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