The top ways to get copywriting clients with no experience are:
- Prepare your portfolio
- Cold outreach to businesses
- Use social media
- Network to gain knowledge
In preparing a portfolio, define your niche. Showcase services like website copy, sales pages, and blog posts. According to the Professional Writers Alliance, freelancers earn 43% more than general copywriters when specializing in a specific niche. Show before-and-after samples of how you improve existing copy. Add brief explanations for the writing strategy you use for each project. Try creating 1-2 pieces directly for a business instead of sending 5-29 formal pieces. Your words should move people to try your services. 
Make a list of 10-20 potential clients when doing cold outreach. These include local service providers, coaches, consultants, or Shopify store owners. Check their website copy and email opt-ins or ads before reaching out. Then craft a personalized message. The purpose of a cold email is to start a conversation. Avoid focusing on the sales pitch and instead, mention something they said online. End it with a question to show your willingness to help them with their sales or business.
Use social media to discover copywriting jobs and show your services on a larger audience. Twitter is a good platform for sharing free writing tips. Follow and engage with copywriters or influencers to gain knowledge. On Instagram, post behind-the-scenes of your writing process. Or, join local Facebook groups to present your pitch on small businesses.
Start networking with your friends and family about your copywriting journey. They might refer your services to small businesses or organizations. According to Copyblogger, 38% of freelance copywriters said their first paying client came from a referral or personal connection. Reconnect with former colleagues who may need a copy for their current company. Also, attend industry conferences and marketing workshops to learn from other copywriters.
In this article, we discuss the top 4 ways to get copywriting clients with no experience. We mention common mistakes like ignoring feedback, not having a clear niche, and not pricing services properly.
1. Prepare your copywriting portfolio
To prepare your portfolio, create sample pieces of copy to show your writing skills. These include social media copy, landing pages, email newsletters, and blog posts. The easiest way is to write 3-5 pieces of copy. This shows you understand your clients’ needs in your niche. Then put them in a Google Doc and select “enable sharing”. According to Copyhackers, portfolios receive 27% more views than PDF attachments when shared via Google Docs.
Give your copywriting services at a reduced rate or for free to friends, family, nonprofits, and local businesses. Many organizations need assistance with their social media posts and website copy. If you volunteer for a cause, ask consent to include your content for them in your portfolio.
Your portfolio should include a bunch of finished assets, mockups, animations, and websites. Do guest blogging on websites to build your credibility. Publish your articles on websites like Medium or Vocal. Media and increase exposure. Also, demonstrate how you approach writing. Even without client work, describe how you research topics. Show how you structure your content and define a target audience.
Jesse Forrest says to decide on your chosen industries before building a portfolio. Write about trending topics in your selected niche using WordPress. Create sales pages for products or businesses. Approach individuals or businesses you know and offer your services. Then collect their testimonials to be included in your portfolio. Create folders with Word documents or PDFs when sharing your portfolio.
2. Cold outreach your copywriting skills to businesses
When doing cold outreach, identify businesses that would benefit from your services. Check companies that have an outdated website copy or lack engaging blog posts. Start working with small businesses because they don’t have a large marketing team. Mention services like B2B copywriting, brand messaging, and product descriptions. A Redditor suggests crafting a cold email using hyper personalization. Speak exactly what the company’s goals are. Begin every email with “noticed you”, then encourage readers to do research and keep reading.
Personalizing your emails is the key to success. According to Email Analytics, personalized cold emails have a 41% higher response rate and a 29% higher open rate than generic outreach messages. Address the recipient by name and highlight something specific about their business. Reference a campaign they ran or a recent blog post.
Keep your emails short and direct to the point. Avoid using generic templates so clients won’t get bored. Focus on how you can solve a problem for their business. Also, mention how copywriting can help them achieve particular goals. These include increasing sales, improving customer engagement, and maximizing website traffic.
Alex Berman explains three cold email formulas to use. The PC Formula identifies the recipient’s pain point and gives a solution with a clear CTA. This is effective for connecting the pitch to the prospect’s needs. The PEC Formula focuses on the prospect’s fears and desires. Provide evidence like case studies and end with a CTA. This showcases credibility and aligns with the prospect’s goals. Lastly, the PPC formula highlights a problem and gives a partial solution. Then it will encourage the recipient to learn more.
3. Use social media to post your copywriting services
When using social media, share valuable tips related to copywriting. Offer advice to beginner copywriters in improving their writing skills. Share client testimonials to build trust and credibility. According to Conversion XL, testimonials showcasing specific metrics have 58% increase in viewer trust. Include how your copy helped them increase conversions and grow their businesses. Boost audience engagement through hosting live sessions on Facebook or Instagram.
Short copy can be challenging at first. You’ll need to convey a complex message in a concise and clear way. But social media posts make short copy interesting. If you’re having a writer’s block, take a creative approach to brainstorming. Write articles about industry insights, headline formulas, and FAQ content.
Twitter is a great platform for finding copywriting clients. It’s convenient for cutting unnecessary words and maintaining clarity. You should know how to catch someone’s attention. Once they’re curious about your content, send them your sales or landing page. Also, follow copywriters or influencers who teach principles of writing.
Melinda Kitto recommends avoiding using self-focused intros. Instead, focus on what your target audience really cares about. Speak directly to the reader’s problem. When writing your post: ask direct questions, use assumptions, and tell stories. Don’t just say “have more energy” or “feel better”. Explain what your customers should do after reading your pitch. Also, use juicy bullet points to highlight what your audience will get. Be specific and tangible when providing solutions to your audience.
4. Network to gain knowledge about copywriting techniques
As a beginner copywriter, start networking on events. Free events only attract people looking for copywriting jobs. But paid events are where you find CEOs or marketing managers who have resources to hire. According to the Professional Copywriters’ Network, copywriters regularly going to paid industry events are 37% more likely to attract secure clients than those who don’t. Attend business networking groups and chambers of commerce in your area. These are often free or cheap. A few copywriters only attend these events. 
Try going to freelance networking events like Meetup or Eventbrite. Gain knowledge on virtual coworking spaces including indie hacker communities and Focusmate. Prepare a concise explanation of your copywriting services. These include direct response, social media, brand copywriting, email copywriting, or B2B copywriting. Focus on how you solve problems or improve certain aspects of small businesses.
Kate Sitarz recommends asking people “What brought you here?” or “What do you do?” during networking events. When they ask back, simply state that you’re a copywriter and briefly mention your services. Focus on being authentic and curious. Treat every interaction as genuine conversion, not a sales speech. Then get their info and send a follow-up email referencing your conversation.
What are the most common mistakes new copywriters make when trying to get clients?
- Not having a clear niche – Select a niche related to your interests or skills. It could be real estate, e-commerce, or health and wellness. Clients will more likely to hire a copywriter who specializes in their industry. They want someone who specifically understands their target audience.
- Not pricing services properly – Pricing too low can undervalue your work. Research the usual rates for copywriters in your niche. Begin with competitive pricing and adjust as you have more experience.
- Lack of clear communication – Clients may not understand what you do, resulting in unrealistic expectations. Be clear about the services you offer and communicate regularly with clients.
- Ignoring feedback – Clients have specific preferences or ideas. Ignoring feedback strains the client relationship and may damage your reputation.
- Not building an online presence – Without a website, it’s difficult for potential clients to find you. Build a professional website or portfolio highlighting your skills, services, and testimonials.
Can a beginner copywriter create a blog page to find clients?
Yes, a beginner copywriter can create a blog page to find clients. Having a blog proves you can write persuasively and concisely. It builds authority on topics like branding, marketing, sales, or tech. Readers will view you as a valuable expert who knows your target audience. Use SEO features and strategies when writing articles. Include relevant keywords like “ad agencies”, “website copy”, or “ad copy”. A website builder for blogs customizes multiple service pages on a single site. This makes it easier for readers to assess your writing skills based on various topics.
