Is Having a Copywriting Business Right for Me?
Before getting your business cards printed, take a few moments to consider if being a self-employed copywriter is right for you. Of course, one of the advantages of the copywriting business is that you can easily start part time, thereby testing the water before you quit your day job and jump in. But before starting even part time, you may want to take a closer look at what it is like to be a copywriter and determine if the copywriting business is a good fit for you.
Like any self-employment opportunity, working as a freelance copywriter has unique advantages and disadvantages. Take a look at the pros and cons I’ve listed below. On the one hand, if the cons seem too hard to live with and the pros less tantalizing than expected, you might want to reconsider joining the ranks of self-employed copywriters. On the other hand, if you can live with the cons and the pros make you salivate for more, then the world of copywriting might be right up your ally.
Pros
The following are some of the advantages of being a self-employed copywriter.
Working from home
For most home-based business operators, working in the comfort of their home is a real advantage. Trust me, I don’t miss rush hour or the endless interruptions and meetings inherent in most office environments. I have breakfast with my wife and daughter and then saunter up to my second-floor office in my slippers. I work productively, unfettered by roaming supervisors and office chatter. When a snowstorm hits, I watch it from my window and smile.
Self-employed copywriter Brenda Kruse says, “I enjoy the lower dry cleaning bills because I can dress casually … I can run errands during the day when I need to ... even throw in a load of laundry during breaks in the day.” Toronto copywriter Alan Sharpe says he sometimes takes walks through nearby woods for inspiration. Try doing that on Madison Avenue!
High income potential
It’s unfortunate but, in survey after survey, freelance writers rank among the lowest paid professionals in North America. Freelance copywriters, on the other hand, are able to charge professional fees for professional work.
According to Adpeople Inc., an agency that represents creative professionals, copywriters can charge between $60 and $150 per hour, and sometimes more. Full-time, self-employed copywriters have little difficulty earning $50,000 annually, with many earning well into the six-figure range.
Of course, there is no guarantee as to how much you will earn as a self-employed copywriter. But there’s no reason why you can’t set your sights on achieving a good, professional income within the first year or two.
Low start-up costs
Initially, you can start your copywriting business with very little money. I did. I began with business cards, letterhead, and the best sales letter I could write. I sent those sales letters to 250 prospects gleaned from various business directories. Three weeks later, I got my first order from my first new client. And I’m proud of the fact that that client is still one of my clients today.
You will, of course, need some basic equipment, such as a desk, a computer, Internet access and an e-mail account, a telephone, and some basic office supplies. See Chapter 3 for more details on the start-up equipment needed.
Greater control over your work schedule
Notice I didn’t say “Be your own boss.” You’ll have bosses, all right — plenty of them, if you’re lucky. They’re called clients. But as a freelancer, you will have greater control over your business life and working hours than if you were employed. For example, I’m more productive in the morning, so I start early — usually no later than 7:00 a.m. But by mid-afternoon my energy level fades. I use that time for scheduling client meetings, making phone calls, editing, and other activities that require less focused concentration.
You will, however, find that your schedule is rocked now and then by increased work flow, client demands, and deadlines. You may find yourself working evenings and weekends to complete a rush job for an important client. But this will ultimately be your decision.
Plenty of work to go around
In his book Make It Your Business, Stephan Schiffman says that having a market for your services is a crucial ingredient for success. “If customers are there, just about any other hurdle can be overcome. But if you’re trying to sell something for which there’s no market,” Schiffman points out, “your business is doomed.”
Thankfully, the market for copywriting services is huge. Consider the hundreds of thousands of advertising agencies, design firms, marketing companies, corporations, associations, government departments, and businesses — large and small — throughout North America: all potential clients. You only need a few to keep you busy and prosperous full time.
Working on creative, stimulating projects
One of the things I enjoy most about copywriting is the fascinating array of projects I get to work on. I’m naturally curious and easily bored, so I get a kick out of working on a website one day and creating an effective print ad the next. It’s fun learning about new product and service innovations, often before the public gets wind of them. If you love to write and create, the copywriting business may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Cons
Still interested in your own copywriting business? Great. But bear in mind the following down sides to the business before you make your decision.
Working from home
This isn’t a mistake. I intentionally put “working from home” on both lists. Yes, working from home has its advantages — and for me the pros far outweigh the cons — but there are some drawbacks.
Most commonly considered a con is the solitude. If you like working with people — perhaps in a busy office environment filled with meetings, power lunches, and water-cooler chats with colleagues — then you’ll find working from home to be quiet. Very quiet. You might meet with clients once or twice a month, but most of the time you’ll be working alone. I like it, but it’s not for everyone.
Lack of professional recognition
Successful self-employed copywriters are respected among their clients, colleagues, and the advertising and direct marketing industry. But attend a house party and tell someone what you do, and you might be greeted with, “What’s that?” I’ve given up trying to describe my work to my parents. And when I told my sister how much I charge for a one-page sales letter, she almost fell to the floor.
Writing of any type is considered by many people to be a soft skill. You’ll encounter professionals in other disciplines who do not understand the strategy and insights of copywriting. You might earn the same income as them (maybe more), but being a self-employed copywriter does not have the same status in mainstream society as an architect, lawyer, accountant, consultant, or plumber.
Uneven work flow
I know several professional speakers and admire their ability to book their seminars and speaking engagements months in advance. And when their schedule is full, it’s full. The same cannot be said for copywriters. I have yet to receive an order in May that is due in September. Usually an order received in May is due in May (or sooner, if some clients could have their way).
Orders from clients tend to come in waves. Sometimes big waves. One week you’re overloaded with all the business you can handle. The next, you’re