As a copywriter, understanding the importance of consistency is crucial. Not only do we have to find work and set up a realistic writing schedule, but we also have to make sure we don't let the bar drop when it comes to quality. It's all too easy to get a bit slack and churn out a piece quickly without having done the necessary research. When things are rushed mistakes go unnoticed, whether it's a typo, a badly constructed sentence or some other thing that lets the side down and once that "send" button is clicked, there's no turning back!
Staying focussed
All too often copywriters spread themselves a little too thin by writing about things they know nothing about. Not only does it require a lot more research which means spending more time checking out any relevant facts, but disguising the fact you actually know nothing about the topic can be extremely hard - even for the most seasoned copywriter. This is when it's far too easy to let yourself down - not to mention the client!
Staying focussed can be challenging at the best of times, but when work is slow it can prove even harder. The key is to stay on the ball and to use these "quiet times" positively. It's a great time to check over a portfolio, making sure it contains top notch copy with the emphasis being placed on topics that showcase your writing skills to the max.
Checking out the competition
It's also important to check out the "competition" which can help decide whether or not your services are up to par or if your writing skills need to be honed so they stand out from the crowd. Reading copy that you wrote in the past can either be a great experience or it can be a harsh one. But it's good to do every once in a while because anything you don't like about your copy gets highlighted in your mind. The next piece you write should read a whole lot better and phrases flow smoothly. In short, never get too complacent and always be ready and eager to improve things.
Working on proposals
The way a proposal is worded can be the "make or break" on whether a client awards you a project or whether you get passed over for someone else. A lot of freelancing platforms allow members to post projects for free which is something you should take advantage of. A great way of finding out how other copywriters word their proposals, is to post a project yourself and then browse through the bids as they come in.
You won't get into trouble for doing this every now and again, even if you don't award the project to anyone. You may want to take things a step further by awarding the project which allows you to check out the person's copy, making sure you award it to a competent freelancer you think is up there with the best of them!
Keeping things short and sweet
Writing is an art. Where articles, content and blog posts are concerned, keeping sentences short and sweet have a much greater impact on readers than longer, drawn out phrases that get audiences "yawning" halfway through them. When you read anything online, the chances are you scan the text to find things of interest rather than go through every sentence from beginning to end so it's essential to bear in mind that anyone reading your copy will most probably do the same!
Using time intelligently
Using your time intelligently pays dividends whether you're working on a project or not. It's a big mistake to take on too much because the quality of your work will undoubtedly suffer. Clients will notice a drop in the standard which in short, means it's a much better idea to take on less knowing that you won't drop the bar when it comes to customer satisfaction.
A happy client is one who will always come back so it's important to keep them happy without sacrificing your standards or your work ethics.
Lastly,
It can be hard not having any work in your inbox, but using your free time wisely when there aren't any deadlines to meet, can be amazingly constructive - even if the pennies aren't coming in.Time spent checking over a portfolio, reviewing a client list or checking out what the competition is doing, can pay dividends. Chasing projects you know nothing about can prove detrimental to your profile and having to spend a massive amount of time researching a topic you know nothing about is not only stressful, but it eats into your hourly rate too!
