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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Deb Ng seems like a level headed sort. So when she starts ranting, I pay attention.
And while it sounds a little callous, I’m happy to see her casting off her SEO work:
I’m done. I’m keyworded out. I understand the basics of SEO, but honestly, can we think things through before throwing them out for [...]

Professional writers have never had more choices.
The amount of available freelance work is staggering.
Unfortunately, too much of it is of the low-paying, “SEO article” variety, where the finished product isn’t an “article” as much as fodder for search engines.
If you’re working at this level, but want more, then here’s an idea: why not divert time [...]

Freelance designers are interesting people. I’ve worked with plenty - enough to know that when you find one who “gets it,” you hold on tight.
Sadly, if they really do “get it,” they’ve got a bullseye on their back for the next smart design firm that’s hiring.
Still, they face the same client issues freelance writers [...]

Most clients accept a copywriter’s proposals without problem, but a few clients want to negotiate.
When I was starting out, some clients - knowing I was new - negotiated hard, and got me cheap. Others negotiated more work than they paid for.
Most distressing was the fact that I didn’t know what was happening.
I was losing the [...]

Yahoo’s  Hot Jobs for 2007 listing now says that “copywriter” is one of 2007’s hottest professions (which might explain my staggering workload).
In fact, in a survey by our company, 60 percent of advertising and marketing executives who plan to hire new employees said they’ll be adding copywriters. Due to this increased demand, average starting salaries for senior copywriters [...]

From Designers who Blog comes the story of a now-anonymous article repeatedly copied and reposted on Craigslist - one aimed squarely at those who expect creatives work for free.
Though focused primarily on illustrators, it should be a mandatory read for any artist selling their work at rates that won’t buy a fast food dinner (and [...]

It’s been a good start to the year. Maybe a little too good. Clients new and old are surfacing (or resurfacing) by the gross, and conference calls are lined up all week long.
I’m writing like the wind. I’m trying to keep it all straight in my head. And I’m going batshit.

I’m not the only one. [...]