And I found some interesting things -

The portfolios of some of the copywriters getting business could use some work. I've only just begun and spent the last month reading a few books (Hopkins, Caples, Schwab) so maybe this copy writing thing is going to my head...

I was browsing around Elance as a place to "cut my teeth" and see what kind of jobs people posted. The unique thing about it is people post their bio/resume along with a portfolio (if they choose to). Nosy me - I started poking around other copywriter's portfolios to see what they were doing and I was a little startled by a couple of things.

1. Headlines - Is it just me or could these use some work?

There's nothing really appealing about these headlines that makes me want to read more. And to think people paid for this.

2. Each of the people bidding on a job have a section where they are trying to entice the Buyer into selecting them for their project. It's called "Bidder Comments."

Well, I was a little let down as not one of the people who claimed to be copywriter's used any copywriting skills to "Sell" themselves to their prospective client. Most of them were touchy - feely for example:

I would love to write your white paper. I'm a full-time copywriter and editor offering more than 15 years experience (blah, blah, blah).

Provides excellent writing services in a competitive marketplace. My writing skills will provide you with the tools you need to be successful.

And this one I love as they claim to work for Dan Kennedy & Bill Glazer - I don't doubt it, but their copywriting skills don't come across in their bidder's comments:

I'm a direct response copywriter. My expertise is selling. I am a ----- working for Dan Kennedy & Bill Glazer, two of the highest paid and sought after copywriters and direct marketers in the world (as a client I'd be saying who cares who they are - are they writing my copy? If not - then who are you and what can you do for me?)

Anyhow, I'll get a chance to test the waters here in a couple more weeks as I start to bid, but one thing I learned - my bidders comments are going to be my selling tool using all the techniques I've been reading about in the books and on this board.

Just my thoughts and observations...

Press on to Success,

Jeff

Elance is one place you can get going, for the very reason that it doesn't take a whole lot to stand out from the crowd. But make sure you charge more than everyone else, too, for the same reason. You don't want to get bogged down writing $5 articles or other starvation crap like that.

Quote:

I'm a direct response copywriter. My expertise is selling. I am a ----- working for Dan Kennedy & Bill Glazer, two of the highest paid and sought after copywriters and direct marketers in the world.

I remember seeing that one -- I was wondering what he was doing on elance, if he does work for Kennedy and Glazer?

Personally, I've never used sites like Elance or Guru. They always left a bad taste in my mouth ... probably because the bidders there always seem to be desperately scrapping for jobs. Not to mention, I've had more than one prospective client balk at my prices, claiming "But I found a guy on Elance to write my website copy for $25 a page!"

I suppose it may be a good place to get some experience if you're just getting started, but as Ken stated, make sure you're charging considerably more than the other bidders and that your portfolio really showcases your best work. The very last thing you want is tire-kicking buyers choosing you on price alone.

I've found writers through eLance and been very happy with them.

I've also been hired as a writer on eLance. I have a great client from eLance. My original work with him was won through eLance but I've done a lot more business with him since then and we've become friends.

I do think eLance is helpful for getting started with a new client in some cases.

Everyone is right about elance. There are fine customers and fine suppliers both who get work done. And there are the lowest scrubs in the business offering services they don't know how to do, and customers who want two paragraphs of bad sales copy to rank Google on page one by this Friday for $125 to be paid when the site is at #1.

Its the most mixed of bags.

for people who are looking to get started, I think eLance is great. You can win some clients and work cheap, while you develop your chops.

Isn't it a little unrealistic to expect Dan Kenedy quality copy in 48 hours? (Nevermind they'd like that for under $250...)

So far, the best I've been able to do is a decent first draft in a week.

Right on Ken. You nailed it.

Here is what I advise people to do on Elance if you
are looking for some work.

Find the highest bidder, and DOUBLE it.

It sets you so far away from everyone else, and anyone
contacting you is going to be fairly serious about their
project. (most of the time)

Also, it's going to make the low bidders look like a bunch
of incompetent writers who are just trying to pay the rent
while you look like the pro on price alone.

AND do NOT worry about charging too much. You can ALWAYS find a good copywriter who will "Once Over" your copy for a good rate. Sure, you may give up 1/2 of your profits. But you gain a customer AND input from a more experienced copywriter. You really can win all around as long as you charge enough. Even the customer comes out ahead. A great copywriter will fix your copy at a very reasonable cost because it takes so little time.