What writing clients want from you

It’s easier than you think… [The Writer’ s Life]( August 2, 2023 "It is good for a professional to be reminded that his professionalism is only a husk, that the real person must remain an amateur, a lover of the work." – May Sarton Hi {NAME}! Positioning yourself as a professional writer is much easier than you might think … Yes, even if you're just starting out. It starts with knowing WHAT clients want in a professional writer. (Spoiler: it's not samples.) So today, I'm going to break down what they're looking for … And THEN I'm going to help you get up and running as a professional by next Friday. [More details on that here!]( 😉 But first, you need to understand why professional writers are in such high demand … When you're just starting your freelance writing career, it's natural to assume that it's hard to make money as a writer. But this assumption is completely wrong. AWAI has been teaching people how to make good money as professional writers for over 26 years, and all those years, the demand for writers has consistently grown. BUT in recent years, it has EXPLODED … The truth is there are countless opportunities available to make an excellent income as a freelance writer. Take a look at our [Copywriting Pricing Guide]( and you'll see there are at least 80 different in-demand writing projects that marketers use on a regular basis … From ads and blog posts to case studies and emails, you'll find projects with professional fees ranging anywhere from $500 to $10,000+ (and in some cases, royalties on top of the initial fee). Companies recognize the value these projects bring to their businesses, so they expect to pay professional writers top fees to complete them. Without copy and content, businesses would cease to exist. Companies need a constant supply of fresh emails, blog posts, articles, sales pages, social media posts, and other key writing projects to keep their marketing efforts working. But all smart businesspeople know copy produced by a professional writer is much more likely to have a higher return on the investment than content rushed off by someone much cheaper. This is why many companies actively want to work with professional writers who know their craft and can deliver top-notch results with their writing. What Clients Look for in Professional Writers Not knowing exactly what clients are looking for can feel a bit intimidating when you're a new writer. But here's the thing … The most sought-after qualities in a writer are the same ones expected of professionals in most other industries. 1. Proof of Expertise If you have a formal degree or other certification, it's very easy to prove your expertise in a particular field. And this is true for professional writing as well. AWAI, as the premier company for training aspiring writers, offers various courses and certifications in a wide range of writing specialties, from emails and case studies to blog posts and direct-response sales letters. To get an idea of the types of courses available, you can check out some of our [writing programs](. But while having something like a certification helps prove your expertise, your life experience also carries a lot of weight. If you've worked in a specific industry before writing, you can use that experience as part of your credentials. For example, if you have a background in installing solar panels … Solar panel companies would love to work with you! You already understand the industry, you know the buyers, and you're familiar with how the process works. Your hobbies and lifestyle are also important. For instance, if you have children, you know intimately what it's like to be a parent. So, you could specialize in writing for companies that produce baby supplies, teaching tools, or other children's products. When talking to a potential client, you simply lead with the expertise you do have … Which is usually way more than you think. 😉 (We'll help you with this in our upcoming [5-day Launch Party](, so you'll feel confident with your writing niche!) 2. Proof in Ability A potential client wants to know whether you can do the job. They're looking for proof of your ability to write whatever it is they need written. This doesn't mean you need a mountain of published writing samples to show them. That being said … you CAN create a [portfolio of writing samples](, even if you're just starting out. But keep in mind that any example of your writing can provide proof of your writing skills. A well-written LinkedIn profile will highlight your writing ability, as will your writer's website. You can also share any writing you've done in a previous career, for an organization you volunteer with, or as a hobby. Some potential clients may even ask you to write something original specifically for them as part of a job application. And you can always offer to do a simple blog post or project as a "trial run" to see if you both like working together. For example, I like to position it this way … "I believe every company has a unique style and voice. How about we start with a small project, so I can show you what I can do for you? I have three ideas for a new blog post — which would you like me to write first?" 3. Dependability Being dependable has nothing to do with your writing ability. But it is the easiest thing for you to control … and helps you stand out as a high-quality performer. An excellent way to show your dependability before working with a potential client is in the way you follow up with a potential writing client … For example, if you tell them you'll deliver a proposal by a certain day, make sure you send it to them by that date. Or — better yet — submit it earlier. And if a company contacts you for more details about your services, be sure to respond to them promptly with all the information they need. Taking steps like these will show a potential client you can be counted on if they choose to work with you. 4. Professional Behavior and Communication This is another one that may seem obvious … but I can tell you, from reviewing dozens of emails from contractors, salespeople, and freelancers on a regular basis, it's something often overlooked. You're likely already familiar with professional communications in some way. Maybe you're a high school student who's applied to a college or university. You could be a parent looking for a day care for your child. Or you might have worked in customer service. These are all times when you've needed to be professional in the way you communicate with others. And it's no different when you're approaching potential writing clients. Always be courteous and polite. And remember that the person you're dealing with is likely very busy, so be respectful of their time and keep your communications friendly but to the point. This applies to ALL your professional communications, including social media, email, phone, or in-person interactions. So there you have it … four ways to be seen as a professional writer, even if you have zero writing experience. Tomorrow, I'll share an easy five-step professional makeover to ignite your well-paid freelance writing career. In the meantime, I want you to consider walking through a proven system that will have you up and running as a professional writer … In just 5 days. [All you have to do is click here and say "Yes!"]( And my team and I will take you by the hand and lead you through our proven Writer's Launch Party. Each day, you'll do the simple exercise we give you. And attend an optional training session with some of our coaches. And by next Friday, you'll be officially launched. We've been doing this for the past three years, and the results have been AMAZING! [>> Go here to see for yourself!]( To your success, Rebecca Matter President AWAI Writing! Income! Adventure … and Monkeys!?! Peek Inside the Real Lives of These Well-Paid Writers … And see how to start your own amazing life as a paid writer in just FIVE days! [Watch This Now]( What's Hot at AWAI … 🤯 Launch your writing business in just a week?! [Yes, it's possible with this!]( 😎 Want to understand the copywriting opportunity? [Watch this!]( 🤔 Do you know what your "why" is? [If not, read this.]( 😍 [Circle of Success]( Spotlight: Earning six-figures … from a sailboat in Mexico?! Yes, it's possible. [Learn how he did it here.]( 👀 Ex-college student thrives as full-time writer, earns $5,000 paycheck and 10K scholarship, all thanks to first-ever Bootcamp! [Read her story here.]( She's Been On a Roll Ever Since … EG has been unstoppable since she spent five days at a [Launch Party]( with the team from AWAI … 😉 Shot: [Post about successes during the last three years in the month of April] Chaser: [Post about finishing 2022 bookkeeping] Can't wait to hear what EG's total will be for 2023! Congratulations, as always, to one of our [Launch Party]( rock stars, EG. When she first joined the Launch Party, she didn't know what copywriting was … and now, she's earning a living while exploring national parks and landmarks across the U.S. and Canada. Pretty impressive! (Note: If you want someone to lead you through the key steps to getting started, [go here]( for more details and discover how we help aspiring writers get their writing career started in just five days.) Have your own story to share? Email us at mysuccess@awai.com, or [post it over in the Facebook group](, so we can celebrate your win too! Featured Jobs You can find these jobs and thousands more on [WritersWanted.com](: --------------------------------------------------------------- Proofreader — Squire Patton Boggs Full-time, Miami, FL Responding to email inquiries to edit and proofread required marketing and business development content. --------------------------------------------------------------- Copywriter (Hybrid or Remote) — Simantel Full-time, Peoria, IL Maintaining complete client confidence in our ability to deliver creative concepts and copy that helps them achieve their goals. --------------------------------------------------------------- Copywriter — Jackson Spalding Full-time, Atlanta, GA Write channel-appropriate copy that drives consideration and inspires action. --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? 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