Welcome to The Copy Shop!

The Copy Shop is Copywriter Exchange’s monthly blog series written by our community members with the goal of sharing advice and insider tips with like-minded copywriters around the globe. 

This month’s entry is by Ali Azhar

Ali Azhar is a contract copywriter with Content Workshop and a member of the Copywriter Exchange. He has 6+ years of experience in copywriting, SEO/SEM optimization, content writing, and technical writing.

From on the Side to Full-Lance: How to Make the Jump

Switching from part-time to full-time freelance copywriting can be exciting and daunting.

As a copywriter who made the transition from part-time to full-time, I can say that it’s been a challenging yet rewarding experience. Making this switch required a lot of planning, preparation, and hard work, but it’s been worth it.

I worked as a part-time freelance copywriter, juggling client projects with a full-time job for years. It was a balancing act that required careful time management and a lot of discipline. But as my freelance business grew and I began to attract more clients, I knew I wanted to switch to a full-time freelancing job.

The decision to go full-time wasn’t an easy one.

There were many factors to consider, such as my financial stability, the availability of work, and my own personal goals. But ultimately, the benefits of full-time freelancing outweighed the risks.

One of the biggest benefits of full-time freelancing is its freedom and flexibility.

As a part-time freelancer, I was limited by the amount of time I could devote to my business. But as a full-time freelancer, I have the ability to set my own schedule and work on my own terms. 

Another benefit of full-time freelancing is the potential for increased income.

With more time to devote to my business, I have the opportunity to take on more clients and projects, which can lead to a higher income. Of course, this isn’t guaranteed, and there are always fluctuations in freelance income, but the potential for increased earnings was certainly a factor in my decision to go full-time.

Of course, making the switch to full-time freelancing isn’t without its challenges.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was finding a consistent stream of work.

As a part-time freelancer, I was able to be more selective about the projects I took on, but as a full-time freelancer, I needed a steady stream of income to sustain my business. This meant that I had to be more proactive about seeking out new clients and networking within my industry.

Another challenge was managing my own time and productivity.

With no boss or manager to hold me accountable, I had to learn to be self-disciplined and focused. This meant creating a schedule and sticking to it, setting goals and deadlines, and staying motivated even when work was slow.

For anyone considering transitioning from part-time to full-time copywriting, my advice is to take small steps.

Start by assessing your financial needs and creating a budget to cover your living expenses. Build up your savings and have a plan for finding new clients to ensure a consistent stream of work. Network within your industry and seek out opportunities to expand your skill set. Be self-disciplined and focused with your time and productivity, and set goals and deadlines to stay motivated. With careful planning and hard work, you can successfully make the switch to full-time copywriting.

It’s also important to have a solid business plan in place, including a pricing strategy and a system for managing your workflow and invoicing clients. Consider investing in tools and resources to streamline your work, such as project management software or time-tracking apps. Build a strong online presence through a professional website and social media accounts to showcase your portfolio and attract new clients.

Finally

Don’t be afraid to seek advice and mentorship from other experienced copywriters or business owners to help guide you through the transition. With the right mindset and strategy, you can make a successful and fulfilling career as a full-time freelance copywriter.

At Copywriter Exchange, we’re a group of master content marketing pros who bring their diverse talents and backgrounds to bear on the art and science of creating high-performance content, tailored to your needs. We exist to help copywriters thrive in today’s economy by connecting them with the resources they need to step up their game. Join now to access our templates, guides, and courses to help you grow your career, skills, and network.