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How will I work my way to my very first remote client?

Hello, I am a Nursing student who have enrolled to an online course about Copywriting. I finished it and now have tried making my resumes and cover letters. I applied on different platforms, but I seem to get stuck on having enough experience on how to showcase any experiences, going through application, and being confident on actually having the skills needed for the job due to not having any idea on how to land my first client. That's all, thank you.

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Tom’s Answer

Hi Keziah, happy Monday. Yours is a fundamental question everyone starting out in freelance copywriting faces. There are two primary avenues, both of which I used to get started. First, and maybe easiest, is asking your contacts about writing opportunities. Consider checking with people at your nursing school to see if they need any content creation for the website, course descriptions, or other materials. My first opportunities came from people I had worked with professionally.

The second avenue is through platforms like Upwork. I created a profile on the platform and have had excellent success. Keep in mind that you are likely to experience rejection early on. I certainly did, as I lost many bids for jobs, despite having excellent skills. Stay with it, and you'll get your first client soon enough.

Be careful about accepting cheap work. People have no qualms about posting jobs where they want a 500-word article for $10. Your time is much more valuable than this. In my opinion, a reasonable price point for a 500- to 1000-word piece of content is around $50. For that amount, I will write the original article and provide one or two rounds of edits. Avoid providing endless edits by specifying the number of edits you include.

Be flexible in your pricing. If you want to build a portfolio, consider writing an article for $25. As you build your portfolio and can demonstrate your skill and style, charge more.

Let me close with my version of copywriting etiquette:

1. Always meet the client's deadline unless something drastic makes it impossible. Advise the client ASAP with a new delivery date.
2. Double and triple-check your work. Mistakes happen (I still make them), but using multiple tools to check for grammatical errors is a good practice. I use Microsoft Editor, Grammarly, and the Hemingway Editor. Nothing is as embarrassing as a grammar error, particularly with a new client.
3. Never, under any circumstances, plagiarise anything. It's okay to quote someone or a company, but make sure to cite your source. This can be as easy as inserting a hyperlink or creating a footnote (depending upon client preferences).
4. Use AI responsibly. Do not let any AI tool write what you submit without giving it a thorough review. Many tools can sniff out AI-only content. If that's what the client wanted, they could have done it themselves.

Can you use AI in your writing? Absolutely! I use ChatGPT extensively for research on topics I am unfamiliar with. I also use it to suggest outlines. Have I ever used AI for a first draft? Yes, I have. However, I always rewrite it to match my style or that of the client. I routinely have AI assess my documents for a variety of factors, including logical structure, linear flow, redundancy, tone of voice, the audience the content will appeal to, and adhering to my client's requirements. It is a powerful tool used this way, and my writing retains the human touch.

Good luck! Write every day and keep applying for assignments through platforms like Upwork.
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Tami’s Answer

You're like a "jack of all trades" so to speak. Nursing, copywriting, and entrepreneurship (freelance working on a remote basis) will make for a busy schedule, one that also entails searching and networking to find clients. Copywriting should enable you to use your voice to reach a particular audience and instill the message you want to convey, or that of a client who may hire you for any job. That means putting your foot forward and going after your target reach. Also, the topics you choose to approach will determine what you need to research. If you're looking to combine your skills, why not try something like telehealth?

Tami recommends the following next steps:

Consider your options and zero in on what you want to achieve or gain from this persuit.
Develop a pert schedule to afford time in areas that will require extra legwork, like researching new topics and social networking.
Do some branding for yourself when it comes to creating a strong online presence that may mean coming up with a personal website to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experience.
Look for ways to gain experience within your personal network, such as talking to friends and family who may benefit from your copywriting work.
Make sure you stay on top of the game by participating in ongoing education and training for your copywriting venture.
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Johnson’s Answer

Landing your first remote client as a copywriter can feel like a daunting task, but it's all about positioning yourself with confidence and strategy. Start by building a strong portfolio—even if you haven’t had paid work yet, create compelling sample pieces that highlight your skills. Offer free or discounted services to small businesses or nonprofits to gain testimonials and real-world experience. Leverage LinkedIn, freelance platforms, and online communities to network and showcase your abilities. When applying, emphasize transferable skills from your nursing background, such as attention to detail, empathy, and clear communication. Confidence grows with practice, so keep refining your craft, studying successful copywriters, and pushing past self-doubt. Your first client is out there—you just need to take bold steps toward them!
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Giselle’s Answer

Hi Keziah. I agree with Johnson's answers, particularly with building a strong portfolio and highlighting overlapping skills from nursing that are applicable in content writing or any job for that matter. Use LinkedIn to highlight content writing abilities to find new clients. Include top content writing keywords that also relate to nursing — this is what will make you stand out from other candidates. Consistently highlight the ways in which nursing complements and enhances your professional strengths. Take small or bigger roles to start showcasing content writing work. Content writing is awesome in that you can do it gradually and at your own pace with a lot of clients. As Johnson stated above, you may start small but over time it will grow into a role that can provide a lot of flexibility and a strong sense of fulfillment. This will be awesome! Wishing you all the best.
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Sean’s Answer

You can turn anyone you want to work for into a client. If your work is good, they will pay you with money or a review. Just create work for businesses you want to impress and wait for their response. If they like it, they might ask for your resume, which means they are interested. If they compliment your work but aren't hiring, thank them and ask if they can give a review or be a reference. This helps build your portfolio and experience, and they might remember you for future jobs. Also, create a simple website to show your work to potential clients. Add every new project to the site—this becomes your new resume. Don't wait for opportunities to come to you; go out and make them happen with your work.
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