It's easier to start your freelance copywriting practice if you have experience at an ad agency or marketing firm. If you don't have this experience, the way to get jobs is to have a "book" (portfolio of past work) that blows away potential clients.
How do you get this work? Seize any opportunity you can to write persuasive copy. Some ideas:
- Volunteer for a political or public-service campaign.
- Write copy for businesses owned by friends or family.
- Take advertising-related classes and treat every assignment as a chance to build up your book.