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How to Become a Copywriter Quickly with No Experience, No Portfolio, and No Degree

Danny Margulies 315 Comments

Becoming a copywriter and getting real, paid work doesn’t have to be a slow and painful process.

You won’t hear this from old school copywriters who are desperately trying to protect their turf — they want it to seem complicated and difficult for you, the newbie.

But the truth is that, regardless of where you’re currently at, you can start making money writing copy much faster than most people realize.

The Crystal Ball Technique helps you become a copywriter quickly

I know because I did it, while breaking all the supposed “rules.” And it worked out better than I ever could have imagined.

By bucking the conventional wisdom on how to become a copywriter, I was able to quickly kick off a successful copywriting career that was fun, exciting, and profitable right from the start (even if it did drive some of the old pros completely nuts):

  • Starting off with no college degree or any formal education, experience or training
  • Landing my first paid gig in just two days
  • Supporting my entire family off my copywriting since week-1
  • Charging above average prices almost immediately
  • And personally earning over $100,000 in just my second full year as a copywriter

Business Insider: How I made six-figures as a copywriter on UpworkTo do this, I used an approach I call The Crystal Ball Technique.

The best thing about this strategy is that it can work for anyone, even if you have no experience whatsoever.

The Crystal Ball Technique is best suited to helping you become a freelance copywriter, but it’s also a great way to quickly (and profitably) build up your skills so that you can land a full-time job as a copywriter, if that’s what you want to do.

Either way, I’m going to show you the exact steps involved, right here in this post.

First, let’s take a quick look at what’s wrong with the traditional approach to becoming a copywriter.

Why most “How to become a copywriter” advice sucks

The typical route most so-called experts recommend for becoming a copywriter looks something like this:

  1. Spend a bunch of time learning copywriting
  2. Spend a bunch of money getting some writing related degree
  3. Spend a bunch more time building up a portfolio by “writing what you know,” or just making stuff up out of thin air (please don’t do this)
  4. Beg random people to give you work, usually also offering a massive discount (or worse, doing work for free in hopes that one day they’ll pay)
  5. And finally, you’re given some vague advice on how to market yourself, usually through methods that are both painstakingly labor intensive, incredibly time consuming, and ineffective (more on this shortly)

THIS APPROACH IS ALL BACKWARDS BECAUSE…

  • You end up studying and practicing copywriting for weeks or months without ever doing any real work, when you could have learned faster, better, and more profitably on the job instead
  • You’ve wasted a ton of time and energy building up a portfolio that’s full of stuff clients don’t care about, and which you didn’t even need to begin with
  • Worst of all, you end up with no clear cut path to finding and securing actual paying clients and real-world work

I can’t tell you how many emails I get from otherwise skilled would-be copywriters who’ve been down this road, only to end up frustrated, confused, and doing a lot of work in exchange for little or no money as they struggle to find good clients and command decent fees.

The Crystal Ball Technique solves all of the above problems, by flipping the traditional “break into copywriting” model on its head.

It’s designed to help you land your first paid gigs upfront, and learn the craft of copywriting quickly as you go…

While initially creating only a minimal number of short writing samples that are virtually guaranteed to impress potential clients.

The best part about the Crystal Ball Technique is that it gives you actionable, step-by-step instructions — the exact steps I used to get my first paying copywriting jobs, within two days of launching my freelance copywriting career.

In other words, you’re not about to learn theory of how to become a copywriter, you’re going to learn how to actually become one.

Let’s get to it.

How to become a copywriter (the quick and easy way):

  1. Go where the actual paying clients are (without leaving your chair)
  2. Understand the one thing clients really care about
  3. Do some rapid-fire market research AKA identify the easy jobs
  4. Create a “Minimum Viable Portfolio” (MVP) in 20-30 mins
  5. Rinse and repeat as needed
  6. Go forth and keep getting paid to write copy

Step 1: Go where the actual paying clients are (without leaving your chair)

In addition to being laborious and glacier-slow, the typical advice most “experts” parrot about marketing yourself as a new copywriter is pretty hopeless.

I’ll break it down piece by piece so you can see exactly what I mean:

Cold calling/emailing. When strangers call or email you to try and sell you stuff you didn’t even ask for, do you ever end up buying anything (let alone becoming a loyal repeat customer)?

Networking. Look around your next networking meeting, and ask yourself how many of the attendees drove over to the event thinking, “Gosh, I hope I meet a copywriter for hire at today’s lunch!” Enough said?

Social media. Do you like it when you’re looking at your Facebook or Twitter feed and random people you’ve never heard of try to pitch you on hiring them them for stuff you aren’t interested in?

Start a blog. Do you ever come across a brand new blog started by a total unknown and think, “Gee, I’d really like to hire the person who wrote this?”

Hopefully you’re shaking your head to all of this.

When framed in this way, you can see how ridiculous it all sounds.

Yet this is still the actual stuff that people are told to do when they go looking for advice on how to become a copywriter.

I did none of this. Instead, I went to Upwork.

Unlike the half-cocked old school marketing methods we’ve been talking about, online freelance marketplaces like Upwork offer you a direct path to real paying clients, even if you happen to be brand new to professional copywriting, like I was.

Instead of being forced to aggressively pursue random people hoping to somehow turn them into clients, you can simply apply to any of the tens of thousands of copywriting jobs that are already being advertised on sites like Upwork everyday.

Here’s a screenshot I just grabbed to show you just how big the “pie” really is on Upwork. As you can see, not only are there an insane number of jobs to choose from — but there’s also something for everyone in terms of the type of writing you want to do, how much experience you have (or don’t have), etc.

Freelance writing jobs on UpworkAs you’re about to see, the sheer volume of qualified jobs already being posted on sites like Upwork each day is going to act as an accelerator for breaking into copywriting and earning money while you develop your skills, rather than the other way around.

Going where the clients are is the first step in playing the game smart — plain and simple.

Not a whole lot different from cab drivers signing up for Uber.

Don’t be that one old school person who is hell bent on finding their own clients as a brand new copywriter, when there’s a cool little app that can connect you with them in droves, quickly and cheaply. Cool?

Step 2: Understand the one thing clients really care about

One reason that the traditional path I described earlier rarely leads to actual paying gigs is because typical clients don’t care about your portfolio, or how much time you’ve spent practicing copywriting.

Not really.

All they really care about is feeling confident that you can get their job done in a way that makes them happy.

Let me explain.

If you talk to 100 different clients who all need a piece of copywriting done, they’re likely to all need something completely different.

To see what I mean, check out these 3 totally unrelated copywriting job descriptions I just pulled off Upwork…

Social media writing job on Upwork

Blog writing job on Upwork

Press release writing job on UpworkSee how different these all are?

This diversity is part of the reason why even the most reputable copywriters show off samples of their previous work.

It helps instill potential clients with the confidence that we can get their individual job done right.

So it should follow that, all else being equal, the copywriter who can show the client a writing sample that is most similar to what they need, will be the one to get hired for any given job.

But there’s a rub here…

Because individual clients’ needs are so unique, most copywriters (even experienced ones) usually won’t have a super relevant writing sample to show for a given job.

Case in point: After earning hundreds of thousands of dollars working on thousands of copywriting pieces, I still do not have any social media posts, orthopedic blogs, or sports-related press releases that I could throw at the above clients as proof that I could rock it for them.

This is where the opportunity comes in for you as a new copywriter.

If you and I were competing for one of the above gigs, and you could show the client even one single super relevant writing sample, chances are you could snag the job, despite my thousands of hours of copywriting experience.

It’s a David vs. Goliath thing.

I’ll show you how to execute on this idea shortly…

But for now it’s important to realize that showing clients the right sample is a sort of Trump Card when it comes to winning copywriting work.

Done properly, it’s like letting clients look into a crystal ball so they can see that you’re the perfect person to get their job done, exactly the way they want it.

Step 3: Do some rapid-fire market research

Remember earlier when we talked about the backwardness of building up your portfolio for weeks or months before going out and looking for clients?

It’s like a restaurant creating a menu and then asking customers what they enjoy eating. Not smart.

I didn’t do that.

Instead, before I created any writing samples at all, I first found out what real paying clients were actually looking for — and then tailored my writing samples around those needs.

In this regard, Upwork is an incredible market research tool, since you can get a wealth of information on thousands of real world clients in just a few minutes of browsing the job descriptions.

What you’re looking for in the beginning are copywriting jobs that:

  • Don’t require any special or technical knowledge you don’t possess — e.g. no legal writing if you don’t have a legal background. (Notice that even the “Blogger for medical company” job post above says you do NOT need to be an expert, but just need to be able to research and write content that’s easy for patients to understand.)
  • Are small enough that you can complete them within a few hours to a couple of days, so you don’t risk getting in over your head (e.g. no 80 page ebooks)
  • Offer detailed descriptions of what the client actually wants; the more you know, the better and more relevant you can make your samples in Step 4

Real examples of beginner copywriting jobs I won and completed:

Let’s look at a couple of good examples…these are real jobs I personally won and completed successfully in my first few weeks on Upwork, despite having no copywriting background whatsoever.

First, there’s this one…

Copywriting for marketing emails job description on Upwork…and this one…

Copywriting job description on UpworkNotice that, even in these short snippets of each job’s description, you already get a pretty good picture of what the client is looking for. (There were files attached to the original postings that offered even more info.)

At this point, you might be thinking, “Hey, this is all fine and good, but what if I still don’t know how to write a job description or marketing email?”

Don’t worry about that — we’ll cover it in Step 4. For now, you’re just looking for jobs that you don’t have to go back to college to learn how to do, okay?

Alright, once you have a few of these jobs identified, go ahead and pick the one that sounds like the most fun, and let’s move on to the next step.

Step 4: Create a “Minimum Viable Portfolio” (MVP) in 20-30 mins

This is where things get exciting.

We’re going to take the information we found in Step 3, and use it to create a writing portfolio.

Except this isn’t going to be your grandfather’s writing portfolio.

Instead of pounding the keyboard for months on end to create a “complete” portfolio that likely won’t appeal to anyone anyway, we’re going to hack our way to one that’s both drastically smaller and more effective:

Your copywriting portfolio will…

  • Consist of only one single sample (at least for now), just enough to win the job you chose in Step 3
  • Be targeted toward what the client is looking for, giving you an excellent chance of grabbing their attention and outshining even more experienced competitors (who will likely be using cookie cutter samples that aren’t nearly as eye-catching)
  • And you’re going to aim to complete it in just 20-30 minutes

Your MVP is a sniper rifle — it’s all about accuracy and efficiency. Getting the absolute most out of each sample you create.

Other freelancers will take a “shotgun” approach, aimlessly applying for tons of jobs with samples that just aren’t relevant to 99% of clients.

Let them.

They’ll be the ones whining in online forums because, after months of writing proposals, they’ve yet to secure a single job.

Nor does creating your MVP require anything fancy. To prove it to you, I recorded this video where I found a real copywriting job on Upwork and quickly created an MVP on the spot.

Watch me write an MVP copywriting sample on the spot with the Crystal Ball Technique:

Two key guidelines for your copywriting MVP:

1. Go for similar, but not exact

As we’ve discussed, you want to write a sample that’s similar to what the client actually needs. At the same time, you don’t want to go so far with this idea that you end up inadvertently writing them a free sample.

Sites like Upwork prohibit free work, and in any case, there’s no need to tempt any unscrupulous clients to steal your stuff.

A good rule of thumb is to write something that proves you’re able to do the work, yet wouldn’t be usable to the client on its own.

For example: If a client is looking for a blog post on the 5 most romantic neighborhoods in New York City, you could write one about the 3 best places to propose in Paris.

2. Keep it short

Notice how, in the example I just gave you, I said “3 best places to propose in Paris”, rather than 5.

It’s called a Minimum Viable Portfolio for a reason.

You definitely want to focus on quality, but there’s no reason to make your sample even one word longer than it needs to be.

Remember, the goal is to show clients a glimpse of what you can do — you don’t need to bake the whole enchilada when just a taste will work fine.

A good rule of thumb is 200 – 400 words, depending on what type of piece you’re writing.

Clients will appreciate your brevity, since they tend to be busy people — every minute you can save them will win you brownie points.

As a bonus, the sooner you get through your initial sample, the quicker you can start banking cash for your efforts.

I had my first writing sample completed less than an hour after creating my Upwork account, and it won me my first job, too.

Let’s talk about how to do it.

How to write your first copywriting sample

Remember the two job descriptions I showed you earlier — one for writing marketing emails, and the other for writing job advertisements?

Well, here’s a secret: I didn’t know how to do either of these things before sitting down to write my MVP samples for them.

So I used google to help me figure them out, with searches like this…

How to become a freelance email marketer on Upwork…and this…

How to become a freelance copywriter on UpworkWhile this isn’t necessarily the best way to master the art of copywriting, you’d be amazed at the quality of the information you can find when you’re just getting started and need to learn enough to get the job done.

This is especially true when you consider that you won’t generally be competing against rockstar copywriters — the best ones spend most of their time working, rather than bidding on jobs.

When I was going through this process over two years ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that most of the freelancers I was competing with didn’t even know most of the techniques and tips that I was learning for free through simple google searches like the ones I just showed you.

They were mostly winging it, relying on instinct, or downright biffing it completely.

And you know what? Clients were really happy to see that I was the exception to this rule.

Almost immediately, I started to get responses like this:

…and this…

How to get freelance jobs on UpworkNotice how these clients were already sold on working with me, just from looking at the MVP samples I sent them. (I was even the highest bidder on these jobs.)

They didn’t ask about my background, training, education, or anything else, because my writing samples were directly related to the jobs they were advertising…

While I can virtually guarantee you that my competitors sent in samples that did not address these clients’ specific needs. (Hell, some freelancers don’t send any samples at all.)

In other words, no one else gave them the “crystal ball experience.” I did, and it paid off predictably, time and time again.

Step 5: Rinse and repeat (as needed)

One great thing about the Crystal Ball Technique is that you don’t have to rely on it for very long.

I used it religiously for my first few weeks as a copywriter, and then gradually tapered it off as I started to rely more on the samples I’d already created from previous jobs, as well as the growing number of good client reviews that were stacking up on my Upwork profile.

But even then I continued to use the strategy from time to time:

  • When I came across a job I really wanted (especially if it had the potential to become repeat business)
  • When I found my workload slowing down and wanted to quickly boost it up again
  • Or when I wanted to break into a new niche that I had no experience in

So even after you’ve gotten the ball rolling in your new career as a copywriter, the Crystal Ball Technique is a great “ace in the hole” that you can pull out and use any time you need it.

A built-in safety net for new copywriters

One of the biggest reasons aspiring copywriters practice and work on their portfolios for long periods of time is because they’re afraid.

That’s understandable.

They don’t want to accidentally jump into the water before they’re ready, because they might get in over their head and screw up a job when money — and their reputation — are on the line.

Fortunately, the Crystal Ball Technique comes with its own fail-safe that all but totally prevents you from falling flat on your face.

When you send clients your MVP sample, you’re showing them a preview of the type of work they can expect when they hire you.

If they respond favorably to that sample, then there’s no reason they won’t like the rest of the work you do for them, since it’s all along the same lines anyway.

This isn’t true for copywriters who send clients samples that aren’t relevant to their individual needs…

Just because a copywriter can write a solid press release for a new type of dog leash, doesn’t mean he can also write a good blog post about the health benefits of red wine.

But since you’re sending clients samples that are intentionally similar to what you’ll ultimately produce, there aren’t going to be any surprises once they hire you.

While using the Crystal Ball Technique to break into copywriting, I never received a single review from a client that wasn’t 100% positive, thanks to this built in fail-safe mechanism.

Here are a couple so you can see for yourself…

Client feedback from Upwork writing job

Client feedback from email copywriting job on Upwork(Oh yeah and, as you can see, the email copywriting job turned into a repeat gig, even though it was my first one ever.)

When I talk to people about how quickly I became a copywriter, despite my total lack of experience, they often say things like, “Weren’t you afraid clients wouldn’t like your work?” or “That sounds scary!”

Little do they know that there was method in my madness, thanks to the Crystal Ball Technique.

Step 6: Go forth and keep getting paid to write copy

I’ve just given you a blueprint for becoming a copywriter that’s fast, free, and way easier than the advice the gurus are peddling.

Time to get to it. There’s no need to wait.

You’ve been writing since grade school, so I think you can handle this one if you put your mind to it.

You aren’t risking anything and no one is going to bite you…except maybe one of the stuffy old copywriting pros you piss off with your speedy success.

Just don’t forget to grab my copywriting tutorial below to help you out along the way:

(Flickr Creative Commons Image via *m22)

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Alora
Reader
Alora

This is stellar stuff. I recently bought a course for freelance, and it’s looong. Been trying to land guest posts to build up a portfolio, grueling stuff. This makes so much sense it’s ridiculous. Thanks for sharing! Going to get on it tomorrow, I trust my spongey brain! Do you have a twitter account or any social media?

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3 months ago
Tami
Reader
Tami

Thank you so much for this article and the email “over your shoulder” step by step article. It helped me SO MUCH. I have moved beyond my fear and now feel ready to put myself out there. I’m going to get busy right now. I lost my job 2 weeks ago and was starting to feel nervous about finances. I’m feeling pleasantly optimistic now. Thanks again! I feel like my son and I have a shot at a really great future.

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4 months ago
Md. Abu Saleh
Reader
Md. Abu Saleh

I have learned a completely new idea to about the copywriting. I have been serving as a graphic designer since 2016 to the top marketplaces. In addition, i am planning to start blogging. This article eliminates the barrier of article writing, hiring a writer, spending money for content!!

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5 months ago
John
Reader
John

Oh Man!! Danny, I really enjoyed reading our article, How to Become a Copywriter. Very well written. Easy to read and understand. Thanks so very much!

I’ve read quite a few books on copywriting, your article is the best and most helThankpful thing I have read yet.

I think I am just about ready to get started with Upwork. I will read your Upwork article first and try to locate the copywriting tutorial you mentioned above. Where is it? I did not see a link to it.

Thanks again Danny – still looking for your tutorial – please help!,

John

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5 months ago
Josh
Reader
Josh

How’s upwork been working out for you? I’ve heard mixed things regarding new copywriter’s starting there,

Reply
1 month ago
Cee
Reader
Cee

I came across this page so randomly, and I swear it feels like a sign. Thank you so much for this, Danny! All the information, the helpful tips– everything! I already downloaded the app, and I cannot wait to get started and see what’s in store 😀

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5 months ago
Mavis Buchanan
Reader
Mavis Buchanan

Seems like a good plan to follow.

Reply
6 months ago
TM
Reader
TM

This article has given me great encouragement, I write all the time for my artistic practice and have contributed articles to online magazines etc before, this and other research has helped me realise I can use my talents towards a better income whilst I also focus on my creative work! Thank you Danny!

P.S. I couldn’t help thinking if you were commissioned by Upwork to write this! Are there other sites or client hubs that provide copywriting job opportunities you would recommend?

Reply
6 months ago
Rosemary Casale
Reader
Rosemary Casale

Danny, you are a first rate teacher…another profession at which you excel! I love to write and you have inspired me to look in a new direction in my “golden years”. I am so excited. Thank you

Reply
6 months ago
Micki
Reader
Micki

Thank you so much! now I wish I had not paid 20 bucks for the udemy course!

Reply
6 months ago
Jinny McCormick
Reader
Jinny McCormick

Thanks, Danny. I am a rare Upworker – I just had my three-year top rated anniversary. But this month has been terrible! No work this week at all. I decided this morning to do a start from scratch refresher and that’s how I ended up here. Lots of great tips for getting the ball rolling again. Thanks again!

Reply
6 months ago
Rasmus Kreutzmann
Reader
Rasmus Kreutzmann

If there’s one thing I’ve learned writing for money, it’s that it’s better to have a few great clients with real budgets than to have a lot of broke one-off clients. The minimum viable portfolio is a great idea to get your foot in the door with those types of clients who have both higher standards and larger budgets.

Reply
8 months ago
Jonathan
Reader
Jonathan

The next challenge…how to get accepted as an applicant for upwork! They are rejecting applications these days it seems. Maybe you can write a post on how to get accepted as an applicant for upwork.

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8 months ago
Danny Margulies
Author
Danny Margulies

Already did: http://freelancetowin.com/upwork-profile-not-approved/

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8 months ago
Kat
Reader
Kat

Agreed!

Reply
6 months ago
Wessel Boot
Reader
Wessel Boot

You made me step over that barrier of which career to proceed so thank you for that. I do have a question concerning royalties. I see a lot of these articles popping up on fb with similar structure and information content including health ones. Yet many of these articles a are written by copywriters. How does the royalties work in this. I mean of course it is depending on the company but uplink does not support royalties right? So is it ok to ask clients or if not how can one make a lasting balancing income or is one always… Read more »

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9 months ago
Jen
Reader
Jen

Hi! This post was so helpful. Thank you! I do have one question. You mentioned how you research information when necessary. Do you include citations in information you find?

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9 months ago
Quayla
Reader
Quayla

You’re literally the 1st & ONLY person I’ve come across that actually explained Copywriting in a clear way, and makes it out to be so simple! ^.^ I thank you for your marvelous advice on how to step into the profession, and thank you even more on an incredible method to use for doing so! <3

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9 months ago
Christie
Reader
Christie

Danny, I want to thank you for the sharing this article about “How to become a Copywriter quickly with No Experience, No Portfolio, and No Degree” this was very helpful and I actually understand what you were talking about.
I have paid for other courses and never finished because I didn’t get what “they” were talking about. I look forward to using your “Crystal Ball” method and see if I can start my career as a copywriter.

Reply
10 months ago
Kenya Nelson
Reader
Kenya Nelson

Thank you so much for writing this article. I am one of those fearful and paranoid types thanks to my perfectionism. 🙁 I have to let go of fear and just do the damn thing; your article gave me hope. I love writing and I have writing talent. I want to have professional writing experience but I refuse to invest in a writing degree or pay for an expensive writing class (I rather invest in my graduate studies anyway!), so this really make me feel more optimistic about freelance. I was feeling so discouraged but now I am eager to… Read more »

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10 months ago
Zette
Reader
Zette

Hi Danny, all the way from Zimbabwe! I am on the verge of working as a freelancer and upwork has caught my attention – I confess I was a little unsure that I would have what it takes, but your article has just blown that right out the water! Thank you ever so much and all the very best to you. Regards, Zette

Reply
10 months ago
Emmanuel David
Reader
Emmanuel David

I have being searching for how to become a good copwritter until today that I come across this and I’m going straight to implement it with immediate creation of account on upwork and showcase the efficicacy in my blog.

Reply
10 months ago
Manaj Banerjee
Reader
Manaj Banerjee

Hi,
I found your brilliant site at the top of Google page, and it is absolutely worth it–no fuss, no ambiguity: so simple, direct, engaging, informative and phenomenon in its own essence. In fact, I need your help and guidance to become a ‘copywriter’ as fast as possible. Simply because I left my job last November and I’ve hardly any shame to say that I’ve no savings… that’s why the hurry.

Reply
10 months ago
Brian Bauer
Reader
Brian Bauer

Danny, thanks so much for this!! I found this searching for ways to put together a portfolio for a copywriting company.

It’s good to know that even if I don’t get the job I’m still in the game. Been writing my whole life and had no clue this was an option. Even if I get the job I’m gonna do this too.

Brian

Reply
10 months ago
Peris
Reader
Peris

Hi Danny,
This is a great article you are a genius! Am going to try out the crystal ball technique. Thanks a lot.

Reply
10 months ago
Ubai
Reader
Ubai

Hello Danny: I have read hundreds of thousands of words on becoming a copywriter. I have signed up on Upwork, but I am weary of applying for jobs. The same questions hold me back; what if I get rejected? What if my reputation (which I still have to build) is destroyed? What if the potential client thinks I can’t write? What if? What if? What if? While reading your article, which to to honest, was an open tab for a few days on Chrome, a new ray of hope has been kindled. I think, or rather, I know I have… Read more »

Reply
11 months ago
Alexis
Reader
Alexis

Hello from across the pond! Does anyone know if there’s a UK equivalent of Upwork? Many thanks ????

Reply
11 months ago
read.dot@gmail.com
Member
[email protected]

Hi Alexis,
Upwork is international, so there are jobs ferom all over the world, but there is a UK version online. I live in the UK, but my first (very small!) job was to rewrite the script of the answerphone message of an Australian medical centre. (Maybe 150 words, for which I was paid $18)

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10 months ago
read.dot@gmail.com
Member
[email protected]

Apologies for the spelling mistake – not good!

Reply
10 months ago
read.dot@gmail.com
Member
[email protected]

Hi Danny, Wow, I’m amazed! I followed the your advice in this article and yesterday, having never done any freelance writing EVER before, I have had 2 of my first 3 proposals accepted! And the first client said I had done good work by sending in a sample. Ok, these first ones aren’t going to pay me much money. But this is just the start. I’m sure that once I get the hang of it and do lots more practice, I will be able to command higher fees. I am just so surprised that anybody would pay for my writing!… Read more »

Reply
11 months ago
Dave Coventry
Reader
Dave Coventry

Go sister! I’m 59, and your post is great encouragement!

Reply
6 months ago
Václav Sliž
Reader
Václav Sliž

Such an amazing content. I can not thank you enough for it.

Reply
11 months ago
CELESTINE
Reader
CELESTINE

Hi Danny,
Thank you for this great piece. I have been training online on copywriting but to be sincere I was very afraid to start the copywriting. Be blessed

Reply
11 months ago
john
Reader
john

I am way impressed if this is for real. I have been studying copywriting on my own online for awhile now, but actually I have been preparing for this my entire life, without knowing it. I am 74 and I hope I’m not too late All I can say is that I am going to read this, again, and hope that I have run into you in time. I just hope this is not one of those “too good to be true moments” we sometimes have. I have a good feeling about what you say, but who wouldn’t? I mean,… Read more »

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11 months ago
Dave Coventry
Reader
Dave Coventry

Give it a crack John. Nothing to lose! Maybe you already have. How has it gone?

Reply
6 months ago
Diamond
Reader
Diamond

Hi Danny,

Thanks for helping all of us out there. I am wondering since I am targeting products description copy for ecommerce, which platform could be suitable to make my MVP?

Reply
11 months ago
Juan Pablo Sans Palacios
Reader
Juan Pablo Sans Palacios

Hello Danny,

How would you use the Crystal Ball Technique if you are bidding for a translation job on Upwork? I am one of your students at 6 Figure Freelancer.

Cheers

Reply
11 months ago
Sheryl Baptist
Reader
Sheryl Baptist

Danny you have made me feel useful again. Thanks so much for the information. You are right I have been writing since grade school. This Crystal Ball approach is just what I needed to kick start me. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

I will update you as soon as I land a job. Going to get started on a sample or two..

Sheryl

Reply
1 year ago
simon
Reader
simon

this is the most important post I have read on copywriting. real stuff that can work. practical and easy to follow. thanks and keep up the great work. and be blessed too.

Reply
1 year ago
Kim Smyth
Reader
Kim Smyth

Hey Danny
I got more useful advice from this post than all the Udemy courses and other courses I’ve taken over the last two years. Maybe now I can get down to business and actually make some money! Thanks.

Reply
1 year ago
Omar Hijazi
Reader
Omar Hijazi

I rarely comment on a blog, but this post was so AWESOME that I felt I had to say thanks.

Honest advice. No BS. And I love your method.

Super thanks and keep up the good work!

Reply
1 year ago
Jennifer Moore
Reader
Jennifer Moore

OMG! It works! I got a response in just 5 minutes. I implemented hack #1 and then rewrote my proposal letter using your technique and I got an immediate response. Yes, I have been on Upwork for a number of years, but like many, I struggle to get those jobs. Your tips are fantastic!

Reply
1 year ago
Marie Fiskbæk
Reader
Marie Fiskbæk

Hi Danny.
Thank you for a great blog post.
I am wondering what the best way to send the client your portfolio is? Do you use the Upwork portfolio function in your profile settings, attatch it as documents in the cover letter or include the examples in the text of the cover letter?

Reply
1 year ago
Normunds
Reader
Normunds

Hey Danny!

Amazing post! However, I have a small problem…I’m newbie freelancer, so today (2017) Upwork doesn’t accept my account even I made an account description that stands out and passed 2 English tests with 4.50 and higher, I just simply can’t get started! I asked CS rep, she said that your likelihood to get accepted only depends on freelancers supply and employers demand on some particular skill…Any thoughts on this one?

Reply
1 year ago
Jon
Reader
Jon

I’m facing the same issue. I can”t apply to jobs due to this supply and demand reason. To me it looks as if work will be given only to seasoned freelancers who were accepted long ago. It’s really unfair for newbies who are actually qualified to deliver satisfying work. What does Donny have to say about this?

Reply
1 year ago
Peris
Reader
Peris

Hello Danny, I find this so easy to follow that I will do it right away. Thanks a lot.

Reply
1 year ago
James Mathison
Reader
James Mathison

This is remarkably profound and face-palmingly-obvious advice.

I love it!

I have just sent off my first Upwork proposal using this method. There will be many more to follow.

Thank you, Danny!

Reply
1 year ago
Scot Mills
Reader
Scot Mills

Thanks Danny, this gives me hope! After having dicked around on Upwork for some pretty pathetic pay for the past couple of months, I now believe that I can actually make some decent money (here goes!). One thing which tells me this is that what you are saying jibes with what the clients I have won have responded to–i.e. my writing samples which most closely match the client’s needs. Thanks for pumping some new life into my hopes of making more than $25 for 2k words (which has been about my average so far–yikes). I will give this a shot,… Read more »

Reply
1 year ago
Kayla
Reader
Kayla

Loved the article. Unfortunately my application for Up works was denied. Any tips on getting in?

Reply
1 year ago
Louise
Reader
Louise

Ok, I had to come back here to comment.

I tried the crystal ball tecnique yesterday on 4 jobs and I landed one of them today.
Total time spend on producing material for the 4 jobs is maybe 15 minutes.

This is a game changer!
Thank you so much for this advice!

Louise

Reply
1 year ago
MIHIR
Reader
MIHIR

Louise, I need your help I do not many jobs.
Could you please brief the process which you follow to land the job

Reply
1 year ago
Louise Frank
Reader
Louise Frank

Hi Danny

Such great advice! I can’t wait to try it out – I don’t mind doing a little work to land a client.

I have had a few jobs on Upwork now and I have even made a presentation video of myself. Do you have any tips on that? Do you think the clients even care to look at it?

Thanks,
Louise

Reply
1 year ago
Faisal Ahmed
Reader
Faisal Ahmed

Hi Dany,

Excellent ! A very well written article and have gone through your article and found very useful information. I am not only applying all techniques now but also share with my colleagues and friends. Keep sharing these interesting posts.

Thanks,

Faisal

Reply
1 year ago
Roc
Reader
Roc

Hey! I am dumbfounded by the way you presented this great article here. It made everything become so simple for me. Thanks a lot, Danny.

Reply
1 year ago
Riyad
Reader
Riyad

Hi Danny, I’m the biggest fan of you and what you write. It is easy to understand. I started my upwork career 7 month before as a graphic designer but its a matter of sorrow that I just done one $5 job in upwork and that was after using your 5 hacks! But I need to make money to support me and my family so badly. I just finished your post and I think its so easy to start and get work as a copywriter. All credit goes to your easily readable post. I’m from Bangladesh and my English level… Read more »

Reply
1 year ago
Habib
Reader
Habib

Hello Danny,

A great article with effective idea. Can anyone tell me How can we use the “Crystal Ball Technique” as a Web Developer?

Thank You!

Reply
1 year ago
Janene
Reader
Janene

After reading articles and emails about how to break into freelancing, I finally feel like with this article I can start. There’s tons of overwhelming information out there. Thank you, Danny for giving me a starting point with some simple but powerful tips! After reading this article, I already built a profile, constructed a resume and am writing proposals! Thanks again!

Reply
1 year ago
Dana Bennett
Reader
Dana Bennett

Fantastic advice! I’ve been pitched like crazy lately by at three different folks who want me to PAY them to teach me how to be a copywriter – with all sorts of accompanying wild-assed promises. #1 I know how to write and don’t need someone to teach me how to write their boring copy, and #2 I’ve written marketing material before so this is no brain-breaker. But you totally did a work-around the old “what’s your experience” question. So, a big thanks to you, Danny, for saving a bunch of money. And setting me on the path to making some… Read more »

Reply
1 year ago
Lauren
Reader
Lauren

Hi Danny,

After being in corporate science writing for the last few years, I realize I am ready for a new track.

I stumbled across your site a few months ago and then dropped the idea of freelancing.

Welp! I’m back again and want to go “all out” in my efforts to get this off of the ground.

I would love to pick your brain on a few details about your early days as a copywriter.

The devil is always in the details.

Kindly,

Lauren

Reply
1 year ago

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