I have to confess.
I HATE calling myself a copywriter.
Why?
Well, 99% of people have no idea what it means in the first place.
And then .5% think you’re a copyright-er (dealing with legal stuff??)
And then the other .5% think you’re a “direct response” aficionado…
So they basically envision you writing “but wait… that’s not all!!” boner pill infomercials or “super secret stock tip” sales letters.
I rant a bit more about this topic in this video below, by the way:
This is why when I meet people in real life, I just tell them I’m a writer.
The thing is, there are plenty of other writers out there who feel the same way…
One of whom is fellow freelance writer Peter Bowerman, who writes:
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…Chances are, you’ve come across the dozens of freelance copywriting “gurus” online selling their secrets to riches beyond your wild imaginings through “copywriting” if you’ll only buy THEIR program. And those programs, typically filled with over-inflated claims and hyperbolic promises, are all sold by – what else? – a ever-scrolling web site with a long-letter format! Sheesh. It’s enough to give “copywriting” a bad name. And, frankly, many copywriters – from newbie to seasoned veteran – just aren’t comfortable writing in that overly-promotional writing style. I’m not. –PB
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I used to think that writing “hard core direct response” was the only way to make a buck in this game.
And that’s simply not true.
In fact, there is MORE opportunity writing outside of the direct response world.
Perhaps this is why none of my clients have EVER asked me to write a direct response sales letter or VSL (yet).
You can make a great living writing normal stuff for normal businesses, as Peter reminds us:
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More good news? There’s plenty of copywriting work if you’re a good writer. In fact, it’s a FAR larger and more profitable copywriting arena than direct response copywriting. How much larger? Industry guru Bob Bly himself estimates direct response copywriting is only 3 percent of the entire realm of copywriting work. The rest of it? That’s our field.
Why so much writing opportunity? Because virtually every business out there is a prospect (and this book will help you find the better ones). In the world of commercial freelance writing, once established, the freelance work can be steady and the pay excellent — typically $50 to $125 an hour or more.
And remember this: you can make an exceptionally handsome living as a commercial freelancer, and NEVER write a single long-letter project! – PB
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If you want to learn how to thrive by writing good stuff for good businesses, who make good products/services for good people…
It’s all in Peter’s book The Well Fed Writer (pretty much the only copywriting book I explicitly recommend):
Peter teaches you (step by step) how to build a self-sufficient freelance writing biz in 6 months or less, without writing any scammy hype.
I think you’ll find it a refreshing approach, especially if you like my content…
To Learn More About The Well Fed Writer, CLICK HERE.
And don’t forget to check out my other recommended resources for building a writing business you love over the long term.