How to become a freelance copywriter?
Have you ever seen an ad on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram?
Then you must have seen how the ad description is written and how well it appeals to the audience.
This is called a copy – a copy is a form of writing used to promote a product or service in an appealing and persuasive manner.
A freelance writer creates highly persuasive and creative texts to generate more sales and conversions.
As a freelance copywriter, you are responsible for helping businesses create compelling and engaging content.
Becoming a freelance copywriter can be a rewarding experience if you know how to write compelling content and use the right techniques to get your message across.
Let’s learn more about copywriting and how you can become a successful freelance copywriter and even run your own business!
What is copywriting?
Before we learn how to become a successful freelance copywriter and help you with your freelance copywriting career, let’s revise the concept of copywriting.
Copywriting is a form of writing that creates persuasive and convincing content to make the audience take action – it’s an essential marketing tool for any business.
Companies mostly use copywriting for promotional purposes, usually in the form of ads, emails, brochures, or website content.
The goal is to make the audience take a desired action (e.g., buy a product).
Copywriting involves skillfully crafting words that will capture the attention of potential customers and create an emotional connection with them.
It requires research and understanding of the target audience, as well as a vital mastery of the language.
Copywriting requires creativity and persuasive language to capture the audience’s attention.
The copywriter must also be able to effectively communicate a message in limited words, usually without any visuals or images.
Companies pay a good amount of money for writing projects such as technical writing, copywriting, copy editing, and content marketing.
Good copywriters are in high demand and can make a lucrative living from their skills.
What is freelance copywriting?
If you know what freelancing means – it is a form of self employment in which a person works independently, offering services to companies and individuals who don’t employ them full time.
Freelance copywriting is the process of writing content (such as promotional materials, website copy, email campaigns, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) copywriting, or other marketing content) for potential clients.
Freelance copywriters generally look for prospective clients who need copywriting services and then negotiate the terms of the project.
The best thing about being a freelance copywriter is that they can work from home, offering their services to companies or individuals in need without the commitment of a full-time job.
Freelance copywriters can often set their hours and rates, which makes it an excellent option for those looking for flexible work.
Freelance copywriting is a great career choice if you have the right qualifications, copywriting skills, and experience.
It’s also an ideal job for those who want to make money while pursuing their creative projects or spending more time with their families.
How hard is it to become a successful copywriter?
To be honest, to become a copywriter and run your freelance writing business, you have to do some homework.
There is massive competition in the copywriting arena, and to be successful, you must have a deep understanding of content writing, marketing, SEO copywriting, video scripts, and other skills.
But there is still high demand for professional copywriters as new businesses are emerging daily and need someone to write copy for them.
It can be anything from a blog post to a website landing page or even a copy for an email campaign.
So, those who have the right skills and experience can easily make it big in this field.
But to become a successful writer, you need to work hard and keep learning as much as possible.
You have to stay above other copywriters and become a skilled copywriter with unique experiences and strategies.
How to start a freelance copywriting business?
So now that we know one or two things about freelance copywriting, let’s take a look at how to become a freelance copywriter.
1. Learn the right skills for this job.
The first thing you want to do as an aspiring freelance copywriter is that you need to learn the necessary skills to become successful.
This includes writing compelling sales copy, using different marketing channels, and understanding SEO techniques.
There are plenty of online copywriting courses available in the market where you can learn and practice persuasive writing (we highly recommend getting a copywriting course).
You can also watch YouTube videos to gain more knowledge and practice writing.
Most copywriters have social media profiles, so you can look for some inspiration from them.
They share regular social media posts on what they are doing and how they approach their writing.
You can also read copywriting books to improve your writing skills even more.
An excellent way to start copywriting is to write blog posts first because blogs are long form content, and you can experiment with different things.
2. Find your ideal niche.
Once you have enough knowledge and experience in copywriting, now it’s time to find a niche that suits your skills as you learn how to become a freelance copywriter? .
It would be best if you focused on what you are good at to attract more clients looking for someone with similar skills.
For example, social media ad copy, website landing page copy, or SEO-friendly content – these are all different niches in the copywriting field.
So make sure to do your research and find a niche that excites you the most.
3. Build your portfolio.
The third most important thing to do is to create a portfolio of the work you have done and the skills you possess.
Complete some copywriting projects that are challenging which can showcase your skills.
New freelance copywriters must focus on their portfolio rather than anything else, as they learn how to become a freelance copywriter.
To create a portfolio, you can create a website or a LinkedIn profile and post examples of your work.
You can also use other online platforms, like Upwork, Fiverr, etc., to showcase your copywriting projects.
Building your portfolio could also be a good idea, but it won’t be free.
So if you have the budget to spend, creating your website is a great way to go.
4. Apply for copywriting jobs.
Once you have collected some experience and a created a portfolio, it’s time to start looking for copywriting projects.
You can search for copywriting job postings on websites like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, etc.
Aside from that, you can also keep an eye out for any freelance opportunities in your local area or with local businesses.
You can reach out to them through email or social media and inquire if they need any copywriters.
It helps to have a good network of connections, so join some online communities related to copywriting and promote your work there.
This way, you can get more exposure and attract more clients.
Getting clients for copywriting work is the hardest part of being a freelance copywriter, so it’s essential to keep hustling and looking for opportunities.
Eventually, you will find the right clients who need your writing services, so make sure to stay positive and don’t give up.
Skills required for becoming a freelance copywriter
Writing copy is not the only skill you need as a freelance copywriter – here are some other skills you need to become a successful copywriter.
1. Creative writing.
The obvious one here is creative writing – you need to come up with engaging content that will attract the audience and compel them to take action.
Copywriters specialize in many writing styles, so make sure to keep exploring and honing your creative writing skills.
2. Research Skills.
Copywriters also need to be good at researching topics- this is especially true if you are promoting a product or service.
You have to figure out what customers would be interested in, so research skills are essential for a successful copywriter.
3. SEO Knowledge.
In today’s digital age, it is crucial to have some knowledge of SEO so that you can optimize your writing for search engines.
It helps to understand the basics, like keyword research and understanding how Google works, which will enable you to write better copy for your clients.
4. Collaboration Skills.
Copywriting is often a collaborative effort, so you need to work with others and take feedback positively.
Communication skills are also important if you want to understand the client’s needs better and write effectively for them.
5. Marketing skills.
One of the primary tasks of a copywriter is to promote products or services, so it helps if you have some marketing knowledge and can understand the customer’s needs better.
It’s essential that your writing should be informed by the latest trends in the industry, so make sure to remain up to date with the market.
6. Attention to detail.
Copywriters have to pay attention to all the small details in their writing, from punctuation to grammar.
Your copy must be error-free and consistent, so proofread your work before submitting it.
In addition, you should also listen to what your clients want and make sure that your copy reflects their vision.
7. Time management.
Time management is a crucial skill for any freelancer, so you should be able to manage multiple projects at the same time and prioritize tasks efficiently.
You have to make sure that you are meeting deadlines without compromising on quality.
How much does a freelance copywriter make?
Successful copywriters can earn anywhere from $40 to $100 per hour, depending on the project.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that rates can vary based on your experience and expertise.
Starting out as a writer, you can make around $20 per hour, but as you gain more experience and develop your skills, you can go up to $50 or even higher.
To increase your earning potential, it helps to build a strong portfolio that showcases the best of what you have to offer.
You have to remember that businesses are willing to pay a lot of money to skilled copywriters who can provide quality content, so make sure to invest in yourself and your writing if you want to maximize your earning potential.
What are the benefits of running your own copywriting business?
Here are some of the key benefits of becoming a freelance copywriter:
1. Flexibility and freedom.
As a freelance copywriter, you get to work from anywhere in the world and have complete control over your schedule.
You don’t have to follow a specific timetable or commute – you can work when it’s convenient for you.
2. Good pay
Freelance copywriters make a good wage and can often charge higher rates than in house writers.
This is because there are fewer overheads associated with running your own business, and you don’t have to pay tax or employee benefits.
3. It doesn’t take too much time to create a copy.
The more experienced you’ll become with copywriting, the easier it will be for you to create a compelling copy in a short amount of time.
So you can take on multiple projects at the same time and make more money.
4. You can help businesses grow.
Copywriting can be a powerful tool for businesses that are looking to increase their presence and reach more potential customers.
As a copywriter, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping your clients build awareness, captivate audiences and grow their bottom line.
5. Able to work with a variety of clients.
Freelance copywriters can choose who they want to work with, meaning they can take on projects that are interesting and satisfying to you.
This freedom allows you to expand your knowledge base, hone your writing skills, and develop relationships with clients that value your services.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, running a freelance copywriting business and learning how to become a freelance copywriter is an excellent way to make a living and build a career as a writer.
It won’t be easy, though, as it will take a lot of hard work and dedication to make it successful.
But with the right attitude and determination, you can reap all of the benefits that come with being your boss – good luck!
