If you want to work from home and wonder which writing specialties are in demand and profitable, copywriting is the answer! In this post, we’ll reveal what copywriters are, what they do, how much money they can make, and where they’ll submit their copywriting job!
I remember the first time I heard the term copywriting. I thought it was a profession based on registering legal documents for copyright books and other literary publications.
I realized I was completely wrong.
What is copywriting?
Copywriting is a form of persuasive writing that aims to induce readers to take action. That action could involve signing up for a newsletter or free trial, purchasing a product, or clicking on a landing page or website. Copywriters write words in television commercials, radio ads, magazines, newspapers, billboards, flyers, websites, direct mail and marketing campaigns. Wherever something is on sale, copywriters work with attractive and persuasive ads and headlines.
What kind of copywriting tasks can people do?
Copywriters can work in a variety of niches (healthcare, fitness, finance, Christian, retail, technology, pet industry, etc.) and work on a variety of projects. Below is a sampling of the types of projects that professional copywriters can work on. Some are long copies, others are short copies.
- B2B Copywriting
- signboard
- Brochure
- Case studies
- Content creation
- Content Writer
- Direct response sales letter
- Email Marketing
- Grant writing
- Online Advertising
- Print ads
- Product Description
- PPC Advertising
- press release
- Sales Copy
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Copywriting
- Social Media Posts
- Copying the website
- White paper
- Video Script
What kind of training do you need to become a copywriter?
There are several ways to become a copywriter. However, where you want to work may decide your career path to become a copywriter.
The first way to become a copywriter is to complete a university degree in advertising, marketing, English, journalism, or communications. This is the route you’d like to take if you want to work for a large marketing or advertising agency.
If you want to become a freelance copywriter, you can take an online course that teaches copywriting skills. Many copywriting programs can be completed within a few months and cost less than $500.00. I have a few friends who have started this way.
My friend Prerna Malik began his home-based career as a freelance writer and blogger. As her writing and digital marketing skills progressed, she undertook more robust writing and marketing projects. She took a copywriting course through copyhackers Bushla Azhal and Ray Edwards. Today, she runs a very successful copywriting agency from home with her Indian husband.
Another friend, Mindy Mchorse, was looking for a new job when he learned about the American Institute of Writers and Artists (AWAI). She has always loved writing and decided to take their flagship copywriting course. Mindy quickly went through the course and landed his first client within a few months of finishing the course. Today, she earns six figures in her year as a freelance copywriter from home.
The third way to become a copywriter is through hands-on experience. Danny Margulies began his freelance copywriting career using the freelance platform Upwork (formerly Elance). Without experience, he would have won six figures in his second year as a copywriter. If you want to see how he got started, he documented his process in this post. It’s pretty amazing!
No matter which path you go to become a copywriter, you have some basic skills, including powerful writing and editing skills. You should also enjoy researching, writing, learning, marketing and measuring results. Finally, you need to accept feedback. This will help you become a skilled copywriter.
How much does a copywriter make?
According to copywriting coach Nicki Krawczyk, “New (trained) copywriters can make anywhere from $25 to $35 per hour, so they’re looking at the start of salary of around $52,000 to $62,000.” Copywriters with experience generating high conversion rates and demonstrating results can earn more.
Another factor to consider is the type of project you are working on, and what you need skills and expertise. You’ll also want to consider the niche you’re writing about. You can direct higher rates in the multi-billion dollar industry, health and wellness niche, but nonprofits can’t pay that much.
To find out what some copywriters will charge, check out this webwriting fee schedule. Writing a 5-6 page website using SEO Strategies can bring a whopping $1,500 to $3,500 per project.
Where can I find my copywriting gigs and jobs?
There are several routes that can be taken with copywriting. For one, you can work as an employee at an advertising agency or start your own freelance copywriting business. Most advertising agencies require you to complete a marketing or advertising degree. This allows many copywriters to choose freelance.
Before applying for a gig, you must have a writing portfolio in place to view potential clients. If you need help with this step, please see this article for 5 easy ways to create a writing portfolio.
Below are some of the best places to search for copywriting jobs:
Ready to start a freelance copywriting business?
Like any home business, you need to educate yourself on the best business practices, submit appropriate documents, and get legal and financial ducks in succession. Once you’ve created a business plan and set up a preliminary framework, you can tackle the fun parts of your business.
1. Get the training you need
Copywriting is a specialized form of writing, so you need to understand the general concepts of compelling writing. As explained above, there are many paths you can get to become a copywriter. Earn university degrees, take online courses, read books on the subject, and earn hands-on experiences.
If you want to explore copywriting before making a big commitment, here are some must-see resources that can teach you the basics.
These give you good insight into what copywriting is before investing a significant amount of money.
Have you already decided that copywriting is something you want to do? Next, check out the AWAI methods to become a skilled and in-demand copywriter. This course teaches copywriting principles and skills, allowing you to work on a variety of projects and create ways to acquire your first writing job.
2. Choose your niche and copywriting service
Before you open your door for your business, you need to decide which writing services you will provide as a copywriter. As a beginner, you can focus on some of the easier projects, such as blog posts (also known as content marketing) and social media content. Other forms of copywriting, such as SEO and writing white papers, require additional knowledge you need to gain.
But more consideration is the industry you want to write about. Some copywriters are generalists and have written about a variety of topics, but choosing a specialist is easier and more advantageous. Understanding the niche you want to focus on is challenging, but mapping your passions, interests, experiences and knowledge will help you narrow it down relatively quickly.
Some popular copywriting industries include:
- Baby and child-rearing
- Christian market
- Digital Marketing
- education
- fashion
- finance
- Food and wine
- Health, Fitness, Mental Health, Wellness
- Pets
- real estate
- relationship
- Self-development
- Technology
- trip
3. Create a website
As a home-based copywriter, having a website is helpful. Having an online presence will help you attract more clients. This will provide you with a place to showcase your copywriting portfolio, list your services, and provide you with a professional email address. However, even if you don’t have the funds to invest in the website, you can still start your business without it.
If you decide to do the latter, we recommend that you change your freelance copywriting service LinkedIn profile or create a profile in Fiverr or Medium. This allows clients to explore services, read testimonials, and verify their credentials. If you want to build it, here are some easy ways to set up a website.
4. Selling copywriting business
As a beginner, the easiest way to find your first client is to market your service to people you know. Don’t worry; this doesn’t have to be a high pressure sale. Let your friends and family know that you are open for business. Give them a link to your website or LinkedIn profile and ask if they or someone they know needs a freelance copywriter.
Once you have looked up your contacts, you can create a dream list of potential clients and connect with them through your social media profile. We interact with content thoughtfully over a short period of time, follow up with your dream clients by email, and propose services.
One easy way to get their attention is to notice gaps in content and business. For example, let’s say they haven’t updated their Facebook page in more than a year. Get this to their attention along with the current statistics that support why you should use Facebook and some ideas you have to revitalize your page. This can be continued until there is a constant flow of clients in the pipeline.
Of course, there are other ways to promote your copywriting business! What you need to remember is consistency. Choose two or three ways you think you’re enjoying what you do and spend your time working on those methods every day.
5. Organize your business for success
As a freelance copywriter, he wears many hats, including writers, marketers, bookkeepers, editors, administrative assistants, and tax products. To stay aware of all deadlines and obligations, you need to establish a system to ensure everything is done smoothly. Don’t worry; cover with the ultimate online business planning toolkit. This toolkit will help you set up a system to plan, track and organize your entire business for success!
6. Invest in writing skills
Once cash flow is built, we would like to reinvest some of it in professional development. Luckily there are events, meetings, webinars, conference calls, online courses, books, membership sites, mastermind groups and coaching sessions. There are some that fit all your budget and niche. By investing in yourself and your business, you gain knowledge, information and skills to make your freelance business successful.
Start your copywriting career now!
Being a work from a home copywriter might seem like a distant, distant dream, but reading this guide made me the first step! If you’re serious about working from home as a copywriter, start by downloading this free business plan template and start taking your baby’s steps towards your goals.
It was originally released in March 2009. The content was updated in April 2025.
