Finding Work

Sources of work

Copywriting work typically comes from several sources:

Direct clients

Businesses that hire you directly. Higher rates, more control, longer relationships – but you need to find them yourself.

Agencies

Marketing, branding, advertising and digital agencies. Often more consistent work but lower rates. Good for steady income and exposure to variety.

Platforms and job boards

Freelance platforms (Upwork, PeoplePerHour) and job boards. Variable quality and often lower rates, but can provide starting opportunities.

Referrals

Recommendations from satisfied clients and contacts. The best source of work – higher quality leads who already trust you.

Building your network

Your network is your most valuable marketing asset:

Who to connect with:

• Other copywriters (for referrals and subcontracting)
• Designers, developers, marketers (complementary services)
• Agency contacts
• Past clients and colleagues
• People in your target industries

How to network:

• Join ProCopywriters and participate in the community
• Attend industry events and meetups
• Be active on LinkedIn
• Help others without expecting immediate return

Maintain relationships:

Networking isn’t just collecting contacts. Stay in touch with people. Check in occasionally. Be genuinely helpful.

Marketing yourself

As a copywriter, you’re in marketing – apply those skills to yourself:

Your positioning

• What makes you different?
• What types of work do you want?
• Who is your ideal client?

Your online presence

• Portfolio website with clear contact details
• LinkedIn profile that sells your services
• Consistent professional presence

Content marketing

• Blog posts demonstrating expertise
• LinkedIn articles and posts
• Guest posts in relevant publications

Direct outreach

Identify potential clients and reach out with value. Not spam – thoughtful, relevant approaches that show you understand their business.

Working with agencies

Agencies can be a reliable source of work:

Getting on agency rosters:

• Identify agencies that use freelance copywriters
• Send a brief introduction and portfolio
• Follow up (once) if no response
• Stay in touch without being pushy

What agencies look for:

• Reliability – delivering on time, every time
• Quality – work that doesn’t need extensive revision
• Flexibility – adapting to their processes
• Professionalism – easy to work with

Pros and cons:

Agency work is often lower-paid than direct client work, but it’s more consistent. It’s also a good way to build experience and portfolio pieces.

Freelance platforms

Platforms like Upwork have a mixed reputation, but can work for some:

Realistic expectations:

• Competition is fierce and often global
• Rates tend to be lower than direct work
• Building a reputation takes time

Making them work:

• Niche down – specialise rather than competing on everything
• Write strong proposals that show you read the brief
• Build reviews from quality work
• Raise rates as reputation grows

When to move on:

Many copywriters use platforms to start, then transition to direct clients. Use them as a stepping stone, not a permanent home.

Summary

Finding work consistently requires multiple channels and ongoing effort. Build your network, market yourself professionally, and deliver great work that generates referrals.

The best long-term strategy is building a reputation where good work leads to more good work. That takes time, but it’s sustainable.