| There are certain things you need to have to be able | | | | dial up services that cost less than 20 dollars and |
| to effectively do your work as a professional | | | | some that are free. The main problem with the free |
| freelance copywriter. Now, some of this stuff is | | | | services is that they tend to run constant advertising |
| expensive, so if you're running on a tight budget then it | | | | messages across your screen while you are |
| would make sense for you to try and buy some of | | | | connected. This could be very distracting. |
| these items used. As long as it is functional then you're | | | | 3. A Telephone. You need a phone to make and |
| alright. Once you begin to pull in more clients you'll be | | | | accept calls to and from your clients. I think that's fairly |
| able to afford an upgrade. | | | | obvious. I have two phones--a cell phone and a home |
| As a Freelance Copywriter You're going to need: | | | | phone. I use the home phone when I'm doing business |
| 1. A Computer. You can buy a laptop or a PC. These | | | | from my home office and when I'm out during business |
| days you can find a pretty reliable laptop for cheap. | | | | hours (at a coffee shop or library) I have my calls |
| Most places even offer some sort of monthly | | | | forwarded to my cell phone. That way I don't miss any |
| payment plan. I know my first laptop cost over $1,000 | | | | important calls. |
| but I only ended up making monthly payments of about | | | | 4. A Fax Machine. A fax machine is optional. But if you |
| $27. PCs are no different. The big retail electronic chain | | | | decide to purchase one it can help you be more |
| stores have reliable PCs for less than $500. And I'm | | | | productive. If you plan on using a copywriter's contract |
| sure they also offer payment plans. The computer is | | | | (discussed later in the manual) that you want signed by |
| your life in this business. Without my laptop I'd probably | | | | the client then it really helps to have a fax machine to |
| just waste away. It is the core. And always make | | | | send and receive it. Plus some clients haven't fully |
| sure to back up your information. I had a computer | | | | grasped attaching documents to emails so they insist |
| crash on me and I lost about 7 months worth of work | | | | on sending them via fax instead. If you have a |
| because I hadn't backed it up. So make sure you back | | | | document store nearby you can always use their |
| it up. | | | | faxmachine, but it is a slight hassle to have to go there. |
| 2. The Internet. I prefer high speed internet access | | | | It takes away from time you could use to be more |
| because I do a lot of my research online and with | | | | productive. |
| anything less I feel I wouldn't be able to be as | | | | 5. Various office supplies: |
| productive. However as budget allows, you may not | | | | - Desk |
| be able to afford it at first. Some cable providers have | | | | - Paper |
| specials where you can sign up for so many moths at | | | | - Pens |
| a discounted rate. I suggest you check and see. DSL is | | | | - File Cabinet |
| also an option. It's cheaper than cable (in most areas) | | | | - Folders |
| and is more widely available. Faster internet access is | | | | - Envelopes |
| great for my business but it's not a necessity. Once | | | | - Pads of paper (I like to use legal pads to take notes |
| again if you are running under a tight budget then you | | | | while on the phone with a client. |
| can go with less expensive options. There are many | | | | |