L.,

You're quite welcome, Evelyn!

Driven? Who me?

Dale King

Hi Evelyn

And welcome aboard.

You've found the best place on the 'net
for launching you copywriting career.

Beats the heck out of magazine writing.

And beats the pants off of academic
writing .

Best of luck!

Welcome to the forum. This is a great place to learn. I have learned alot from these great guys and gals and I am sure you will to.

Thanks Ray, Leah and Terry. I have been in business for a little over a month and my phone is already ringing! I just love the fact that there is a venue for writers to actually make a living at what they do best.

Ray: Yikes...not great about the client finding out about your posting. My thinking is if anyone decides to do a search for my business, I don't want any of my newbie posts to haunt me. I think it is great if you are an expert and can show it in your posts but posts that are less-than-knowledgeable will show up in searches for a long time if there is a link.

Oh and Leah...you are so right about academic writing

Thanks everyone!!

Hi and welcome

I wanted just to say that (in my modest vision) the important is the SHARE your thought.

have you ever read my first post?!!! (sometime when I read mine I want just to hide my face) and then I remember that we are between friend, and they are nice here .

so don't feel bolqued , feel free and share your thought, for my self I will be happy to learn from any one.

believe me sometime before making SUBMIT, I ask my self what :

1)look again if there is a mistake (my english isn't fluent).
2)are you sure.
3)what background do you have to make critic.

and then I remember how nice they are and that it is just about sharing, and help.

so let read more.

there is no safe way for knowledge. and no easy way for success.

PS:if there is any mistake don't hesitate and tell me.