Guardian copywriting Q&A tomorrow
I’m taking part in another Guardian Careers Q&A on ‘How to break into copywriting’ tomorrow, Tuesday April 5.
So, if you want to break into copywriting to steal its jewellery and XBox, turn up here with your swag-bag and a few killer questions for me to pretend I haven’t seen because they’re too hard to answer. My suggestions would be ‘How do I set rates?’ ‘How do I find work?’ and ‘Who are you anyway?’
I’ll be happy to answer them from 1pm until 2.30pm, when I have to do the school run. So if you’re thinking of freelancing, take note of the domestic servitude that awaits you. He who works at home ends up cleaning the loo.
The event proper runs until 4pm, and it includes stalwart fellow copywriters such as Ben Locker and Sally Ormond. So if my answers don’t satisfy, you can just wait until I’ve gone, repost the question and get an answer from a real professional.
Let the inquisition commence!
Comments (3)
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Dear Tom,
When a person doesn’t have a ton of copywriting experience, what is the best way to find work, go directly after an industry you’re interested in or is it better to maybe work as a part of a team of copywriters to get your feet wet and learn the ropes?
Many thanks.
Kathy
Hi Kathy
Since you’re asking me here, I’ll answer on here!
I think working in a team is always worthwhile. I had to teach myself, having worked in publishing before. It took quite a while and there is still a lot I don’t know. So that sounds like a pretty good idea.
Having said that, the industry focus is also a good idea if there’s an area you already know. I’m always suggesting that people use their past jobs or current interests as a starting point for their service portfolio. If you know about something, you will be well placed to write copy about it. That could be the starting point for making approaches to some related companies, and things could develop from there. People like specialists; it makes them feel like they’ve made the right choice. (I say that as someone who offers absolutely everything on this site…)
Hope that helps.
Hi Tom,
Please forgive me asking here as it was so very early when I was looking at Twitter today and so I didn’t quite clue in!
I really appreciate your comments, and they do make sense and do help.
Thanks so much!
Kathy