Dear fetus copywriter…

When I was just starting out, I got a chance to write the entire website copy for a design agency. Without ANY previous experience. No, really: ZERO clients & ZERO projects. So how did I pull this off and end up working for them in the years to come? 

You won’t like it, but I’ll tell you anyway.

I proposed something none of the other candidates did. I offered to write the whole damn thing FOR FREE. Now, before you all stab me for being reckless and giving away months of labor pro bono, hear me out. My offer had one condition: if they liked my work and wanted to use it, they’d pay me whatever they thought was fair.

Remember, this was my 1st official client, and it was an opportunity to get my foot in the door. If they wanted more, we’d continue working together.

And they did! They paid me for that first gig and took me on as their copywriter for three and a half years after that.

So, what’s the lesson here for anyone starting out?

People love to try things on before they commit. Offering a no-strings-attached deal takes all the pressure off and makes them more likely to give you a shot…And then realize they want more of what you’re offering!

Think about it. What’s the worst that can happen? 

You get the experience for your portfolio.

win:win