Although they tend to work mostly behind the scenes, you probably see the work of copywriters every day, whether it is in print media, online, on TV or whether you hear it on the radio.
Copywriters are people who are creative and dedicated to their work, utilising their research skills, creativity and writing abilities to create everything from advertising slogans and print ads to press releases, direct sales copy, website content and more.
While some copywriters get jobs with advertising agencies and other companies that require the regular input of a copywriter, many also work on a freelance basis providing copy and content for clients with a diverse range of needs and requirements. In fact, the development of advanced technology - namely broadband and Internet services - has changed the world of copywriting. The power of the internet and the lightning speeds at which we can now research and communicate means that more and more people can enjoy the benefits of writing from home for clients all around the world.
With the poor state of the economy and high unemployment levels to contend with, more and more people are realising just how uncertain a future they face in terms of job security. Even those who once thought their jobs were completely safe are now concerned, which is why an increasing number of people are considering taking control of their own livelihood by working for themselves.
Of course, starting your own business can be a costly affair in some cases, as you may need a lot of initial capital to invest. However, if you are planning to become a freelance writer, you won't need to invest a shed load of cash on equipment, premises, etc. In fact, most of what you need to carry out your work as a freelance writer you will probably already have in your home - a computer and a reliable broadband connection!
Another risk associated with starting your own business is the risk of failure. A huge number of start up businesses fail in a very short space of time, which for some people means that they have wasted a great deal of money, a lot of time, and are left without any means of earning an income. With freelance copywriting from home this risk is minimal. You pay little to nothing to get started, so there is no risk of losing any upfront investment. You can start off doing it part time whilst also continuing with your day job, which means that you can test the waters without taking any risks. In addition to this, you may find that when times are tough - as they have been during the recession - people rely on your services even more, as the need to promote their own businesses increases.
The upfront investment by you in order to get into freelance copywriting is minimal. All you need to pay for is your course, if you decide to do one, and a PC and broadband connection if you do not already have them. With a few bits of stationery added in for good measure, such as a diary and notepad, you are good to go! You can earn literally thousands of dollars a month from freelance copywriting from home - pretty impressive, considering the minimal initial investment involved!
When you start working from home as a freelance writer, you can not only build a lucrative career with minimal or even no upfront investment, but you also get to escape the 9-5 rat race, as you will be your own boss, you can schedule your work in around your other commitments, and you can enjoy total flexibility and freedom. You will work from home, which means no petrol costs or wear and tear on your car, and you don't need to worry about getting child minders in or arranging for others to pick your kids up from school when you are working! Even taking the course in copywriting is convenient (if you do a distance learning one as I did) because you can fit this around your day job and other commitments, studying at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home.
I've been working as a freelance writer now for more than eight years, writing for a global client base and in a variety of genres. In fact, I have recently written a short guide, Work from Home as a Freelance Copywriter, explaining how I went from working in customer services to being my own boss and earning a good income as a work at home freelance writer. I believe that those who have the passion and skill to create great copy can fast track their career as a work at home freelance writer simply by following what I did.