My first real exposure to copywriting was writing credit card statement bill stuffers for a clothing manufacturer in the heart of NYC’s garment center.

But the real work began when I cut my teeth in the direct marketing business as a direct mail B2B copywriter. Over time, though, it’s been interesting to see how these fundamental skills have been used and can be used in different ways.

Sometimes I simply follow the trail from an interesting blog or news post or email I receive. Other times, a client may ask, "Roberta, can you …?" Most of the time I say yes.

Let’s consider the traditional business/marketing communications writing activities that make logical line extensions of what you’re already doing as a copywriter:

articles … press releases/press kits … collateral pieces …  web content … pay-per-click ads … spec sheets … case studies … white papers … speech writing/presentations … telemarketing scripts … and one of my favorites, resumes/cover letters

We know these. Perhaps you write some or even all of these from time to time. But, as Peggy Lee used to sing, "Is that all there is …?"

Nah, we can have fun, too, and generate additional income. Let’s see what else you could be doing with all that marcomm talent for cash $$$:

• How about helping organizations create jazzy domains? Pickydomains.com might be worth a look.
• How about helping folks make love connections with spiffy personal ads? I found two places looking for writers: PersonalsTrainers.com and Dating-Profile.com
• How about writing corporate/organizational slogans? I think most slogans I’ve read are vague, flabby and worthless. You could do better - here’s a starting point at LousyWriter.com
• How about writing articles for Helium or Associated Content?

Of course, there are many, many places you can write for free or contribute your work for free. I do occasional children’s book reviews for Blogcritics.org when the moment strikes me and I want to stretch and write something completely different for a while.

Even writing for free can reward you with visibility and nice SE linkage while reaching different audiences. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy guest blogger duties at Copyblogger. Perhaps there are blogs of interest you might want to volunteer a post or two.

Writers write, it’s what we do. So what else could you be writing? Tell the Maven and let’s share!

, copywriti