The great thing about writing for the web is the incredible variety it offers.
Back when I was writing direct mail, that’s all I did all day, every day, for about 15 years. And the other copywriters I knew did the same. We were one-trick ponies. Very good at what we did, but more than a little limited in our scope.
That’s probably why I finally burned out and jumped over to writing for the web full time in 1998.
Here I am, 14 years later, and a million miles away for any sense of burnout.
Why did I burn out after 15 years writing direct mail, but not after 14 years writing for the web? Because of the incredible variety.
Thinking back over the work I have done for clients online, I have written home pages, category pages, sales pages, subscription pages, membership pages, article, posts, reviews, slide shows, emails, e-newsletters, buyers’ guides, product descriptions…and a whole lot more.
This scope of different types of writing not only keeps the work interesting, but also provides a lot of different entry points for writers and copywriters hoping to break into the online copywriting business.
The web provides opportunities for pretty much EVERY kind of writer.
For me, it’s about the variety.
But if you are just starting out as a freelancer, and want to work online, then all of these different types of writing work represent doorways through which you can enter.
If your strength is writing sales copy, start out writing online sales pages.
If your skill is more in the area of editorial writing, become an online content writer.
If you are a technical writer, find businesses who need to explain complex technical products or services.
If you are a more conversational writer, you might find your niche in writing for blogs and social media.
And so on.
That’s the great thing about the web. It offers opportunities to an incredible range of writers and copywriters, allowing you to pick the niche that is just right for you.
Click your way through the slideshow to see 14 different doorways to writing for the web.
If you are looking for professional-grade training in the craft of writing and copywriting online, learn more about my program, Copywriting 2.0…
About the author: Nick Usborne is an online writer, copywriter, author and coach. Read more…
I agree whole-heartedly with you, Nick. I have found the variety of work I do for clients does keep things interesting. I do find a lot of folks still don’t want to pay professional rates, though, so it’s important to qualify them fast before you spend much time talking to them.
Thank you, Nick, for writing this post. As a beginning online copywriter, I’m still trying to figure out what areas I can best concentrate my writing efforts on. The information you’ve given here helps me to clarify that task a little more. And thank you, too, for your Copywriting 2.0 program, which I’m working through right now and enjoying everything that I’m learning.
Great introduction for the new writer. I would add…
Be careful of the people in this field who rip writers off. The content farmers are the worst. They will happily pay $5 an article and tell you the pay is great.
Learn how to market yourself.
Gain leverage so you can readily fire bad clients.
Help clients understand the monetary value of your work.
Take the time build and maintain a superb website: potential clients will judge you against other writers based on your site.
Market yourself to clients who will have regular work (you won’t find many of them on sites like Elance).
If you can write to sell and your work improves conversion then you become valuable.
Hope this helps.