How would an Aspie fair with Copywriting and Advertising?

[Greatshield17]

I'm about to start some gigs on fiverr, and in addition to content writing gigs, I'm thinking of starting up an easy advertising gig, (pamphlet making or the like) and perhaps even a copywriting one. I've recently heard that simple advertising gigs are an easy way for a beginner to make money on fiverr, and while looking into content writing and how to do that, I've learned that becoming a copywriter is the best way to make a lot of money as an online writer. Copywriting is basically advertising and marketing via writing.

However since advertising and marketing require social skills, I wonder if I'll be at a disadvantage with these gigs. Would an Aspie have difficulties in this area? I am certainly leaning towards waiting in regards to copywriting, at least until I have gained more experience with content writing in general.

 

[Progster]

I used to know someone who used to copywrite professionally, and the biggest issue he had with it was deadlines. He worked for a crowdsourcing site and had to work many hours a day just to make a decent living from it, or at short notice. He was under quite a bit of pressure. But if you are freelancing or working from Fiverr, I guess you can set your own terms and prices.

I do proofreading. It's seasonal work and I have a new contract with an agency that employs me every year. This is something that works out well for me, as they are short (about 1/2 hour of work) and don't overwhelm me, and I'm given plenty of time to complete them. I always make a point of completing them before the deadline and sending them within 24 hours, and I know that they appreciate that. I could never make a living from proofreading alone, though.

 

[Judge]

However since advertising and marketing require social skills, I wonder if I'll be at a disadvantage with these gigs. Would an Aspie have difficulties in this area?

Good question.

In most cases I suspect this would be the case and on a daily basis. Though it does bring up a very basic question for those on the spectrum, relative to most jobs.

- One's ability to successfully and routinely interact with others. I spent nearly two decades employed in such a capacity in the insurance industry. It wasn't easy.

Conversely I've had jobs as a delivery truck driver, website designer and personal investor where I blissfully worked alone most of the time. Gave me a lot of perspective over this question, and how much I value the notion of working as a "lone wolf". But as I stated above, most jobs usually involve working with others to varying degrees where it may be unavoidable.

So yeah- it's a critical question for we on the spectrum to consider.

 

[Au Naturel]

The actual copywriting and marketing isn't the problem. There is also a lot of market analysis that is really statistics, demographics and psychographics, and product testing. Pen and clipboard stuff. None of this is difficult just because you are Aspie. I got an AA in Advertising with really good grades after failing miserably at computer science.

For me, the problem was that these tended to be highly social environments. Often you start off in the mailroom and make yourself useful to get promoted to a junior position. Advertising people, in my experience, tend to be highly social people and offices are relationship-driven. They sell themselves as much as the work they are doing. It is an extremely competitive profession. I am not good at selling "me" or at office politics. I start at the bottom and stay there. If those aren't your issues, you may have a bright future.

Ever see the movie Mad Men? My advertising prof was one of the originals.

 

[Full Steam]

I run a small marketing agency & we do copy and content for ourselves and customers, and I train customers on blogging & optimisation.

I like content and copywriting, and I'm good at it but it takes practice and training.

The pay for freelancers is ok, and we pay around $70 USD for about 1000 words, but that's for an expert copywriter blogger, and it's a very competitive landscape.

Most businesses want copy & content for SEO purposes, so you should learn the basics of optimisation too, and understand buyer personas. You want to be writing for a very specific group of people.

The most useful content is well researched, with links to relevant sources, but that takes longer, and I normally do that myself.

If I were starting as a freelancer, I'd create a blog with my name as the domain name, and start blogging about copywriting & content. How to's etc. Maybe consider specialising in a subject.

Then when you pitch for work you can show you quality.