How To Become A Copywriter With NO Experience

Summary

In this video, Alex addresses the common dilemma faced by aspiring copywriters: how to build a portfolio without prior experience. Alex offers five practical tips to overcome this challenge, including conducting an experience and skills round-up, joining a practical copywriting program, rewriting or critiquing existing copy, starting a blog, and customizing your portfolio for each client. The video is a valuable resource for those looking to break into the copywriting industry and build a strong portfolio from scratch.

Takeaways

• 🔄 **Experience & Skills Round-Up**: Recognize and leverage your existing skills and experiences that can be related to copywriting, even if they're not directly copywriting roles.
• 🎓 **Join a Practical Copywriting Program**: Enroll in courses that provide hands-on experience and allow you to create copywriting samples to add to your portfolio.
• 📝 **Rewrite or Critique Existing Copy**: Offer to rewrite or critique existing copy for potential clients as a way to showcase your skills and gain experience.
• 💼 **Start A Blog**: Create a blog to demonstrate your writing abilities, even if it's not directly related to copywriting, as it can still highlight key copywriting fundamentals.
• 💡 **Customize Your Portfolio**: Personalize your portfolio for each client, ensuring it's relevant to their industry and includes a personal note explaining your interest in their brand.
• 📧 **Keep It Clean and Simple**: Use accessible formats like Dropbox or Google Drive for sharing your portfolio and ensure it's easy for potential clients to access.
• 🌟 **Highlight Unique Value**: In your portfolio, emphasize what makes you unique and why you're excited about the brand, showcasing your understanding and passion.
• 📈 **Showcase Learning and Growth**: Include highlights or lessons learned from your experiences to demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement.
• 📝 **Be Honest About Your Experience**: Be transparent about your current skill level and experience; many clients value the potential for growth in new writers.
• 🔗 **Use Online Platforms**: Utilize online platforms to share your portfolio and make it easily accessible to potential clients without overwhelming them with attachments.

Q & A

What is the main challenge freelancers face when starting out in copywriting?

The main challenge is the catch-22 of not having a portfolio to showcase to potential clients, and not being able to get clients without a portfolio.

What is the first tip Alex suggests for building a copywriting portfolio without experience?

The first tip is to do an experience and skills round-up, which involves recognizing and leveraging any related skills and experiences that can be added to a portfolio.

Why is it important to consider non-copywriting experiences when building a portfolio?

Non-copywriting experiences can showcase related skills such as research, ideation, and communication, which are crucial in copywriting and can demonstrate one's ability to potential clients.

What is the role of a practical copywriting program in portfolio building?

A practical copywriting program helps in writing actual copy that can be used as portfolio samples, even if they are not from paid work, by providing techniques, templates, and opportunities to practice.

How can offering free copy editing or critique to companies help in building a portfolio?

Offering free copy editing or critique can get the attention of potential clients and lead to paid work, which can then be added to the portfolio as experience.

What is the significance of starting a blog in a copywriter's portfolio building process?

Starting a blog is significant as it allows showcasing writing abilities, understanding of hooks and headlines, and can serve as a reliable writing reference even for non-content writing roles.

Why is it important to customize a portfolio when sending it to potential clients?

Customizing a portfolio ensures that the content is relevant to the client's industry and company, which increases the chances of making a positive impression and getting hired.

What should be included in a cover letter when sending a portfolio to a potential client?

A cover letter should include a personal note expressing excitement about the brand, what makes the applicant unique, why certain pieces were chosen for the portfolio, and highlights or lessons learned from the experience.

How should a copywriter share their portfolio with potential clients?

A copywriter should share their portfolio using accessible formats like Dropbox or Google Drive, ensuring it's easy for clients to access, open, and download without multiple attachments in an email.

What is the final piece of advice Alex gives regarding honesty when building a copywriting portfolio?

Alex advises to be honest about one's abilities and experience, as many clients are looking for fresh writers who can grow with the company and adapt their writing to fit the brand voice.