How do you get started copywriting in the online world?
It's not a requirement to have your own Web site, but it helps. With your own site, you can point prospective clients to work samples, and can show them that you know how the Web operates. They can also get an idea of your writing style. The biggest benefit of a Web site is that it's painless marketing. After the site has been up for a year or so, clients will come to you, you don’t have to hunt for work.
You can find Web writing work in many ways. The best way is to approach companies directly, with a proposal.
I've written about proposals here.
In that article I used the example of offering proofreading services to a site. This was ONLY meant as AN EXAMPLE. Please find some other service to offer to Web sites, like creating additional features, pages, autoresponder sequences, newsletters, and so on. The amount of money you make proofing sites won’t keep your canary in birdseed. :-)
You can also respond to online job ads. However, please be careful when responding to such ads. I've received several anguished yelps from writers who've been conned by rip-off artists. These characters get writers to write (and write and write), and when the writer sends an invoice, there's no payment.
If you have doubts about someone after Googling them (entering their company name into Google.com), check out Whispers and Warnings.
You can also post an enquiry on the discussion board.
