Too many copywriters in the typing pool?
I subscribe to Copyblogger. I’m a fan of Brian Clark’s and I usually like the posts on the site…but lately, well, I’m seeing a theme and it’s making me a little queasy.
The fact that some people write blog posts ‘to sell’ makes sense. If you study the last month (at least) of postage on Copyblogger, ‘what the people want’ would be clear: they want to know how to be good copywriters, how to make their copy sell, how to get a lot of copywriting work. Here are a few recent post titles:
- Why a Few Freelance Copywriters Make Most of the Money
- 10 Tips for Kicking Ass as a Freelance Writer
- Freelance Copywriting Success: How to Tie a Bow Around Your Work
From these titles, a few conclusions can be drawn:
1. A lot of people are trying to be copywriters, but are failing.
2. The copywriter market is saturated.
Of course everyone doesn’t succeed, so #1 has to hold some truth. Add to that this scramble for ‘how to make it work’ information.
But, I’m very interested in #2.
When I started my business several years ago, I was one of a very small number of copywriters in my local area. I think there were three or four others. Note: you couldn’t turn around without bumping into a web designer.
Now go on Twitter, or even to Google, and search for a copywriter – there are a bazillion. Oddly, while the pool of prospective work has grown dramatically because of the Internet and social media, the chances of standing out in the crowd and getting hired have decreased. (The Reversal Theory strikes again, eh Dad?)
So, why are these ‘how to succeed’ posts making me queasy? I think it’s the desperation. And the lack of interest in the writing. The vision in my head is of millions of freaked out people trying to make it up the side of a cliff in order to make a buck.
And now I’m laughing at myself because the next logical step here is to make a list of things you can do to stand out…but then this would be one of those posts too. So, I’ll resist…unless any of you ask me for my version of that list. Because whether or not you’re trying to sell something or not, your blog should aim to give your audience what it needs and wants to hear, what they respond to and what they crave.
Although…there is one thing that’s been gnawing at my brain, a possible solution to lift ourselves out of the crowded copywriter pool. I’m still stirring the pot on this one, but when the soup’s done – you’ll be the first to know.
Image credit: mhaithaca
Filed under Critical Copywriting, How To | Tags: Blogging, Brian Clark, content creation, Copyblogger, copywriter, copywriting, how to be a copywriter, Julie Roads, marketing writer, Writing Roads | Comments (15)using your blog as your portfolio or case study display, part 2
I can’t stop thinking about this ideas of using your blog as your portfolio. I’ve run it by some folks – and the excitement and possibilities are building. One of my clients whom I’m consulting as she begins her work as a freelancer realized that with this idea she could save thousands of dollars, and weeks of site-build time, she could start tonight. And she will.
Here, so far, is the best part. As Gem mentioned, why wait until the project is done? Why not document the entire project, Case Study-like on your blog? If you go back to my post on case studies, you’ll see that one of the benefits of this platform is that you’re allowing people to see your process, what it will be like to work with you and how good you are on the job. It’s transparency at its best, right?
That said, you have to have the right attitude because this calls for a fair amount of reveal. You can’t really hide the little man behind the curtain.
To use your blog to display case studies, here’s what you need to do:
- Pick a project that is not top secret, of course.
- Clear it with the client. Make sure you explain to them that this is free publicity that will last forever.
- Choose a project that you feel uber-confident about. (you do want to look good here, afterall)
- If snafus or issues arise, use them to your advantage. We are all learning here, and part of your skill is being able to handle whatever comes along and make it work in light of the fact that things have a habit of getting messy.
- Depending on your industry, use print, audio, images, even video to capture the process.
- Engage your audience. Give them a voice, literally. If you have 3 taglines you’re choosing from, why not let the people help you decide. Use the internet as a testing ground – so many people do it wisely and to their benefit.
- Share your pride, enthusiasm and talent. Never under-estimate or under-promote your hard work or yourself.
Final piece for now (why do I have the feeling that I’ll have more to say on this topic?): I’m a WordPress girl. And Brian Clark over at Copyblogger, with his partner, Chris Pearson, have developed a stunning, productive, dare I say, brilliant WordPress theme called Thesis. Just one of the zillions of components it features? A customizable, rotating image box at the top of the page – the perfect showcase for your blog portfolio images, the perfect showcase. Don’t be surprised if my blog has a whole new look sometime soon. Click here to try Thesis for yourself.
Filed under Blogging, How To, The Business | Tags: blog, Blogging, Brian Clark, case studies, Chris Pearson, Copyblogger, DIY themes, Julie Roads, marketing writing, portfolio, thesis wordpress theme, wordpress themes, Writing Roads | Comment (0)
