5 Things Copywriters Should Do Before Applying for Remote Writing Jobs

If you hate commuting but love crafting sentences, you should look into remote writing jobs. Of course, you need more than a penchant for wordsmithing and a can-do attitude — you must also develop copywriting-specific skills and learn about the market.

How To Prepare for Remote Writing Jobs

Freelance writers have a great deal of freedom, but that also means additional responsibilities. As your own boss, you need to think about all aspects of copywriting:

• Gaining clients
• Managing projects
• Staying up-to-date on industry standards
• Developing writing skills

Before tackling remote writing jobs, you should know how to achieve all of the above. Fortunately, these five tips can help you cover all your bases.

1. Build an Online Portfolio

Clients want to know if you’re worth the money, and an online portfolio is one of the best ways to showcase your expertise. The first step is finding a place to host your best work. When starting out, you can utilize a free website such as WordPress or an out-of-the-box option such as Wix. These sites are beginner-friendly, so you can customize web pages even if you don’t know much about web development. Once you’ve established yourself, you can pay for a domain that includes your name, making you more accessible to internet searches.

When building your portfolio, choose only a handful of pieces so as not to overwhelm readers. Pick diverse work to illustrate your varied skills:

• Technical pieces
• Reader-friendly blogs
• SEO-centric metadata

If you haven’t completed any remote writing jobs yet, you can create sample pieces for the time being. You should update your portfolio every six months so you can gradually replace these samples as you get more work.

2. Develop a Writing Process

To make money as a copywriter, you must balance quality and quantity. You want to deliver high-quality pieces so clients continue to work with you, but you shouldn’t get so wrapped up in perfection that you miss lucrative projects. One way to strike a balance is to create a writing process.

This process should streamline your efforts, allowing you to churn out top-notch pieces at a rapid pace. The following is a great example of an effective writing process:

1. Review job details
2. Research
3. Create an outline
4. Write
5. Edit

Once you create your process, don’t hesitate to change things. As you take on more remote writing jobs, you’ll better understand your needs and can adjust your process accordingly.

3. Work on Your Grammar

Every copywriter should have a firm grasp of English grammar, specifically in the AP style. If you come from an MLA or APA background, you should familiarize yourself with the AP Stylebook. The Associated Press updates this guide every year, so it’s a good idea to check the rules periodically.

You can also use tools to identify mistakes. For example, Grammarly makes suggestions in real-time and even updates text with a single click. Spelling and grammar checks can boost your writing speed, allowing you to take on more remote writing jobs.

4. Learn About the Copywriting Landscape

Effective copywriting utilizes algorithms, marketing techniques and solid writing to bring customers to clients’ websites. Since the internet changes rapidly, freelancers must keep up with industry news to remain effective. There are plenty of blogs, podcasts and newsletters dedicated to online marketing; subscribe to a few so major updates don’t catch you off guard.

You can also stay current by networking or finding a copywriting mentor. Remote writing may not seem the most conducive to meeting people in your field. However, you can still make connections by attending conferences, reaching out to copywriters you admire and joining a copywriting group.

5. Research Potential Projects for Red Flags

As you start the search for remote writing jobs, you’ll find opportunities in a multitude of places:

• Job boards
• Referrals
• Paid services
• Social media
• Communications on your website

Unfortunately, not every job is what it seems. As a freelancer, you’re vulnerable to scams and badly behaved clients, so you must advocate for yourself. Before you agree to a job, check for these red flags:

• The description includes unrealistic demands.
• The client insists on a free “trial” period.
• The client refuses to sign a contract.

You should also do an internet search on the client to identify questionable behavior. Glassdoor and Indeed are excellent places to look for reviews.

How To Find High-Quality Remote Writing Jobs

One of the biggest freelance struggles is finding regular work. The market landscape changes according to online and economic trends, meaning a formerly reliable source may dry up. However, content creation sites such as BKA Content offer a solution.

These companies work with a variety of clients, ensuring there’s almost always work available for contractors. If you’re tired of constantly searching for remote writing jobs, you should consider writing for BKA.

Do you have additional ideas on how freelance writers can prepare for the job market? Share your tips in the comments below.