Product Description

This book unlocks one of the great secrets about copywriting by revealing the vast range of opportunities that exist outside the world of TV advertising. The author shows how good writers are always in demand by companies and their agencies to tackle the mountain of brochures, mailers, letters and PR material they need to saty in business. With the help of this book, would-be writers, as well as establihsed writers and journalists, can learn more about this lucrative line of work and how to break into it. The author covers markets, briefings, style techniques, concepts and campaign development as well as practical aspects of freelance work such as handling invoices and organising your workload.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #126503 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Review
'Once you understand the tricks of the trade, copywriting can be a fascinating form of writing - and one more highly paid than most. Diana Wimbs explains how it is done, and also shows how to find clients and to grow your own copywriting business.' Writing Magazine (September 2007)

Customer Reviews

Informative guide for new copywriters
With little prior knowledge of the copywriting industry, I found this book a useful insight into the use and importance of copywriting in the advertising world. Diana Wimbs provides a good demonstration of technical terms and the correct context to use them. I found this, together with the working 'test pieces', extremely useful into gaining an insight into this subject. In particular chapter four, which goes into detail about each type of copy, is important in providing new copywriters with a solid background of every type of copy they may be asked to create.

Even though this book in entitled 'Freelance Copywriting' there is not much evidence of information being directed as working as a freelance copywriter. Chapter nine: 'Getting in the money' does deal with invoicing and tax, yet there is a lot more information could have been included specifically about freelancing. Even though throughout the book Diana Wimbs provides 'test pieces' of copy, there is no example of how to write letters to approach possible clients for work. No matter how good the reader is at writing copy, it is irrelevant if they never get past the stage of catching the client's attention.

I feel that even though the book was informative, Diana Wimbs would satisfy a wider audience by homing in on the title of the book - Freelance Copywriting. Chapter eight (In other words...'Plain English' Writing) could easily have been replaced with a chapter containing detailed examples of starting a freelance career. The copywriting aspect of the book is dealt with efficiently but there is not enough help for readers starting out as freelance copywriters.

Overall, the book provides an informative background on which to base a career in copywriting. It works as an enticing introductory guide and will provide a useful reference for readers who embark on a career in freelance copywriting.

An excellent starting point...
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As someone who has just taken an interest in copywriting, I found this book very practical and stimulating. There seems to be much US based literature on the subject - but very little in the way of the British market. Wimbs has addressed this issue.

I would recommend it to anyone just starting out in this line of work. I plan on keeping it handy and no doubt - will refer to it often.

OK but pretty basic
The book is well written, but does not really go into the practical nuts and bolts of how to get copywriting business. As an introduction it is very good, but those with a little knowledge of copywriting will want someting a little more in depth.