TUNE IN: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

Looking for closed captioning or a transcript? Check out the episode on YouTube!

A Sneak Peek at the Episode

[1:40] Nicki asks the all important question, should you put copywriting rates on your website? Kate notes that you shouldn’t and gives you a few answers as to why.

[2:30] Kate explains that if you put a price or price range on the site, you’re anchoring your clients to that price point, making it more difficult to negotiate. You can possibly lose a ton of potential clients because they may see a rate and thing it’s too high or too low, but it’s not even based on their specific projects and needs.

[7:10] You may be missing out on tens of thousands of dollars of work over time because someone wants to find the right fit. Clients won’t throw their biggest project at you right out the gate, because they’ve never worked with you before. But maybe they have a $100 project that will take you 30 minutes, and that leads to bigger projects down the line.

[8:36] The scope in any kind of project is so broad, you can’t possibly know the pricing for the project without knowing all that it entails. By putting a price on your website, even if it is a range, you’re still quoting a price before you know any details about the actual project. Maybe it’s a project that’s a lot more than your typical range!

[10:20] Kate mentions that looking at clients as an opportunity to receive the highest price point can turn you away from the core of what you should be doing, which is being a service provider. It can be stressful to constantly chase the big ticket projects rather than possibly having consistent work with clients with those big projects every now and then.

[12:00] Nicki notes that it’s not about you, it’s about what you can do for your target audience. Yes, you are looking for the right fit, but to find that fit you talk to that client about the project. This gives you the room to figure out if that’s something you even want to work on or someone you want to work with.

[15:48] Nicki dives into how trying to force fit a potential client into a price or a template of a project can make a relationship with that client end up badly. Every client and project that you deal with is different. The focus shouldn’t be on you selling those packages, but it should be on what the client actually needs.

[19:40] You may get clients that want to see your rates, but that’s when you tell them no and have that conversation as to why that is. If clients don’t want to work with you after that, then that shouldn’t be your ideal client.

[20:25] Nicki notes that most clients will start out by asking what your rates are, because clients don’t know what else to ask. They’re not professional clients. That shouldn’t throw you, instead you should make sure you understand more about the project and then give them a price after you know the work you need to do.

[22:28] Nicki and Kate wrap up this episode by noting the importance of doing the work. Any time your instinct is to save time, ask yourself if this is actually saving you time and benefitting your client and project? If the answer isn’t yes to both questions, then reconsider rethinking your strategy. It needs to benefit your clients as much as it benefits you.

Related Links

• What Copywriters Charge for Content Writing
• How to Price Copywriting Project Rates: By the Minute? The Hour? The Word?

Tell us what you love about the podcast and what you hope to hear next! When you do, you can get access to an exclusive bonus recording featuring five wildly successful entrepreneurs who share what they do (and don’t!) look for when hiring copywriters. You do not want to miss it! 

Get all the details on how to get your recording here »

About the Build Your Business Podcast

Ready to turn your love of writing into a successful copywriting career?

Join professional copywriters Nicki Krawczyk and Kate Sitarz to get the tips, tools, and training to help you become a copywriter and build a thriving business of your own. Nicki and Kate have 20+ and 10+ years of experience, respectively, writing copy for multi-billion-dollar companies, solopreneurs, and every size business in between.

Whether you want to land an on-staff job, freelance full-time and work from wherever you want, or make extra money with a side hustle, the best place to start learning is right here.

See Previous Episode

Ep. 49: How to Build Your Own Benefits as a Freelancer

The post Ep. 50: Should I Put Copywriting Rates on My Website? appeared first on Filthy Rich Writer.

TUNE IN: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

Looking for closed captioning or a transcript? Check out the episode on YouTube!

A Sneak Peek at the Episode

[1:42] Are you newer to the copywriting field and just building your portfolio or maybe you realized that your portfolio isn’t what it needs to be? This is the perfect podcast for you as Kate and Nicki break down the 4 most common mistakes copywriters make on their websites. 

[2:08] Kate discusses the first big mistake copywriters make: not having a benefit to the consumer, which in this case is a prospective client. The big header area on your homepage is the first thing a prospective client will read. Nicki and Kate chat about how to use that space to explain why a client should work with you as a copywriter. Including the benefit to the client and what they will get from working with you will keep them on your site and interested in learning more. 

[2:51] Nicki continues to explain how this is a common mistake because people don’t treat their portfolio like a copy project. Copywriters tend to write their content in the site rather than going through copywriting process starting with a creative brief, forming an outline etc. Nicki and Kate chat about why including benefits is a critical component to increase business. Remember your portfolio is not about you, it’s about how you can serve your clients and potential clients. 

[4:19] Kate mentions a key point to keep in mind when writing the copy for your portfolio: how potential clients are finding your site. They are more often finding your site because you provided the link through a pitch email, social media, business cards, LinkedIn etc. so it is important not to get caught up in SEO, but rather focus the messaging to convey the strong benefits to a potential client. 

[8:13] Nicki and Kate explain the next common mistake: including educational components about what copy and copywriting is on your site. Remember your target audience are those with a need for a copywriter—they are not evaluating if they need copywriting, they are evaluating if you will be the person who will write their copy.

[11:14] The third common mistake is found in the “About Me” page. Nicki and Kate chat about what the “About Me” page should and should not include and how to use this page to get more clients. This part of your portfolio should make you stand out, be a selling point and show what you can do for a potential client and why they should hire you. 

[14:22] Nicki points out that not everyone is going to read everything you write therefore you need to keep this in mind throughout your portfolio. Put the most important information for the target audience at the top of the copy, followed by the next most important. You can always include additional information about you but put that at the bottom of the page so they don’t miss the information they are looking for. 

[15:55] Nicki and Kate discuss the fourth most common mistake people make when creating the portfolio section of their site: the content includes a portfolio section with images (some illegible) … and that’s it. The pieces on their own don’t represent all the work you do as a copywriter. Nicki and Kate recommend including context for each piece to show that you addressed the brief. They then discuss what should be included in this small description and how this insight demonstrates that not only can you create copy, but you can combine creativity and strategic thinking in order to meet the client’s objectives. 

[22:28] Nicki and Kate chat about the last piece to keep in mind when creating or updating your portfolio: how easy are you making it for potential clients to contact you. Is your contact page easy to find, are you including copy on your contact page with next steps? Nicki and Kate explain how you should think about what you would want as a client. Therefore, on your contact page set expectations, let them know why they should fill out the contact form, and what they will get for providing their contact information. Lastly, be sure to provide an accurate timeframe for when you will respond.  

[27:53] Nicki and Kate conclude the podcast discussing additional mistakes copywriters can make on their portfolio and how to create the best first impression on potential clients. They chat about issues on the backend with forms, calendar applications, broken links etc., and how to avoid these and how to appeal to all types of potential clients. 

Related Links

• 3 Knock-Out Copywriter Portfolios and Why We Love Them
• How Do You Build Your Portfolio?
• Do You Need to List Your Copywriting Services on Your Portfolio Site?
• Why Every Copywriter MUST Have an Online Portfolio
• Where Content Belongs on Your Copywriting Portfolio Site

Tell us what you love about the podcast and what you hope to hear next! When you do, you can get access to an exclusive bonus recording featuring five wildly successful entrepreneurs who share what they do (and don’t!) look for when hiring copywriters. You do not want to miss it! 

Get all the details on how to get your recording here »

About the Build Your Business Podcast

Ready to turn your love of writing into a successful copywriting career?

Join professional copywriters Nicki Krawczyk and Kate Sitarz to get the tips, tools, and training to help you become a copywriter and build a thriving business of your own. Nicki and Kate have 20+ and 10+ years of experience, respectively, writing copy for multi-billion-dollar companies, solopreneurs, and every size business in between.

Whether you want to land an on-staff job, freelance full-time and work from wherever you want, or make extra money with a side hustle, the best place to start learning is right here.

See Previous Episode

Ep. 42: How Copywriters Can Negotiate with Confidence – with Susie Tomenchok

The post Ep. 43: 4 Biggest Copywriter Portfolio Mistakes appeared first on Filthy Rich Writer.

TUNE IN: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

Looking for closed captioning or a transcript? Check out the episode on YouTube!

A Sneak Peek at the Episode

[1:00] Do you need your own website as a copywriter? Short answer: yes! You don’t need a certificate or degree to be a successful copyrwiter but you do need proof.

[1:28] Kate and Nicki discuss why having your own portfolio site is important. There are plenty of portfolio platforms out there but do you want your potential clients to easily click away from your portfolio to look at somebody else’s?

[5:45] Nicki and Kate explain how your portfolio site is your calling card, showing your talents off even before meeting potential clients. You can send attachments with emails to clients, but it becomes a lot of work, fast. Plus, it looks so much more professional to send over a portfolio site!

[7:57] Nicki asks Kate, “What do most copywriters miss on their portfolio sites?” Spoiler: Always include context and results where you can!

[11:50] Kate says she likes including the names of the other people who worked on the pieces in her portfolio. As Nicki says, it’s like “getting your Oscar and thanking the director!”

[14:00] Kate talks about what shouldn’t be on your portfolio site. Her and Nicki explain that potential clients navigating to your site nine times out of ten know what copywriting is and also know the value of copywriting. Your portfolio’s job is to tell them why they should hire you.

[17:00] Nicki and Kate admit that it is hard to write copy for yourself, but it is probably the most important place to write the best copy.

[19:30] Nicki and Kate discuss another common mistake they see on copywriting portfolios: the About Me page. The About Me page is a great thing to include on your site but, just like everything else on the site, it should be about why they should hire you.

[22:47] Show some personality! Nicki and Kate talk about where it is appropriate and even encouraged to lose the buttoned up professionalism to show clients that you are a person too. It is your unique background that makes you a good copywriter!

[26:00] Kate throws in one last mistake she sees copywriters make: a logo. A logo is not as crucial as it may feel to getting your portfolio up and running! It is far more important to crank out the daunting task of the portfolio itself then to worry about a logo.

Related Links

• 4 Things Most Copywriters Get Wrong on Their Portfolio Websites
• How to Put Together a Copywriting Portfolio
• 7 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Portfolio Site
• How to Instantly Improve Your Portfolio Site

Tell us what you love about the podcast and what you hope to hear next! When you do, you can get access to an exclusive bonus recording featuring five wildly successful entrepreneurs who share what they do (and don’t!) look for when hiring copywriters. You do not want to miss it! 

Get all the details on how to get your recording here »

About the Build Your Business Podcast

Ready to turn your love of writing into a successful copywriting career?

Join professional copywriters Nicki Krawczyk and Kate Sitarz to get the tips, tools, and training to help you become a copywriter and build a thriving business of your own. Nicki and Kate have 20+ and 10+ years of experience, respectively, writing copy for multi-billion-dollar companies, solopreneurs, and every size business in between.

Whether you want to land an on-staff job, freelance full-time and work from wherever you want, or make extra money with a side hustle, the best place to start learning is right here.

See Previous Episode

Ep. 21: How Copywriters and Designers Work Together with Yoav Broum

The post Ep. 22: Why Every Copywriter MUST Have an Online Portfolio appeared first on Filthy Rich Writer.

When you’re starting a new business, it feels important to get everything right. “Perfect,” even. (PSA: Perfect is not a thing. Give it up.)

And, yes, especially with things like pitch letters and portfolio sites—and client work!—you most certainly do want to put your best foot forward.

But sometimes wanting to “get it right” can lead us to overcomplicate things and try to pack in so much more than we need to.

Case in point: The “services” section of our website.

Now, first, do you even need a services section? It’s definitely not required. The “service” you provide is copywriting, full stop. You can write copy for a variety of different kinds of companies and for all different types of work. (Unless, of course, you’ve decided to niche. But here’s why choosing a niche isn’t a great idea when you’re starting out.)

If you are going to move forward with a services page, here are a few things to take into consideration.

1. Avoid Educating Your Clients About Copywriting

Some new copywriters worry that if people come to their websites those people won’t know exactly what copywriting could encompass and, so, want to describe it. In detail.

First, people are going to come to your website only if they’re interested in hiring a copywriter. Either they were given your contact information or you send them a pitch email. Or even in the (very unlikely) scenario that they found you via a Google search, they were looking for a copywriter.

And, if they’re interested in hiring a copywriter, they have at least some idea of what projects they’d like you to work on.

“But I want them to know I can do so much more!” I hear you. But the best time to explore all the things that you could do for a client is when you’re actually on a call with that potential client, discussing THEIR unique wants and needs.

2. Avoid Posting Every. Single. Medium.

Some of you are still bucking against this—I can feel it. So, okay, list out your copywriting services, but list them out in broad strokes. As in, “Digital Copywriting” or “Print Copywriting” or “Email Copy” or “Website Copy.”

Do NOT list out all possible iterations of copy. As in “welcome emails, email funnels, about me pages, home page copy, sales page copy, opt-in lander copy, Facebook ads, Instagram ads, banner ads…” and so on.

First—and I say this with love—this makes you look like an amateur. The only people who scream “I can do all the things! Please hire me to do any of these things!” are people who are brand-new to an industry and desperate for work.

Second, an exhaustive list doesn’t inspire potential clients, it overwhelms them. They’re looking to YOU to be the expert and help them decide on which projects they need and when.

Third, the longer your list of services the more it’s going to have overlap and it’s going to miss things that you’re capable of doing. A big, long list implies that you’ve taken the time to list out ALL of your possible services and, if you’re newer to this, I guarantee you’re going to miss something a potential client might be looking for. And, of course, if they don’t see it on your big, long list, they’re going to assume that you don’t do it.

3. Show Your Services Rather Than Tell

So, what’s a better way to show what you’re capable of than listing it all? SHOWING them. Demonstrate your wide variety of skills in your portfolio. And if you haven’t been hired to do work yet, create spec pieces.

Remember, your portfolio is there to demonstrate that you know how to do what you say you do—which is SO much more persuasive than just saying “I can do this and this and this and this.” That old writing adage is true: Show, don’t tell.

And, again, it’s not all of the things you could do that matters—it’s what your client needs and would benefit from. So the best time to explain the full (or fuller) scope of what you do is after you’ve had a good, in-depth conversation about their needs. That’s the time to tell them what you can do to help build their business.

Your Turn

Did this make sense? Are you willing to skip the exhaustive list of services? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Do You Need to List Your Copywriting Services on Your Portfolio Site? appeared first on Filthy Rich Writer.

Thinking about all the professional copywriters in my network, none of them have a major presence beyond their online portfolio.

We’re all heads down, working on projects, and, generally, see ourselves as part of a larger team pulling off great work (designers, creative directors, strategists, developers, etc.).

You could make the case that I’m not “up” on what’s trending in the space.

The Truth About Your Copywriting Portfolio Website

But here’s the truth. After looking at a few of these beautifully designed portfolio sites, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. And neither should you.

Of course, that wasn’t my initial reaction.

My gut reaction?

“Why doesn’t your website look like this, Kate?!“

But while we all learn (or are learning) not to compare ourselves to others, for some reason that becomes harder to do when it’s about your career.

Many of these copywriters are touting making seven figures and helping others make seven figures. Maybe they are. And that’s great!

Sure, I make a fantastic living as a copywriter. But a nice paycheck is only one perk of copywriting.

And that’s just it: I’m writing copy.

Copywriters..and Then Some

Many of these copywriters are selling courses. They’re selling workshops and $1,000/hour coaching calls (really?!). They’re bragging about astronomical rates.

And, in at least one case, I’ve seen them selling copy templates (though that’s beyond me how a copywriting template is helpful for clients when one size does not fit all and any email, website, etc. should be designed and written with a specific goal in mind…okay, that’s beside the point ).

Above all? They’re personas.

And most copywriters, well, aren’t. They’re working for big-name brands or small businesses alike, coming up with killer concepts and writing effective copy, and collaborating with designers. And they’re having fun, making great money—no bells or whistles necessary.

If you spend a lot of time in the online space, following these copywriters on Instagram, Facebook, or other platforms you’re constantly checking throughout the day, then it may seem like these writers are everywhere and this is what you absolutely must do become as a copywriter in order to achieve “success.”

And you certainly can!

But becoming a persona isn’t something you have to do. And you don’t necessarily want to mirror your portfolio based on what they’re doing.

Remember: We have no idea if what they’re doing is effective. Some may be as wildly successful as they tout. However, I’ve noticed several of these writers making drastic changes to their sites and what they’re selling. Is that an indicator of anything? Maybe.

What Not to Do With Your Website

I’ve also noticed a lot of gorgeous sites with no portfolio.

As a prospective client, that’s a red flag to me. If I’m going to pay a premium for copywriting services, I definitely want proof of the actual work itself!

Some say their clients don’t allow them to share their work. That may be true of some projects. But if you’ve worked on a webpage and it’s in the public domain, why wouldn’t you share it?

All that aside, there’s only one thing you need to ask yourself: How do I define success?

You’re here to work on your copywriting business.

And if you want to work 10 hours a week to have more family time, your path to reach your goals may look different than someone who wants to make six figures a year as a freelancer or someone who wants to be more of an influencer in the space or someone who wants to work at an ad agency full time.

The one thing you need for copywriting success no matter how you define it? Experience writing copy.

Once you gain experience, it may give you more ideas for where you want to take your career or completely change your goal.

You can certainly look to others for inspiration to improve your own website, but the second it takes you down that rabbit hole of, “Why am I not there yet? Will I ever be this good? I need to pay $5,000 for a website and branding stat!” you need to stop.

Comparing ourselves to others is never healthy and that includes copywriting. There’s plenty of work out there for everyone.

Watch More: When Copywriting Inspiration Becomes Copywriting Comparison

There are times when copywriting inspiration turns into copywriting comparison, and it can happen quickly before the person consuming that information even knows what is happening. But it’s important to recognize when your information intake makes you feel bad about yourself or your business or your life and pay attention to the triggers.

In this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Nicki and Kate discuss how this has happened to them (it happens to everyone) and the strategies they use to combat those negative comparisons and how keep them from stealing their energy.

Your Turn

How do you define success when it comes to copywriting? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Beware the Copywriting Influencer Trap (a.k.a. Why You Don’t Need the World’s Most Beautiful Website as a Copywriter) appeared first on Filthy Rich Writer.

Your work—your samples in your print and online portfolios—are your biggest selling points.  But there are other elements that impress prospective clients and sway them to choose you. One of them is your very own professional headshot.

Today we’re going to talk about what your photo needs to look like in order to speak to your own professionalism.

But first, I want to clear something up: The way you look will have nothing to do with your copywriting success. That is, copywriting is an entirely merit-based career. Your gender, age, weight, etc. doesn’t matter in the least. The only thing that matters is that you write great copy.

That said, however, people just naturally feel more comfortable when they can put a face with a name. You need to put a picture of yourself on your website—not so that people can judge how you look, but only so that they can see that you’re a real person.

So you need a picture. But what kind of picture?

What Your Professional Headshots Need to Include

1. Your Branding Photos Need to Be Clear

Grainy pictures look unprofessional and a little bit seedy. (Definitely not the message you’re looking to send.) People need to see that they’re dealing with a real human!

2. Your Headshot Needs to Send the Right Message About You

Your picture should give the impression that you’re competent and trustworthy.

Now, your own personal brand comes into play here a bit, too. If you’re a friendly/quirky/goofy/etc. person, or if you have hobbies or other pastimes that make you memorable, you might want to include a shot of you with that style or in that activity, too. However, that should be a secondary shot.

Your competent and trustworthy shot should be your first one, and any other personality shots (which you’re welcome to include) should be secondary.

3. Your Photos Should Be Well-Lit (To Present You at Your Best, Of Course!)

Even though the look on your face may convey consummate professionalism, if the shot isn’t taken well, it won’t look great.

Again, your level of attractiveness has nothing to do with your job prospects. However, you should use a picture that shows you at your best. Just as you’d want to put your best foot forward in person for a job interview, you want to put your best foot forward online for your portfolio.

It’s very challenging for non-photographers to get the lighting and look of a picture right. If your funds are low, I’d recommend Googling natural lighting photography to learn about light angles, and book an hour with a friend to take dozens and dozens of photos.

When to Invest in Hiring a Pro Photographer for Your Shots

Once you start landing clients and are making a bit of cash (and, of course, are onboard with making a modest investment in your career image), I’d strongly suggest seeking out a professional photographer and booking a headshot session.

A professional photographer will know how to light you correctly, and he/she will also be able to direct you to place your body and face at the best angles. He or she will also take dozens of photos and then work with you to find the best ones of the bunch.

What to Look for When Hiring a Photographer for Headshots

In general, you’ll want to find a photographer who specializes in professional headshots, or who, at least, has an impressive portfolio section of professional headshots. Just as people can judge your work from your portfolio, you can judge your photographer’s from theirs.

Remember, too, that—unless you get a drastic haircut or change your hair color—a good headshot should last you for several years.

And your headshot won’t just live on your portfolio site; you should use it on your LinkedIn profile, and possibly your other public-facing social media accounts as well.

Whether you decide to use a professional photographer or take the photos with a friend, you’ll often get the best results from shots in which you’re looking directly into the camera.

You’re welcome to test out several types of shots, of course, but you’ll find that shots where you’re looking directly into the camera catch people’s attention and make a natural connection—just the way your best samples will.

Watch More

Curious about learning more about when you should invest in branding shots for your website? Or have questions about what to wear for your headshots? Watch as Nicki shares when to get professional headshots and what types of photos to consider.

Your turn! How did you decide which pictures of yourself to put on your site? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Tips for Your Professional Headshots appeared first on Filthy Rich Writer.

It used to be that your simply portfolio entailed a big binder with printouts of all of your best work. But welcome to 2016 kids—here’s what portfolios are looking like today…

Today’s question comes from Nedda H., who asks, “I’ve worked hard to make my samples awesome. Is there anything you can recommend to make the way I present them awesome, too?”

First, let’s start with portfolio sites. The biggest trend right now is moving away from multi-page sites, in favor of single-page sites. It used to be that people were averse to scrolling, but mobile usage has increased and now we don’t have much problem with it.

Single-page portfolio sites showcase all of the sections of a standard site (bio, contact me, home page, portfolio samples) in one long page. Generally, the portfolio samples increase and decrease in size when clicked on, but everything lives on the same page.

If you’re interested in exploring this look for your site, you’ll find great templates for WordPress, but also on drag-and-drop design sites like Squarespace, Wix and Virb.

Regarding showcasing your work on your portfolio site, historically, it’s been all about the finished product. Now, hiring managers and recruiters are more interested than ever in the process that led to the final project.

For designers and copywriters alike, that means including previous iterations of projects and creative that didn’t make the cut—being sure to explain why something didn’t make the cut and how you got to the finished product, of course. This gives more insight into your thought process, and it can make you more valuable as a candidate.

Now, onto your physical portfolio. Notice that I didn’t say “print portfolio,” the way I usually do. That’s because people are starting to replace their large zip portfolios with iPads and tablets. They can be just as easy to navigate, plus your interviewer can zoom in to read things better.

This can be a great option if you’re primarily an interactive copywriter. If you do a lot of print work, though, you might want to stick with a classic portfolio, since unfolding and reading through your printed pieces can be a powerful tactile experience.

And, finally, the last trend we’ll discuss is something I’ll call “keeper portfolios.” When you bring your portfolio to a job, you show it off and then take it home with you.

And I’ve told you that one way you can really wow an interviewer (when you really want a job) is to have your portfolio bound into a hardcover book for them to keep.

Now, if you want to impress without breaking the bank, there’s a mid-point. You can have your portfolio (or highlights from it) printed up into softcover booklets. Starting in the $10-12 a pop range, you can have a few printed up without customizing each one. Shutterfly, Vistaprint, and even Walgreens can help you put together a great looking keeper portfolio in minutes

Your turn! Have you noticed any portfolio trends that we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below!

*Psst: This page contains a Squarespace affiliate link and purchases you make through it will help support our company. Just so you know.

The post Copywriting Q&A: 4 New Trends in Portfolios appeared first on Filthy Rich Writer.