LinaNguyen.com.au

What Lina has to say about entrepreneurship, internet marketing, life and stuff like that.

What’s this copywriting service thing you do?

Posted on | January 24, 2010 | 7 Comments

Sorry, I mean copywriting service, not copyright service

732913_69070282If you thought that a copywriting service has something to do with copyright, don’t worry, you’re not the first.

A copywriter provides a copywriting service, a specific kind of writing.

Copywriters write the words you find in websites, newspaper and magazine ads, TV and radio ads, brochures, tenders, newsletters, labels…

Basically, it’s the art of writing anything that’s used to sell, advertise or promote.

I have a book on my desk that I got for Christmas, by a fellow named Roger Horberry. He says that “Copywriting is about selling with content… It’s about using the right words, to say the right thing, to the right people, to get the right response.”

I’d agree with that definition. It’s pretty spot-on actually.

So, how did you get into the copywriting service industry?

When I was in high school, I was fascinated with advertising. Something about ad jingles just did it for me.

Okay, so I’m showing my age (who the hell uses jingles in ads anymore?) and I risk revealing some of my extremely private and daggy music tastes (usually kept under lock and key in my iPod).The point is, I really wanted to get into advertising when I was a kid.

I finished in the top 3% of high school graduates in my State. This meant I could get into a double Marketing and Law degree at the University of New South Wales. So I studied both.

In my uni days, I worked for a major wine and spirits company promoting alcohol in clubs and bars. Dream job really, for an 18 year old uni student.

And being the sponge type of learner I am, I used that opportunity to learn all about the company’s marketing. They had a massive marketing budget and I was lucky to be in the thick of their product launches and brand building campaigns. I saw their hugely popular brands dominate the market and I saw product launches flop.

Loved every minute of it.

When I became a lawyer, I realised that I love the persuasive and informative lawyer writing I did – day in, day out.

Then it turns out that copywriting services are in high demand and that there is an actual, ready market for people who can write and sell. So I found my copywriting coach and learnt the art of copywriting.

In early 2009, I launched my copywriting service business, SMART Copywriters. That worked out really well. 2009 ended with winning a government tender and working with some great clients.

Then, on 14 January 2010, I left my job because I knew there’s got to be more to life. I took the leap to, among other things, take the copywriting service business further.

I’m still a lawyer. But now I’m a part-time lawyer with a non-profit organisation doing work I’m really passionate about.

A copywriting service is actually really handy and valuable

I do a lot of copywriting for small business owners or companies with small business owners as clients. The government project I just finished targets small business owners.

I’ve found there’s a real need for small business owners to access good, affordable copywriting services. Big ad agencies aren’t in the market to provide affordable copywriting services to small business.

And where do you actually find a copywriter?

Your instinct would be to do a quick google search but there isn’t huge choice on page 1. It would make sense to me that most of us copywriters are hiding behind our computers and not getting out enough or something. I’m even struggling to find copywriters to network with.

I love copywriting. I really love it.

Providing a copywriting service allows me to use my ferocious curiosity about people to sell my clients’ products or service. I think that’s one thing that makes a great copywriter. I burning desire to learn about people.

Anyway, so don’t ask me about trademarks and patents and stuff. But if you want to know what a copywriting service is, I can talk about that. If you have any questions about copywriting, just let me know. I’m more than happy to help.

I’m going to San Diego this week for a workshop with a guru internet marketing copywriter. I am sooo excited.

Lina Nguyen © 2010

Category: The art of copywriting

Comments

7 Responses to “What’s this copywriting service thing you do?”

  1. Luke
    January 27th, 2010 @ 7:46 PM

    That actually sounds pretty interesting. I’ve always wanted to get into proofreading actually, but every time I follow up on it I’ve found that I’m being routed to some kind of money-making scheme.
    I realise that I’m not perfect with my English, but I would probably say that I’m better than the average writer…at least in terms of my punctuation and such. I’ve now taken to writing a book, though I’d say that I’m about 90 pages away from showing it to anybody. At least I’ve started though; it took me a while to get that far. But we all have to start somewhere…

  2. Lina
    January 27th, 2010 @ 7:53 PM

    Hi Luke

    The great thing about writing is that it’s very cheap to get into! Good on you for giving it a go. Let me know if you want me to have a look at your work. I’d be more than happy to. Also, I would have thought there are plenty of proof reading jobs out there. Just take a look around. And it’s a job you can easily do from home.

    Lina

  3. Hugh
    February 11th, 2010 @ 12:43 PM

    Hi Lina
    Just wanted to say thanks for all the assistance you have given to me over the last month. I first discovered your services through a recommendation from Netregisrty which are a very proactive e- commerce company netregisrtry.com.au .

    I am so glad they referred me to you as you have been able to bring my vision of my on-line business to life. I asked you to give me 3 great pages for my website and you delivered them to me with professionalism and and a complete understanding of what my requirements were for the business.

    If any one wants proof of the mastery of words go to declarebankruptcy.com.au to have a look at what Lina’s skill and craft with words and copywriting did for my business. She may be able to help your business in the same way.

    I can honestly say it was very affordable and that I will be using your service in the future.

    Lina we are now online thanks to your free flowing compositions.
    It has been excellent conducting business with you.

    Cheers
    Hugh

  4. Lina
    February 11th, 2010 @ 1:25 PM

    Hi Hugh

    Thanks for the good rap!

    Congratulations on getting your website live. It’s a big milestone in business, I know, so I wish you all the best with that. In your business, people with big money problems need someone good they can turn to. I believe you have your clients’ interests in the right place which is why I was more than happy to do work for you. If I thought you were dodgy, I would have run a mile! That’s my way of saying that I choose only to work with ethical people, especially in industries dealing with people’s lives and well-being, such as yours.

    Well done Hugh. I’m looking forward to doing more work with you.

    Lina

  5. Clancy Clarke - Netregistry Online Marketing
    February 18th, 2010 @ 2:15 PM

    Hi Lina!

    Just a quick hello to say a massive thank you for the huge amount of work you have done for our clients. I know that at times we have a lot of words that need to be written.

    Pretty much every one of the websites that you have written content for has approved it off the bat – without change.

    The turn around times for the copy is great, especially considering that many of the websites are for niche markets (I’m sure you’re becoming a jack of all trades with the amount of research you have to do).

    I’m looking forward to reading more of your work.

    Cheers.

    Clancy

  6. Garden Homes
    February 21st, 2010 @ 1:39 PM

    Hi Lina,
    Thank you for helping us- you really understood our ‘granny flats’ designs for Sydney- strangely we are getting response from Gen Y’s and Gen X’s who want to live at home but separately- a house in the garden.
    We have linked with you through our website-now the real work starts.
    Regards,
    Anne and Floss

  7. Lina
    February 21st, 2010 @ 8:28 PM

    @Clancy – You guys are awesome clients, so I’m more than happy to do the work for you. Thanks for the good rap!

    @Anne – Interesting response you’re getting… Sometimes you just never know which new markets you’ll appeal to until you put your business out there. Keep up the great work. Fab designs you have there! I want one!

Leave a Reply





CommentLuv Enabled

Subscribe without commenting

  • Most Commenting Visitors

  • Archives

  • Follow linathinks on Twitter