In 2019, I struggled like a grandpa on TikTok to break into copywriting.
I wasted months trying to learn the basics and get clients.
I wasn’t able to figure out how to make enough money, so I quit.
Luckily…
I hopped back into the copywriting game a year later.
This time was different.
Much different.
I took off like a Space X rocket ship...
- Learned the basics in a few months & felt confident as Zeus in my writing abilities
- Got my first client within 24 hours of reaching out
- Scored 50+ paying clients within 3 months
- Raked in close to 6-figures in my first year
Would you like to know what I did differently the second time?
Would you like to model after my path so you can learn how to start copywriting, the right way, and get paid like a king ASAP?
Then read every word in this blog post (and devour the helpful guides linked throughout).
In this blog post…
I’m going to reveal what copywriting is, if copywriting is still in demand with the emergence of AI, the 5 most in-demand copywriting services to offer in 2024, how much money you can expect to earn, how to start copywriting the right way, and 5 steps every aspiring copywriter must take to launch their career.
What is Copywriting?
There’s a LOT of confusion about what copywriting is and what copywriters do.
Let me quickly clear your haze:
A-list copywriters know that copywriting is nothing more than salesmanship in print.
But instead of selling face-to-face, you are selling through your writing.
And the beauty is…
You also reach WAAAAY more people than you ever could with traditional selling.
Its salesmanship multiplied.
So…
With that said…
Copywriters have one real goal:
Get results for their clients.
The specific results can vary (although it’s usually to generate more sales or leads), but the ultimate purpose is to make more money.
If you can help your clients grow their business, you will ALWAYS be able to make rockstar money.
Which brings me to my next point…
Are Copywriters Still in Demand with AI & ChatGPT?
Despite the bajillion fear-mongering news articles penetrating your skull…
Copywriting is NOT dead.
It NEVER will be.
The reason is obvious…
Companies will always need help growing their businesses.
They will ALWAYS need help selling more products.
Luckily, sales is a human contact sport.
It requires tapping into your reader’s psychology. Speaking to them on an emotional and personal level.
AI certainly cannot do this now.
And will probably never be able to do so, at least nowhere near as well as humans can.
If you learn how to write persuasive copy that sells, you will ALWAYS be in icy-hot demand.
You will ALWAYS be able to earn a small fortune through your writing.
To learn how to write copy that sells see these blog posts (treat them as you would a $1997 course. They can transform your writing, and life, if you learn, study and apply the wisdom packed inside):
- 10 Emotional Triggers to Persuade Your Readers to Buy from You
- The Ultimate Guide to Direct Response Copywriting (Write Copy that Sells)
- 25 Copywriting Tips for Beginners (Improve Your Skills TODAY)
- The 10 Most Persuasive Copywriting Tips for Copywriters Who Want to Earn 6-Figures This Year
What are The Most In-demand Types of Copywriting Services to Offer in 2024?
Not all copywriting services are treated equally.
Some pay great and are in red-hot demand, while others pay McDonald’s money and are dying out.
Here are the 10 most profitable copywriting services in 2024:
- Social Media Copywriting
- SEO Copywriting
- Blog Copywriting
- Direct Response Copywriting
- Email Copywriting
- B2B Copywriting
- B2C Copywriting
- Website Copywriting
- Sales Page Copywriting
- UX Copywriting
I created a very detailed blog post covering each type of copywriting service in full detail. You can read it here.
If you want to get into copywriting, make sure you offer one or more of these copywriting services.
How Much Can Copywriters Make?
According to Zip Recruiter, copywriters earn around $40 per hour.
BUTTTT….
Averages for copywriting rates are very misleading.
You can make $1,000,000 in one year… or… you can make less than $10,000.
You see, as a freelance copywriter, you are a business owner.
There is really no cap on how much you can earn.
The only limit is your skills, knowledge and ambition.
If you constantly improve your marketing, selling and copywriting skills, you can most definitely earn 6-figures and beyond.
Never limit yourself to averages.
Strive for greatness.
You CAN earn as many dead presidents as your pink heart desires IF you put in the work, provide your clients Godzilla-sized value and constantly improve your skills.
How to Start Your Copywriting Career with NO Experience (5 Simple Steps)
You can save years of frustration by following my simple blueprint for breaking into copywriting.
Here are the five essential steps that mirror my personal path, with tips, insights and updates.
Use these 5 steps as your reliable roadmap for how to get into copywriting and creating a very profitable career/business for yourself.
#1) Hone Your Craft
The initial stride towards mastering the art of copywriting involves LEARNING the basics.
You want to gain a rock-solid foundation of what goes into writing killer copy so that you can confidently generate results for your clients.
Accelerate your learning curve by:
Reading the top 5-10 books on direct response copywriting:
- The Boron Letters by Gary Halbert
- The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joseph Sugarman
- How to Write a Good Advertisement by Victor O. Schwab
- Scientific Advertising By Claude Hopkins
- The Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan Kennedy
- Ogilvy on Advertising By David Ogilvy
- Tested Advertising Methods By John Caples
- Cashvertising By Drew Eric Whitman
- The Copywriter’s Handbook By Bob Bly
- Kick-Ass Copywriting Secrets of a Marketing Rebel By John Carlton
Strive to read 25+ pages per day. Read these books 2 times (take detailed notes the 2nd time)
While reading daily…
You also want to engage in daily copywriting exercises, as detailed in my blog post on "How to Practice Copywriting for Free (5 Exercises to Improve Your Skills TODAY)."
By dedicating an hour daily to this practice and reading around 25+ pages a day, you can quickly learn the basics and feel confident in your copywriting knowledge and abilities.
Then, you will be able to start getting paid to write…
#2) Get Paid to Write for Clients
Securing freelance copywriting clients swiftly demands a diversified approach.
In my blog post, "How to Get Copywriting Clients in 2023 With No Experience (Get New Clients TODAY)," I dive into my ten favorite methods.
During the initial stages, aim for rapid-fire experience by writing for various clients and across different mediums.
Two quickest methods to acquire copywriting clients include:
- Facebook: Craft an offer and post it on your feed. I secured my first client within 24 hours using this method.
- Fiverr: Establish a Fiverr account and create gigs to attract clients within days (got over 50 clients within 3 months this way)
AFTER you’ve gotten a lot of experience, and have a bunch of samples and testimonials, you’ll want to…
#3) Choose a Copywriting Niche
Once you've gained a heap of experience and showcased your expertise, it's time to choose a copywriting niche.
My comprehensive guide, "The 10 Highest-Paying Copywriting Niches in 2023 (How to Pick the Best One for YOU)," provides step-by-step instructions.
Choose a lucrative niche aligned with your passion, filled with gobs of potential clients actively seeking freelance copywriters.
Top 10 freelance copywriting niches in 2024:
- Health & Fitness
- Finance
- Tech
- Ecommerce
- Real Estate
- Travel
- Pet
- Self Improvement
- Academic Education
- Fashion and Beauty
#4) Create Your Copywriting Portfolio
After collecting samples and testimonials, craft an impressive copywriting portfolio using a 100% free method I detail in my blog post: How to Create a Copywriting Portfolio with NO Experience (In 10 minutes or Less)
This approach requires minimal time, no financial investment, and no technical or design skills.
#5) Grow Your Freelance Business with Higher-Quality Clients
Once your niche is selected and portfolio is ready, focus on prospecting to acquire higher-paying clients.
Networking, cold email outreach, and LinkedIn outreach are some of the most effective methods.
While prospecting is crucial in the beginning, invest some time into content marketing for long-term growth.
Establishing a blog, YouTube channel, podcast, or engaging on social media can lead to a steady influx of clients over time, reducing dependency on constant outreach efforts.
Content marketing, though a more time-consuming and long-term strategy, can bring you desirable results.
While you actively engage in prospecting for immediate clients, simultaneously invest in content creation:
- Blog Posts: Share insights, tips, and industry trends to showcase your expertise.
- YouTube Channel: Create informative videos or tutorials related to copywriting, building an audience over time.
- Podcast: Share your knowledge and experiences through a podcast to reach a broader audience.
- Social Media Platforms: Utilize platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to share snippets of your expertise and engage with potential clients.
Though the results may take a while to materialize, the momentum generated by content marketing can become a self-sustaining engine, attracting clients while you sleep and can eventually eliminate the need to prospect entirely.
Conclusion
If you want to launch your copywriting career, then this "how to start copywriting" guide is your blueprint.
Use it to pave a clear path to 6-figures and beyond in a career you’re passionate about.
If you put in the work, you can realistically transition out of your current job and earn a full-time income as a thriving copywriter.
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