Lisa,

Since you have the time, the internet connection and money for stamps, consider trolling ThomasNet® - CNC Machining, Metal Stamping, Gaskets, Fasteners and other industrial products and services.

They have a ton of companies listed in all sorts of categories. It's a crapshoot as to whether all of them have websites listed, and if they do, they may or may not list the VP of Marketing, but give it a shot.

It's totally no cost.

Cheers, all the best,

Nancy E. Wigal

Washington DC

Taxation without representation - DC statehood now!

I am joining in late also. Great tips already given. I will add my .02.

First Check out the article;

Copywriting | Direct Marketing - Customer Lead Generation | Print Ads | Space Ad Leads

This will get you into the right mindset.

Then analyze some local ads from the newspaper, yellow pages, etc.

Choose some ads that you can improve upon and there is an opportunity to create a two step lead generation campaign.

Create a pitch letter for several of these loser ads, they'll be easy to spot!

Tell them you can beat their crappy ad. If you don't there is no charge. If you do beat their ad then they pay your fee of $1000 (or whatever fee or royalty) for the job. It just might work.

I read an interview where Clayton started out like this. I am trying this very same approach to get my first copywriting gig.

Hope this helps.

John,

I was reading over my server logs for my blog and they attribute tons of traffic from the link you posted, here in the forum.

Thank you for that.

Plus, I was pleasantly surprised to realize you read my blog.

So, thank you for that, too.

Likewise, thank you Clayton, for all the tremendous work you do. (I've gotten so much from them, I'm on my fourth time through the Power Marketing Summit DVD's).

--Peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks for stopping by. And thanks for writing a blog worth reading.

John

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And go here to find: Oodles of killer copywriting techniques

This approach isn't for everyone, but it worked for me...

I think the advice you received, Lisa, about getting a day job, while you get career going is sound. Very sound, if you can get a good job (i.e. above minimum wage).

I have no post-secondary education, other than two years as an apprentice to a fine arts master in Italy. Doesn't help much on a resume. I'm also just one of those people who is generally unemployable. Not because I'm not a hard worker, but for other reasons (being half-blind has something to do with it)...

Anyways, back in 2003, realizing that the best job I could land was going to pay $8/hour, $64 a day, around $320/week, $1280/month I figured I could do better self-employed, or at least just as good. (I'm talking Canadian dollars here).

It's not hard to find businesses that are willing to let you work on commission. Whether a face-to-face sales position, where you go out and get clients (which can help with copywriting a lot) or promoting via copy. I've done this with small businesses in my own town, and made more than I would have working at $8/hour for them, that's for sure.

Of course, the internet offers plenty (too many) affiliate programs. And, not just reselling internet marketing material. I've made up to $800/month promoting a great DVD club, The Spiritual Cinema Circle which gives ongoing commissions for as long as the person you find remains a customer.

I first tried promoting this club my making my own double-sided advertorial style ad, running off copies at the printer, and dropping copies off at yoga studios, tai chi studios, martial art studios, churches, spiritual bookstores, alternative health clinics. I was amazed how much traffic that generated.

It's a great way to get experience in the marketing side of copywriting. See how things work. Clients prefer someone who really understands ROI.

I've also done my own direct-mail campaigns, but that requires start-up capital.

I found it "relatively easy" to land $500 jobs re-doing business's Yellow Pages ads. Now, I get paid up to $2,500 to do the same.

Even just writing articles with affiliate promotions at the end and sending them to local newspapers, magazines, blogs, article directories, etc., can produce quite a bit of money.

Anyways, depending on your situation and what kind of job you can land, its worth considering. I'd rather work 12 hours a day doing something that will help my career, then 8 hours making the same money in something unrelated.

Hope that helps,

John

I may have a job for you if you don't mind working for self-help/new-age market. Send me a message.

Great advice, John!

Affiliate marketing can be very successful, and - if done right - can even build your own credibility. And it's not hard to get started. Clayton offers a great affiliate program, and I believe Bob Bly does also.

Check out Clayton's program here...

Copywriting | Direct Marketing - Affiliate Program

Go get 'em!

Len Bailey