Want to get paid a fortune to write social media copy for brands you love?
If so, you’re in luck.
Now is one of the best times to get started!
Social media copywriting is an extremely in-demand skill to have.
Just about every brand on the planet uses social media to market their business.
Brands are constantly paying hand over fist for writers who can craft engaging and persuasive posts.
As a beginner copywriter, mastering the art of creating compelling & engaging social media content can open golden doors of endless opportunities.
This “ultimate guide” will provide you with the insights, strategies, and practical tips to help you maximize your success as a social media copywriter in 2024.
What is Social Media Copywriting?
Social media copywriting is the driving force behind creating persuasive and engaging content for various social media platforms.
However, it goes beyond just writing…
Social media copywriting is about understanding the nuances of each platform, knowing your audience on a deep, personal level, and creating persuasive messages that grab attention, pique interest and drive desired actions (clicks, follows, shares, sales and much more).
Your ability to write attention-grabbing content that resonates with a brand’s core followers and motivates them to take action is essential to your success.
The 7 Main Social Media Platforms to Write For
Each platform has its own best practices, rules and user demographics.
Understanding the intricacies of each social platform is vital for your success as a social media copywriter.
Here are some of the main types of social media platforms you can write for:
1. Facebook
With over 3 billion (with a B) active users per month, Facebook is an EXTREMELY lucrative platform to write copy for.
Main things you’ll write
- Engaging captions for posts.
- Compelling headlines for shared articles.
- Conversational content for comments.
- Scripts for Facebook Live events.
- Long-form content for posts
- Facebook ad copy
2. Instagram
Instagram, boasting 1.5 billion monthly active users, is a visually driven platform, making it ideal for copywriters to collaborate closely with graphic designers.
Main things you’ll write:
- Short and impactful captions for posts.
- Intriguing stories to accompany images and videos.
- Utilizing relevant hashtags.
- Scripts for catchy one-liners for Reels.
Stories, Reels, and IGTV offer additional opportunities for creativity and engagement. Hashtags play a pivotal role in expanding reach on Instagram, so mastering their strategic use is essential.
3. Twitter
Twitter is all about brevity and real-time conversations.
Copywriters on Twitter need to master the art of creating concise messages that not only capture attention but also encourage engagement through likes, retweets, and replies. Using trending hashtags and participating in relevant conversations are key strategies for success on this platform.
Main things you’ll write:
- Concise tweets that capture attention.
- Hashtags that trend.
- Replies that engage.
- Bio lines that pack a punch.
4. LinkedIn
LinkedIn caters to a professional audience, making it a hub for B2B communication.
Copywriters create content that showcases industry expertise, provides valuable insights, and fosters networking opportunities.
Long-form articles and thought leadership pieces can perform exceptionally well on LinkedIn.
Main things you’ll write:
- Polished and informative posts.
- Engaging summaries for profiles.
- Thought-provoking articles.
- Compelling headlines for business updates.
5. TikTok
TikTok is known for its short-form, visually engaging content.
Copywriters on TikTok need to think creatively and leverage trends to capture their audience's attention quickly.
Writing punchy captions and collaborating with influencers can help maximize reach on this platform.
Main things you’ll write:
- Snappy captions for short videos.
- Creating catchy trends and challenges.
- Engaging video descriptions.
- Crafting impactful bio lines.
6. Pinterest
Pinterest is a visual discovery platform, making it an excellent space for lifestyle, fashion, and home-related content.
Copywriters should focus on creating attention-grabbing descriptions for pins and utilizing keywords to enhance discoverability.
Pinterest is a platform where evergreen content thrives.
Main things you’ll write:
- Attractive pin descriptions.
- Keyword-rich board titles and descriptions.
- Attention-grabbing captions for idea pins.
- Engaging comments on community boards.
7. Snapchat
Snapchat is popular among younger demographics, and it requires copywriters to create content that's not only visually appealing but also creates a sense of urgency.
Concise and engaging captions that encourage immediate interaction are crucial on Snapchat.
Main things you’ll write:
- Visually engaging captions for snaps.
- Compelling captions for stories.
- Interactive poll questions.
- Attention-grabbing captions for Discover content.
What Does a Social Media Copywriter Do?
A social media copywriter wears many hats.
You are much more than just a copywriter.
You are also a content creator, brand ambassador and strategist.
Core responsibilities:
- Writing Catchy Captions: Social media copywriters are experts at condensing powerful messages into bite-sized captions that accompany images or videos, grabbing the audience's attention in a matter of seconds.
- Creating Click-Worthy Headlines: Whether it's for a blog post shared on LinkedIn or a tweet, you must create headlines that not only capture interest but also encourage users to click and explore further.
- Adapting Tone and Style: Different platforms cater to different audiences, and a skilled social media copywriter knows how to adapt the brand's tone and style to resonate with the users of each specific platform.
- Generating Engagement: From posing questions to encouraging likes, shares, and comments, a social media copywriter is always thinking about how to spark interaction and create a sense of community around the brand.
- Staying on Trend: Social media is always evolving, and copywriters need to stay on top of the latest trends, memes, and cultural references to ensure their content remains relevant and engaging.
How Much Do Social Media Copywriters Make? (2024 Social Media Copywriter Salary)
In 2024, the compensation for social media copywriters varies based on factors such as experience, location, and the business you’re writing for.
On average, entry-level social media copywriters can expect to earn around $45,000 to $60,000 annually.
With several years of experience and a proven track record of successful campaigns, mid-level social media copywriters can command salaries ranging from $60,000 to $80,000.
Senior social media copywriters, especially those working with high-profile clients or in managerial roles, can earn upwards of $100,000.
It's essential to note that freelance copywriters may charge per project or per hour, with rates ranging from $50 to $150 or more, depending on their expertise and the scope of the assignment.
Always consider your skills, experience, and the value you bring to the table when negotiating compensation.
To learn more about succeeding as a freelance copywriter read this blog post:
How to Become a Successful Freelance Copywriter in 2023 (Ultimate Guide for Beginners)
10 Insider Tips for Writing Social Media Copy
1. Know Your Audience
Copywriting 101.
Understanding your target audience is the foundation of effective social media copywriting.
All top copywriters spend 80%+ on research and only 20% on writing.
You want your message to resonate with your target audience. Everything should cater to their needs, wants, interests and desires.
2. Master the Art of Conciseness
Social media copy is all about brevity.
Cook up concise and impactful messages that convey your point in a limited character count.
Every word must serve a purpose.
This requires you to revise several times. Writing in a pithy, clear and concise way.
3. Utilize Visuals Wisely
Words are powerful, but when paired with eye-catching visuals, the impact is amplified like a nightclub’s speaker system.
Invest time in selecting or creating visuals that complement your copy and enhance its overall appeal.
4. Test and Refine
Copywriting is all about results.
Good copy is not subjective.
Luckily, you can quickly run tests to see what works in real-time.
Embrace A/B testing to identify what resonates best with your audience.
Experiment with different headlines, CTAs, and content formats to continually refine your approach.
5. Create a Consistent Brand Voice
Establishing a consistent brand voice across all platforms helps build brand recognition and creates a sense of trust among your audience.
Study the company’s language, tone and style before writing.
Plus, study your market.
Look for specific slang and common language that they use to communicate with one another.
6. Spark Emotion
Emotional connection is the secret sauce of effective social media copy.
Write messages that evoke emotions, whether it's joy, excitement, curiosity, or empathy to bond your readers with your content.
Emotions sell and strengthen relationships.
7. Incorporate CTAs Strategically
Every piece of social media copy should include a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA).
Guide your audience on the next steps you want them to take, whether it's clicking a link, sharing your post, or making a purchase.
Give them EXACT instructions.
Whenever possible, use urgency and scarcity to boost response.
Like:
- Limited time offer
- Limited number of products available
- FOMO – incorporate the fear of missing out
8. Stay Current with Trends
Social media is dynamic, and trends come and go.
Stay updated on the latest hashtags, viral content, and current events to infuse freshness into your copy and boost your results.
9. Engage in Conversations
Social media is all about being social.
Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments, asking questions, and participating in relevant conversations within your niche.
Whenever engaging with users, always talk to them in a friendly, conversational tone.
Do NOT talk like a faceless company.
People like doing business with other people, not brands.
10. Learn from Analytics
Leverage analytics tools provided by each platform to gain insights into the performance of your content.
Analyze metrics such as engagement rates, click-through rates, and audience demographics to refine your strategy and improve results for your clients.
5 Simple Steps to Become a Social Media Copywriter
I’ve written over 2,500 words on how to become a successful freelance copywriter.
This guide uncovers exactly what I did to break into copywriting very fast and earn close to 6-figures within my first year.
However, here is a quick summary of the 5 main steps:
1) Learn the Basics and Build Your Copywriting Skills
The 3 main ways to do so are learning, practicing and writing – DAILY.
Here are the 10 copywriting books I read as a beginner:
- 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
Along with these books, you should take some social media marketing courses to learn the basics, fundamentals and best practices.
Understand this…
How to craft a persuasive and engaging message (copywriting 101) remains the same, but there are slight nuances and best practices for each social media platform. So, make sure you study each social media platform you write for.
For practicing your skills….
Read top ads, turn features into benefits and use the 4 Us headline formula to quickly get good at writing attention-grabbing headlines.
For more details on these copy exercises, see this detailed blog post:
How to Practice Copywriting for Free (5 Exercises to Improve Your Skills TODAY)
In addition to reading and practicing, you’ll also want to write, every single day.
Before you gain clients, you can just rewrite (and improve) existing social media copy you see on your feed.
This is where you can put everything you’re learning into practice.
I learned, practiced and wrote copy for 3 months before getting clients. I recommend you do this for at least a month.
The reason:
Value.
You want to get good at writing social media copy so you can provide value to your clients.
This is the ultimate secret for earning a killing as a social media copywriter.
2) Get Paid to Write
There are many ways to gain clients.
In my blog post, "How to Get Copywriting Clients in 2023 With No Experience (Get New Clients TODAY)," I reveal my ten favorite methods.
As a beginner, the goal is to gain rapid-fire experience by writing for a wide variety of clients, social media platforms and topics.
The 2 fastest ways to gain copywriting clients:
AFTER you’ve gotten a lot of experience, and have a bunch of samples and testimonials, you’ll want to…
3) Choose a Niche
Specialists are always paid more than generalists.
After you’ve gained experience and have samples & testimonials to show clients, you should choose a niche.
Top 10 freelance copywriting niches in 2024:
- Health & Fitness
- Finance
- Tech
- Ecommerce
- Real Estate
- Travel
- Pet
- Self Improvement
- Academic Education
- Fashion and Beauty
My comprehensive guide, "The 10 Highest-Paying Copywriting Niches in 2023 (How to Pick the Best One for YOU)," provides step-by-step instructions on how to choose a niche you’ll enjoy writing for.
4) Build an Impressive Portfolio
After you have samples, testimonials and experience, create a portfolio by following my detailed blog post: How to Create a Copywriting Portfolio with NO Experience (In 10 minutes or Less)
5) Grow Your Social Media Copywriting Business to the Moon
This blog post shows you the top 3 ways to grow your business and hit 6-figures as a social media copywriter.
3 Fastest Ways to Grow Your Freelance Copywriting Business in 2023 (Make 6-figures This Year)
Read it once you’re at this stage.
Conclusion
There’s a fortune to be made for social media copywriters who understand the basics of copywriting and apply it to social media.
Follow this guide (and the linked guides) to maximize your success.
In no time, you can get paid like a queen to write social media copy for brands you love.
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