Struggling to Find Freelance Copywriting Jobs?

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The good news: You don’t need to look far to land copywriting clients.

Free training! Sign up for the 14-Day Client Finder (You’ll go to my new writer’s site.)

Some bad news: You’re probably making it harder on yourself than it has to be.

I was like that for 3 years. Totally lost about how to pitch clients. I didn’t know where to start. I had no idea how to get more writing clients besides what I found on Upwork and Fiverr.

But one day I stumbled across copywriting coach Nicki Krawczyk, founder of Filthy Rich Writer. In fact, she had a free video training about how to land freelance copywriting clients!

Let me give you some first steps to land copywriting clients as a new writer!

The question is not, “how to find copywriting jobs” but rather, “which copywriting jobs do I want?”

Read this: A Writer’s Transition Guide from Cheap Gigs to Amazing Income

Forget the Damn Niche

Whether you’re a writer or health coach, nearly every new professional starts their career super stressed to establish a niche. “Niche up,” they say - or is it down?

While picking a niche may help you focus your efforts, you don’t need to do it.

How do you know what you want to write for? What if you want to change it up in 10 years, but you only have samples in a specific niche?

I don’t have a niche. That way, I can get more clients. Software copywriting? Sure. Copywriting for solopreneurs? Any kind. B2B dental copywriting? Yeah, I’ll do that.

No writing niche means you can stumble upon any company and pitch them.

Where to Find Freelance Copywriting Jobs

Okay, maybe you’re not totally sold on the no-niche thing. You can still find potential copywriting clients everywhere.

Places to Find Your Next Freelance Copywriting Job

Scroll through Facebook and write down any ad you see.

Look at the junk mail in your physical mailbox. (The one outside).

Go to the promotions folder in your email. Make a list of those companies.

Walk down main street in your town. Any business there could be a client.

Look at your credit card statement. Which companies did you buy from? Pitch ‘em.

Find the small business directory in your town. Or nearby towns.

Pick a type of business like “ice cream shops” and Google “ice cream shops in Florida.”

“Go down a rabbit hole,” as copy coach Nicki says. Look for something like “law firms” in your zip code, your state, your region, your country.

You know those banner ads that pop up on articles? Those are companies too!

Write down the companies you come across and don’t talk yourself out of it. Once you have a list, you’ll search for an email address.

Sign up for the 14-Day Client Finder! A free training provided by my new-ish brand: Ambitious Writer Society.

Think You Can’t Work for Them? Wrong

Like I mentioned before: Just because a company is big or already has great copy, doesn’t mean they aren’t potential clients.

Companies hire freelance copywriters all the time! Staff vacation time, maternity leave or work overload can make any company short on copywriters!

Be their hero and pitch them directly.

Read this: How to Cold Pitch Writing Clients (a Simple Guide)

How to Pitch as a Freelance Copywriter in 11 Steps

Okay, you’ve got a company name you want to pitch. It’s time to find an email. (Because who’s going to do cold phone call pitches?! Not me!)

Step 1 Find the CEO’s Email (or a Marketing Director)

The more targeted the email address, the better! Try to avoid info@XYZ.com or sales@XYZ.com. I’ve also had zero success when I submit my pitch on the website’s contact form.

Step 2 Poke Around Their Social Media

If you’re not having luck finding good contact info on their website, go to social media. Facebook tends to have more contact details for small businesses. LinkedIn is good for finding people at a larger company.

Step 3 Guess Their Email

Companies usually have a uniform email format. Google “XYZ company email format.” You might have some luck from sites like Rocket Reach.

Step 4 Craft Your Pitch Email

Just a few sentences! Show genuine enthusiasm about the company. What gets you excited about them?

Then, give them a really helpful suggestion to their current copy. Homepage headline could be more compelling? Would they benefit from an email program?

Give them a gold nugget, but then ask for a phone call to discuss more details.

Step 5 Craft Your Subject Line

Need a subject line that gets opened? Lead with your benefit to consumer… or something unexpected.

I recommend Neil Patel’s free email marketing course. He’s got a worksheet that helps you spark ideas for subject lines.

I’ve seen improved response rates after implementing his ideas! One that seems to work for me: Yes, hello.

Step 6 Send It

Don’t talk yourself out of this step. If this pitch doesn’t work, there’s 1000s more companies you can work with.

Step 7 Don’t Wait, Keep Pitching

Filthy Rich Writer recommends sending 5 pitches per workday if you want to be full time, and 5 pitches per week if you want to be part time.

There are a lot of gems in their course. Read my Filthy Rich Writer review here.

I pitched 5 companies per day for 3 months and found myself overflowing with work! I even raked in a 5-fig month because of it.

Step 8 Send a Unique Pitch to Every Company

Don’t send mass emails with MailChimp. Your emails should be personal and sound personal. Otherwise you’ll end up in spam over and over again.

Step 9 Follow Up in the Following Weeks

You won’t always get responses from your first pitch. I always send 2 additional follow up emails. Still providing value and still targeted to that business.

I tend to share a helpful article or even one of my own B2B blog posts.

Step 10 Save Their Info to Contact Them Again

I have a big spreadsheet of companies I’ve pitched. I make notes when I last contacted them and usually follow up 3, 6 or 9 months later.

If I’m really jazzed about a company, I may contact them a little more frequently.

I’ve had clients who say they saw my original emails, wanted to reply to it, but then forgot. Then I contacted them 3 months later, and they remembered and were ready to start a project.

Step 11 No Responses? Re-Evaluate Your Emails

If you’ve sent 100 pitches with no responses, revise your pitches and subject lines. I’ve made hundreds of tweaks. Some things work and others don’t.

Other Ways to Get Freelance Copywriting Jobs

Email cold pitching is the main way to pitch, but there are other opportunities to find copywriting clients.

My Brain Dump of Ideas to Find Clients

Friend and family connections.

Share on social media that you’re a copywriter.

Previous clients (even if they weren’t copy projects).

Companies of previous employers.

Join social media groups for small business owners. You’re a small business owner. Plus, every member is a potential client.

Network with graphic designers. Your clients may ask you for design, and a designer’s clients may want copy.

Make connections on LinkedIn and tell every person why you two should connect.

The Biggest Pitching Hurdle? You

Pitching as a new copywriter is really scary! But the only way to get used to it is to do it. Need copywriting jobs? Go get them!

Try to pitch 5 new companies per workday for 3 months and see where you’re at.

Most writers won’t do that, but the ones who do may be looking at a packed schedule in a few month’s time.

Heads Up, Writers!

(Read Below)

Heads Up, Writers! (Read Below)

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