I often say that if you can write a coherent email message you can write copy, but this doesn't mean that you should take the requirements of this kind of writing lightly.
The more you strive to develop yourself and your skills, the better you'll get at writing copy. And the better you get at writing copy, and the more you market, the more copywriting clients you will get.
=> Develop yourself and your skills
You develop your copywriting skills in four ways: you find out as much as you can about how business works, you get passionate about writing copy, you write copy for free, and you write other stuff as well as copy.
==> Know how business works
The more you know about how business works, the better you'll be at writing copy.
Every area has a community college. Take some evening classes in small business development and marketing. Not only will you learn how to run your own small business, but you'll also get an insight into the way your clients think.
Read a couple of books on psychology. As a copywriter (or any kind of writer for that matter) your education never ends.
==> Get passionate about writing copy
Read magazine advertising with the same interest you read the articles. Read your junk mail.
If you call marketing and advertising agencies scouting for work, get interested in the people you're talking to. Ask questions.
Your own energy and drive, or the lack of it, will come through in whatever you write, so it's vital that you're enthusiastic about what you do.
==> Write copy for free, as practice for your portfolio, but NEVER give it away
Your motto should be: "if it's free, it's for me". Put your good work into your portfolio.
Many novice copywriters feel that they should do a couple of jobs pro bono, to get material for their portfolio. My feeling is that if you're going to write for free, write for your local church, or for your children's school, but don't write for companies for free.
The only time you should write for "free" is for self-promotion. In that case it's hardly for free, since it's advertising for your business.
==> Write other stuff as well
Get comfortable with other forms of writing as well. Every other kind of writing you do, whether it's short stories, novels, or magazine articles, will inform your copywriting skills.
=> Market
To market, to market. Marketing never ends, and it doesn't matter what kind of marketing you do, as long as you do it consistently.
==> Get on the books of editorial agencies
If you've had a few writing sales, even if they're not copywriting, get on the books of the editorial agencies in your area.
Some agencies are good, and others are pathetic, but it's worth getting on the books of as many as you hear about. Even if an agency only gets you one job a year, being on their books is useful for the number of contacts you can make.
Stuck in your writing career? Get a coach! Angela Booth coaches writers in copywriting (writing for business), nonfiction, and fiction. A veteran writer, published by major publishers worldwide, Angela is also an experienced writing teacher, who knows how to inspire and motivate. You CAN make a success of your writing career. Free daily info for writers at her blog: http://copywriter.typepad.com/ Start your writing coaching today by contacting Angela at her site http://angelabooth.com/ Angela offers personal one-on-one e-courses and mentoring for all forms of writing. Ask for a low-cost initial phone or email consultation.