You’re here because you want to become a copywriter in the Philippines, right?
You might be one of the working moms who are struggling with their current work situation and would love to transition to a home-based job.
You may be searching everywhere how to start and there’s a lot of information so you get overwhelmed and then you end up not knowing what EXACTLY to do first.
You may also be like the other moms who approached me sharing about how hard they tried, creating profiles here and there, preparing their online portfolios and working a lot on their cover letters but their potential clients seem to not see their abilities.
In this blog post, I will be talking about the 3 Key Things you Might be Missing that is causing you not to be noticed and hired by potential clients.
It is also the 3 Most Important Things You Must Know if you are a beginner who wants to become a copywriter here in the Philippines and start earning from home while enjoying more important moments with your family.
So, if you are ready, let’s go!
Become a Copywriter Guide for Filipinos
I have been working as an online freelancer now for almost 3 years (full-time) or 7 years (if we add those times when I was still doing it part-time).
Guess what? Yes, you’ve guessed it right! I am loving it, I am enjoying it, and that is why I am so passionate to share my experiences and knowledge with you thru this blog.
I want to let you know that there’s a huge opportunity with home-based jobs here in the Philippines. You don’t need to go abroad and leave your family behind feeling so bad because you will miss a lot of happy memories and all.
This passion got deeper and deeper and I have created programs and other materials just to help you. This time, I want to introduce you to this method I call the “ASG Method” for Writers.
This method is a result of all the lessons in the past from my personal experiences, research, case studies, and coaches.
It is composed of 3 Stages to fully equip you with the most important gears you should have to win your clients.
I will be sharing with you below some of its components that I believe can help you investigate and identify what you might have been missing kaya po kayo hindi naha-hire.
At kung baguhan ka naman po sa industriya, maigi din pong malaman mo ito para alam mo na din kung saan ka dapat mag-focus muna.
Yes, normal lang po na hindi lahat ng aapplyan natin, maha-hire tayo. But, if you have submitted 10, 20, 30 or more applications at walang sumasagot, there’s something wrong for sure.
Read on and let me know in the comments section if alin sa mga ito ang maaaring nagiging dahilan ng current frustrations mo.
Beginner Copywriter's Must-Have #1: Optimized Online Profile
What is an optimized online profile?
- It should be searchable, therefore containing the right keywords that your potential clients might be using to search for a copywriter.
- Your job title should also match with your job description, skills, and experiences so that it has a clear message.
- Remove unnecessary distractions.
Yes, it’s a plus point that you have more skills or services to offer but take note of this: “they should be aligned or relevant to your main job title”
Let’s take my Upwork profile as an example:
You will notice in my Job Title that I have added WordPress as a service because most clients (especially my ideal clients) looking for copywriters have a WordPress website.
In this case, some if not all of them prefer to hire writers who have at least a basic knowledge about this platform.
I also added SEO and Marketing because they are related to Copywriting. Inilagay ko sila sa Job Title for optimization purposes.
In the job description, I have elaborated more specific details. Baka kasi mapagkamalan ako ni client na SEO Specialist, hehe.
Beginner Copywriter's Must-Have #2: Relevant Portfolio
Here’s a short story:
Alice is a mom of three. She was recently laid off sa trabahong inakala niyang makakapagpaahon sa kanyang pamilya sa hirap. Nalugi ang company at kailangan nilang magbawas ng empleyado. Isa siya sa minalas.
Desperado na siya ngayon kasi marami pa siyang loans na dapat bayaran at wala siyang naipon na pwedeng gamiting pambayad habang wala pa siyang trabaho. Ang asawa naman niya, nagtatrabaho pero minimal lang ang sahod at kasya lang na pangkain nila sa araw-araw.
Kailangan niya ngayon na maghanap ng bagong trabaho ASAP.
Nag-apply siya online sa isang company na nagbebenta ng quality footwears bilang Social Media Content Creator. Ang previous job niya, Administrative Assistant sa Sales Department ng company na nagbebenta ng kitchen wares.
(to be continued)…
Sa palagay mo, matatanggap ba siya? Kung ikaw ang nasa sitwasyon ni Alice, ano ang gagawin mo para ma-impress mo ang Hiring Manager or Owner ng company?
A Copywriter's Portfolio
I know how hard it is to position yourself in front of a potential client when you don’t have relevant experiences.
However, if you have clearly understood your own niche as a writer and is certain about who you are targeting as your potential clients, it will be easier for you to reach out even if you are a beginner.
Identifying your niche and target market is one of the components of the “ASG Method” which I teach to moms who want to become a copywriter in the Philippines. It is my newest program which will be launching on July 1, 2019.
Lahat din ng mga shini-share ko sa blog post na ito ay mas matututunan niyo pang maigi sa Copywriting Masterclass.
Okay, so here’s what your portfolio should have:
- Writing samples that are relevant to the niche of your potential clients.
- It should package your strengths and skills (what's unique in you)
- It should answer the most common questions that clients ask during the interview such as: "Tell me something about yourself", "Why should I hire you?", etc.
- Your portfolio should also have a clear message as to what the client needs to do next when he decides to hire you.
(…continuation of the story)
Alice was desperate, she did not know what to do. She just pulled out everything including her training certificates and certificate of employment from her previous job then added it to her portfolio.
Afterwhich, she sent her cover letter and all these attachments to the hiring manager.
Guess what?
Yes, you got it right again!
She wasn’t hired — and worst, she did not hear anything from the company at all.
Ano sa tingin mo ang pagkakamali ni Alice? Ano dapat ang ginawa niya based on what I discussed above? Please leave your answers in the comment section below. Thank you for doing so.
Beginner Copywriter's Must-Have #3: Copywriting Skills
Have you tried search on Google already about what skills you need to learn to become a Copywriter in the Philippines?
Gusto kong maging bias sa pagkakataon na ito and I will mention iyong mga skills na inaral ko at ituturo ko sa Copywriting Masterclass, okay lang ba?
Pero bago ko sabihin, here’s why:
I want to share things based on my experience (Teka, pang-ilang beses ko na ba itong nasabi? Sorry po).
Of course, I won’t be sharing things that I haven’t proven myself and I know that there’s a long list you might find out there, but you don’t need to learn “ALL OF IT!”
Focus on one, master it, then move on to the next. Ganun dapat, okay? (Uy, teka, I heard someone say, “yes, coach!”, ikaw ba iyon?)
Oops! Tara na. 🙂
What skills does a sought after Copywriter have?
Fasten your seat belts, guys! You will be discovering the secrets of highly-paid copywriters in the world! Woohoo!
Kidding aside, here are some of the things you need to be geared with to be able to face your own battle in the freelance writing world.
- You should learn other skills like basic SEO Writing, Uploading or Posting contents on WordPress, and Content Marketing.
- You must know how to write compelling headlines.
- You should have a strategy to make sure you are maximizing your time preparing and writing a copy that will impress and persuade your potential client's audience.
- Most importantly, you must know how to hook your readers to your content, engage them, and finally sell an offer.
- and like I said, there's more..
How to Start Earning as a Copywriter in the Philippines
So, there you go! You have had a glimpse of just some of the components of my ASG Method.
What was your biggest takeaway from this blog post on how to become a copywriter in the Philippines?
If you have more questions and want to learn more about the ASG Method, I will be super happy to have you on a Skype call, please go to this link and select the best time that will work for you and I’ll make sure to be there.
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Brilliant work, Mother Ant! This is something relevant especially for beginning content writers.
These tips are useful for people who want to start their career as a writer 🙂 thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much sis!
Copywriting is a must if you want to earn more as a business owner or as a professional.
Thank you Mother Ant for sharing your knowledge about copywriting.
Definitely! Content is king, and it will always be with the right strategy. You’re welcome!
I have been wanting to be a copywriter. Thanks for this detailed post on copywriting. I will apply the tips you have posted here. 🙂
I hope this helps you. 🙂
This is super helpful and informative, MotherAnt. Thanks for your generosity, sa mga free trainings and all. 🙂
You’re welcome!