When you’re just starting as a copywriter, it can feel like becoming a success is a huge uphill battle. It’s difficult to find work and get noticed in the industry especially if you don’t have any experience under your belt yet.
But there are some things you can do to make your journey easier, including finding mentors and building an impressive portfolio of past projects. Here’s everything you need to know about breaking into copywriting:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Develop strong persuasive writing skills. |
| 2. Explore comprehensive guides for insights. |
| 3. Consider formal education or online courses. |
| 4. Build a portfolio to showcase your skills. |
| 5. Explore various copywriting job opportunities. |
Build Your Portfolio
When you’re ready to start building your portfolio, keep the following tips in mind:
Show your best work. This should go without saying, but it’s important not just for getting jobs but also for giving you confidence as a copywriter and proving to others that you can do great work. If there’s something specific about one of your pieces that makes it stand out, highlighting that aspect is helpful but don’t get too hung up on it being perfect!
Show your work in different styles. If you’ve only written one kind of content (a long-form blog post or an email newsletter), try branching out into other formats and mediums (like social media posts or ads).
Similarly, if all of your writing has been brand-focused rather than audience-focused, try writing some copy with a more personal tone and see how it feels. You might be surprised at how much this helps!
Show your work in different mediums/genres/etc., too: If someone wants to hire me as their “specialist” on food topics.
I’m going to show off some examples of things I’ve written about food before and probably even more than one example since there are so many different types of food-related content (writing recipes vs creating restaurant reviews vs describing ingredients in cooking classes).
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Get A Mentor
Finding a mentor is one of the best things you can do to break into copywriting.
Find Someone Who Is Successful in the Business
You want to find someone who has already been successful in the field and knows how to sell, not just write.
Find Someone Who Has a Similar Background
If your mentor doesn’t have a similar experience or hasn’t gone through the same path as you, it could cause problems down the road. You don’t want to turn over all your personal information just because they think they know what they are talking about when they don’t!
Find Someone Who Has an Open Mind and Is Willing To Help You Succeed If this person doesn’t have open-mindedness and willingness then why even bother wasting time with them? They’re not going to lead anywhere good so better get rid of them quickly!
Join Groups and Network With Other Copywriters
There are tons of groups and communities on Facebook and LinkedIn where you can connect with other copywriters. You can find these groups by searching for keywords like “copywriting” or “ghostwriting” in your social media platform of choice.
If you want to get more personal, consider joining local meetups and events that bring together writers in your area. There’s also a chance that some of your friends might know someone who’s a copywriter or has experience in the industry reach out to them and ask for advice!
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Consider Formal Copywriting Education
Before you commit to a copywriting education, it’s important to do your research. Here are some questions you should ask about the formal copywriting programs you’re considering:
Where does the school teach? This is an important consideration because if you don’t live near the school, it will be difficult for you to complete your degree on time.
You’ll also want to consider whether or not there is a strong network between this particular university and other universities where they might help with internships or have connections that could provide opportunities after graduation.
The reputation of the school itself can speak volumes about its quality as well as its value—and if one university has multiple campuses across several states, then that may mean better job prospects for graduates than another university with only one campus but less prestige overall in its industry.
What kind of curriculum does this program offer? Reputable programs will offer a mixture of coursework that focuses specifically on writing skills such as grammar and punctuation, but also courses in business situations (such as marketing), and analytics tools (like Google Analytics).
Design principles (such as Adobe Illustrator), and even public speaking skills (like Toastmasters). Pairing these types of classes together ensures students learn how all areas work together so when they graduate they’ll be able to put everything together seamlessly when working under deadline pressure!
Read All The Books
If you’re looking for an in-depth understanding of copywriting, books are a great place to start. Reading about the craft can be especially helpful if you’re new to it and want to get a feel for what it’s all about.
You’ll learn about the history of the industry, common practices and strategies for creating effective campaigns, and even get some examples of how some famous ads were written.
You may not be able to put together an entire campaign from scratch after reading just one book alone (though if that happens I’d love to hear from you!), but at least now you’ll have a better idea of what goes into making ads successful in general.
Books are also useful because they give aspiring copywriters more options when choosing which topics they want their education around.
There are plenty available on Amazon right now: some cover basics like grammar while others focus solely on headlines or call-to-action buttons; whatever category seems most relevant will work fine as long as its purpose is clear before diving into it!
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Get A Job In Advertising Sales
If you’re interested in selling advertising, then your first step should be to get some sales experience. Working in a creative agency or ad agency is a great way to learn about how copywriting works, but it’s also important that you know how the industry works from a business standpoint.
That’s why it’s so useful to get some sales experience as well as work in an ad agency – this will give you two very different perspectives on how things work.
You’ll learn how clients think and what they want from their agencies, which can help guide your writing career later on when clients come knocking for help with their campaigns. And if nothing else, having worked as an advertiser will make it easier for recruiters from other agencies when they’re looking for new talent!
Brand Yourself
You can’t write copy for others until you have your voice. Branding yourself is an essential step in the process of becoming a copywriter. And although it sounds simple, having a clear brand identity takes time and discipline to develop.
Here Are Some Steps You Can Take To Get Started
Create a website or blog that showcases your writing skills and interests. If you don’t have one already, now’s the time to make one! This can serve as both an introduction for potential clients and an outlet for showcasing more samples of your work (which will come in handy later).
Use social media channels like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram to establish yourself as an expert commentator on topics related to your field of interest — this helps show off what kind of person you are professionally and personally so people feel comfortable hiring you later on down the road!
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Be Persistent
You’re not going to get a job, any opportunities, or even an interview with every client you contact. It happens. That’s the nature of freelancing; some people just won’t be able to use your services for whatever reason.
And that’s okay! You don’t want to work with everyone anyway you want clients who appreciate your skills and talents as much as you do (and like the idea of working with someone who understands what they need).
If this is your first time reaching out for gigs, it can be easy to feel discouraged when prospects don’t reach back right away.
But keep in mind that plenty of new businesses are taking their time before making any hasty decisions about hiring someone else on staff, especially if they’re operating on a shoestring budget and/or have never hired anyone before (which is likely if they came across your portfolio while Googling “good copywriters”).
It also helps if you know how persistent is too persistent and which questions overstep professional boundaries to ask when it comes time for follow-up communication.
Asking potential employers or clients too many times will only make them think less favorably of you because it shows desperation and lack of trustworthiness at best, while at worst could end up turning them off entirely because they think something funny’s going on between yourself and other people within their company/network circle (eek!).
Go To Conferences And Seminars To Learn More About Copywriting
Attending conferences and seminars is one of the best ways for beginner copywriters to learn about their craft. Conferences are often held on a local level, but they can also be international in scope. They can provide valuable networking opportunities, as well as learning sessions where you can get your questions answered directly by experts in the field.
You don’t need to attend every conference or seminar that comes along just find ones that are most relevant to you and your goals right now. If there’s an opportunity nearby, go! If not, reach out online or through social media and find out how else you might be able to connect with other writers who might be able to help guide you along your copywriting journey.
Some conferences offer scholarships and reduced prices for students or those working at non-profits; if this applies to you (or if it’s something worth mentioning on your application), make sure that information is included when submitting an application form. It’ll help increase your chances of being accepted into these events!
Get Testimonials From Clients Or Friends
You can also use testimonials to help you get new clients.
For example, say you’re applying for a job at an advertising agency. You’ve got experience in copywriting, but no formal education in the field and little formal experience outside of your side hustle.
You could highlight that one time a celebrity told someone on Twitter that your work was “legit” (which happened to be true). And then maybe another time where another famous person on Twitter said your work was “badass” (which also happened to be true). In this case, it’s best if you don’t mention that these people were each other that might seem weird.
I’ve found testimonials from friends and family help as well. If a friend tells me they love my portfolio or think I’m talented, I’ll usually ask them if they’d be willing to write something up about me so I can include it on my website or portfolio PDFs.
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Find A Copywriting Niche
The first step to breaking into copywriting is finding a niche. You want to find a niche that you’re passionate about because if you’re not passionate about what you do, the odds of success are slim.
You also want to find a niche where your skills and interests meet those of the people who will be reading what you’ve written so that they connect with it on an emotional level.
For example, if someone isn’t interested in writing about personal finance or travel experiences but has some experience with those topics and can write clearly and concisely about them (which is not everyone’s forte), then there are likely positions out there in which such writers could excel simply by knowing their audience well enough to tailor their writing accordingly.
Finally and perhaps most importantly—you want every piece of your content marketing campaign to make money at least as much as it costs: if something doesn’t meet this standard then throw it away!
Don’t Quit Your Day Job . . . Yet
This is the first step to becoming a successful freelance copywriter: Don’t quit your day job yet.
While you may be tempted to jump into freelancing full-time as soon as you decide that’s what you want to do, there are several reasons why it’s important not to give up your day job until you have built up a good body of work under your belt.
The main reason for this is that until then, it will be difficult for potential clients to see the value in hiring someone whose resume looks like one long string of failed jobs and unpaid internships. Also, if they don’t feel confident about the work you can produce for them (because no one else has hired YOU), then why should THEY?
If I hadn’t waited at least six months before going full-time freelance with my own business—and building up an impressive portfolio I would never have been able to get clients who were willing to pay me well enough so that I could make ends meet every month.
It was only after working on projects where other people had paid me well that I was able to convince others who had never worked with me before (but knew my previous clients) that they should hire me too!
Conclusion
As we mentioned earlier, not everybody is cut out for a career in copywriting. It takes a certain kind of person who can work on their own and be creative while still being able to meet deadlines. If you’re looking for a job in this field and don’t mind starting at the bottom, then there are still plenty of opportunities available!
Just make sure you have everything covered before sending out your resume:
Potential employers must know what they’re getting into when hiring someone new after all, nobody wants an overworked or underpaid employee who will quit after six months because they couldn’t handle all those late nights spent working away on projects under pressure from clients who demand perfection… right?
Further Reading
Breaking Into Copywriting: A Comprehensive Guide Short Description: Explore this comprehensive guide that provides in-depth insights into breaking into the field of copywriting, from honing your skills to finding the right opportunities.
How to Become a Copywriter: A Step-by-Step Guide Short Description: Dive into this step-by-step guide that outlines the path to becoming a copywriter, including skill development, education, and job search strategies.
Becoming a Copywriter: The Definitive Guide Short Description: Learn from this definitive guide on becoming a copywriter, covering essential tips, resources, and insights to kickstart your copywriting career.
FAQs
How do I get started in copywriting?
To begin your journey in copywriting, start by building a strong foundation in persuasive writing techniques. Practice crafting compelling headlines, impactful product descriptions, and engaging marketing copy.
What skills are important for a copywriter?
Copywriters need a blend of creativity and strategic thinking. Strong writing, research, and communication skills are crucial. Understanding consumer psychology and being able to adapt your writing style for different platforms are also valuable.
Is a formal education required to become a copywriter?
While a formal education in writing, marketing, or a related field can be beneficial, it’s not always necessary. Many successful copywriters have developed their skills through practice, online courses, and self-study.
How can I find copywriting opportunities?
To find copywriting opportunities, explore job boards, freelance platforms, and networking events within the marketing and advertising industry. Building a portfolio of your work and showcasing your skills can also attract potential clients or employers.
What resources can help me improve as a copywriter?
There are various resources available, including online courses, books, blogs, and podcasts focused on copywriting. Engaging with these materials can help you stay updated on industry trends, improve your writing techniques, and gain valuable insights from experts.
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.