| One of the best ways to make contact with ad | | | | going to be using it again. |
| agencies is to simply look in your local phone book if | | | | Be aware of one of the first rules of working for an |
| you're in a city large enough to have ad agencies. If | | | | agency: never, ever try to generate work directly with |
| you're in a small town, you will be doing all of your ad | | | | their client. That will put you on their hit list, you will |
| agency work virtually, from your home or office, even | | | | never get any more work from them, and they will |
| though the ad agency may be thousands of miles | | | | bad-mouth you to all of their ad agency friends. |
| away. | | | | Always go through the agency for any contact with |
| If you are in a larger city, the phone book is an easy | | | | the client, unless they ok beforehand your contacting |
| way to get started. Simply call up and ask who the | | | | the client directly if you have questions. |
| creative director or owner is and see if you can get | | | | Another way to develop work with ad agencies is |
| their email. You'll want to work up a really nice | | | | networking at business events where they might be. |
| introductory email, with a little of your background, your | | | | Business expos, chamber coffees, and other events |
| experience and no more than two examples of your | | | | will give you a chance to make a quick pitch (make |
| writing. Don't forget to include all of your contact info | | | | sure you practice!) and give them a business card. |
| as well-if they are in need you don't want to have | | | | Often they will say that they don't have anything right |
| them searching all over for you! | | | | now, but that they will keep your information for the |
| The pay rate for freelance writers for ad agencies is | | | | future. If you haven't heard from them (you did get |
| pretty good as well. Most of the time you can expect | | | | their business card didn't you?) in about three months, |
| from $25 to $75 per hour; it simply depends on your | | | | drop them an email or a short letter just to let them |
| experience and what you can show them to justify a | | | | know you are still alive and kicking. Just remember not |
| higher pay rate. If you are a rookie, you probably won't | | | | to be pushy with ad agencies; if they have work, it is |
| get very far; agencies can't afford on the job training | | | | to their benefit to have a good freelance writer |
| for you. They need seasoned professionals that are | | | | available when they need you. If you push too hard |
| ready to go 'right out of the box.' | | | | you can just about be guaranteed not to get any |
| One of the first things you need to do is sign a | | | | work! |
| freelance contract with the agency so that there are | | | | Any time you are being paid by the hour and/or you |
| no misunderstandings. Most agencies will have one | | | | have expenses that the agency might reimburse |
| handy, but if not, make sure that you have one ready. | | | | (make sure they are spelled out in the beginning), you |
| They are pretty simple affairs that spell out the pay | | | | must, simply must keep good records. Make up a log |
| rate, the work, general agency guidelines that might | | | | where you can list your start and end times, the |
| apply to you, and the expected completion date for a | | | | project, and the total number of hours. Without good |
| particular project. Sometimes they will want to sign a | | | | documentation, getting paid what you are due will be |
| general contract that doesn't reference a particular | | | | one big hassle that you really don't need. And |
| project, but will be good for whatever work they might | | | | remember: never rely on your memory, write it down! |
| have for you to do now and in the future. | | | | Once you have a job for an agency under your belt, |
| Understand that almost all of the work you will do for | | | | continue networking with all of the agencies you can. It |
| an agency will be "work for hire" which means that | | | | will help you to build a reputation and be the source of |
| you won't own your output, they will. But is there really | | | | a lot of new business in the future. |
| any advantage for you to own the work you did for | | | | And that's what it's all about: marketing yourself and |
| the Ajax Dairy account? It's certainly not like you're | | | | gaining new business. |