The Copywriter Underground

I just stumbled on Kivi Leroux Miller’s “Freelance Writing for Nonprofits” blog and found a post that nicely illustrates one of my oft-repeated points.
Instead of taking whatever work comes down the pike, target the companies and markets you want to work for.

From Kivi’s blog:
It was yet another reminder to me to be thankful [...]

One of the projects soaking up my blog-writing time has been a new product launch for a software client.
In what us toothless geezers call “the good old days,” a launch involved some collateral, maybe a direct mail campaign, an ad and some PR.
Today, you can add Web copy, e-newsletter copy, online banner ads, blog pitches, [...]

Michel Fortin has posted what I’d call a Project Start Questionnaire–a client checklist for starting a project that also includes his project payment terms.
There’s no shortage of general advice on the Internet (including mine) but this provides a very useful glimpse into the specific business practices of a successful copywriter.
Read it, save it, and copy the bits that make the [...]

Copywriting’s a stressful occupation. You’ve gotta be creative and effective, and do it all on a deadline.
Still, some writers seem to thrive on stress, and for those we have the following: the USB-powered Typing Speed Indicator:
 

The faster you type, the faster he pedals.
We’d thank the Spulch blog for this one, except I [...]

During the dot.com boom, a pair of friends abandoned their corporate cubicles and struck out for greener pastures as freelance copywriters.
For almost a year, they wondered why they waited so long to freelance.
“It’s so easy” one said. “Why didn’t I do this years ago?”
I just smiled.
Then dot.com went dot.bomb. Seemingly overnight, the VC money went [...]

When you’re busy, it’s tempting to write copy, ship it and forget it.
It’s a bad idea, especially when response mechanisms are involved. You have to dial the toll-free numbers, click the buttons, visit the landing pages, and fill out contact forms.
Or risk letting your client down. Even if it’s not your fault.

A recent project illustrates [...]