If you’re one of those wordsmiths who’d love to leave their usual 9 to 5 and make a living out of writing, you’re probably wondering how to become a copywriter.
Becoming a copywriter can be an exciting and rewarding career choice for those passionate about writing and communication.
However, the growing demand for talented copywriters in the US has resulted in huge competition in this market, with about 131,200 copywriters vying for the same job position.
This figure can make you sweat under your arms, especially if you’re a beginner. But if you follow the right steps and work hard, the sky is your limit.
Keep reading as we show you how to become a top-rated copywriter in 2023 without experience or credentials.
How to Become a Copywriter: What Do They Do, Anyway?
The first step to becoming a world-class copywriter is knowing what copywriting is all about.
In simple terms, copywriting is salesmanship in print.
It is the art of using words to persuade people to take a specific action, such as to click on an ad or order a product.
This can take many forms, including advertising copy, website copy, social media posts, and almost every other content you come across on the internet.
Guess what? Copywriting ranks as one of the high-income skills in the US, with the industry valued at $21 million as of 2022.
Plus, it gives you a priceless opportunity to work with top businesses from across the globe and earn up to six figures without ever leaving your home.
To become a successful copywriter, there are some important steps to consider. They are simple and direct and will bring you the most results if you follow them.
So without further ado, let’s dive into them!
How to Become a Copywriter in 6 Easy Steps
1. Read, read, read!
“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader” – Margaret Fuller
One of the best ways to become a great copywriter is to read as much as possible.
Whether it’s books, articles, or marketing materials, the more you read, the more you’ll recognize what makes great copy.
Books you can start with include:
- Breakthrough Advertising
- 16-word Sales Letter
- The Boron Letters
- And so many, but to mention a few.
As time passes, you can pick up some copywriting courses (free or paid) to learn the ropes.
But before you choose one, do a little research on the course and its owner.
Does it cover everything you need about copywriting: mechanics, client acquisition, and client relationship?
Does the owner have a proven record? Or do his students excel with his copywriting style?
You need answers to these questions before settling for a course.
2. Start Practicing
Like any skill, copywriting takes practice.
Start by writing your product descriptions, email newsletters, or social media posts. This allows you to put what you learned from those great books and courses into practice.
You’ll probably make many mistakes, so don’t be afraid of them.
Keep writing as your thoughts flow, and get feedback from an A-lister when you’re done. He will highlight your flaws, so you can work on them and improve next time.
By putting in the reps daily, you sharpen your copywriting skill and can go from a newbie to a badass in less time than you ever thought!
3. Niche Down
As a copywriter who wants to stand out, finding your niche is important.
A niche is your area of specialization. And why is this necessary?
Quality clients will pay you more when you are an expert at one thing. It could be writing emails, sales letters, social media posts, articles, or YouTube scripts.
After determining the role that best suits you, the next thing to do is to define your target customer—his current industry and services.
Would you prefer to work with B2B companies or personal trainers? Or are you comfortable creating inspiring social media posts for nonprofits?
Find what works for you and run with it!
4. Write Some More Copy!
The quest to become an excellent copywriter doesn’t stop at finding a niche; you must also build a portfolio.
Say you’re an email copywriter for the health industry. You can pick a random product and write copy for it independently.
You can even write for people for free in exchange for testimonials.
Then, stack up these samples and results in your portfolio, which will be key in landing your first client.
5. Be visible
No matter how good you are at copywriting, you won’t make a cent from it if nobody knows you.
You need to be in the face of your ideal clients to win more jobs. And one way you can do that is by creating a profile on freelancing sites like Upwork or social media platforms like Facebook.
A tip to remember is to make your profile summary brief, specific, and result-oriented.
Also, determine your pricing structure, whether hourly, per project, per retainer, or based on commissions, so you can be paid what you’re worth.
6. Get your first client
Now you have created your profile, it’s time to find your first client.
Start applying for jobs on job boards, send cold pitches to prospects, and network with other professionals to get recommended for available positions.
When you do these consistently, you will land a gig someday. And if that happens, be professional from the start to build a positive reputation and earn your client’s referrals.
Types of Copywriting Services
One thing you should know about copywriting is that it can take on many different forms.
Each of them requires specific skill sets that you should master to easily handle different copywriting projects.
As a beginner, you’re advised to find a niche that suits you most, even if it means focusing on one.
With time, you can diversify into other types for a competitive edge.
Here are about 5 types of copywriting every new copywriter should master to have a successful career:
1. Advertising Copywriting
Advertising copywriting is perhaps the most well-known type of copywriting.
It involves creating copy specifically designed to promote a product or service, from print ads to television commercials to social media campaigns.
The goal of advertising copywriting is to capture the attention of potential customers and convince them to take action, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a service, or visiting a website.
2. Direct Response Copywriting
Direct response copywriting is focused on writing copy designed to elicit an immediate response from the reader.
This type of copywriting can include anything from sales letters to email marketing campaigns to landing page copy.
Its main objective is to persuade the reader to take a specific action, such as purchasing or signing up for a service.
3. SEO Copywriting
Search engine optimization (SEO) copywriting is about creating content designed to rank well in search engine results pages (SERPs), whether blog posts, product descriptions, or landing page copy.
It requires understanding potential customers’ keywords and phrases to search for products or services.
SEO copywriting aims to drive traffic to a website by improving its visibility in search engine results.
4. B2B Copywriting
Business-to-Business copywriting involves creating content for companies that target other businesses.
As a B2B copywriter, you should remember that people read your copy, not businesses.
So you must communicate your message clearly and engagingly to spur your reader’s interest.
B2B copywriting includes writing business sales materials like white papers, case studies, blog posts, etc.
5. B2C Copywriting
Similar to B2B copywriting, B2C (business-to-customer) copywriting seeks to sell to the everyday customer.
Here, you work with big companies that market their products or services directly to customers who need them.
For instance, you can write a copy that sells clothes, gadgets, supplements, or even fitness programs.
You should be able to address the pain points of your ideal customers and convince them you have the best solution to their problems.
And to do this effectively, you must do your customer research very well.
Tips for Writing a Better Copy
When you’re hired as a copywriter for a business, part-time or full-time, you’re expected to deliver incredible results with your copywriting skills.
Writing a winning copy requires skill, creativity, and a deep understanding of your audience’s needs and desires.
So if you want to improve your craft, there are a few tips to consider:
Show empathy
This is the number one ingredient that makes a great copy.
Empathy is about showing your customer that you truly care about his current problem, not his money, and that you’re willing to help him solve it.
When you try to put yourself in people’s shoes, you easily arouse real emotions in them, which can persuade them to buy from you in most cases.
Research
You can’t possibly wake up one morning, write about something you know nothing about, and expect it to sell.
When you’re given a new copywriting project, the first task you have to do is to understand everything about your product and your target audience, so you can communicate effectively.
Everything boils down to good research.
You can do it by visiting platforms where your audience is found, like subreddits, Facebook groups, Quora forums, etc.
You can also give out questionnaires to prospects in your area to know their pain points and desires.
Make your headline or subject line catchy
We live in a social media age where people have an attention span of eight seconds, so getting them to read is no cakewalk.
Your headline or subject line is the first thing your reader sees, so it must be catchy enough to grab their eyeballs and stop them from scrolling further.
But how can you do this? Using common phrases or words like “How to,” “Free,” or “Easy steps” is one way.
Another way is to make a big promise in your headline and sprinkle curiosity all over it.
Highlight the benefits, not just the features
It’s easy to get caught up in the features of a product or service, but what really matters to your audience is the benefits.
What problem does your product or service solve for them? What value does it offer?
Focus on the benefits and use them to persuade your audience to take action.
Use clear and concise language
Your copy should be easy to read and understand.
Use simple language and short sentences, and avoid jargon or technical terms unless your audience knows them.
Make sure your message is clear and straightforward.
Tell more stories
People love stories. Use storytelling to capture your audience’s attention and make an emotional connection.
Share stories of how your product or service has helped others, or tell a story that illustrates the problem your audience is facing and how your product or service can solve it.
Use FOMO
Using FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) in your copy creates a sense of urgency in your reader, which can be a powerful motivator.
It involves using phrases like “limited time offer” or “while supplies last” to encourage your audience to take action now.
Use Social Proof
Social proof is the idea that people are more likely to take action if they see others doing it too.
Use customer reviews, testimonials, or social media posts to show your audience that others have used and loved your product or service.
Make your CTA clear
Your CTA (call to action) is the most important part of your copy. Make it clear, concise, and action-oriented.
Use phrases like “buy now” or “sign up today” to encourage your audience to take action.
FAQs About How to Become a Copywriter
1. How much are copywriters paid?
How much you are paid depends on your client and the kind of project you work on.
But in the US, the average full-time salary copywriters receive is $51,691 annually.
2. What type of copywriting is most in demand?
It’s definitely direct-response copywriting.
In 2020 alone, US advertisers spent $143 billion on direct ads and are always looking to hire talented DR copywriters that can create highly converting copy.
3. Can I be a copywriter with no experience?
Yeah, copywriting is one of those remote jobs that don’t require any experience. Heck, you don’t even need to have a master’s degree in English to succeed as a copywriter.
How to Become a Copywriter – Final Thoughts
In conclusion, becoming a copywriter offers many benefits, from allowing you to work on your own terms to providing several opportunities to grow your income.
Even though there’s a huge market for copywriters, it’s highly competitive, and only those with the right knowledge and skills make up the top 1%.
To enjoy a successful copywriting career, you’re encouraged to follow the tips discussed in this article.
And if you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop them below. We’re looking forward to hearing from you soon!