Sell Yourself With a Verbal Tagline By Krista Jones

I have to admit, I wasn't always comfortable telling people that I'm a copywriter.

When someone asked me what I do, I'd hem and haw and say something like, "Well, uh, I'm a copywriter. Not the kind that gives you a copyright for a book, but…" Anyway, it was embarrassing!

So what do you say when someone asks you what you do?

If you want someone to hire or refer you, you have to be able to say what you do quickly and confidently without stumbling over your words. Come up with a 30 second response that…

1. Answers the question they're asking
2. Sends the message that you're open for business
3. Gets them to ask you more questions

Trust me, you'll feel much more confident when you have a preplanned answer.

For instance, you could say something like, "I'm a freelance copywriter. I write direct response sales letters that help my clients increase their business." And you can even add, "I write primarily for (financial publishers, fundraisers, health markets, etc) but I'm also interested in…"

• At this point, most people will want to know more and that's where you can really shine. Here are some tips for coming up with a response that will etch your name in their minds:
• Do some soul-searching. Figure out what kinds of products and services you'd enjoy selling as a copywriter. Be true to yourself – because if you're not excited by or interested in the product, believe me, it will come through in your copy.
• Think about the service you provide. Come up with a few words that describe what you do best and include them in your response. Remember, this isn't about you. You want to tell your prospect what you can do for him.
• Get to the point quickly. This will show that you know what you're doing. After all, your job is to help your clients get their messages across in a compelling way.

Once you've formulated your "tagline" or "pitch," be sure to practice saying it. It should flow from your lips naturally and with confidence. And when it does, you'll definitely increase your chances of finding clients!