1. In 2011 you start with freelancing as a way of “self-employment”. Tell us, what attracted you to sell your work in the international market? Today you are an expert in the fields of copywriting and content writing & marketing, but in what field did you start your freelance career?
At first, like many others, I was just looking for a way to make better money. This attracted me to join several freelance platforms and submit my first job applications. I started with content writing. More specifically, ten texts about pregnancy, a topic that was not close to me at all as an 18-year-old boy. Then I realized that content writing is adapting my mindset to the task by putting on someone else’s boots. I took writing as my profession, switching to furniture texts, academic texts, and various blogs.
In 2013, I switched to SEO (Search Engine Optimization) writing. Which in its most brutal terms dictates the rankings of search engine sites like Google – who goes first, who goes second, and so on. As you can imagine, here I started learning a lot more about SEO and content marketing. Mostly, through hands-on work and at different levels of the process.
2. Many people think that copywriting is easy to master in digital marketing. We believe that it is not that simple. Can you explain why this science is complex with a high demand for experts? Can anyone work as a copywriter?
Only people who have not done copywriting can claim that it is easy to be a copywriter. This skill is a very advanced marketing form of content writing. In itself is a whole profession, and that’s why in my company only the best content writers become copywriters. Copywriting is complex because you never know who is on the other side of the screen. And it’s your job to sell them. Therefore, you need to imagine a text that will convince the largest percentage of the audience to buy. Which is incredibly difficult.
According to the formula, the most successful copywriters are usually people who use solid and proven processes in creating their material. Tthorough research of the topic in order to get fully acquainted with it, then thorough research of the audience and its problems that lead it to search this product. Finally, forming the solution to those problems in a cohesive marketing text that will resonate with each member of the audience and make them buy. The more people who buy thanks to copywriters, the more expensive their services can be.
That’s why not everyone can work as a copywriter. You need great knowledge of the product. Eeven better knowledge of the sales process. Perfect manipulation of the language in which it is written, as well as unlimited empathy with the audience that reads. When it comes to transactions, text quality that is published needs to be impeccable to fulfill its role. I think a lot of people underestimate what it means to be perfect. No typos, no off-beat jokes, no rhythm loss, no focus loss.
3. Today you are the founder of @Ridarec Content & Media a company which specializes in commercial writing. Tell us something more about the decision to start your own company? Is the network of clients from your freelance days still present in the operation of the company?
Of course, many of my personal clients still work with us. There is no reason for them to stop – they did not receive bad material!
Ridarek happened as a result of almost a whole decade in commercial writing in which I realized that in the Republic of North Macedonia there is a whole layer of potential writers, and on the Internet, there is an eternal need for them. I made the decision to open the company after many years of planning, in a week – just waiting for the perfect moment. Today, Ridarek collaborates with over 40 writers and editors and daily enhances their skills through active on-the-job training. Training is my first priority, because I believe that even with 1% improvement per day, drastic results are achieved in the medium and long term, not only for us but also for content writing as a profession in the country.
I am especially proud of my editorial and senior team that has proven capable of tackling even the toughest challenges in the international market and achieving great results for clients. Something that can you achieve with strong professionalism in one industry. Ridarek will continue to train and hire new writers and editors because we see a bright and profitable future in the internet service industry in Macedonia.ж
David is part of our network of freelance mentors that will guide future freelancers in the Republic of North Macedonia. Through his expertise freelancers will learn many crucial skills, effectively increasing their income and the freelance community.
If you want to learn about copywriting from David and become successful in freelancing, apply to become a mentee on the following LINK.
This activity is supported by the RECONOMY program.
RECONOMY is a regional inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in partnership with Impact Foundation and others in the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkans.
