Writing is a great way to make money. It’s a fun, creative outlet that can also be lucrative. But, maybe you’re wondering how to launch your writing career and make it profitable. I’ve been there! I asked myself:
Do I need an English degree? How do I even start copywriting? What’s the best way to market me? Don’t worry, my friend: I’m here to share all the tips and tricks you need from someone who started from scratch and now earns six figures as a copywriter in less than a year.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Master persuasive writing techniques. |
| 2. Understand your target audience deeply. |
| 3. Build a strong copywriting portfolio. |
| 4. Network within the industry for opportunities. |
| 5. Learn from successful copywriters’ experiences. |
| 6. Continuously improve your writing skills. |
| 7. Focus on high-paying niches and clients. |
| 8. Utilize online platforms for freelance work. |
| 9. Set realistic income goals and milestones. |
| 10. Combine creativity with strategic thinking. |
Copywriting Is A Competitive Business
The good news is that you don’t have to be a born writer. You can learn how to become a copywriter and even earn six figures in the next twelve months by following these simple steps.
The first thing you’ll want to do is find a job as a freelance writer or copywriter so that you can get some experience under your belt, build up your portfolio, and start making connections with other professionals who may be able to help get your career going.
Once you’ve got some experience under your belt, take the time to look into different writing gigs at home and abroad; this will help broaden your horizons when it comes down to which type of writing opportunities are available out there on the market today!
Next up: spend some time honing those skills which set apart great writers from mediocre ones by attending workshops on how best practices go about crafting compelling content that resonates with readership.
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Become An Expert, Not A Copywriter
The first step to becoming a successful copywriter is to become an expert.
How do you become an expert?
First, pick a niche or area where you have deep knowledge. This can be anything from dog training and nutrition to marketing science or real estate investing.
Second, write about that topic in a way that makes people want more information on it; in other words, offer value by sharing your expertise with others through content like blog posts, ebooks, and courses.
Once you’ve created some content around your chosen niche(s), the next step is getting it out there to find its audience: promote yourself by guest posting on blogs whose readers are likely interested in what you have written about;
Share articles via social media channels like Facebook and Twitter; reach out directly via email lists (this can be done either manually or using automated tools).
Be Present With Readers In The Moment
You may have heard this before, but it’s true: you have to be present to win. You need to be a storyteller and use your voice, words, body, and hands to create an authentic experience that resonates with readers.
Be Honest
Be honest about what you’re offering them. If it’s not real or useful for them they’ll smell it right away!
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Be A Good Listener
As you listen closely for what your reader needs most from you (for example inspiration or guidance), ask yourself: “What does this person need from me?” This is where all those skills come into play. Use them wisely!
Learn From The Best
To learn how to become a copywriter and earn six figures in the next twelve months, you need to learn from the best.
In this section of my course, I’ve collected my favorite copywriting books, blogs, articles, interviews, and podcasts for you:
Booklist: The most influential books on writing persuasive content ever written. These are my personal favorites; not necessarily what you should read first (see below).
Blogs & websites: Some of the best online resources for learning about marketing and business today. If you haven’t heard of them before now then prepare yourself for an education!
They’re all full of useful insights into copywriting and other topics like SEO content creation or social media marketing strategies.
Each one has something unique to offer so make sure you check them all out!.. And don’t forget your free trial membership at Skillshare if there’s anything else I missed here 🙂
It’s Ok To Be A Generalist At First
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you need to specialize, but there’s no shame in being a generalist for your first few years of working as a freelance copywriter. If you’re just starting and have no experience, it’s unlikely that clients will trust you with complex projects.
That means it makes sense to start off doing work like blog posts and small websites. Later on, once your portfolio has grown and you’ve established yourself as an expert in one area (or two).
Then it’ll be easier for clients to trust your judgment about which type of content they should create.
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Use What You’ve Got (Even If It’s Just Time)
If you’re ready to launch your own copywriting business, but don’t have a lot of money or connections (or even experience) yet, then here is the good news: you don’t need any of those things to start. You just need one thing: time.
You can use what you have now and make it the foundation for building a successful freelance writing career in the future. So, how do you make that happen?
Keep Up To Date With Industry Trends
The other thing you need to do is keep up to date on trends in the copywriting industry. This will be easy if you’re using social media, newsletters, conferences, and blogs.
If that sounds like a lot of work or effort for someone who just wants to make some money from home then I can tell you now that it’s worth it!
I use everything from books and magazines to podcasts, webinars, and videos every single day for my business.
The great thing about all these tools is that they are free! I’m not saying there aren’t any paid options out there but I’ve found that most of them aren’t necessary (yet).
Use Your Natural Skills And Interests To Find Your Specialisation
You can use your natural skills and interests to find your specialization.
For example, if you are good at writing content, then you might want to become a copywriter. Or if you’re interested in travel writing and have been traveling extensively, then maybe becoming a travel writer is the right choice for you.
If you’re not sure what kind of content creation career will suit your skills and interests best, this article on how to become a freelance writer will help guide the process of finding one that resonates with who YOU are: https://www.copyblogger.com/become-a-freelance-writer/#gref
Start Your Website Or Blog
For this article, I’ll assume you don’t have a website or blog yet. If that’s not the case, go ahead and skip over this section.
If you do want to create your website or blog, here are some things to consider:
Start with a platform like WordPress or Squarespace (see our guide on what platforms are right for you). Then head over to Fiverr and find someone who can build you a custom design for $5.
This will help ensure your site looks professional and is easy to navigate from both mobile devices as well as desktop computers.
Write great content! Focus on quality over quantity when it comes to publishing new posts;
Every word should be carefully chosen so that each piece adds value for readers who visit regularly and especially those who make purchases based on what they read there (i.e., potential customers).
You should also check out Quora if you’re interested in writing long-form pieces because it’s one of the best sites out there right now when it comes to being able to answer questions without needing an account beforehand (you’ll need one eventually though).
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Make Sure You Have A Professional Email Address
When you’re a copywriter, you’ll have to deal with clients. That means they will be sending you emails and calling you on the phone.
When that happens, they need to know who they’re talking to! If a client has never heard of you before, make sure that your first impression is professional and memorable.
Use your name in the email address (for example “JohnSmith12345@gmail.com”). This shows that you’re serious about building this business and ready for some success!
Make it easy for people to contact by using one of their preferred communication methods (e-mail).
Or by making them feel comfortable with giving out personal information like their name or what city they live in (this might seem like overkill but trust me… when someone calls from Ohio asking if he can talk with John Smith at 1-800-555-1234 then things get real awkward real fast).
Learn How To Write An Awesome Elevator Pitch
Write an elevator pitch that works.
Make it short and sweet. An elevator pitch should be no more than 60-seconds long, yet still give the listener a sense of who you are and what you do.
This may sound like a tall order, but in reality, it’s quite simple: just boil down your entire value proposition into one concise sentence or two.
It doesn’t have to be fancy just make sure that whoever hears it understands what problem you solve and why they should care about solving it with your help (more on this later).
Use the first person singular (“I”) instead of the plural (“we”). Since we’re talking about becoming a freelance copywriter here rather than starting an agency, I recommend using “I” instead of “we”.
This is because when speaking in terms of yourself as an individual business owner rather than one part of an organization, using “I” gives off more personal vibes which will resonate better with clients who are looking for someone they can relate to on a human level.
Additionally using first-person pronouns allows listeners (and potential clients) to empathize with whatever issue has arisen that needs solving because there’s nothing worse than being told how some third party is going through something similar without being able to relate at all!
Get On Linkedin And Connect With People In Your New Industry
LinkedIn is the best place to do this. The networking site has a reputation for being an online resume, but it’s more than that it’s a way to build relationships with people in your industry.
The first step is finding out who the movers and shakers are in your new industry. To do this, search for them on LinkedIn by typing their name into the search box and then clicking “People” at the top of the page.
This will bring up anyone with that name who has an account on LinkedIn; if there are several results, click “View All Results” next to one of them so you can see everyone with that title or role in one place (in case they went by different names).
This will help you determine who’s most influential within your field of interest!
Create Business Cards T
To get started as a freelance copywriter, you’ll need to create business cards. These can help you leave an impression on potential clients and give them a way to contact you.
You should have at least one of these on hand at all times so that when an opportunity arises, it’s easy for you to meet up with people in person.
As with any kind of marketing material, make sure your business card is consistent with your branding.
If possible, use the same fonts and colors found elsewhere on your website or social media profiles (if they aren’t already).
If not, pick something similar so as not to confuse potential customers who might see both brands together at some point down the line you don’t want them thinking they’re seeing two completely different companies!
Include both large and small versions of this information; some people will prefer reading from further away while others like being able to glance over their shoulder without having too much text take up space near their eyesight limit; include both options.
So everyone gets what works best for them personally…or try using QR Codes instead–I haven’t personally used them yet myself but hear good things about how easily accessible information becomes once scanned by someone’s mobile device.”
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Use Social Media
Social media can be an effective way to build your network, promote your business and find new clients.
The first thing you need to do is get on the right social platforms. This will depend on what kind of content you want to create.
If it’s news articles and blog posts, then Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are all good platforms for sharing information regularly. If it’s more visual content like videos or images then Instagram is also a good way to go.
Once you’re active on these sites make sure you don’t just post links back to your website – try adding value by answering questions in the comments section or sharing interesting articles from other websites that relate to the topic at hand (make sure they’re relevant though!).
When people see how much time and effort goes into creating quality content for their followers they’ll be more likely to trust them when asking for advice.
Or recommendations for services/products which means more traffic going through their site as well as better conversion rates once someone does decide where exactly they should go next!
Conclusion
The best thing to do is keep learning. If you think copywriting might be right for you, start by reading a lot of different kinds of copy, especially in your preferred niche.
Learn from the experts and get their advice on how they got started, what they would do differently now, and which resources are best for beginners.
A great place to find these experts is LinkedIn or Twitter but remember that it’s important not only to listen but also to act on their advice! We wish you luck in your new career as a copywriter; please feel free to contact us if we can help with anything along the way.
Further Reading
How to Become a Copywriter: Explore a comprehensive guide on how to kickstart your journey as a copywriter, covering essential tips and strategies for success in the field.
Achieve Six Figures in 12 Months as a Copywriter: Learn how to become a copywriter and earn a substantial income within a year through actionable advice and insights shared in this Medium article.
The Path to Becoming a Successful Copywriter: Discover the steps and secrets behind becoming a successful copywriter, including practical advice to help you excel in the industry.
FAQs
What skills are essential for a successful copywriter?
A successful copywriter needs a strong grasp of language, creativity, persuasive writing skills, and the ability to understand the target audience’s needs and desires.
Can I become a copywriter without a formal degree in writing?
Yes, you can become a copywriter without a formal writing degree. Many successful copywriters have diverse educational backgrounds. What’s crucial is a combination of skills, practice, and a strong portfolio.
How can I improve my copywriting techniques?
Improving your copywriting techniques involves consistent practice, staying updated with industry trends, analyzing successful copy, and seeking constructive feedback from peers and mentors.
What industries require copywriting services the most?
Copywriting is essential across various industries such as advertising, marketing, e-commerce, finance, and technology. Almost any sector that involves communication and promotion can benefit from skilled copywriters.
How can I transition into copywriting from another profession?
Transitioning into copywriting from another profession involves leveraging transferable skills, building a strong portfolio, networking within the industry, and seeking freelance opportunities to gain experience.
Is copywriting only about writing sales content?
No, copywriting goes beyond writing sales content. It includes creating compelling narratives, engaging social media posts, informative blog articles, persuasive email campaigns, and other forms of written communication to connect with audiences.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.