Independent Copywriter

Getting work initially as a freelance copywriter can be difficult , unless you are willing to work for free or at a very low rates. Most clients who pay well will first ask for sample work and client list. So it is important to build a good portofolio of work published online and offline. Usually offline publications like magazines and newspapers have higher standards, so article published will provide more credibility.

It is also important to know your own strengths and weaknesses and specialise in a particular field. If you are good in business writing and have a technical background , you can offer to work on technical ads and text where the focus is on the product features and prices. These ads provide all the relevant information to the buyers, so that they can make a purchase decision quickly.

For a creative person , who can write catchy jingles and memorable ads, there is lot of demand for copywriters from companies selling consumer products like soft drinks, snacks as well as durables like refrigerators and other household appliances. 

Basic qualifications to become a copywriter are a degree in English Studies and an aptitude for creative writing. Most persons interested in copywriting usually do a low paid or unpaid internship for a few months before getting a suitable job offer.

Since most copywriters are hired by advertising agencies, knowing relevant persons in the field is important. Most agencies hire interns as well copywriters through referrals. If you do not have any friends and relatives working in advertising agencies, you should contact the local advertising agencies.

Many times, an advertising agency may not be interested in conducting a job interview (especially if there are no vacancies), but a senior person could be willing to spare a few minutes for an informational interview. They will provide information about the working environment, how they get ideas for advertisements, their hiring process. Since people in the advertising industry are well networked, they may know about current vacancies for copywriters and also refer you to a potential employer