Do you enjoy writing content? Are you a wordsmith? Or maybe you have a knack for persuasion? If you answered yes to those questions, then a freelance copywriting career might be for you. But how to become a freelance copywriter?
Copywriting is the art of writing compelling and persuasive copy that sells products or services. And as a freelance copywriter, you can work from anywhere in the world – All you need is a laptop and an internet connection.
Sound like the dream job? Well, it kind of is. But like any good thing, becoming a successful freelance copywriter takes hard work and dedication.
If you’re up for the challenge, here is everything you need to help you get started on your career path and become a successful copywriter.
What is Freelance Copywriting?
Being a freelance copywriter means producing written content, such as ads, emails, or blog posts, for big or small businesses on a contract basis.
Freelance copywriters create different copies, such as blog posts, newsletter emails, or social media ads.
Advertising agencies, public relations firms, and small businesses often hire freelance copywriters. Many times, these writers work remotely, set their own hours, and have more freedom than regular copywriters.
Is Freelance Copywriting a Good Career?
Yes, there is no doubt about it, freelance copywriting is a great career path. It’s a good way to make a living, and it’s also a way to get your foot in the door of the writing world.
Plus, it’s one of the easiest freelance jobs for beginners, which is definitely an added bonus.
Nowadays, agencies and bloggers are ready to pay a high price to get premium content that ranks well on Google and increases conversions.
How Much Do Freelance Copywriters Make?
Freelance content writers can make a lot of money when working on specific tasks. For instance, technical writing is one of the highest-paying topics in the field.
According to a report by Glassdoor, on average, a freelance copywriter earns $53,915 per year.
If you’re in to make millions and earn six figures a year, then you may be disappointed. However, if you’re successful and climb the ladder with more clients, then you’ll be able to make a pretty decent income, more than what Glassdoor reports.
To give you an idea, on average, a writer on Freelancer earns on average $68,304 per year.
Where Do Freelance Copywriters Work?
When it comes to freelance copywriters, the sky’s the limit. Unlike many other professions, we have the freedom to work from wherever we want.
This is thanks to the fact that copywriting is a highly portable profession – all you need is a laptop and an internet connection, and you can work from anywhere in the world (and get passive income!).
This makes freelance copywriting an ideal career choice for those who want to travel or live in multiple locations. It also means that they can often take on assignments from clients who are located in different time zones, as there is no need to meet in person.
READ MORE: Best Writing Tools You Need – Complete Guide
The Types of Freelance Copywriters
While writing content is all about research and words, there are several types of freelance copywriters with different job descriptions and requirements.
Website Content
Web copywriters write the content that appears on websites. This can include the website’s “About Us” page, blog posts, product descriptions, and more.
The goal of web copywriting is to not only inform the reader but also to persuade them to take action. This might be anything from subscribing to a newsletter to making a purchase.
To be successful, web copywriters must have a strong understanding of SEO (search engine optimization) and how to write effective headlines, meta descriptions, and calls to action.
Email Copywriting
Email marketing copywriters create email marketing campaigns, starting from the initial email to follow-up emails and automated messages.
Email marketing is an essential part of the marketing business as it helps build relationships with potential and current customers.
While it sounds easy, being an email marketing copywriter can be complex as you must understand how to write email subject lines that grab attention and how to structure emails in a way that is both visually appealing and easy to read.
B2B and B2C Copywriting
B2B copywriters create marketing materials for businesses that sell products or services to other businesses. B2C writers, on the other hand, create marketing materials for businesses that sell products or services to consumers.
Both types of writers need to be persuasive to achieve their objectives.
However, they often have different approaches. B2B copywriters typically use more technical language and focus on the features of the product or service. B2C copywriters often use more emotional language and focus on the benefits of the product or service.
Ad Copywriting
Copywriting is a crucial element of effective advertising, and it can make or break an ad campaign. Copywriters must be able to capture the attention of their audience and communicate a clear message in a limited amount of space.
This could be writing Facebook Ads, Google Ads, descriptions on podcast ads, social media posts, and more.
They must also be able to evoke emotion and encourage action very quickly. Ad copywriting is both an art and a science, and it takes practice and skill to master. However, with a little creativity and hard work, anyone can become a successful ad copywriter.
Video Script Copywriting
In a nutshell, video script copywriting is all about writing scripts for videos. This can include everything from explainer videos and product demos to training videos or simple YouTube vlogs.
Writing a video script is one of the most complicated tasks, and it’s not common to find a specialized copywriter in the field – unless he gets paid a lot.
As a video script copywriter, your job is to take the basic idea of the video and turn it into a compelling story that will engage viewers and keep them watching until the end. This means having a strong understanding of how to write for visual media and how to use various storytelling techniques to engage viewers.
Apart from that, the video script writer must create or follow the company’s tone of voice, approach, and techniques, and the visual elements that go into the footage.
If you’re just starting your copywriter career, then I wouldn’t recommend writing video scripts and, instead, focus on other tasks to become a master in the industry first.
What About Writer’s Block?
As any professional writer knows, the blank page can be a daunting sight. Faced with the pressure of coming up with something new and interesting, it’s not uncommon to feel like your creativity has dried up, even successful copywriters.
This feeling is often referred to as “writer’s block,” and it can be a major obstacle to productivity. While there’s no surefire cure for writer’s block, there are a few things that can help.
And the best one for me is using Jasper AI, a software that totally removes writer’s block, allowing you to craft content easily for all your copywriting clients.
While you still need to be creative and express your own ideas, Jasper takes it to the next level and writes amazing content for you.
And for only $59 a month, you’ll become a pro in no time.
Of course, to overcome writer’s block, you’ll have to take some time away from work and be patient. But when using Jasper, you won’t need to get another break ever again.
Try it out, they have a free trial.
Nowadays, using Jasper AI is essential to run a professional copywriting business
Employee Vs Freelance Copywriter
Being a freelancer is slightly different than working for a copywriting business.
You see, while it’s not as stable, freelance copywriters have more control over their schedule, can work more to earn more, and, above all, can work from anywhere.
There’s no denying that a good copywriter can be a valuable asset to any business or potential clients. After all, copy is what sells products and convinces customers to take action. But when it comes to being an employee copywriter and a freelance copywriter, there are pros and cons to both options.
Both career paths are similar when starting, but ultimately the end result is very much different from one another.
As an employee copywriter, you’re more likely to be invested in the company you work for and its success. You’re also more likely to be familiar with the brand voice and style guidelines over time.
On the other hand, if you decide to be a freelance copywriter, you could get paid more and be more flexible with your time, but you will probably not have the same level of commitment to the company.
Also, working for a company is more stable, and freelancers constantly have to find new clients, which is the trickier part.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to what’s best for you and your needs. If you need more control over your schedule and salary, being a freelancer may be the way to go. But if you want a more stable role, then being an employee is the right path.
Best Platforms For Freelance Gigs
- Fiverr
- Contra
- Toptal
- Upwork
- People Per Hour
READ MORE: Get Started on Upwork Today
Pros and Cons of Online Copywriting
Online copywriting is a great way to reach a large audience with your message. It’s also a great way to make money. However, there are some pros and cons that you should be aware of before you start.
Let’s take a look at the pros first, and we’ll then move on to the cons.
The Pros
You run your own copywriting business
One of the best things about freelance copywriting is that you’re your own boss. You get to set your own hours, work from home, and take on as much or as little work as you want. This can be a great way to make some extra money if you’re a stay-at-home parent or someone who is looking for a more flexible schedule.
Make your own schedule
Another great thing about freelance copywriting is that you can make your own schedule. If you have a busy family life, you can work around your kids’ schedules. Or, if you’re a night owl, you can work in the evenings and sleep in late.
This flexibility can be a huge benefit, especially if you have other commitments that make it difficult to stick to a traditional 9-5 schedule.
Get paid to write copy
Of course, one of the best things about freelance copywriting is that you get paid to write! If you love writing and are good at it, why not get paid for it? Some many businesses and individuals need copywriters and are willing to pay for high-quality content.
This means that you can make a good income as a freelance copywriting business by doing something that you enjoy.
Work from anywhere
Another great thing about freelance copywriting is that you can work from anywhere. If you have a laptop and an internet connection, you can work from anywhere in the world. This is perfect for people who love to travel or who want to work from home.
The Cons
It’s not all about the money
Sure, freelance writing can be a great way to make some extra cash, but it’s not all about the money. If you’re only in it for the money, you’re going to be disappointed.
The truth is, copywriting is a lot of work, and it takes a lot of time and effort to be successful at it, even if you use Jasper AI. So if you’re not prepared to put in the work, it might not the right choice for you.
You need to be a good writer
This may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. To be a successful freelance writer, you need to be a decent writer, especially. Period. There’s no two ways about it.
If you’re not a good writer, you’re not going to be successful at copywriting. Plain and simple.
It’s not as glamorous as it seems
When most people think of freelance copywriting, they envision sitting in a coffee shop with their laptop, sipping lattes and churning out brilliant ad copy.
And while that does happen sometimes, it’s not the reality for most copywriters.
Most of us spend our days hunched over our desks in our home office, battling distractions and struggling to stay focused while writing web pages. So if you’re looking for a glamorous freelance career, this is probably not for you.
Of course, these are just three things to keep in mind if you’re considering becoming a freelance copywriter. There are plenty of other factors to consider as well. But if you’re aware of these three things from the start, you’ll be well on your way to success in this rewarding freelance copywriting career.
How to Become a Freelance Copywriter?
Learn How to Write a Persuasive Copy
Just like other new freelance copywriters, before you can start writing copy, you need to understand the basics of persuasive writing and human psychology.
Persuasive writing is all about using your words to convince your reader to take a particular course of action.
In order to do this, you’ll need to master the art of persuasion. There are a few key techniques that all persuasive writers use, and once you’ve learned them, you’ll be well on your way to success.
Some of the most important techniques include using strong language, making emotional appeals, and creating a sense of urgency. If you can master these techniques, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful copywriter.
While you can also learn from other copywriters, the best resources to learn persuation are:
- Dan Brown’s Masterclass
- Grammarly’s Guide to Persuasion
- CRO Copywriting Hacks from Conversion Sciences
Improve Your Copywriting Skills
Now that you know the basics to start your copywriting career, you should improve your writing and business skills. In the advertising industry, there are a number of ways to learn about copywriting, including taking classes, reading books, and attending networking events.
I personally recommend Udemy, a fantastic platform with online courses that allow you to follow experienced coaches and learn content marketing quickly.
Skillshare is a great alternative, although they won’t give you a certificate to add to your resume, as opposed to Udemy. But, they’re a great way to secure a copywriting course and take your skills to the next level.
Learn the Basics of SEO
If you want to learn how to become a freelance copywriter, step 3 is to learn the basics of SEO copywriting, which will eventually drive more website traffic, may it be your own website or your client’s business.
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the process of making your website and content more visible to people who are using search engines like Google or Bing. While there are a lot of complex algorithms that go into SEO, there are also a few simple things that you can do to make your website more visible.
For example, one thing you can do is to use keywords throughout your website and in your titles and descriptions. This will help search engines understand what your website is about and make it more likely to show up in relevant searches.
Another thing you can do is to create backlinks, which are links from other websites to yours. Backlinks help to improve your website’s authority and can also improve your rankings in search results. So if you’re looking to learn how to become a copywriter, step 3 is to learn the basics of SEO.
The most important parts of SEO when it comes to content writing are:
- Links
- Keyword Density
- Meta Information
- Keyword Research
- Blog Post Hierarchy
- Headings and Subheadings
I particularly like Ahrefs’ course about content marketing – free, easy to follow, and good enough when starting as a copywriter.
Define Your Niche
Once you found your own style and learned SEO, one way to stand out as a freelance writer is to find a niche.
This could involve specializing in a certain industry or type of copywriting, such as web copywriting or direct mail marketing.
Or you could specialize in technical topics (and get paid a lot) or in more common ones such as travel or digital marketing. All niches have their pros and cons and difficulty level, but that all depends on you and what you’re capable of.
By focusing on a specific area, you’ll be able to develop deeper knowledge and expertise that will make you more valuable to potential clients.
That being said, a self-employed copywriter will often have to be familiar with several industries, as finding clients in your field only could be pretty challenging.
Create a Content Marketing Portfolio
When you have your own business, having a copywriting portfolio with writing samples is a great way to show off your skills and attract new clients.
But what should you include in your portfolio? Well, that depends on the kind of writing projects you’re after.
For example, if you’re a web copywriter, you might want to include website landing pages, email campaigns, and sales pages. If you’re a print copywriter, you might want to include direct mail pieces, brochures, and magazine ads.
And for freelance writers, make sure your portfolio includes a variety of work in different industries to get as much traction as possible. No matter what kind of copywriting you do, though, there are a few basics that every good portfolio should have.
First, make sure your portfolio is up-to-date with your latest work.
Second, use strong visuals to showcase your work; after all, a picture is worth a thousand words.
And third, organize your portfolio in an easily navigable way so potential clients can quickly find the type of work they’re looking for.
Obviously, you will also want to advertise your copywriting services and go through all the topics you can write about.
Find Your First Clients
As a freelance copywriter, one of your first challenges you will encounter is finding clients. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to go about this.
One option is to search for job postings online. Sites like Upwork have endless postings for copywriting positions, even technical writing.
Another option is to reach out to prospective clients directly. You can either send them a cold email or pitch them on a project you think would be a good fit for their needs.
Finally, you can also use social media to connect with potential clients. LinkedIn is a great platform for networking with businesses and individuals who may need copywriting services. So don’t hesitate to create new social media accounts for that purpose only.
By taking some time to cultivate your client base, you’ll be well on your way to get some freelance copywriting work quickly.
Best Platforms For Freelance Gigs
- Fiverr
- Contra
- Toptal
- Upwork
- People Per Hour
Copywriting Tips
Content marketing is often seen as a dry and boring topic. But when you take a step back, you can make it incredibly interesting and nuanced. There are so many things to consider – from the tone of your writing to the choice of idioms.
Let me give you a few tips to get successful in the copywriting business or to kickstart your copywriting career.
Keep it Short and Sweet
When it comes to creative writing, especially sales letters or email campaigns, less is often more. Brevity is key when you’re trying to get your point across in a clear and concise way.
This doesn’t mean that you should sacrifice quality for quantity – just that you should focus on being as clear and concise as possible.
Make Sure it Flows
Another important aspect of copywriting is making sure that your text flows well. This means using proper grammar and punctuation, as well as ensuring that your sentences are properly constructed.
I highly recommend using Grammarly, a software that detect typos and basic errors (with the free version), and rewrite your sentence to make feel more engaging and ensure a better delivery (with the paid option).
Additionally, you should try to avoid using jargon or overly technical language.
Use Active Voice
You can have great copywriting skills, but using active voice in your writing copy will make it more engaging and easier to read. Active voice means that the subject of the sentence is doing the action, as opposed to the object of the sentence.
For example, “The dog chased the cat” is in active voice, while “The cat was chased by the dog” is in passive voice.
Most copywriters take time to master this part of the job but, once you know how to rephrase your sentences and use the active voice, you’ll become a great copywriter with premium communication skills.
Use “You” Instead of “We”
When working for a marketing agency, it’s easy to fall into this trap and continuously use “we” instead of “you”.
However, if you want the readers to be more interested in your landing page copy or a general writing copy, you must get their attention, and this is exactly how.
By using “you”, you’ll get to talk to them and talk about what you are offering them – not only what you can offer. Successful copywriters always use this technique to attract readers and increase conversions.
A/B Test your Headlines
Being a skilled copywriter is one thing – becoming a six-figure copywriter is another. And A/B testing your headlines, as well as your meta data, is a way to broaden your audience and, therefore, get more clients.
This means creating two different versions of a headline and seeing which one performs better. You can do this by looking at things like click-through rate or conversion rate. Headline A/B testing is an essential tool for any professional copywriter.
Conclusion
This was everything you needed to know to become a successful freelance copywriter. From here, the sky is the limit – run your own writing business, create your own blog, or connect with startup founders.
Ultimately, the key is to start writing and learning content marketing deeply to be ready to take copywriting work. Don’t worry; all new freelance copywriters start with no experience, but you will eventually succeed.
Just keep in mind that freelance life isn’t always easy, and keep your expectations realistic; and I’m confident you’ll have a successful copywriting business!
