Hi,
I've been copywriting for the last 2 1/2 months. I've produced a few really good sales letters in this period (quicker than I imagined I would) and each letter about 7/8 Word pages in size. I've done these sales letters for FREE to build up my portfolio or for JVs (profit sharing) with other people. But the real paid sales letter still eludes me.

I was curious about how and where you people got your first paid copywriting job. What rate did you charge at that time? What do you recommend I charge to begin with?

I'm sure plenty of people will disagree with me on this, but I think you should charge according to experience. You're ready to leave the 'freebie' corner, so start low. I think I sold my first sales letter for $180.

I can't quite remember now, but I believe I started with Google ads. There are a hundred thousand tight wads out there wanting to say they hired a pro, and then become a royal pain in your $$$. I personally don't think this is a bad thing when you're starting out. It gives you discipline, and teaches you how to deal with problem customers.

Good luck to you.

I got my first gig from a contact through a marketing forum who became
a subscriber to my newsletter, then a purchaser of a product I was
selling and then a ghost writing client and then a copywriting client.

I think the first letter I charged about $300, don't quite remember. If you
have portfolio to build I agree that you should start small as your price
will be your main selling point and even if you "fail" the risk taken on you
was small anyway.

Just be prepared that small payers are usually BIG demanders.

You're off to a great start ... you are WRITING sales letters instead
of just talking about it!!

-Ray L.

The first copy job I did was for a non-profit organization trying to raise money for the children of AIDS victims in Africa.

Instead of selling the cause, I sold the event, and tossed the fact that the event was for charity in the objection portion of the copy.

My second thing I have done was this:
No Product? Start With Bypass Surgery » Copywriting Blog By Copywriter Michel Fortin

I realized that if I can not make MYSELF any money, what makes me believe that I can make anyone else any money....

Right here!

A.

Through a networking contact at the Washington DC Chamber of Commerce. She's a Business Bank Account Officer for CitiBank. She introduced me to a software consultant.

I wrote a white paper for her and got paid $1250.00.

BTW...if your local CofC is big enough, join it! And do make friends with the local bankers who sell biz accounts. They see every type of business and company coming through the door, and they also hear from those folks what their other needs are - like marketing.

So, get acquainted with them, make sure they understand what you have to offer, and periodically refresh the relationship.

I've heard many people say that they got their first copywriting job from this forum. How does that happen?