Sick of always chasing clients?
Ever wonder why some copywriters seem to get clients and money without even trying?
Well, guess what?
If they can do it, so can you!
(Yeah, who the hell do they think they are?)
In this post, you’ll learn how top copywriters get clients without chasing them.
Note: Setting this system up takes work. But if other successful copywriters can do it, so can you.
So, let’s kick the tires and light the fires!
Step 1: Set Goals to Get Noticed as a Copywriter
Years ago, when I was a salesman, I attended a lot of sales seminars.
At one big event with hundreds of people in the room, the speaker—who was a big-deal sales pro—asked us a question.
“How many of you have set your sales and personal goals for the year?”
Out of all those people, only two hands went up.
It’s no surprise that only a small fraction of people ever achieve true success.
Use This Resource to Set Your Goals
Believe it or not, there is one asset you carry with you all day long to help you set your goals.
And that asset is your imagination.
Here’s a simple 3-step system for setting goals:
- Dream Big – Think about what you want to achieve. Don’t hold back! Imagine the best possible outcome for your goal.
- Make a Plan – Break your big dream into smaller, easy steps. What can you do each day or week to get closer to your goal?
- Take Action – Start doing the steps you planned. Stay focused and keep going, even if it gets tough. Every little bit counts!
Take Time and Think it Through
If you want to stand out as a copywriter, you need to focus.
Find a quiet spot and spend a few days thinking about your goals. If you get stuck, check out things that inspire you—magazines, videos, books, or podcasts.
When something clicks, write it down.
You can also brainstorm with someone you trust. The most important thing is to get your ideas on paper.
Create a Vision Board for Inspiration
Making a vision board is like creating a big, awesome collage of your dreams and goals.
Grab magazines, photos, or images online that show what you want to achieve, and put them all together on a board.
Think of it as a fun art project!
Once it’s done, hang it up where you’ll see it every day to stay motivated and focused all year long.
Set Smart Goals to Propel Your Copywriting Career
Setting SMART goals means making them clear and practical.
Start by being Specific, so you know exactly what you want to achieve.
Make sure your goals are Measurable, so you can track your progress along the way.
They should also be Achievable, meaning they are realistic and something you can actually reach.
Your goals need to be Relevant, so they fit with your bigger plans and what’s important to you.
Finally, set a Time-bound deadline to keep yourself on track and motivated to finish.
Don’t Set Your Goals in Stone
Getting noticed as a copywriter is tough. One mistake that can stop you is being too strict with your goals.
Life can throw unexpected curveballs. Your financial situation might change, or you might need to care for a sick loved one.
When things like this happen, it’s okay to adjust your goals. Family and personal priorities come first.
As you grow your copywriting business, you’ll also gain new insights.
Many copywriters begin by focusing on one area, like selling vitamins. Later, they switch to something that makes more money, like medical equipment.
Your goals should guide you, but they shouldn’t trap you.
Be open to change and ready to adapt when better opportunities come along. Remember, freelancing is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep moving forward!
Three Stages of Potential Clients
There are different kinds of candidates, and it’s important to know the difference.
- Prospects are people who might need your help but aren’t interested yet.
- Leads are people who have shown some interest. They might have responded to something you shared or talked to you about what you offer.
- Opportunities are people who have shown serious interest. They’ve listened to your pitch and are considering hiring you.
Simplify Attracting Clients
Let’s be real—getting noticed as a copywriter isn’t easy. Every freelance writer struggles with it at first.
The pros make it look simple, but that’s because they’ve been through the process over and over. They’ve built up a network of contacts, gained followers over time, and learned how to stand out.
What sets successful copywriters apart?
They push themselves.
They step out of their comfort zones to promote their services and connect with new clients. It’s not magic—it’s persistence and practice.
Use This Simple Marketing Formula
Feeling unsure about landing clients?
Here’s some good news: it’s not as hard as it seems. Getting great clients can be broken down into easy steps anyone can follow.
Here’s the simple way to get noticed as a copywriter that I like to call it the 4 Shot Process:
- Find hot prospects.
- Turn those prospects into leads.
- Sell your services to them.
- Close the deal and secure the contract.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to building a solid client base!
Breaking Down the 4 Shot Process
Take Your Time to Find the Right Clients
Finding great clients starts with building a solid, targeted list. Look for people in your industry who need your skills, especially those with job titles that often rely on freelance copywriters.
Instead of rushing, take your time to research and pinpoint the best prospects. The more targeted your list, the better your chances of landing clients who value your work.
Look for Relevant Clients
Focus on industries and businesses you know about or are excited to learn about. It’s important to work in areas that interest you, or you’ll quickly lose motivation.
For example, since I used to be a teacher, I enjoy working with clients who focus on education, like business coaches, creators of educational videos, and schools or training programs.
But what I love most is the success and coaching world—it’s so inspiring! That’s why I mostly target business coaches when I’m looking for great clients to work with.
Locating Hot Prospects
There are four places I love to frequent to find prospects:
- Chamber of Commerce
- Warrior Forum
- Google Ads
There are tons of places online to find clients and land writing gigs, but I like to stick to a few go-to spots. It saves time and keeps things simple.
Chamber of Commerce: A Hidden Goldmine
You might be thinking, “The Chamber of Commerce?” But trust me—it works. I’ve landed many clients by using my local Chamber of Commerce website.
Here’s why it’s a solid option: the Chamber’s online directory is full of serious businesses.
These businesses pay membership fees, so they’re serious and not running a side hustle.
For example, in my town of Richmond, KY, membership costs about $30 a month or $340 a year. That’s not pocket change, and it shows these businesses are all in.
Most Chamber websites let you browse their business lists for free, even if you’re not a member.
You can search by category to find businesses in your niche. Next, get their contact info, like emails or addresses, from their websites.
Expand Beyond Your Local Area
Don’t limit yourself to one Chamber of Commerce.
Thanks to Google, you can tap into directories across the country.
Search for “Lexington KY Chamber of Commerce” to access businesses in another city.
With 50 states and countless cities, the possibilities are endless.
This is one of the easiest ways to find quality prospects for your copywriting business. So dive in and start building your client list today.
The Warrior Forum – A Goldmine for Copywriters
The Warrior Forum is one of my favorite places online. Why? Because it’s like a Swiss Army knife for entrepreneurs—it’s packed with everything you need in one spot.
You can ask questions, get advice, and dive into sections that are perfect for copywriters.
There is a place where copywriters gather.
There is another section where people are hiring for jobs. These jobs include building websites, creating graphics, and writing copy.
It’s an awesome place to connect with other entrepreneurs who might need your skills.
Show up, offer advice, and you’ll start getting noticed. Before you know it, people will be reaching out to you for help.
More Easy Places to Get Noticed
If you want more forums where people need your skills, check these:
- Quora
- Medium
- Startup Nation
- Startup Grind
- Indie Hackers
- Nomad List
You don’t need to be everywhere.
Just pick one or two (three max) and focus on standing out.
The key is to get noticed by participating and sharing advice that actually helps others. Show your value, and opportunities will come your way.
Use LinkedIn to Find Hot Prospects
If you’re serious about growing your copywriting business, LinkedIn is where it’s at.
LinkedIn is different from other social media—it’s focused on business.
Because LinkedIn is business-focused, there are groups for every industry you can think of.
It’s the ultimate place to find potential clients.
How to Attract Clients on LinkedIn
Using LinkedIn is so simple, it’s wild to think anyone serious about freelancing would skip it. To start, post valuable, professional content that speaks to your expertise.
When you do, people who like what you’re sharing will start to follow you. Yep, LinkedIn has a follow button for people interested in your stuff.
Some followers might be other copywriters, but many will be business owners or entrepreneurs who want your help.
These followers? They’re no longer just prospects—they’re now leads. And that’s when the magic happens.
How to Turn Leads into Opportunities
Got someone following you or showing interest? That’s your lead—and you can turn them into a real opportunity.
But hold up—don’t hit them with a pitch right away. Instead, show genuine interest in their business. Not the fake “I’m just saying this to sell” kind.
Actually dig in. Learn what they’re about and comment on it because you’re truly curious.
Why? Because you’ll grow from it. If you’re focusing on a niche, connect with entrepreneurs in that field to learn about them. You’ll pick up valuable insights you can use later.
When you’ve built that connection, it’s easier to slide into a professional relationship. That’s when you can send your pitch.
It takes more time than cold pitching. But when someone knows and trusts you, they are more likely to say “yes” to working with you.
Google Ads: The Easy Way to Find Clients
Want a simple way to find clients? Google is your best friend.
I love working with business and life coaches, so I search for terms like “life coach” or “executive coach.”
Here’s a pro tip: put your search terms in quotation marks—like “life coach”—to get exact matches. This trick helps you find the top-ranked websites for those coaches.
Almost every search displays ads from businesses related to what you’re searching for.
These ads can be gold.
They show businesses that are seeking attention, like the clients you want to attract.
It’s quick, easy, and super effective. Why not try it?
Like this:
Check Out the Ads
Here’s where the gold is!
When you search on Google, you’ll see ads from executive coaches who pay a lot to promote their businesses.
These are serious professionals who know the value of marketing and are willing to invest in it.
These are exactly the people you want to connect with. And the best part? Google ads put them right in front of you every single day. Don’t miss this chance—it’s too good to ignore!
Take the Next Step
Click on the ads in your search results.
Look at their websites to see how big their team is and what kind of marketing they’re doing. Many of them will share their email addresses on their sites. If not, find them on LinkedIn or Facebook and reach out there.
This is your chance to connect with the perfect clients. Make it count!
Two Bonus Ways to Find Clients
Looking for even more ways to find clients? Here are two extra methods that some pros swear by.
- Use Email Scraping Tools
Email scraping tools are software that digs through websites and online sources to pull email addresses for you. It’s a super easy way to gather leads without spending hours searching. One popular tool is Hunter.io, which offers a free monthly plan so you can try it out. Many copywriters love it because it’s simple and effective. - Buy an Email List
Another shortcut is to buy a ready-made email list. These lists are built by companies and often include high-quality leads. The good ones can be pricey, but they save you tons of time. Just do an online search for email list providers to find options.
These methods aren’t for everyone, but they’re worth exploring if you want to build your client base fast!
Selling Your Services to Your Prospects
Once you get the email addresses or can message a client on LinkedIn, you can use a script to get your clients?
What kind of script?
I’ve shared this link and a lot more information on cold outreach in another post. Here is the link to the script: Cold Outreach Script.
I’ve taken the time to write an entire post on how to do this outreach here: How to Use Cold DM Strategies.
Why a Book Adds Big Value to Your Business
Books hold serious power. Why? Because they cost money to create. If a book is mass-produced, it has to be good enough to justify that cost. That’s why a published book carries more authority than most free content.
Here’s the truth: Most authors don’t make much from book sales. Unless you’re someone like Stephen King, your average profit from a book on Amazon might be about $1 per sale. To make a living off that, you’d need to sell hundreds of thousands of copies—and let’s face it, that’s tough.
But here’s where the real value comes in: the “thump factor.”
What’s the thump factor?
It’s the sound your book makes when you drop it on a desk in front of a potential client: “Thump!” That book becomes a physical representation of your business. It’s something they can see, hold, and remember—way more impactful than just downloading an eBook.
You Don’t Need a Big Publisher
Think you’re not ready to publish a book? Don’t worry! You don’t need a big publishing company. Lots of smaller publishers can help you get your book ready. They’ll give you editors and designers to make your book look great, but it will cost you.
For example, I went to Amazon Self Publishing. They said they could publish my book for $750. They’d print it on demand and ship it out once their editors finish working with you.
Not a bad deal!
The Cheapest Way
If you don’t have much money, you can still print your book. LuLu Self Publishing can print on demand with no least number. If you need only 10 books, they can do that, but you’ll have to ship the orders yourself.
Promote Your Book and Yourself
Once you have your book ready, you need to promote it everywhere. Online, offline—everywhere you go, hand out copies to people who shoe interest.
Publishing the book is only the start. Now you have to promote yourself and your book.
The great thing is that your book becomes a marketing tool. Imagine you go to a Lions Club meeting. You meet someone who’s interested in what you do. They go from being a prospect to a lead. Now they’re close to becoming a client. You pull out your professional-looking book. Boom! You’ve increased your chances of landing that client by 90%.
Get it?
You have to promote your book everywhere.
What to Copywriters do to Get Clients? They Create an Online Portfolio!
Many copywriters swear by having a portfolio. While I’ve never been asked to show mine, lots of pros say it’s essential. So, I made one. Having a portfolio at least makes you feel professional.
What is a Portfolio?
A portfolio shows off your best writing. It doesn’t have to be work you did for clients, but it should be your top stuff. You can check out mine here: Elmo’s Portfolio. Make it organized and engaging. If you want to see a big portfolio, look at Bob Bly’s.
What Should I Include?
Go for quality over quantity. Choose your best work to show you’re legit. Make it diverse unless you focus on a specific niche. If you focus on email marketing for ed-tech companies, stick with that.
What do copywriters do to get clients?
Lots of copywriters have focused niches, like John McIntyre, the Auto Responder Guy. Now that’s a focused niche!
If you have a lot of work, organize it into different categories to make it easier for visitors. Also, make sure your navigation is easy to figure out, so make the links obvious on your page.
How to Get Clients: From the Coldest to the Hottest
Ready to find clients for your copywriting business?
Even if you want clients to come to you, you’ll still need to make the first move most of the time. Here’s a list of ways to reach out, ranked from the least effective to the most effective:
- Cold Calling This is when you call people out of the blue. It’s tough and comes with a lot of rejection. While some swear by it, many find it the least effective method.
- Email Blasts (Cold DMs) Sending cold emails or messages can work—but only if you do it the right way. Done wrong, it’s spammy and ineffective.
- Online Ads Ads can bring in clients, but they’re expensive. Plus, you’ll attract a lot of people looking for freebies, which can waste your money.
- Networking Events Meeting people in person at events gives you warm leads. This is because they are more likely to work with you after meeting face-to-face.
- Content Marketing Writing blogs, posting on LinkedIn, or answering questions on Quora is great. It shows your skills and brings traffic to your website. It’s not a quick way to get clients, but it builds value over time.
- Social Media Engagement Commenting, posting, and interacting with people on social media helps build connections. It takes time but is great for warming up potential clients.
- Referral Programs Happy clients can introduce you to new ones! Offer discounts or free services as a thank-you for referrals.
- Webinars and Workshops Host a workshop or webinar on a topic your ideal clients care about. Charge a small fee, or make it free to attract more people. This builds trust and shows off your expertise.
- Warm Calling Calling someone you’ve already met is much easier than cold calling. If you’ve connected at an event or online, they’re more likely to say yes to your pitch.
- Industry Conferences Go to events where your ideal clients gather. For example, if you work with life coaches, attend their conferences. These “warm” leads are easier to pitch to after you’ve met them.
- Face-to-Face Meetings This is the best way to land a client. Whether it’s in person, on Zoom, or over the phone, a meeting to discuss their needs means they’re already interested. Now it’s your time to shine and close the deal!
Conclusion
I hope this has answered the question, “What do copywriters do to get clients?” There are a lot more ways you could get them, but this post has given you a lot of ideas to get you moving toward becoming a money making copywriter. The faster you start implementing these ideas, the quicker your success will be.
If you have any comments you’d like to share about this subject, please leave them below it would really make my day.