How can I get into copywriting?

Question

I am a reporter looking to switch gears to copywriting.

Answer 1

log on to www.guru.com and create a profile. people will contact you wanting your help with various things- it is something you get paid by the job for, can do from home and you even have the choice to turn down jobs...

if you WANT to pay for a membership, you may, but you do not have to. the only thing a paid membership does for you is to allow you to search for and bid on jobs... might be good for someone in your situation...

good luck

Answer 2

I have been a freelance copywriter for 17 years. My advice to you is to parlay your writing expertise into some experience working with a PR/Advertising firm. Your skills as a reporter translate really well into PR, and if it's a small firm, you'll likely get plenty of exposure to the advertising side of the business.

Find a small to mid sized agency in your area, play up your reporting skllls, news sense, and newsroom know-how. I'm assuming you have clips, so copy them and put them in a portfolio, paying particular attention to the variety of topics and subjects you've covered. You want to show versatility, creativity and interesting writing, if you've got that kind of stuff. If you have business articles or features, that's realy great, too, as most PR clients really are turned on by people who have an understanding of how the media works. Straight-up news reporting is good, too. Another route to take, if there are no PR/ad agencies near you, might be working as a volunteer with some non-profit organizations that do good work in your area. By good work, I mean they actually promote themselves, and there is opportunity to help them through your writing. Use your volunteer work to to build up clips and samples. Tell them you'll help them with fundraising campaigns, press releases, brochures, etc... basically any type of marketing communication they need. This will help you get some pieces in your portfolio, and, if you're good, can get you more work as a freelancer -- or an employee. When you get these pieces, you can market yourself to design firms, who don't have any writers on board (and who don't want them!), but they farm work out all the time to keep their clients happy.

You needn't quit the reporting gig to get things going or to switch gears. There are resources online, but these folks have usually made all their money "copywriting"
by selling their advice to people, not by in-the-trenches work with clients. I'd read first and test the waters in the real world before plunking down hundreds of dollars on re-gurgitated advice from some of the folks out there. You can do this if you do your homework. Some classic "oldies but goodies" are must reading for someone interested in copywriting. These books are timeless and will give you some insight into the business and skill sets needed for copywriting --
Advertising Pure & Simple -- by Hank Seiden
Ogilvy on Advertising - David Ogilvy
Tested Advertising Methods - John Caples

And finally, get yourself some cheap-o business cards saying you're a copywriter. (see vistaprint.com) Join some local chambers of commerce, and network like mad. This will most beneficial if you have clips and some experience.

I've emptied my head for you! Hope it helps.