How Chintan Zalani created an international copywriting business from home
I am always thrilled when a copywriting student alerts me to their success story. And Chintan Zalani has succeeded in so many ways.
In record time, he has built a successful copywriting business http://www.elitecopywriter.com/ , has broken into the international marketplace (working in his second language) and, although based in a developing country, commands US rates for his work. From writing for ‘pocket money’, Chintan has already commanded as much as $10,000 in a single month and paid as much as $1,539 for a single article.
It all began about twenty-four months ago when Chintan, a recently qualified electronics and instrumentation engineer based in Mumbai contacted me. He had already come to terms with the fact that he didn’t relish the idea of electronic engineering as a career, but loved the idea of writing. So much so that, as a student, he had begun writing for an Indian sports blog.
“Content mills and most blogs pay appallingly badly. In India, I had worked for as little as half a dollar for a 400 or 500-word article. Nevertheless, I recognised this would be an ideal way to hone my writing skills and to build a portfolio of work,” Chintan explains.
Unlike so many would-be writers, he quickly raised the bar by getting published in esteemed publications like Times of India and AOL Huffington Media group. Chintan was convinced of his worth, the only problem being that in India, companies don’t value professional copywriting, particularly not web copy.
Once embarked on his copywriting courses, Chintan contacted me for advice and it quickly became clear that he had strong writing ability and, most importantly for the international marketplace, he wrote English that was indistinguishable from a native speaker. He writes English ‘as she is spoken’.
At the start of his freelancing career, Chintan worked with iWriter - an online enterprise that works with large numbers of freelance writers to generate SEO-optimised web copy in volume.
Just months later, he works full time, specialising in long-form content. “Longer articles are so much more satisfying to research and to write. They attract a very different type of client; one who appreciates quality and is seeking articles that add value for their readers, as well as scoring strongly in Google searches.”
Goodbye half-dollar projects; Chintan was commanding $300 to $1400 and upwards per article, and making a respectable monthly income.
Then to make his mark in this new marketplace, Chintan began speculatively writing long posts as a guest writer for respected blogs. Again, with the aim of building his portfolio. Very quickly, he attracted a pool of clients paying for 2,000 – 5,000 word content. Goodbye half-dollar projects; Chintan was commanding $300 to $1400 and upwards per article, and making a respectable monthly income.
His secret, apart from innate ability and ambition, was quickly to start rejecting low-paid projects. Having built a strong body of high quality work, he was able to demonstrate to potential clients the significant business value of well-honed web copy.
Recently, Chintan was invited by a leading essay writing service, WriteMyEssays, to write essays for them. Now he helps students around the world.
CHINTAN’S TIPS
1. Put extra effort in your work - as much as this advice sounds clichéd, I’ve got referrals from clients and instructors even without asking. Most people put mediocre effort, and it reflects in their work.
2. Pitch huge blogs in your niche - getting published in traditional media publications is difficult. But gaining a berth on the biggest blogs in the world is easy. Don’t be afraid to send pitches and put your ideas out there on the best blogs in your niche.
In your guest post author bio, clearly and succinctly mention that you offer writing services. This exercise develops your portfolio, builds your confidence and gives you a shot at getting new clients.
3. Publish an expert roundup on your blog - this is a kind of post, compiling influencers and their best work. Additionally, it’s recommended to perform an outreach and get quotes from these influencers for your post.
You can subtly mention your writing services (on your blog and email signature). If the roundup is high-quality, a few influencers will come your way inquiring about your writing services. I’ve gotten three clients through a single roundup.
In record time, he has built a successful copywriting business http://www.elitecopywriter.com/ , has broken into the international marketplace (working in his second language) and, although based in a developing country, commands US rates for his work. From writing for ‘pocket money’, Chintan has already commanded as much as $10,000 in a single month and paid as much as $1,539 for a single article.
It all began about twenty-four months ago when Chintan, a recently qualified electronics and instrumentation engineer based in Mumbai contacted me. He had already come to terms with the fact that he didn’t relish the idea of electronic engineering as a career, but loved the idea of writing. So much so that, as a student, he had begun writing for an Indian sports blog.
“Content mills and most blogs pay appallingly badly. In India, I had worked for as little as half a dollar for a 400 or 500-word article. Nevertheless, I recognised this would be an ideal way to hone my writing skills and to build a portfolio of work,” Chintan explains.
Unlike so many would-be writers, he quickly raised the bar by getting published in esteemed publications like Times of India and AOL Huffington Media group. Chintan was convinced of his worth, the only problem being that in India, companies don’t value professional copywriting, particularly not web copy.
Once embarked on his copywriting courses, Chintan contacted me for advice and it quickly became clear that he had strong writing ability and, most importantly for the international marketplace, he wrote English that was indistinguishable from a native speaker. He writes English ‘as she is spoken’.
At the start of his freelancing career, Chintan worked with iWriter - an online enterprise that works with large numbers of freelance writers to generate SEO-optimised web copy in volume.
Just months later, he works full time, specialising in long-form content. “Longer articles are so much more satisfying to research and to write. They attract a very different type of client; one who appreciates quality and is seeking articles that add value for their readers, as well as scoring strongly in Google searches.”
Goodbye half-dollar projects; Chintan was commanding $300 to $1400 and upwards per article, and making a respectable monthly income.
Then to make his mark in this new marketplace, Chintan began speculatively writing long posts as a guest writer for respected blogs. Again, with the aim of building his portfolio. Very quickly, he attracted a pool of clients paying for 2,000 – 5,000 word content. Goodbye half-dollar projects; Chintan was commanding $300 to $1400 and upwards per article, and making a respectable monthly income.
His secret, apart from innate ability and ambition, was quickly to start rejecting low-paid projects. Having built a strong body of high quality work, he was able to demonstrate to potential clients the significant business value of well-honed web copy.
Recently, Chintan was invited by a leading essay writing service, WriteMyEssays, to write essays for them. Now he helps students around the world.
CHINTAN’S TIPS
1. Put extra effort in your work - as much as this advice sounds clichéd, I’ve got referrals from clients and instructors even without asking. Most people put mediocre effort, and it reflects in their work.
2. Pitch huge blogs in your niche - getting published in traditional media publications is difficult. But gaining a berth on the biggest blogs in the world is easy. Don’t be afraid to send pitches and put your ideas out there on the best blogs in your niche.
In your guest post author bio, clearly and succinctly mention that you offer writing services. This exercise develops your portfolio, builds your confidence and gives you a shot at getting new clients.
3. Publish an expert roundup on your blog - this is a kind of post, compiling influencers and their best work. Additionally, it’s recommended to perform an outreach and get quotes from these influencers for your post.
You can subtly mention your writing services (on your blog and email signature). If the roundup is high-quality, a few influencers will come your way inquiring about your writing services. I’ve gotten three clients through a single roundup.
