Discover the profession of copywriting for the English-speaking market!

Advantages of working as an English-speaking copywriter

Today, the demand for copywriters continues to grow, and this trend is unlikely to change. At least shortly. 

It's a good reason to think about how to increase your earnings, especially for copywriters with knowledge of English. On the exchanges, copywriting in English is not in demand, although they are much more expensive. But more often, it's rare and isolated orders, for example, to write one text about the best bet app in india, so there is little scope.

But if copywriting is your vocation, and English is your second native language, why not try to work with foreign customers? And we will tell you where to start.

Put together a portfolio.

Probably the very first thing you should do. A portfolio is the absolute masthead of any copywriter. Your main goal is to sell yourself as a capable and talented writer. So remember that a potential customer cares about the quality of your writing, not the quantity of your material; if you have already written or are writing for companies, OK. If not, start publishing texts on topics you are familiar with on free blogging platforms.

Three pillars on which a good portfolio is built:

• Literate and understandable text. Here it's essential to write briefly but succinctly. And, of course, without mistakes, otherwise you won't be able to make a good impression on your client. Talk about yourself as a professional: introduce yourself, identify your profession and specify what business tasks you can solve. List the types of texts with which you work, and describe the benefits a person will receive by choosing you.

• Specifying the cost of your services is not superfluous; when looking for a performer, the customer is always guided by a specific amount. Your rate will be the main criterion he will pay attention to. Do not forget to specify the contacts where you can be contacted.

• Cases. Making a list of publications is trivial and does not show you as a great specialist. It's much better if the customer sees real examples of how you help businesses create compelling content. Accompany each text with a description of the task for which it was written, as well as the bottom line, preferably in facts and figures. Positive feedback from your previous customers will be a huge plus - this will significantly increase your credibility in other people's eyes.

• If you don't have any cases, make them up. Yes, make them up - find a task on any copywriting exchange and do it without responding to the order. Solving staged problems is also an essential skill that helps you reach your potential.

• Pleasant design. Be sure to add a picture of you in your portfolio. Of course, business style is welcome, but don't go too much with officiousness - more natural photos will connect with a person more than serious faces, shirts, and tight ties. If you upload pictures and screenshots, ensure they're of good quality.

• For portfolio design, you can use the well-known Tilda or Readymag.com. These designers offer a lot of cool and beautiful templates, even for free. Even elementary Google Docs, PowerPoint, and Keynote will work. Their trick is their user-friendly and easy-to-use functionality. 

Immerse yourself in the English-language media scene

You need to keep up with what's going on in the world. The best way to keep up-to-date is to read newspapers and news portals daily in English. If you want to make your life easier, use news aggregators like Google News, Feedly, or Alltop, which collect information from all over the Internet in one place. Also, don't forget to follow current trends discussed on Twitter, Reddit, and other social networks. No professional copywriter can do without these "rituals.

You can find the top community on Reddit by using the built-in search tool. The administration has long ago categorized everything; all you have to do is select subreddits dedicated to the topics you're interested in. By the way, this top is updated daily. The main thing is not to forget that Reddit, like any other site dominated by user-generated content, can be quite "noisy." There is plenty of different opinions and off-topic.

To stay up to date on Twitter news, it's best to look at the Lists and Trending. In the first case, open the account of any publication you're interested in (e.g., CNN), and click on the triple dot on the right under the profile header. You'll see a ready-made selection in front of you.

Popular Twitter discussions are on the right side of the screen. You'll always find relevant news items here. To find out what topics are applicable in other countries, choose the region you want and remove the personalization option.

Start your job search.

For example, send your articles by mail to the editors of media outlets whose subjects coincide with your area of interest. Please don't wait until the customer comes across your texts himself. Then, having a ready portfolio on hand and in your head - an idea about all the latest developments in the world, start combing through the foreign freelancing exchanges for copywriters. At first, Upwork or Fiverr is ideal. Payments are usually between $3 and $5 per 100 words. You may have to write for free initially, but do not take it as a problem, but as an investment in your future career - you can add it to your portfolio.

LinkedIn is also one of the leading and most powerful tools for job hunting. An account registered on this platform will become your business card, in which you talk about your experience, achievements, and skills. LinkedIn is ideal for making business connections. Also, it is trendy abroad, and if you use it constantly, your chances of attracting foreign customers' attention will increase significantly.

If you choose LinkedIn to promote yourself abroad, here are a few best practices to help you develop your profile:

• Be honest and open. Provide only accurate information, no pseudonyms, fake posts, or photos. 

• Fill out your profile in English. About 97% of LinkedIn users speak English. Plus, it's the language you intend to write in.

• Indicate your specialization in your profile header. It tells you immediately about your capabilities and the style of your future texts.

• Pay special attention to the description of the profile. It is an opportunity to entice potential customers with your achievements before they start reading the questionnaire.

• Identify the primary skills. Only put those you are 100% sure of in the first place.

• Add links to all your publications. It's vital to link to great texts you're proud of. It's a plus if you discuss how your work has helped companies succeed financially.

Don't stop improving.

In the end, the most important thing is your skill. You must have a real passion for writing and never lose the desire to change and improve. Patience and stamina are essential in the beginning, and it's also important to get your hand in endlessly: write well and write a lot. Good help can be courses for copywriters, which will help you practice and look closely at your texts to understand how to make them better.

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