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If you're selling your writing services, you need clients. One of the easiest ways to attract clients is with a Web site. Once you've taken the plunge, and have created your site, the fun begins.
Your site will grow with your business; it's organic. Think of it as an online journal, rather than as a brochure, portfolio or business card. Like a journal, your site benefits from frequent updating. The more often your site is updated, the higher your site will rise in the search engine rankings, and the more likely it is you will attract visitors by chance. And the more visitors you attract, the more prospective clients know about you and your services.
You should also think of your Web site as a long-term project. It may not provide you with all the clients you need this year, or next year, but your ultimate goal should be that your Web site brings in all the clients you need within three to five years.
In the beginning, you don’t even need to create a fully-fledged site. A blog (Web log) makes a fine starter Web site. You can get a free blog at Blogger.com:
http://www.blogger.com
Here are some ideas of what to include in your site:
=> Information is king online
Your site needs to have enough information to encourage your visitors to return. The more often they visit your site, the more likely it is that they will hire you when they need a copywriter, or whatever other writing services you provide.
Everyone's looking for information online. Therefore, your Web site needs to provide information for your visitors. This doesn't necessarily mean information on copywriting. Your site is a showcase for your abilities, so you can put almost anything on your site.
Who are your clients? Are they small business people? If so, provide articles and other information relevant to small business. If your prospects are real estate agents, then provide information which will help them.
What are you interested in? If your hobby is dog breeding, put information for dog breeders online. Dog breeders need copywriters too. If you enjoy traveling, then write about the places you've visited in your travels --- travelers and travel agents also need copywriters.
Are you getting the idea? Almost any type of content will work for your site, because all businesses need copywriters.
=> Sell the benefits of your services
Somewhere on your site, perhaps on your home page, or on your "About Me" page, you'll need to advertise your services. Remember that just as you focus on the benefits of any product you're writing copy for, you also focus on the benefits your copywriting services provide to clients.
Make a list of the benefits your services provide to businesses, and emphasize them.
=> Make it easy for your prospects to contact you
Include a "Contact me" link on every page of your site. You should also include a mailing address, and a fax number. The easier you make it for people to contact you, the more likely it is that they will.
=> Freebies sell
Everyone loves to get something for nothing. The most valuable freebie you can provide on your site is information. Many copywriters focus their site around copywriting information. This is natural, it's what copywriters know best, but it's short-sighted. As I said above in "Information is king online" it’s not necessary to stick to copywriting information on your site. In fact, can be a real mistake. You don’t want your visitors to do their copywriting themselves, you want them to hire you.
So what freebies can you offer?
Think in terms of the businesses which will hire you, and also think in terms of your local area. I love doing copywriting for local businesses. As far as I know, I'm the only copywriter in our locality, so there's no competition.
If you're aiming to generate work locally, you could write about your local area on your site. What tourist attractions do you have in the area? Once you've added a few locally-focused pages to your site, you can also offer free advertising on your site to local businesses.
Some hints when offering free ads on your site:
* pick large companies like real estate agents or other reasonably affluent businesses which may need your services on an on-going basis;
* don’t forget manufacturing companies, heavy equipment hire companies, or similar companies which conduct businesses which are out of the range of your experience. If you can write, you can write copy for anyone. They'll tell you what they want to communicate, it's your job to make the communication compelling;
* remember government agencies, and political figures. Government agencies and politicians need ongoing copywriting services like press releases and newsletters.
If you haven't yet created a Web site, do it today. It's easy --- a blog takes minutes to set up --- and in the months and years to come it'll provide you with easy, cheap, and ever more effective marketing as it attracts more and more clients.
Stuck in your writing career? Get a coach! Angela Booth coaches writers in copywriting (writing for business), nonfiction, and fiction. A veteran writer, published by major publishers worldwide, Angela is also an experienced writing teacher, who knows how to inspire and motivate. You CAN make a success of your writing career. Free daily info for writers at her blog: http://copywriter.typepad.com/ Start your writing coaching today by contacting Angela at her site http://angelabooth.com/ Angela offers personal one-on-one e-courses and mentoring for all forms of writing. Ask for a low-cost initial phone or email consultation.
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