How I got started and what I’ve learned
We always love to hear how our fellow copywriters got started. There’s something comforting in knowing they’ve shared the same ups and downs, the same fears and triumphs. Here Melissa East shares the story of her first year. Some interesting insights especially around networking and finances. Take it away Ms East.
This month marks my first anniversary of working as a Freelance Copywriter.
The past year has been a massive learning curve for me and I’ve loved every minute of it. If you’re an aspiring copywriter wondering whether or not to take the plunge, it can be really helpful to read other peoples’ start up stories and get some tips and advice.
So here’s my story, and what I’ve learned in that apprehensive first year.
Unlike the majority of copywriters who seem to chuck in a terrible corporate job to work freelance, I didn’t intentionally set out to be a copywriter.
I’d been a stay-at-home mum for the last few years, and when the time came to get back into paid work, I couldn’t get a part-time job. This was slightly ironic, since my last proper paid job had been a Recruitment Consultant (which I couldn’t return to as the company I worked for conveniently closed down the week I started maternity leave).
I’d been doing a bit of work from home for a website developer friend. This was supposed to be a bit of admin and customer service, but I soon found myself writing her blog posts, newsletters and social media posts. When my job-hunting efforts resulted in nothing but rejection, I wondered if I could grow what I was already doing.
Then another friend with her own business asked me to write blogs for her too. I did, I loved it, and now I had two little clients on the go.
(Looking back and knowing what I know now, those initial blog posts I wrote were complete crap. Sorry!)
My first year as a freelance copywriter
