When you're just starting out, understanding the different types of copywriting can help you find your niche and play to your strengths. Not all copywriting is the same—some types are short and snappy, while others require a more in-depth approach. Let’s dive into the main types of copywriting that you, as a beginner copywriter, might explore:

1. Direct Response Copywriting

This is the heavyweight champion of copywriting, and it’s where many of the greats—like Gary Halbert and Dan Kennedy—have made their mark. Direct response copywriting is all about driving immediate action. Think of long-form sales letters, email marketing campaigns, and social media ads. The goal is to get the reader to take a specific action right away, whether it’s clicking a link, making a purchase, or signing up for a free trial. If you love the thrill of seeing conversions and results, direct response might be your thing.

2. SEO Copywriting

If you’ve ever wondered how to start copywriting online, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) copywriting is a great entry point. This type focuses on writing content that ranks well in search engines like Google. It’s a blend of crafting engaging content while strategically using keywords (like “copywriting for beginners” or “how to become a copywriter”) to help web pages appear higher in search results. It’s perfect for those who enjoy writing blog posts, website copy, and content marketing pieces. Plus, with the rise of online businesses, SEO skills are more valuable than ever.

3. Email Copywriting

Ever been pulled into a brand’s email series that you couldn’t stop reading? That’s the power of a great email copywriter. Email copywriting is all about building relationships with subscribers, nurturing leads, and, of course, making sales. You might write welcome emails, product launch sequences, or weekly newsletters. This is an amazing niche if you love writing conversationally and connecting with people directly. And the best part? Email marketing is one of the highest ROI channels for businesses, which means companies are always looking for skilled email copywriters.

4. Website Copywriting

The words on a website can make or break a visitor’s experience. Website copywriting involves crafting everything from homepage headlines to product descriptions. The aim is to guide visitors through the site, keep them engaged, and lead them toward making a purchase or signing up. This type of copywriting combines creativity with a strategic approach to user experience (UX). It’s great for those who enjoy the challenge of creating a brand voice and keeping visitors hooked on every page.

5. Social Media Copywriting

If you’re active on social platforms and know how to keep a conversation going, social media copywriting might be for you. It’s about creating catchy, engaging posts that grab attention and encourage likes, shares, and comments. From crafting Instagram captions to writing ads that convert on Facebook or LinkedIn, social media copywriters help brands connect with audiences in a space where attention spans are short. It’s all about being concise and impactful.

Each of these types of copywriting offers its own set of challenges and rewards. Some will have you diving deep into long-form content, while others require you to make an impact in just a few words. As you learn how to become a copywriter, you might start with one type and branch out, or you might find that you excel in a specific area.

Let’s get down to brass tacks: How much can you actually make as a copywriter in 2025? If you’re looking into how to become a copywriter, you probably want to know whether it’s worth the time and effort.

The good news?

It definitely can be, especially if you know where to look and how to position yourself. But like many things, it depends on a few key factors.

1. Entry-Level Copywriter Salary

As a beginner copywriter with little to no experience, you can expect to earn around $20,000 to $50,000 per year if you’re working full-time. That might sound like a wide range, but it depends on where you live and the type of copy you’re doing. Starting out, you might take on lower-paying gigs, like writing short blog posts or basic product descriptions, just to build up your portfolio. As you gain more experience and expand your skills in areas like SEO copywriting or email marketing, you can start charging higher rates.

2. Experienced Copywriter Salaries

Once you have a few years under your belt and a solid track record, your earning potential jumps significantly. Experienced copywriters often earn between $60,000 to $100,000+ per year, especially if they specialize in high-value niches like direct response copywriting or email marketing. Those who become well-known in their niche can even command six-figure salaries or charge $5,000 to $10,000 (or more) for a single project. The key here is to focus on results—businesses are willing to pay top dollar if you can show that your copy directly leads to more sales.

3. Freelance Copywriter Rates

Many people who learn how to become a copywriter with no experience opt for freelancing. As a freelancer, your earnings can vary greatly depending on your niche, skills, and ability to find clients. Most beginner freelance copywriters charge anywhere from $20 to $50 per hour when starting out. But once you’ve built a portfolio and proven you can get results, rates of $75 to $150 per hour (or more) aren’t uncommon. Freelancing gives you flexibility, but it also requires you to be proactive in finding clients and managing your workload.

4. In-House Copywriter Salary

If you prefer the stability of a full-time job, working as an in-house copywriter for a company can be a great option. In 2025, in-house copywriters typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 per year, with some senior positions reaching up to $100,000 or more. Companies often look for copywriters to help with everything from social media posts to web copy and content strategy. This path can offer a steady paycheck and benefits like healthcare and paid time off, which can be a big plus if you’re looking for stability.

Factors That Affect Your Income:

Your salary or rates as a copywriter can vary based on several factors, including your location, niche, and expertise. For example, a beginner copywriter in a high-cost city like San Francisco or New York might earn more than someone in a smaller town, but they’ll also face higher living expenses. Additionally, specializing in areas like direct response copywriting or SEO copywriting can make you more valuable, allowing you to command higher rates.

Ultimately, how to get a copywriting job that pays well comes down to how you position yourself. Focus on building a strong portfolio, learning how to sell your services, and understanding the value you bring to clients. The more you can prove that your copy drives results, the more you can earn.

Curious about how to land your first clients and start earning those paychecks?

In the next section, I’ll break down 6 simple steps to become a freelance copywriter and start making money as soon as possible.

Breaking into copywriting can seem like a huge challenge, especially when you’re starting from scratch. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need a clear path to follow.

So, if you’re ready to learn how to become a copywriter with no experience, here are five straightforward steps to get you up and running fast:

Step 1: Learn the Copywriting Basics

Before you can start charging clients, you need to understand the fundamentals. The good news is you don’t need a formal course or degree—there are tons of free (or low-cost) resources that will teach you the basics of copywriting.

Start by reading classic books like “The Boron Letters” by Gary Halbert or “Breakthrough Advertising” by Eugene Schwartz. These will give you a solid foundation in understanding what makes people buy and how to write copy that converts.

You can also dive into online courses, YouTube tutorials, and copywriting blogs (yes, like this one). Focus on learning about headline writing, unique selling propositions (USPs), and calls to action (CTAs). These core skills are what you’ll use over and over again in your copy. And remember, the goal isn’t just to learn—it's to put those skills into practice as soon as possible.

Step 2: Build a Portfolio (Even If You Have No Clients Yet)

One of the biggest challenges for a beginner copywriter is the classic chicken-and-egg problem: you need clients to build a portfolio, but clients want to see a portfolio before hiring you.

But here’s a secret…

There’s a way around this, even if you’re just starting out.

Start by creating spec work. This is essentially writing sample projects that showcase your skills, even though they weren’t created for real clients. You can rewrite the copy for an existing product, craft a mock email campaign, or write a landing page for a pretend product. The goal is to show potential clients that you know how to start copywriting and create persuasive content, even if you haven’t worked with anyone yet.

You can also offer to do a few free projects for small businesses, local shops, or nonprofits. This gives you real-world experience and pieces to add to your portfolio. But keep this brief—your goal is to build confidence and samples quickly, then transition into paying gigs.

Once you have a few strong samples, create a simple online portfolio. It doesn’t have to be fancy—a basic website or even a Google Drive folder can do the trick. Make sure each sample showcases a different type of copy, like an email, a sales page, or an ad. This will help you attract a variety of clients and prove that you’ve got what it takes to solve their problems.

Step 3: Start Reaching Out to Potential Clients

Now that you’ve got some samples under your belt, it’s time to get your first paying clients. This is where many beginners get stuck, thinking they need to wait for clients to come to them. But in the early stages, you have to go out and get them.

The good news?

With the right approach, you can land those first gigs faster than you think.

Start by identifying businesses that might need your services. This could include local businesses, startups, or online brands that clearly aren’t putting their best foot forward with their current copy. Maybe their website lacks punch, their emails aren’t engaging, or their social media posts don’t convert. These are all opportunities for you to step in and help.

Once you’ve identified potential clients, reach out to them directly with a simple pitch. Here’s a framework to get you started:

• Introduce Yourself: Keep it short and to the point. Let them know you’re a copywriter who helps businesses increase sales through effective messaging.

• Highlight a Problem: Mention something you noticed about their copy that could be improved. For example, “I noticed that your website doesn’t have a clear call-to-action, which could mean missed sales opportunities.”

• Offer a Solution: Suggest how you can help, like rewriting a landing page or crafting a high-converting email sequence.

• Include a Call to Action: Make it easy for them to take the next step. For example, “Would you be open to a quick 15-minute call to discuss how I can help?”

Even if you get a few “no’s” at first, don’t get discouraged. Reaching out is a numbers game, and the more pitches you send, the more likely you are to land a client. And when you do, that first paycheck is going to feel like gold.

Step 4: Set Your Rates and Start Charging for Your Work

Once you’ve landed those first few clients, it’s time to start charging for your work. But knowing how to price yourself as a beginner copywriter can be tricky. Charge too low, and you’ll end up feeling burned out and undervalued. Charge too high, and you might struggle to attract clients.

So, how do you find that sweet spot?

1. Research the Market Rates

Start by doing some research on what other copywriting for beginners services are charging. Sites like Upwork or Fiverr can give you a sense of what freelancers with similar experience are earning. Typically, beginner copywriters might start with rates of around $20 to $50 per hour or charge per project, like $100 to $300 for a landing page or $50 to $150 for an email sequence.

2. Start Low, Then Raise Your Rates

When you’re just learning how to get a copywriting job, it’s okay to start on the lower end—especially if you need to build up your experience. But don’t stay there for too long. After you’ve completed a few successful projects and have some positive feedback, start raising your rates. Even a small increase, like going from $25 to $35 per hour, can make a big difference over time.

3. Offer Package Deals

Instead of billing by the hour, consider offering package deals for your services. For example, you could bundle three blog posts or an entire email sequence into a single rate. Clients appreciate knowing exactly what they’re paying for, and it allows you to earn more while focusing on the value you deliver rather than the time you spend.

4. Charge for Results, Not Just Words

As you get more comfortable with how to start copywriting, focus on the value you bring to the table. If your copy directly contributes to increased sales or leads for a client, you can charge more for your services. This is especially true if you’re diving into direct response copywriting or writing sales pages. When you’re confident that your work moves the needle for clients, you can command higher fees.

Remember, pricing is part art, part science. It’s about knowing your worth, understanding the market, and feeling confident in the value you provide. As you gain more experience, don’t be afraid to increase your rates and charge what you deserve.

Step 5: Choose a High-Paying Niche

One of the fastest ways to boost your earnings as a beginner copywriter is to specialize in a high-paying niche.

Think of it like this: generalist copywriters are a dime a dozen, but specialists—those who know a specific industry inside and out—can command top dollar.

Focusing on a niche not only makes you more valuable to clients but also allows you to become the go-to expert in that area.

Why Niching Down Works

When you specialize, you’re no longer just another beginner copywriter—you’re a copywriter who understands the unique challenges and needs of a specific industry. This could be e-commerce, health and wellness, financial services, software as a service (SaaS), or even real estate. Clients are willing to pay more for someone who knows their market and speaks their language. Plus, with fewer competitors, you’re more likely to stand out.

How to Choose Your Niche

Start by considering industries you already know or are passionate about. Maybe you have a background in fitness or an interest in tech. Alternatively, you could research which industries tend to have higher budgets for copywriting. Financial services and SaaS companies, for example, often pay more for well-written landing pages, sales funnels, and email sequences because they have a clear return on investment.

Become an Expert in Your Niche

Once you’ve picked a niche, dive deep into learning everything about it. Subscribe to industry newsletters, follow relevant blogs, and understand the pain points and desires of your niche’s audience. This makes it easier to write copy that hits the mark. Plus, when you start pitching your services to potential clients, you can demonstrate that you understand their world—and that makes you a much more attractive hire.

Market Yourself as a Specialist

When you focus on a niche, it’s crucial to position yourself accordingly. Update your portfolio, website, and LinkedIn profile to highlight your expertise in that industry. For example, instead of just calling yourself a copywriter, position yourself as “a SaaS copywriter who helps software companies increase conversions” or “a health and wellness copywriter who turns readers into customers.” This clarity makes it easier for clients in your chosen industry to see that you’re the perfect fit for their needs.

Reap the Benefits of Specialization

Copywriters who specialize often find that they can charge more for their services—even if they’re just starting out. When you become known as an expert in a high-paying niche, clients are more likely to trust you with bigger projects and budgets. This means you’ll spend less time hustling for low-paying gigs and more time working on projects that make a real impact on your income.

Choosing the right niche might take some time and experimentation, but once you find your sweet spot, it can transform your copywriting career. It allows you to focus your marketing efforts, build a reputation faster, and ultimately, earn more.

Step 6: Keep Improving Your Skills and Attract More Clients

Here’s the thing about copywriting: it’s a skill that gets better with time and practice. The more you write, the more you’ll understand what works and what doesn’t. And as you improve, you’ll naturally attract higher-paying clients and better opportunities.

Here’s how you can keep leveling up your skills and become a sought-after copywriter:

Study the Masters

If you want to master copywriting basics and go beyond them, you’ve got to learn from the best. Dive into classic copywriting books by legends like Gary Halbert, David Ogilvy, and Eugene Schwartz. Pay attention to how they craft headlines, build curiosity, and tap into emotions. Join copywriting newsletters and communities where top copywriters share their insights and tips. You’ll pick up new techniques and strategies that you can apply to your own work.

Write Every Day

The fastest way to improve is to write regularly. It doesn’t have to be paid work—practice by rewriting ads, crafting headlines, or even writing email copy for imaginary products. The more you write, the sharper your skills will become. You’ll start to see patterns and learn how to make your words more concise and impactful. Treat it like a muscle; the more you work it, the stronger it gets.

Gather Testimonials and Build Relationships

Happy clients are your best marketing tool. After completing a project, don’t be afraid to ask for a testimonial or a review. Positive feedback not only boosts your confidence but also makes it easier to land future clients. Building relationships with clients can also lead to repeat work or referrals. If you deliver great results, your clients will happily recommend you to others, helping you expand your network and secure a steady stream of work.

Stay Updated with Industry Trends

The copywriting world is constantly evolving, especially with the rise of AI tools, new marketing platforms, and changing consumer behaviors. Stay ahead by keeping up with industry news and trends. Follow blogs, listen to marketing podcasts, and join copywriting forums. Understanding where the industry is headed will help you position yourself as a modern copywriter who can adapt to new challenges.

Create a Personal Brand

To stand out from other beginner copywriters, build a personal brand that showcases your expertise. Share valuable tips on social media, write blog posts about your copywriting journey, or create a newsletter. This positions you as an authority in the field and makes potential clients more likely to trust you. Plus, a personal brand makes it easier for clients to find you, rather than you always having to chase them.

By consistently improving your skills, building a portfolio of happy clients, and staying current with industry changes, you’ll not only learn how to start copywriting online but also how to thrive in a competitive market. It’s a process, but the rewards are worth it.