This is where most freelancers get stuck—thinking their job is to “write copy.”

It’s not.

Your real job? To sell. Period. You’re being hired to create sales assets that move the needle. Whether it’s a landing page, email sequence, VSL, or ad—copywriting clients aren’t paying you for pretty sentences. They’re paying you for results.

Gary Halbert said it best: “The written word is the most powerful tool ever invented for mass communication... but only when it’s used to persuade.” That’s the part a lot of copywriters forget.

You’re not an artist. You’re not a poet. You’re not writing for a portfolio.

You’re a persuasive asset-builder—and every word you write should serve that purpose.

This mindset shift is a copywriting strategy on its own.

It changes how you pitch.

It changes how you present your value.

It changes how you talk to clients (and how they see you).

Let’s say you’re trying to find copywriting clients. Instead of sending messages like:

“Hey, I’m a freelance copywriter—do you need help with content or emails?”

You say:

“I help SaaS companies turn email lists into cash with direct response sequences that convert 3-5x better than average.”

One makes you sound like every other beginner writer. The other positions you as a revenue-driver.

And that’s what clients want.

The second you stop treating copy like writing and start treating it like selling, everything changes. You’ll start attracting better projects, charging more, and getting repeat work. Why? Because businesses pay people who bring them more business.

That’s the game.

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Let’s get into the real stuff.

The copywriting advice I wish someone gave me when I was stuck in that awkward “I know how to write… but no one’s hiring me” phase.

This is the advice that helped me go from fumbling cold pitches and undercharging… to consistently landing freelance copywriting clients and eventually charging rates I never thought were possible when I started.

Some of these are strategic. Some are mindset. Some are a kick in the ass.

All of them are designed to help you actually get copywriting clients and grow your business—not just get pats on the back for “good writing."

Tip #1: Your Portfolio Doesn’t Matter as Much as You Think

This one’s gonna ruffle some feathers, but here’s the truth:

Most clients don’t actually read your whole portfolio. They skim. They glance. And if they don’t immediately see that you understand their business, their audience, and their goals… they bounce.

When I first started, I spent weeks making my portfolio look fancy. Designing PDFs, writing intros, tweaking formatting… and none of it moved the needle.

What finally got me responses?

One simple cold email with zero attachments that said something like:

“Hey [Name], I write direct response copy for health brands. I noticed [specific thing about their site/ad/funnel]. I’ve got a few quick-win ideas that could boost conversions. Want me to send them over?”

Boom. Booked the call. Didn’t even ask for a portfolio.

Clients care way more about what you can do for them than what you’ve done before. So if you’re spending more time polishing your portfolio than practicing outreach, writing samples for specific niches, or refining your offer… you’re slowing yourself down.

This doesn’t mean don’t have a portfolio. It means stop hiding behind it.

If you’re wondering how to get copywriting clients with no experience, this is the shift: Position yourself as someone who brings ideas and solves problems—not just someone who “writes copy.”


Tip #2: You Don’t Need More Practice—You Need More Pitches

This one hurts a little. Especially if you’re the kind of copywriter who’s always “getting ready.”

Always polishing another sample…

Rewriting old spec pieces…

Taking another course…

Reading one more book before you start reaching out to copywriting clients...

Look—I get it. Practicing feels productive. It’s safe. No risk of rejection, no awkward DMs, no “who the hell are you?” responses in your inbox.

But here’s the thing:

You don’t get hired by practicing. You get hired by pitching.

When I finally committed to pitching every single day—even if it was messy, even if I didn’t feel ready—I started landing freelance copywriting clients. My writing didn’t suddenly get 10x better. I just started showing up where it mattered: in front of potential clients.

Think of it like this…

Would you rather have B+ copy and an A+ pitch process—or A+ copy and a D+ pipeline?

Because the second one’s gonna keep you broke.

If you want to find copywriting clients, make pitching your default activity. Send cold emails. DM people. Follow up. Get seen. Get on calls. Make offers.

Every day you wait to pitch is a day someone else wins the project you could’ve landed.

This is one of those copywriting tips that’s more about business than craft. But it’s the kind of move that turns your skills into actual income. And no, you don’t need some genius copywriting technique to start. You just need a plan, a list, and a message.

Hit send. That’s how you grow.


Tip #3: Your Niche Isn’t Just About Industry—It’s About Problems You Solve

A lot of struggling freelancers think “niching down” means picking an industry and sticking to it. Like: “I write for fitness brands” or “I do copy for SaaS companies.”

That’s part of it—but not the whole picture.

The real power of a niche comes from being known for solving a specific kind of problem.

Let me explain…

Early on, I thought I had to choose one industry and stay married to it. So I bounced between health, ecom, coaches, and info products, trying to “find my niche.” But what actually started attracting copywriting clients consistently was when I got crystal clear on the problem I solved—regardless of industry.

For example:

• I helped coaches turn dead email lists into clients with high-converting launch sequences

• I helped SaaS brands boost trial-to-paid conversions with onboarding email flows

• I helped ecommerce stores increase AOV with cart abandonment campaigns and upsells

See the difference?

I wasn’t just “a copywriter.” I was a specialist in conversion problems. That positioning made my cold emails land harder, made my content get more attention, and made it way easier to get copywriting clients who actually valued what I brought to the table.

So here’s a smarter copywriting strategy than picking a random niche:

Choose a type of offer or sales process you like working on (emails, sales pages, VSLs, ads)… then figure out what kind of business problems those offers solve.

Position yourself around that. That’s what makes you stand out—and gets you hired faster.

Because clients don’t just hire for industry experience. They hire because they believe you can fix their biggest pain point.


Tip #4: Stop Sounding Like a Copywriter in Your Outreach

One of the biggest mistakes I see from freelancers trying to find copywriting clients is this:

They write cold emails or DMs like mini sales letters.

You know the type...

“Hey there, I specialize in persuasive, conversion-focused copy that turns browsers into buyers. I’d love to help optimize your sales funnel for increased ROI. Let’s chat!”

Cringe.

It sounds robotic, over-rehearsed, and weirdly formal. Worse—it screams copywriter trying too hard. And the second you sound like every other desperate freelancer in someone’s inbox, you're done.

Want a better copywriting technique?

Sound like a real human. Be specific. Lead with insight, not hype.

Here’s a real message that landed me a call with a six-figure course creator:

“Hey Sarah, noticed your opt-in offer is strong, but the follow-up emails drop off quick. Have you tested a 3-email mini-launch to re-engage new leads? I’ve written a few for similar brands and saw a decent spike in conversions. Happy to share a couple ideas if you’re open to it.”

Short. Specific. Casual. It doesn’t try to “sell.” It just starts a conversation.

The lesson?

Your pitch isn’t the place to flex your copy chops. It’s the place to prove you get the client’s business. When your outreach shows you understand their funnel, their goals, or their missed opportunities—it hits harder than any polished intro paragraph ever will.

So if you're wondering how to get copywriting clients, start by dropping the copywriter voice. Speak like someone who solves problems, not someone trying to impress with jargon.

That one shift alone will increase your response rate—guaranteed.


Tip #5: Follow-Up Is Where the Money Happens

If you’re sending pitches and not hearing back, don’t assume they’re not interested.

Assume they’re busy.

I can’t tell you how many freelance copywriting clients I’ve landed on the second or third follow-up. Not because my pitch magically got better—but because I stayed on their radar after everyone else gave up.

Most freelancers send one message and ghost themselves. They tell themselves crap like:

“If they were interested, they would’ve replied.”

Nope.

People are overwhelmed. They miss emails. They forget. They don’t always respond right away—even if they do need a copywriter.

This is where having a solid follow-up system becomes a killer copywriting strategy.

Here’s a basic cadence that works:

• Day 1: Initial pitch

• Day 3: Quick follow-up (referencing the first message)

• Day 7: Drop a second insight or idea related to their funnel/site

• Day 14: Final check-in (“Should I close the loop on this?” style)

You don’t need to be aggressive or annoying. Just helpful, relevant, and consistent.

One time, I followed up with a prospect six times over a month. On message #6, they replied with:

“Hey—thanks for staying persistent. We’re ready to move forward now. Can we set up a call?”

Closed $3K from a message most people would’ve never sent.

So if you’re trying to get copywriting clients and your inbox is quiet, don’t change your whole pitch just yet. Start by following up. That’s where the “hidden” opportunities live.

This isn’t optional—it’s one of the most profitable copywriting tips I can give you.


Tip #6: Be the Expert—Even If You Feel Like a Fraud

Let’s talk about imposter syndrome—because if you're trying to get copywriting clients and you're stuck in a spiral of “who am I to charge for this?”… this tip is for you.

Every copywriter I know has felt like a fraud at some point. I don’t care if they’ve been doing it for two months or twenty years. The difference is, the pros don’t wait to feel confident—they act like experts before they feel like one.

And that energy? That belief? Clients feel it.

Here’s something I learned from Dan Kennedy: “If you act like a peer, you get treated like a peer. If you act like a vendor, you get treated like a vendor.”

When you show up to a sales call acting nervous, overly agreeable, or apologetic for your prices, you train the client to see you as “just a freelancer.” But when you show up prepared, ask smart questions, and lead the conversation like a consultant—they respect you. And they pay you.

This is a copywriting strategy most people overlook. Confidence sells.

A few ways to flip the script:

• Stop asking for permission. Start making recommendations.

• Stop obsessing over being “liked.” Start focusing on being useful.

• Stop talking like a junior. Start leading like a strategist.

Confidence isn’t faked—it’s built. But you don’t need to wait years to feel like a pro. Just start acting like one now.

Because at the end of the day, if you don’t believe in your value, why should a client?

If you’re serious about landing high-paying copywriting clients, you’ve gotta step into that expert identity—even before you feel ready.


Tip #7: Show Your Thinking, Not Just Your Writing

Here’s a truth most freelancers never hear:

Clients aren’t just hiring you for the words. They’re hiring you for your thought process—your ability to analyze, strategize, and connect the dots.

That means if you want to stand out and find copywriting clients who actually value you, you’ve got to show more than polished samples. You’ve got to show how you think.

When I started breaking down landing pages on LinkedIn, or walking through why a headline worked (or didn’t) in a cold email to a prospect… that’s when the lightbulbs started going off for people. I wasn’t just “a writer.” I was someone who understood conversion strategy.

This is one of those sneaky powerful copywriting techniques that most people skip. They just throw links to past work or attach PDFs and hope the client connects the dots. But if you take the time to explain:

• Why you structured a page a certain way

• What research backed up your messaging decisions

• How the copy tied into the customer’s awareness level or objections

…you come across like a strategist. Not a commodity.

This applies to your portfolio, your content, and even your cold pitches.

You’re not just showing off “what” you wrote. You’re showing “why” it works. That’s the difference between getting ignored and getting hired.

If you want to land better freelance copywriting clients, don’t just flex your writing. Reveal your reasoning. That’s what makes clients trust you—and pay higher rates for your brain, not just your hands.

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