Did you know you can make a substantial income, ranging from $40 to $120 per hour, simply by putting words on paper? That translates to a monthly income of $6,400 to $19,200. Copywriting has the potential to be a highly profitable field if you have the knack for transforming words into emotions and emotions into actions.
Now, you might be curious: What is a copywriter, and what exactly does copywriting entail? In this blog post, we’ll delve deep into this subject. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the freelance copywriting profession and how you can earn a significant income from it.
Table of Contents
What is Copywriting?
Copywriting is the art of crafting persuasive marketing and promotional content that encourages people to take specific actions, like making a purchase, clicking a link, donating to a cause, or scheduling a consultation.
These materials can take various forms, from written advertisements in print or online to spoken scripts used in videos or commercials. The text within these materials is commonly referred to as “copy,” which explains the term “copywriting.”
Surprisingly, copywriting is all around us, even if we don’t always recognize it. You can easily spot instances of copywriting in your mailbox, such as restaurant promotions, catalogs, fundraising letters from charities, or sales pitches for different products and services.
However, copywriting extends beyond printed materials; it’s a prevalent part of the online world too. Most of what you read on the internet, including webpages, downloadable reports, and even post-signup emails, is a product of copywriting expertise.
How Much Do Copywriters Make?
Copywriters’ income varies based on experience. In the world of copywriting, there’s a diverse range, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Those with extensive experience can command rates of up to $1 per word or $200 per hour.
Copywriting isn’t just a job; it’s a skill, and that means your earning potential knows no bounds. Whether you’re aiming to supplement your income with a few extra hundred dollars each month or dreaming of building a multimillion-dollar enterprise, copywriting can be your key to success.
One fantastic perk of copywriting is the freedom it offers. Most copywriters have the autonomy to set their own work hours and choose where they work from.
According to Glassdoor, here are average salaries for freelance and in-house copywriters in the United States based on their years of experience:
Freelance Copywriter:
- 0-1 years of experience: $51,144
- 4-6 years of experience: $59,225
- 10-14 years of experience: $75,202
In-House Copywriter:
- 0-1 years of experience: $55,635
- 4-6 years of experience: $65,452
- 10-14 years of experience: $84,349
However, these figures are just averages and can be somewhat generic. The reality is that copywriters’ incomes can span from a few thousand dollars yearly to several million dollars.
Rather than focusing solely on averages, let’s explore the two critical factors that influence your earning potential as a copywriter:
Your Copywriting Skill: Mastering the craft takes time, but it’s an investment that can pay off substantially over the years.
The Opportunities You Choose: Your choice of projects and clients can have a major impact on your income. Targeting more lucrative opportunities can significantly boost your earnings.
How to Start a Business as a Freelance Copywriter?
Step 1: Choose Your Niche
When you first begin your freelance writing career, it might be tempting to take on any writing project that comes your way. However, for long-term success, it’s crucial to narrow down your focus from the very beginning.
Start by considering what you’re already good at or passionate about. If you have prior experience in a specific field, like banking or finance, leverage that knowledge to specialize in financial copywriting.
Specialising in a niche you’re familiar with not only gives you a competitive advantage but also makes your work more enjoyable. Clients are often willing to pay more for writers who understand their industry.
Step 2: Hone Your Copywriting Skills
Your earning potential as a freelance writer is directly linked to your skill level. Here’s how you can improve your copywriting skills:
Read Relevant Books: Begin your journey by diving into books on copywriting. These resources provide valuable insights into the craft and help you understand the fundamentals.
Practice Writing: Practice is key to mastery. Work on copywriting exercises to refine your skills. One effective exercise is to rewrite successful copies. This trains your mind to recognize the psychological patterns that make copy effective. Visit websites like www.swiped.co to find examples of successful copies to practice with.
Read Aloud: To ensure your copy flows smoothly, read it aloud. This exercise helps you identify any awkward or clunky passages. When your copy flows well, it’s more likely to engage readers and prompt action.
Write Naturally: Write your copy in a conversational tone that mimics natural speech. This makes your content more relatable and easier for readers to connect with.
Step 3: Build Your Online Presence
To attract clients and enhance your credibility, having an online presence is crucial.
First, create a straightforward website that highlights your copywriting skills. It doesn’t have to be fancy; a clean and professional design will work just fine. Make sure to include a portfolio section where you can showcase your best writing samples as you gain more experience.
Next, establish social media profiles for your freelance writing business, especially on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. These profiles will help you in promoting your services and increasing your visibility. The more people who know about your expertise, the better your chances of attracting potential clients.
Step 4: Determine Your Rates
Now, let’s talk money. Deciding what to charge is a crucial step.Take some time to figure out how much you want to charge your clients.
Freelance copywriting rates can vary widely, so find a rate that suits you. Research what other new copywriters are charging, consider your skills and experience, and aim for an average rate that reflects your value.
Step 5: Find Your First Clients
Here’s where the real work begins:
Tap into Your Network: Start by letting your friends and family know about your copywriting services. Ask them to refer potential clients your way or share your business with their connections.
Attend Business Networking Events: Attend both online and offline networking events where potential clients might gather. Strike up conversations, exchange business cards, and explain how your copywriting services can benefit their businesses.
Utilize Social Media: Join relevant Facebook and LinkedIn groups that cater to businesses in your niche. Showcase your expertise in these groups to attract potential clients. Use your social media platforms to market your services and let the online community know you have openings for clients.
Reach Out Directly: Research businesses within your niche and approach them via email. Highlight the value your copywriting can bring to their business.
Explore Print Publications: Seek out magazines and print publications in your niche. Contact them to inquire about freelance copywriting opportunities. They might need someone to craft advertising copy or contribute articles.
Online Freelance Job Sites: Consider joining freelance copywriting job websites like Upwork, Freelancer, Guru, FreelanceWriting.com, Blogging Pro, and ProBlogger. While these platforms may not always offer high-paying jobs, they are a valuable starting point for inexperienced copywriters to gain work experience.
Step 6: Connect with Communities and Network
Copywriting communities and networks are gold mines for both finding clients and gaining valuable insights into the industry.
Being part of a copywriting community or network is like having a treasure chest of opportunities. It’s a fantastic way to meet potential clients and receive referrals. Plus, it’s a learning hub where you can interact with others and soak up knowledge on becoming a copywriter.
These communities also keep you in the loop about the latest industry trends. You can tap into the experience of seasoned copywriters, which is invaluable as you grow in your career.
Step 7: Build Your Portfolio and Gather Reviews
Now that you’ve started landing some clients, let’s make the most of your hard work.
Don’t be shy about asking your clients for feedback and reviews on the work you’ve completed. Positive reviews are like gold dust, making you more appealing to potential clients.
Keep adding your work samples to your portfolio as you continue your journey as a freelance copywriter. This portfolio is your visual resume, showcasing your talent and expertise to potential clients. Case studies can be especially powerful in demonstrating your abilities.
6 Fundamental Copywriting Skills to Make Money
All writing meant to persuade, such as copywriting, is essentially persuasive writing. However, you won’t earn a paycheck just for being a “persuasive writer.” To make a living, you must apply your persuasive writing skills to specific types of copy that are in high demand.
I’ve identified six fundamental copywriting skills that are consistently sought after in the industry. These skills can be considered the cornerstone of successful copywriting:
- Write a headline
- Write a value proposition
- Write a landing page
- Write a sales email
- Write a video script
- Write an advertisement
1. Headline Copywriting
If you’re looking to become a successful copywriter, mastering the art of headline writing is non-negotiable. It’s the cornerstone of your craft. While you might not directly charge clients for headlines, they play a pivotal role in your success.
Almost every piece of copy you create, whether it’s an ad, blog post, or sales letter, starts with a headline. The quality of that headline can make or break your project. A compelling headline grabs attention, piques curiosity, and drives engagement. The better your headlines, the more clients you’ll attract, and the more effective your work will be for them.
2. Value Propositions Copywriting
A value proposition is like a business’s elevator pitch in writing—it succinctly communicates what a business offers, why it’s valuable, and who it’s meant for.
For complex products and services, distilling the essence of the offer into a concise statement is a formidable task in itself. Even for simpler offerings, there’s an art to capturing the brand’s unique value using punchy phrases.
While businesses might not typically hire copywriters exclusively for value propositions, this skill is vital for crafting landing page and website copy and plays a role in various other copywriting projects.
Most importantly, it’s a secret weapon for capturing a client’s attention. Many business owners struggle to convey their business’s value quickly and clearly. By helping them construct a compelling value proposition, you’ll instantly earn their trust and enthusiasm for your writing.
3. Landing Page Copywriting
Landing page copywriting is the cornerstone of online copywriting, akin to the “bread and butter” of our craft. Every business, big or small, needs a website, and the success of these websites hinges on just a handful of landing pages.
Imagine your own website, for instance. There are three vital landing pages:
- Homepage
- Main Service Page
- Secondary Service Page
The performance of these pages directly impacts the performance of your business. In fact, this concept extends to all core website pages. Businesses understand this, which is why they are willing to invest competitively in crafting compelling website and landing page copy. It’s a one-time expense with long-term benefits.
If you excel at writing website and landing page copy, you’ll find yourself in constant demand as a copywriter.
4. Email Copywriting
Similar to landing page copy, email copywriting is a high-demand skill. Nearly everyone needs it, and here’s the kicker – they need it regularly, month after month.
While email copywriting hasn’t been a primary focus of my client work, I know numerous successful copywriters who specialize in emails. The ongoing nature of this work provides a steady stream of projects and recurring income.
One of the perks of email copywriting is the ease of tracking. You can measure “opens” and clicks, allowing you to gauge your performance, refine your skills, and showcase the value you bring to your clients.
Moreover, with a plethora of templates and case studies readily available in the public domain, email copywriting is arguably the ideal starting point for aspiring copywriters. It offers a wealth of resources to help you kickstart your copywriting journey.
5. Video Scripts
The demand for video scripts is off the charts, and there’s a glaring shortage of copywriters who specialize in this field.
Consider this: webinars are big business, with multi-million dollar markets dedicated to teaching people how to build their businesses through webinars. And every single webinar’s success hinges on its script.
Think about YouTube for a second—300 hours of video are uploaded every single minute, much of it aimed at making money. To stand out, these videos need scripts.
This is a market ripe for the taking, especially if you’re plugged into communities that revolve around video. It could be the perfect avenue for you to explore if you’re looking for lucrative copywriting opportunities.
6. Ad Copywriting
Ad copywriting is the rock star of the copywriting world, and in today’s digital age, it’s more ubiquitous than ever before.
Here’s the good news: the demand for ad copywriting is absolutely insatiable.
Now, the not-so-good news: most of this demand isn’t met by freelance copywriters like you and me.
In the ad copywriting realm, there are two major players:
Corporate Ads: These are usually crafted by junior copywriters working in advertising agencies. They get the job done but don’t get much glory or hefty paychecks.
Small Business Ads: This territory is mostly staked out by PPC (pay-per-click) service providers, the Facebook Ads and Google Adwords “gurus.” When you hire them, they not only handle your advertising but also write the ad copy as part of the package.
While it may not be my expertise, if I were starting from scratch today, I’d seriously consider mastering PPC as it seems to hold more promise in this arena. But make no mistake, ad copywriting is thriving in the market right now, and there are freelancers out there raking in the cash from it.
Can Copywriting Make You a Digital Nomad?
Wondering if a career in copywriting can help you embrace the digital nomad lifestyle? Let’s break it down for you:
You’ve learned the ropes of becoming a copywriter, and now you’re curious about how it fits with the idea of being a digital nomad. Well, good news—copywriting ranks high among the best jobs that offer both the flexibility and income needed for a digital nomadic existence.
Here’s why:
Running a copywriting business is refreshingly uncomplicated. All you require is a trusty laptop and a solid internet connection—essentials you can find virtually anywhere on this planet.
So, if you’re daring enough to take the leap, follow our guide on how to become a copywriter, put in the dedication and effort, you’re well on your way to living that coveted digital nomad lifestyle. It’s a path to explore if you crave the freedom to work from anywhere and the opportunity to shape your own success story.
Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.