Wannabe copywriters often check out my site for information relating to my services and fees. And quite right too! I still give my competitor's websites a 'gander' every now and then, in case they're doing something that I should be doing.

I receive many emails from students working towards their marketing or other media degrees, asking for a few tips about securing work in 'Copywriting Industry' I didn't realise we had an industry! If we have, it's surely a cottage industry because most copywriters are freelancers who work on their own and usually from home.

"Well what about advertising and marketing agencies?", They enquire. "Well what about them?", I ask. And so it goes on and on until they realise that a copywriter who works for a structured and institutional organisation, is a totally different animal to that of freelancer.

Institutional versus Freelance

So what are differences between them? There are many. Let's look at agency writer. He or she is likely a talented person with creative skills and a good command of English language. They will have learned, from their course work, psychology of selling, aspects of communication and how to write in a flowing and interesting style.

Each day, at agency office, they will work on their assignments, which have been delegated to them by their manager. Their work will be scrutinised by their manager or team leader, who, in interests of their company, will decide whether it's worthy of publication.

After a couple of years, doing similar 'run of mill' stuff, they may be offered opportunity of coming up with something completely original. All by themselves, with no guidance, un-tethered by their mentor. And, in interests of company, not to mention their job security, they will produce something as institutional as they have been doing previously. They'll play it safe. Well wouldn't you?

Eventually, their creative awareness and talent may break through institutional membrane and they'll want to move on. They'll want to do something for themselves. They may even become a freelancer.

A freelancer is just about anyone with a passion and a flair for writing. Some have started out on their career path by working for agencies, some have graduated in English and just feel 'qualified' to do job, whilst others come into 'industry' from a variety of other routes.

By whichever means, once they become a freelancer, they quickly learn to survive. To survive and prosper as a freelancer you must have ability to adapt, diversify and develop skill of writing in any and every style humanly possible. But there's more! You will have to meet deadlines, sometimes work for less than lower national wage limit and learn to turn your brain inside out. Sounds painful!

What does it all amount to? What's bottom line?

Let's summarise thus far. A copywriter working for an agency will work in a nice warm office with nice friendly colleagues, writing simple institutional letters, brochures, ads and information packs. They'll be paid somewhere between 18K to 26K, get 4 to 5 weeks annual paid holiday and get to slag off boss at office Christmas party.

Sounds pretty good to me. If you want to be a copywriter, I recommend you go down this path. It offers a good salary and a steady secure position.

The freelancer's life is not so clear cut. They mostly work on their own, write all kinds of stuff about everything and wonder where their next packet of fags is going come from. They only take short breaks, get stressed and slag everyone off at any party. They're self-employed, so have to keep accounts. They have to buy all their own stationery, stuff their own letters and post off their mailings. They have to advertise or even worse, they have to compete to sell their services for a pittance to unknown clients through some online freelance website. The pits! Sounds terrible doesn't it? Then why do we do it?

The uncovered truth about freelancing

Well, obviously I can't speak for everyone so I'll tell you why I do it and how I do it.

"Listen up"

The main reason I write for a living is because I love it. I've always been a creative person so writing comes as second nature. And let's face it, it's not very difficult to do.

Writing a press release may be, at first a very daunting task. A well written press release can give you exposure like you have never seen before. Depending on how and where you distribute your press release, you may receive exposure on radio, television or even front page of The New York Times! At 24-7pressrelease.com, our goal is to provide as much information to public on writing an effective press release. Content is Key We cannot stress enough importance of a well written press release.

When you write your press release, keep your target audience in mind. At same time, keep in mind that part of your audience will be an editor, reporter or journalist. This is important as these are individuals that will publish your story if it is interesting. This will give you extra arm of exposure that everyone hopes for.

Ensure that first paragraph of your press release answers important questions such as Who, What, When Where and Why. You have one sentence not to loose editor/journalist.

It is important that content within your press release is accurate, easily readable and to point. A well written press release does not need to be a novel. Remember point of a press release is to entice reader or journalist to contact you for further information. You do not need to tell your Companies entire life history. In fact, shorter press releases (usually between 175 – 300 words) tend to receive more exposure, if written well. Why? Because many trade publication journalists may be looking for a short informative piece to fill a spot within a column of a magazine, newspaper or web site. Have you ever seen short snip-its within side of a magazine, or down side of page on a web site. Guess where information comes from.

A carefully written and informative press release will be sure to capture eyes of journalists. Make sure you take your time, and edit your release carefully.

Do Not Embellish or Exaggerate Your Press Release Grammar As we already know a well written press release, with perfect timing will give you exposure everyone is looking for.

Now that you have written your press release, had it submitted for distribution and are receiving phone calls and emails about it, you will no doubt have some questions to be answered. If your press release is written with embellishments, you will lose credibility very quickly. You should be aware, that this loss of credibility will also carry over to future press releases. Journalists will remember a source. They will remember a name. They will remember a web site. If you leave a bad taste in their mouth, they will remember this experience. What does this mean? It means next time you submit a press release it will likely not be looked at if seen by same journalist/editor. They will remember you you’re your Company as someone that will embellish a story. Do not embellish or exaggerate your press release.

Make sure if you are using facts and figures to enhance your press release that you provide sources of these numbers where you can. The reason for this is simple. It adds credibility. If you publish figures or information that appears “to good to be true”, even though information is accurate, your story may not get picked up. Again, although completely innocent, this may appear stretching truth which also leaves possibility of future releases being overlooked.

If information is true, and you cannot back it up, if possible go conservative and inform them when they contact you. This may not always be possible, but remember, you do not want to turn a journalist/editor off.

Grammar Make sure that your press release has been read, edited and re-read before submission. A poorly written press release will be a fast turn off for any journalist or editor. A poorly written press release will also be a negative reflection for any Company.

By double checking your release, you will hopefully catch any grammatical errors. Although some of best writers will occasionally miss grammatical errors or typos, by making sure you read, edit and re-read your press release, you drastically reduce chance for error.

Print your press release. By printing your press release and reading a paper copy, you are more likely to catch any errors. This works great for press releases that may be a little on longer side.

Have a co-worker or friend review your press release. Sometimes another set of eyes may catch an error. Although you may have read and re-read your work, sometimes when you are extremely focused, you may tune an error out.