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Frequently Asked Questions

"Copywriting: Writing for Profit" -

a) Home Study Course
b) Seminar Course

Congratulations on taking the next step to finding out more about ‘Copywriting: Writing for Profit'.

We understand that for most people, spending hundreds of dollars on a course is a risky undertaking. You need to feel confident this course is the right one for you before you invest your hard-earned dollars and time.

Here's a listing of questions we often get asked that will help you make that decision.

It's quite comprehensive and should cover most things you need to know. However, if you have more questions, that's fine. Give us a call on (03) 9372 0800 or 0419891932 (preferred) or email us info@copyschool.com and we'll answer any questions you have.

Summary of Questions:

A. What is copywriting?

1.What is copywriting?

Copywriting is the art of writing the words for newspaper and magazine advertisements, brochures, newsletters, websites, TV and radio commercials, media releases and other promotional material.

In fact, any words that you see in the public domain - on billboards, bus sides, signs, posters, sky writing - were probably written by a copywriter.

PS: Some people get copywriting confused with copyright. Copyright is concerned with patents and ownership rights to intellectual property. They are not related in any way.

2. Who should do this course?

This course is for:

writers who want to have copywriting as another ‘string to their bow'
journalists looking to earn a better deal than the ‘cents per word' rate
mothers with young children seeking to keep their brain (and bank account) active
business owners who want to save money by writing their own copy
marketing and advertising executives who want to know how to brief their copywriters more effectively
employees who need to write copy as part of their job
media and communications graduates who want to work full time as copywriters in an advertising agency
people who love writing and want to earn a full-time or part-time income from it

3. What courses are available?

There are two versions of the course available:

a.Home Study:

Do you want to work at your own pace, in your own time, in your own home? If you can't get to the seminar course but still want to do the course, enrol in the version. Click here for the Chapter Outline and Testimonials.

b. Seminar:
Do you want to jump in the deep end and start earning money from copywriting as soon as possible? If yes, enrol in the Seminar Course (5 week course - 2 sessions per week). Click here for the Course Outline and Testimonials.
Both courses offer:

individual tuition incorporating one-on-one coaching
Home Study: you get 3 hours of one on one personal coaching (that's 4 sessions x 45 minutes Coaching Calls)
Seminar: you get ongoing personal coaching for the duration of the course.
a 750-page workbook (yes, that's right, 750 pages!)
an Ad Pack filled with 120 of the world's greatest advertisements
dozens of templates and ‘how to' guides
cheat sheets and step-by-step strategies covering everything you know to become a successful copywriter
sample letters, sample scripts, quote letters and more to get you started

These courses are suitable for anyone who has a desire to earn money from writing copy.

And by the way, if you want to work in advertising in Dubai or South East Asia, this course is perfect for you as Australian-trained copywriters are in high demand in these countries.

B. How can I make money from copywriting?

1. What can I expect to earn as a copywriter?

Unlike doctors, mechanics, plumbers etc, there is no ‘scheduled fee'. There's no minimum wage or equity rate either, so it really depends on what you think you're worth and how quickly you think you can do the job.

As a rough guide, copywriters earn:

New writers = $50-$80/hr
Medium experienced writers = $80-$120/hr
Highly experienced writers = $120-$200+/hr

Most jobs take a minimum of 10-15 hours so you can see how much money you can make just by having a steady stream of new clients.

We've had students charge $80 per hour with their first client, so it's certainly possible to start earning great money after just five weeks' tuition.

Testimonial:

"I was thrilled with the course content and the speakers that got involved because I was able to finish the course and virtually set-up my business the next day!!

"I have already begun to work - only weeks after finishing the course. They hooked me up with a business that needed some work and I have already started a project worth $1650.00 to me - paid for the course three times over after the first month!!

"The way the course is run makes it really easy to understand the world of copywriting. And the course material they give you is fantastic - really useful once you get out and start your business."
- Jaike Clemens

2. How can I earn $117,000 per year?

It's a very simple formula.

The assumptions:

Most brochures take about 10-15 hours to write (this includes research, briefings, writing, revisions, meetings etc)
You charge $75 per hour (that's very conservative, very achievable)
You source 2 clients per week.
You do this every week for a year.

The Calculation:

15 hours x $75 per hour = $1,125 per brochure
2 brochures per week = $2,250 per week.
$2,250 per week x 52 weeks per year = $117,000.

Not bad huh? And that's only working 30 hours a week!

3. "But I'm inexperienced. I couldn't possibly charge $75 per hour at the start."

Ok. Let's do the calculation based on the minimum hourly rate ie. $50 per hour.

The Calculation:

15 hours x $50 per hour = $750 per brochure
2 brochures per week = $1,500 per week.
$1500 per week x 52 weeks per year = $78,000.

That's an income of $78,000 per year, working just 30 hours per week.

Now of course, we know that bringing in the business takes time and energy. But that's what the other 10 hours per week is for. If you invest just 2 hours per day on finding new clients (we give you step-by-step instructions in the course on how to do this) you will easily find 2 new clients a week.

C. Why should I choose the Australian School of Copywriting?

1. Do you offer a 100% Money-Back Guarantee?

a. Home Study course:

Yes, absolutely. Rest assured, if within 6 months of receiving the pack you don't think the course will fast-track your copywriting career, just send us back the pack and we'll refund your money back, no hassles.

b. Seminar Course:
Yes, absolutely. If at any stage during the seminar course you feel that the course doesn't give you what you need to fast-track your copywriting career, just tell the tutor and we'll refund your money back, no hassles.

Our guarantees are iron-clad. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

100% Money Back Guarantee

2. How can I trust that the course is what you say it is?

The course has been successfully running since 2001. It is approved and endorsed by MU Student Union Ltd, a fully-owned subsidiary company of The University of Melbourne, the NSW Writer's Centre and the Victorian Writer's Centre.

However, we know that investing money in an unknown course is a risk you don't want to take. So why not take a few moments to read the testimonials from people who've already done the course.These are genuine, word for word testimonials. All testimonials are provided voluntarily, without payment, inducement or other benefit. They are all genuine students from the Copywriting: Writing For Profit seminar.

Testimonial:
You can also view some Video Testimonials if you to prefer to watch live footage.

"I have a very young baby and wanted to work from home, be stimulated and hopefully earn good money.

"I've always loved writing and thought this course could get me started on a new career. It was fantastic. I learnt a lot about both general and specific areas of advertising, marketing, and business.

"It gave me the skills to have the confidence to start freelance work as a copywriter straight away. The client I was introduced to for the final assessment was really impressed with my work and phoned me later to say that they would like to hire me.

The course finished on a Saturday and I had my first paid job that Monday!"
- Kate Fennessy

3. Is the course accredited?

There's an old saying ‘you're only as good as your last ad'.

It might be a cliché but it's true. You will be employed as a copywriter because you create great ads, not because you have a degree in Marketing or a Masters in Creative Writing or any other topic for that matter.

In fact it's one of the few professions where a degree is not required. That's refreshing because it means anyone can become a copywriter, irrespective of their age, experience, background and educational history (or lack of it).

The copywriting industry is one of the few industries that does not have a formal accreditation body recognised by the Australian Government's training authority. Employment is given to copywriters based on their experience and the quality of work in their portfolio.

D. How will this course help me get work?

1. Will you help me get clients?

Yes, absolutely. That's where the Guest Client Exercise comes in.

For the seminar course:
As part of the Seminar course, you will be introduced to your first client via the ‘Guest Client Exercise'.

This process imitates the real-life client/copywriter relationship, and it's the process you'll follow when you leave the course and find your own clients.

Think of it as a ‘dress rehearsal' for when you sit down face-to-face with your first paying client.

For the Home Study course:
Those enrolled in the Home Study course will be given sample letters, sample telephone scripts, templates and one-on-one coaching to help source your first client.

The Guest Client exercise is the highlight of the course and the vehicle through which you can apply the theory you've learnt.

If you have trouble finding clients to work with, don't worry, we will assist you in finding suitable clients to work on.

The Guest Client Exercise. This is how it works.

Seminar Course: We invite a selection of business owners to come to two sessions of the course. We choose clients who need to create some advertising material for their business. You will be allocated to one of these clients.

Home Study Course: We'll guide you towards approaching a series of small businesses that have a need for copywriting work. (We'll show you how to find those who need copywriting work done). You'll have telephone scripts, sample letters and step-by-step instructions on how to complete this task with ease and confidence.

Once you have been allocated/sourced your Guest Client, you will then take a brief from your client.

Based on that brief, you'll create two pieces of copywriting for them. At the final session, you'll present that work to the client in a professional setting whereby they'll give you feedback.

This Guest Client Exercise is what sets the course apart from any other course on offer.

It serves 4 purposes:

1. It allows you to put everything you've learnt in previous sessions into practice.

2. It introduces you to a living, breathing client so that you get to fully experience what it's like to take a brief, do the research, write a piece of copy from scratch and then present it to them face-to-face. It's a highly revelatory exercise because suddenly it's not theory anymore, it's real and your learning curve goes off the graph.

3. It gives you the confidence to know exactly what to do when you finish the course. You'll have experienced a real-life copywriter-client relationship so you get to make your mistakes (or ‘learnings' as we like to call them) in a safe, fun environment. We can take you from a being novice to feeling like a pro in just a few weeks.

4. You get to put the work you created in your portfolio, so when you leave the course, you'll have at least two pieces for your portfolio.

Students embrace the Guest Client Exercise because it enables them to really step up and show what they're capable of.

Note: On many occasions, the client has liked the work so much, they've used it as real advertising for their business. (We don't guarantee this as an outcome but it's certainly occurred on many occasions, and the student has gone on to do paid work for that client when the course finished.)

2. Do I need a portfolio?

A portfolio is simply a ‘scrapbook' containing samples of work that you've created.

It's also known as a ‘book'. If you're looking to work in an advertising agency, it'll be one of the most important tools you can have as a copywriter. Why? Because people will employ you based on the quality of work in your portfolio.

As we've said earlier, copywriters aren't required to have a formal education or qualification so the only way to demonstrate experience and knowledge is by creating a portfolio.

For those looking to get work in an advertising agency, the portfolio is the first thing Creative Directors will want to see and they will base their assessment of you on that.

If you want to work freelance, it's still important, but not as much, because people will hire you often on first impressions and on how confidently you present as a copywriter. That means having a business card, knowing what questions to ask the client, being confident in taking a creative brief and charging an appropriate amount in a professional manner.

3. How do I get a portfolio if I don't have any experience?

The old chicken and the egg scenario.

It's quite simply really.

You search for newspaper or magazine advertisements that you think are terrible. Then you re-write them using what you've learnt. You then put the old ad and the new ad in your portfolio. Voila! Instant portfolio.

The secret you'll learn is that you don't need to have your work published or produced for it to go into your portfolio. You may like to choose a product you love and then write a radio ad for it or a direct mail letter.

Either way, what's important is that you create something you think will capture a Creative Director's attention. We show you how to do all this in the course as well as show you some provocative methods for getting an appointment to see the Creative Director.

4. Will the course help me create work for my portfolio?

Absolutely.

The raison d'etre of the course is to provide you with the skills to get on-going, well-paid copywriting work. That's why the focus of the course is so practical.

Yes, there's theory (that's vital when you're learning something new) but we back it up with extensive practical exercises so that you get to apply what you've learnt.

The course is highly experiential because it's the only way to really understand the mechanics of copywriting. We can talk about writing until we're blue in the face but until you start applying pen to paper, it's just academic.

You will leave the course with a minimum of two pieces of work for your folio but most students will have at least five or six pieces.

5. What is the career path for a copywriter?

For many graduates of the course, they want to start making money through freelance work as soon as possible.

For others, they want to start looking for work in an advertising agency.

Others simply want to sit back and let the experience sink in.

If you're looking to get into an advertising agency, you might want to consider Award School. This is a training programme that provides in-depth copywriting training within an ad agency environment. It's extremely competitive and hard to get into it, and there is a fee, but it's worth trying out for.

A number of our graduates have gained entry into Award School and have used the ‘Copywriting: Writing for Profit' short course as a ‘training ground' to fine-tune their entry. Our tutors are only too happy to assist with giving feedback on Award entries. Students are also given class time to pitch their idea to the group to see which concept they should submit.

"Brilliant! I found all sessions really valuable...the most commercially
rewarding four weeks I have ever spent. I have now found a lucrative
means of making money."
- Ben Keenan

(Ben is now a full-time copywriter at Grey Worldwide Advertising.
Where Are They Now.

6.Will the course help me get work in an advertising agency?

Why not? It's a glamorous, fun and stimulating place to work. But you'll still need to get some runs on the board as a freelancer before you start knocking on their doors. That, or get a job as the mail room lackey or the receptionist.

In the course, you'll learn how to:

get your foot in the door of an advertising agency
put an impressive portfolio together (even if you've never had a client to work on)
secure an interview with those hard-to-reach Creative Directors
source work experience
source a job in an entry level position within an advertising agency
find out where the copywriting jobs are advertised (hint: not in the mainstream papers or Seek.com)
maximize your chances of getting accepted into industry training programmes like Award School and other competitions

One of the best ways to get work in an advertising agency is to get some experience working on small business clients. This means you'll be able to offer the advertising agencies something of value - your experience, skill and a comprehensive portfolio.
---------------------------------------------------------

E. What will I get for my money when I enrol?

1. What will I get for my money when I enrol?

a) Home Study:

A professional, working copywriter as your Copywriting Coach.
3 hours of one-on-one personal business coaching from a professional copywriter (4 x 45-minute Coaching Calls).
Scripts and coaching to help you find your first client (Guest Client exercise).
A 750-word "Copywriting Bible" covering everything you need to know (see the Chapter Outlines).
Regular email advice of "Job Alerts" (these are opportunities to pitch for paid work and work placement openings).
Access to "The Vault", a collection of hundreds of free online resources you can use to give away to clients and prospects to build your business.
Free listing on the "Copywriter for Hire" webpage.
Membership of The Copy Club, entitling you to discounted seminars, business coaching, social networking opportunities, access to other graduates and more.
A Certificate of Completion.
A 220-page ebook of transcripts of the seminar course. If you missed a session or you need a reminder of what happened you'll have all the information in your hands.
A 24-page ebook "101 Ways to Become a Highly Paid Copywriter".
A 16-page ebook "How to Write Websites That Work (Really!)".
A seat at a 3-hour Group Coaching Teleclass. You won't be left high and dry, wondering what to do next when you finish the course.

This is unique.

No other course offers this level of personal attention and guidance.

b) Seminar Course:

Professional, working copywriters as tutors.
Intense, high-energy seminar style lectures in a Four Star hotel.
30 hours of face-to-face tuition.
Introduction to your first client (Guest Client exercise).
A 750-word "Copywriting Bible" covering everything you need to know (see the Chapter Outlines).
Personal one-on-one business coaching for the duration of the course.
Regular email advice of "Job Alerts" (these are opportunities to pitch for paid work and work placement openings).
Access to "The Vault", a collection of hundreds of free online resources you can use to give away to clients and prospects to build your business.
Free listing on the "Copywriter for Hire" webpage.
Membership of the The Copy Club, entitling you to discounted seminars, business coaching, social networking opportunities, access to other graduates and more.
A Certificate of Completion.
A 220-page ebook of transcripts of the seminar course. If you missed a session or you need a reminder of what happened you'll have all the information in your hands.
A 24-page ebook "101 Ways to Become a Highly Paid Copywriter".
A 16-page ebook "How to Write Websites That Work (Really!)".
A seat at a 3-hour Group Coaching Teleclass. You won't be left high and dry, wondering what to do next when you finish the course.

2. Will I get feedback on my work?

Home Study Course:

Yes, you will receive extensive feedback via the coaching calls.

This is what sets us apart from many other Home Study courses on the market.

Once you have enrolled, you will be given the direct phone number and email address of your Copywriting Coach. You will liaise directly with her to set up your coaching calls so that it fits in with your schedule and existing commitments.

You will be given 4 sessions x 45-minute coaching calls over the phone, plus email support, so that when you've completed an exercise, you have the chance to jump on the phone and ask the tutor for feedback.

That's THREE hours of personal, one-on-one coaching. That is worth the cost of the course alone!

It is virtually impossible to improve as a copywriter if you don't have an expert helping you along the way, guiding you and advising you on how you can improve your work.

There is no time frame for when your coaching takes place - it is your choice as to when each coaching call occurs. You will probably receive more one-on-one attention in the Home Study course than you would if you attended the seminar course. You can get feedback not just on course material, but on any material that you may be working on.

This is an extraordinary level of personal service that is unmatched by any other company offering a similar course. It's like your very own personal coach helping you get to where you want to go.

And the coaching is not just related to the copywriting. If you need help getting clients, networking, managing an existing client relationship, you can ask for help in these areas too.

Your copywriting coach is not just a highly experienced copywriter but a professional Business Coach as well. Her time is regularly billed out at over $300 per hour to the top CEOs of some of Australia's largest companies. You will receive her skills, attention and coaching expertise for a fraction of that cost.

And you get the bonus of a 3-hour Group Coaching Teleclass that'll help you set specific goals and targets that'll help you build your copywriting business.

Seminar Course:

Yes, you will get feedback.

In fact, you are encouraged to seek it on an on-going basis throughout the course.

We're happy to give feedback on work that you've created in class, as well as work that you initiate on your own behalf plus work that you might be doing for your employer. We give you as much feedback time as you need in order for you take your work to the next level.

We still get phone-calls and emails from students seeking feedback who completed the course two years ago! We're delighted to help because it means our graduates are getting work and getting paid.

And you get the bonus of a 3-hour Group Coaching Teleclass that helps you maintain the momentum that's created during the 5-week course.

3. Is there a manual?

Yes. You will receive a comprehensive, 750-page Copywriting Manual containing extensive information on everything covered in the course as well as lots of topics not covered in the course. This manual will be a continuous learning tool for you once the course has finished. It gives you tips, shortcuts, samples, templates, advice, instructions and loads of other information that will fast-track your writing so you can get the job done quickly and professionally.

4. Do I get a certificate?

Yes. When you complete the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

For Home Study students, you need to submit 4 assignments of your choice to receive the Certificate of Completion. There is no deadline for when these assignments need to be submitted.

F. How can I get started and how does it all work?

1. When can I start the course?

a) Home Study Course: You can start anytime. There is no deadline for joining. Enrol now.
b) Seminar Course: Check the website for dates and venues. Enrol now.

We suggest you start as soon as possible so that you can get your copywriting career underway and start generating the income you know you're capable of earning.

2. How long does it take to finish the Home Study Course?

There is no timeframe or deadline for when you need to finish the course. You can complete it at a time and pace suitable to you.

Here's an estimate as to how long it will take to finish the Home Study course.

There are 21 chapters (Course Chapters) and 27 assignments in total. Most exercises can be completed in 20-60 minutes. Some may take a little less, some a little longer. Assuming the average exercise takes 40 minutes, the course assignments will take you about 18 hours. This does not include reading time for each chapter.

What's important to note is that this course is self-directed, meaning that you determine at what pace you proceed, and you determine how much you achieve.

We will support you in whatever way you want to go. You want action now? Fine. We'll get you up and running in no time.

You want to take your time and complete it around other commitments? Great. We'll work with you at that pace as well.

3. How will I receive the Home Study materials?

You will receive them in a bound folder, sent to your nominated address by Australia Post mail.

4. How will I send back my Home Study assignments?

You can send them back via fax, email or by post.

You do not need to submit each assignment for feedback.

You decide which pieces of work you would like assessed and the Copywriting Coach will give you specific feedback on any area of interest to you. If you would like to receive the Certificate, you will need to submit a minimum of 4 pieces of work for assessment.

For example, if you wanted to get work in an advertising agency, your coaching session may revolve around getting your Portfolio together and writing a fabulous resume.

If you were looking for paid work in your local area, your coaching session may involve some structured tasks that will generate new business for you.

Or you may just like to work in the very popular and lucrative area of website copywriting so you could use your coaching sessions to get specific feedback on that topic.

It's up to you. That's what makes the course so personal and customized.

5. How will I make contact with my Copywriting Coach?

Upon enrolment, you will be given your Coach's private landline number, mobile and email address. You will liaise with her directly to schedule your coaching calls.

6. How do I get started?

You need to enrol. Then you need to read Chapter One. This will tell you everything you need to know to get started. It gives you step by step instructions on how the course is structured, how to contact your Copywriting Coach and how to proceed throughout the course. It helps to have a basic computer and access to email and the internet, although this is not vital.

7. How long does the Seminar course go for?

There are 10 sessions in total, held over 5 weeks ie. 2 sessions per week.
Each session lasts for 3 hours.
Face to face tuition time is 30 hours. (10 sessions x 3 hours)

8. What should I bring to the Seminar course?

Just yourself.

Everything is provided including complimentary tea, coffee, iced water, pens, notepaper and mints.

G. Miscellaneous questions about anything and everything:

1. Why do I need to learn copywriting? Can't I just get pick it up as I go?

Yes, you could, but it would take a heckuva long time to become good at it.

With copywriting, time is money. The quicker you can write, the more you'll be paid. Simple as that. So it makes sense to learn some of the rules and conventions that'll enable you to write quickly and succinctly every time.

Despite popular belief, copywriting is not creative writing.

You can't just write what you want.
You can't just come up with a few vague ideas and hope they'll work.
You can't just fake it.

Copywriting has strict guidelines and very specific protocols that need be followed. Copywriting isn't difficult. But it is a skill and it needs to be learned.

You need to understand the:

role of a copywriter in the marketing process
constraints under which they work
formulas they use
templates they rely on to halve their writing time

2. English is not my first language. Is that a problem?

No, it's an asset. You'll need a working knowledge of English, but as long as you can communicate your ideas in the written form, it doesn't matter what language you speak.

For students in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, China, South Africa, Europe or the USA, you'll find that what you learn in the course is immediately transferable to your home country. Many of the ads we use in the book are either English, European or American.

The beauty of advertising is that the principles are universal. It doesn't matter what country you come from, the basis of advertising is the same, give or take a few cultural issues.

What's more, if you can speak another language, you may be able to get work with ethnic newspapers and translating companies. These organisations take an advertisement written in English and translate the concept into another language. This is highly specialised work and the demand is great for skilled copywriters who speak other languages.

3. I'm over 50 years of age. Can I still get work as a copywriter?

You certainly can.

Age is no barrier to getting work as a copywriter. Most people assume that advertising agencies only employ young, funky people. There is a grain of truth in that because some agencies prefer their Creatives to have a certain attitude and ‘look' that they believe is advantageous in securing and retaining clients.

But make no mistake, there are dozens of boutique agencies and business owners who seek mature people to work as copywriters.

It makes sense. If you're over 50, chances are you've had a fair degree of work and life experience. That experience is what makes a good writer. It also means that your former career might lend itself to your next career.

For example, if you've been a teacher or a lawyer, you would know a great deal about those industries. One of our students was a teacher so he decided to target the education sector as a source of clients. Same with the lawyer. She went back to her old law firm and asked if she could write their staff newsletter and corporate brochure. They said yes.

There's work for everyone if you think laterally and have the right attitude.

4. What types of people do the course?

People from all walks of life do the course.

This is a list of occupations of those who've recently done the course:

Scientist	Retired Manager
Advertising Manager	Corporate Development Manager
Journalist	Masseuse
Theatre producer	Training Manager
Teacher	Young Mum
Truck Driver	TV Actor
Computer Analyst	Event Co-ordinator
Marketing Manager	Photographer
Architect	University Student
Vollyball Coach	Call Centre Operator
Product Manager	...the list goes on.

We've had people aged 18 to 65 do the course.

We've also found that it's an excellent course for those who are just looking to dip their toe in the water and see if copywriting is for them.

Why enrol in a longer, more expensive course when you can get an intensive, hands-on, practical experience in five weeks? You'll know by the end of the course whether copywriting is for you.

5. Do I need any qualifications or experience to do the course?

No. The course is open to everyone and there are no pre-requisites. The course is great for those with no experience in copywriting at all as we teach you everything you need to get started and to get out there earning money.

It's also very useful for those who already write brochures or advertisements for their employer or for those business owners who don't want to hire an expensive advertising agency to do their copywriting.

6. I live outside of Australia. Can I still do the Home Study course?

Yes. You can live anywhere in the world and do this course. The course is suitable for any English-speaking person. The examples we use are primarily English, European or American, and they are universal in theme and content so they'll make sense no matter what country you live in. We welcome applicants from all over the world. You will receive the same level of feedback and attention as those who live in Australia.

We recommend you buy a Phone Card or sign up to Skype or another VoIP service to minimize your Coaching Call costs. You can also receive your Coaching Calls via email.

7. Do I need to be able to draw or use graphic design packages?

No. Most copywriters can't draw a straight line.

And if they do have to communicate using a visual, they generally use stick figures, which is perfectly acceptable in the advertising industry. Clients don't expect copywriters to be able to draw.

Most copywriters also don't know how to use graphic design packages. It's not necessary and it's certainly not expected of you.

Having said that, if you are able to use design packages such as In Design, Publisher or Quark, it's a bonus because you will able to offer your clients a graphic design service as well as a copywriting service, and that means more income for you.

8. Do I need a computer to do the course?

You do not need a computer to do the course. You do need to be able to produce written work in some format but a word processor is not a requirement so long as the work is readable.

If you were to seriously consider getting work as a writer, you would need a basic Mac or PC as clients wouldn't accept hand-written work under any circumstances.

9. I'm a bad speller. Does that matter?

A good writer is not necessarily a great speller.

If you're a bad speller there are a number of ways to deal with the issue.

Firstly, you can use spell-check but we certainly don't recommend you rely on it. The best strategy is to give your copy to a trusted associate who can spell and have them check it over for you.

It's wise to have a third party review your work anyway, so you're really killing two birds with one stone.

10. Do I need to be able to type?

No. Most copy is quite short in length so there's no need to be a touch typist. Accuracy and good attention-to-detail is vital, however.

11. Advertising is a force for evil. Why would I want to contribute to that?

Advertising's had some bad press over the years. For good reason. It needs to take some responsibility for encouraging us to buy all those products we don't need; enticing children to scoff more lollies when they should be kicking the football; persuading us to buy an Alessi kettle when a perfectly good Sunbeam would do.

But advertising can be a force for good too.

Consider the changes people have made to their lifestyles over the years as a result of these memorable campaigns: Life Be In It, Quit Smoking, Grim Reaper, TAC, Save Water, Keep Australia Beautiful.

What's more, as a freelance copywriter, you have complete control over what clients you work with. If you don't like a product, a service or the company who makes them, you simply say "Thank you, but no."*

*If you work for an advertising agency, you may be called upon to work for and with people whose values conflict with yours. Only you can decide what's right for you.

12. Why is Copywriting one of the Top Ten home-based businesses?

If you want to create the lifestyle that gives you freedom and control over your time and pay packet, there is no better way to make money from home than being a freelance copywriter.
Here's why:

1. You can work as much, or as little as you like.
2. It can be part-time or full-time.
3. It pays very well (experienced copywriters charge a minimum of $80 per hour), it's creative, requires a high degree of focus, has variety, is intellectually demanding and you get to meet fascinating people.
4. You decide how much you earn.
5. You decide what clients you take on.
6. You decide what time of the day you work.
7. You can work wherever you like (home, the beach, or a café) and you can fit it in around your other commitments.
8. You'll never have to deal with the peak hour madness, idiotic bosses you neither respect nor like or work for pay rates that are an absolute joke.
9. You have the satisfaction of working for yourself. Even better, you don't need to invest in expensive equipment to get started - a computer and phone are all you need. You can start right away.
10. If you like variety, short term assignments and project-style work, you'll love being a copywriter.

13. Final Thoughts:

If you have an inkling that you have what it takes to be a copywriter, we strongly recommend you act on that instinct, take the plunge and enrol in the course of your choice.

You can be reassured that if you don't think the course will help accelerate your copywriting career, you will receive your money back. There is no risk.

There is a treasure trove of copywriting business out there waiting to be picked up by people just like you.

Small businesses are crying out for well-trained, professional copywriters to help them write their copy. They just don't know where to find them! We show you how to find them so you can start earning a six-figure income as a copywriter.

What are you waiting for? Now is the time to strike, to take action and enrol in a course that could very well change the direction of your business career, and your life. Enrol now.

Phone: (03) 9 372 0800
Mobile: 0419891932 (preferred)
Email: info@copyschool.com

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