Are Freelancing Websites a Good Place to Start Copywriting?

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Apr 30

As a novice copywriter, you are likely to be raring to go with new writing jobs. You've done your research, completed some practice content writing projects and feel ready to take on a brief from a client and begin your career.

So how do you find work in the first place? It is easy enough to find a freelance website that offers writing jobs for aspiring copywriters. One Google search is all it takes to find multiple adverts looking for a talented writer or freelance copywriter to fulfill their brief.

Sounds easy, doesn't it? Maybe. But there are pros and cons to freelance copywriting sites. Let's have a look at some of the most popular freelance writing sites and if they are worth using as a new copywriter.

Successful freelancer writer — Copywriters developing positive working relationships with clients

Freelance Writing Sites

Freelance Copywriters on Fiverr

With an impressive growing freelance community, Fiverr gives you the opportunity to sell your copywriting services. Their site shows that a ‘gig' (what you are selling) is bought every 4 seconds and has made over 50 million transactions.

The premise is simple. You sign up for free, advertising your skills and experience to their global audience. When a client chooses your writing gigs for their project, you are notified and communicate with them through Fiverr.

You are called a ‘seller' and join their freelance community of experienced writers, designers, social media marketers and musicians. Fiverr allows you to do as much work as you want. So, whether you are looking for a full-time gig as an experienced copywriter or want to make some extra money through your writing, search engine optimization and social media posts – you have options.

Freelance Writing Through PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is up there with the best freelance writing sites as it works as the middleman when you want to sell your copywriting services to prospective clients.

If a business owner needs a freelancer for a writing job, they can browse the profiles of copywriters and buy services. Used by over 1 million businesses, it gives copywriters a chance to advertise themselves and their writing work.

This freelancing company might be a little harder to join as a new copywriter with minimal experience. You will need to complete an online application and be approved before gaining access to their available writing projects.

Once you choose a project, you will put together a proposal or content marketing strategy for the client to convince them to give you the job. Although nerve-wracking, this is a good way to learn how to sell your creativity and writing skills and gives you more experience to build your writing process.

PeoplePerHour focuses on copywriting experience when linking you with a client, which is one of the drawbacks for beginners to copywriting.

freelance writing gig — Homeworking in style at your leisure

Using UpWork as a Freelance Writer

Freelance writing sites such as UpWork offer you the opportunity to become a copywriting freelancer or build your skills in content writing by bidding for jobs that are pitched by prospective clients.

Create a free profile, include your skills, any experience and photo. UpWork also provides the chance to introduce yourself through a video to make your profile eye-catching and land the best writing jobs.

They also ensure you get paid a fixed price so freelancers know that their rate won't change, even if the project does.

UpWork is supportive of new copywriters and even shares a step-by-step guide on how to build your freelance career. But be aware that after your 10 free ‘Connects' monthly, you have to buy any further ‘Connects' to submit your proposals.

GigLeads

This site provides work for copywriters and content writers, exclusively in the UK. You are able to showcase your work on your profile and link it to your social media accounts. By doing this, you'll be able to give prospective clients a clearer view of the type of writer you are.

Another feature of GigLeads, involves your contact information being made available on their directory, allowing clients to contact you directly.

freelance copywriter — Writing copy on your own terms

So, what are the pros and cons of a freelancing copywriting site for beginners?

Pros

Top up your income

A good way of gaining extra money when you have a permanent job elsewhere. You are able to set your own prices for your services and beginner copywriters can expect to earn around £25 upwards per project, depending on the amount of work required.

Variety of work

Freelance sites offer a wide range of projects such as creating digital ads, email marketing, landing and sales pages, website copy, product descriptions etc. This is a great pro for new copywriters as you are able to cut your writing teeth on every element of the copywriting industry.

Variety of types of sites

You will learn the skills in creating and honing your writing. By doing this, you can showcase your copywriting ability in order to attract clients and secure appealing writing jobs.

Gives plenty of experience

By working as a freelancer, you will gain experience in your chosen area of writing. It enables you to be in control of your portfolio and grow in confidence as you write.

Cons

Unreliable source of work

Freelance work is by nature, unreliable. You could be rushed off your feet one minute and then, nothing but a yawning silence the next. There is more potential for earning regularly for experienced copywriters. But it is important to realise that beginners can't rely on a consistent wage.

Favouring the customer over the writer

This isn't an encouraging thought for novice copywriters. Although it shows that the freelance site is professional in looking after its customer base – copywriters need guidance on briefs and comprehensive feedback to help them do their jobs.

It can be hard for freelancers to gain enough information to help them write effective copy. This is especially true if the customer is being prioritised to the disadvantage of the copywriter.

Force you to de-value your work

Unfortunately, you may end up having to lower your rates to gain work and compete with other copywriters who are wanting the same project. This practice isn't great for your self-esteem as a writer and you will be devaluing your writing to get work.

This won't sit well and eventually, you may be struggling to work in this way. Not least because you aren't making enough money for it to be worth it.

Little chance to develop a good working relationship with a client

The most important thing when freelancing is for your work to appeal to a customer and to develop a valuable professional relationship with them. If you focus on this skill for each project you aim for, you have an excellent chance to build your future career.

how to become a freelance copywriter — Planning a copywriting career using freelancing websites

Are these sites worth it as you start your copywriting career?

Weighing up the pros and cons of freelance copywriting sites, both sides make sense. Although they offer quick and relatively easy pathways into copywriting for new writers, they are missing one important factor. By matching you with clients, they are removing the opportunity you could have to form valuable working relationships with customers. As this skill will help you grow your freelancing in a professional way, you could be depriving yourself of one of the most vital lessons.

So, to ensure that you are learning this important skill, consider a course from The Comprehensive Copywriting Academy (CCA). Deeply embedded in the course content are essential modules on how to pitch yourself to potential clients as well as how to build a great working relationship with them. CCA courses support learners as they improve their confidence in writing and develop their professional approach to clients. This will allow you to compete and be successful in the competitive freelance industry.

Joy Mellows

Joy Mellows is a professional content writer who loves nothing better than researching random topics and letting the words flow. She loves to proofread and can often be found correcting text messages. She is married with a 4-year-old son, a labrador and 2 very spoilt kittens.