Small Business Startup Idea: Copy Writing

Not only I, but others are always looking looking for cleverly written copy, for their ads and other marketing material. Should you have these skills, you are in demand, especially if you have experience in this area too.

Skills needed: Excellent writing skills, past experience in advertising, copy writing or related.

Business Environment and Set-up Cost: You can run this business from home, you’ll need a computer, internet, telephone, dictionary and you’ll be in business. Even if you have non of these items, $2,000.00 / £ 1,000.00 / € 1,500.00 should get you started, have a look at second hand equipment.

Marketing Techniques:

• Online newsgroups and discussion forums related to marketing;
• Cleverly designed signature file for email, forums and other public communication;
• Do some free work to get reference clients, to be used on your
• Web-site, blog and newsletters;
• Develop as many links to your website as possible, especially in the marketing arena.

Complimentary business idea: To earn additional money you could offer design or pr-agency services.

Notes: You can work internationally. However, you will have to make sure you are familiar with the cultural differences to your target market.

Online Examples:

• Laughing Lion Design - they offer exactly that service and do it well.
• Graphic design blog - here you can get some ideas, what others are doing.
  
• Nick Usborne - Copy writing business.
  

For more small business ideas see my category Business Ideas.

5 Responses to “Small Business Startup Idea: Copy Writing”

1. Daniel Morgan
   http://www.earnmegabucks.co.uk
   
   Said on April 3rd, 2008 at 8:21 pm

   Thats a great post there. You’ve hit the nail on the head describing the things needed to get started and some good marketing advice too. I personally work as an affiliate and use most of the things you suggested with great success. I started with no experience in advertising though, so i must disagree with that bit. As long as you learn from your mistakes you will pick up the required experience along the way. Reading up helps too, but making and seeing the mistakes for yourself helps alot i think.

2. Christie Lyle
   http://fresh-web-content.com/
   
   Said on May 19th, 2008 at 1:33 am

   Hi Stefan,

   Great post. I stumbled on your site (I’m glad I did) through Google in search for copy writing advices. Thanks!

3. Cheri N
   http://copywriter
   
   Said on May 27th, 2008 at 5:27 pm

   Hi Stefan,

   I agree - copywriting is a great business for those who love to write. Especially if you’ve got any type of sales experience. After all, copywriting is really just “salesmanship in print.”

   If you’re just starting out, there are some excellent resources and coaching programs that can help accelerate your success. Once you understand the value you bring to a business, you’ll see why copywriters are often paid very well for their services!

4. john from the copywriting agency
   http://www.thewritingagency.com
   
   Said on May 31st, 2008 at 12:03 pm

   Like with all startups, the hard bit about being a copywriter is getting the work in the first place and getting yourself known. From what we’ve found, you can be an amazing writer but if you can’t market yourself, noone will ever know.

   Copywriting is a brilliant job, but people should be prepared to do loads of marketing and not much writing if they’re starting out on their own

5. Lee
   http://copywritingseminars
   
   Said on September 12th, 2008 at 6:36 pm

   Hey Stefan -

   Great post! I also totally agree with what John said as well. It can be a bit frustrating to get clients that REALLY value your work when you’re first getting started.

   For that - I would look deeply at what differentiates you from other copywriters.

   More specifically - “niche” yourself instead of going for any old broad market.

   Look for what makes you unique to write copy for that specific niche. Bring it to potential clients attention and then tie it in to why that’s of great benefit to them.

   So you want to convey… Why you’re the best choice to write for that particular market… and… why you’re the best choice to write for that particular client. It really is all about positioning.

   If you get that right it will work even if you’re just starting out and don’t already have a proven track record.

   If you want to see an example of this go here…

   copywritingseminars

   Lee

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