Copywriting has become one of the most lucrative jobs in the online marketing world today, as it fills a critical need for any modern online business. Freelance Copywriters are in high demand, as every online business needs to have a strong copy to generate any sales. If you’re a skilled writer with a knack for persuasion, a freelance copywriting career could be the perfect fit for you.
Freelance Copywriting also serves as a great alternative to other, more traditional writing jobs, such as working for a newspaper or magazine—especially if you like the flexibility of working from your home, setting your schedule, and choosing your assignments.
But how do you get started? And what do you need to know to succeed?
In this informative guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process, from learning the basics of copywriting to writing sales copy for any form of website/business and also building a successful freelancing career.
If you’re eager to discover how to transform your love for writing into a profitable profession, then stay glued to the last line.
What is Freelance Copywriting?
Freelance copywriting is the practice of writing copy for businesses and organizations on a contract basis. Simply put, it is the art of crafting persuasive and compelling content that generates interest, sparks emotions, and ultimately persuades readers to take a desired action.
Freelance copywriters work on a variety of projects, including website copy, landing pages, blog posts, social media content, email marketing campaigns, and more. These types of writers are typically paid per project or hour. They may work with a variety of different clients, or they may specialize in a particular industry or niche.
What does a Freelance Copywriter do?
A freelance copywriter is a professional writer who creates written content for businesses, organizations, or individuals on a contractual basis. This content, referred to as “copy,” is typically designed to promote a product, service, idea, or brand. Freelance copywriters are hired to craft persuasive and compelling text that engages the audience, increases brand awareness, generates leads, and also drives sales.
Freelance copywriters can work on a variety of different projects, including:
Website copy – Landing pages – Blog posts – Social media content – Email marketing campaigns – Product descriptions – White papers – Case studies – Press releases – And many more.
Here are some of the things that a freelance copywriter might do daily:
- Meet with clients to discuss their needs and goals
- Research the client’s industry and target audience
- Write copy that is clear, concise, and persuasive
- Edit and proofread work
- Deliver work to clients on time and within a budget
5 Steps on How to Become a Freelance Copywriter
1. Learn the basics of copywriting.
Understanding the basis of copywriting is essential for any aspiring freelance copywriter. These fundamentals serve as the building blocks for crafting persuasive and compelling copy that drives action and achieves the desired goals.
At its core, copywriting is all about persuasion. This includes crafting compelling headlines, creating clear calls to action (CTA), and using storytelling to engage readers. To do this effectively, copywriters must first understand their target audience and what motivates them. They must also be able to highlight the unique selling points of their product or service in a way that resonates with their audience.
By mastering the fundamentals of copywriting, freelance copywriters can create copy that is both effective and persuasive. This can help their clients to achieve their business goals and reach their target audience in a meaningful way.
2. Identify your niche.
Once you have a basic understanding of copywriting, you need to identify your niche. This means choosing the specific types of clients or industries that you want to specialize in. This is important because it allows you to develop expertise in a specific area and market yourself more effectively to potential clients.
These are a few things to consider when choosing your niche:
- Your interests and skills: What are you passionate about writing about? What are you good at? Choose a niche that aligns with your interests and skills so that you can write with confidence and authority.
- Your target audience: Who do you want to write for? What are their needs and pain points? Once you understand your target audience, you can tailor your copy to meet their specific needs.
- The market demand: Is there a demand for freelance copywriting services in your chosen niche? Do some research to see what other copywriters are doing and what clients are looking for.
3. Build your copywriting portfolio.
Building a strong copywriting portfolio is essential for attracting clients. Your portfolio should showcase your best work and also demonstrate your skills as a copywriter.
Your portfolio should also include different types of copy, such as website copy, landing page copy, email marketing copy, social media copy, and product descriptions. This will show potential clients that you are a versatile copywriter who can handle a variety of tasks.
If possible, include metrics in your portfolio that show the results of your work. For example, you could mention how many leads your landing page copy generated or how many sales your email marketing campaign increased.
4. Network and gain experience.
In freelance copywriting, as in most fields, networking is key. You never know who might refer you to your next (or first!) client, or who might need your services one day. There are different ways to network, including attending industry events, joining online communities, and reaching out to people on LinkedIn or other social media platforms.
Gaining experience, on the other hand, will make you more attractive to potential clients. You can start by writing copy for your website and social media pages, volunteering to write copy for friends, family, or local businesses, applying for freelance copywriting jobs, or working with a copywriting agency.
The more experience you have, the more confident you will become in your skills as a copywriter.
5. Land Your First Clients.
Landing your first clients as a freelance copywriter can be challenging, but it is possible with hard work and dedication.
Start by targeting small businesses, as they are often more open to working with freelancers. You can also offer free consultations to learn more about the client’s needs and be willing to negotiate on their budget and timeline.
Here are some specific ways to find your first clients:
- Reach out to businesses in your niche and send them a personalized email or LinkedIn message introducing yourself and your services, highlighting your relevant experience and skills.
- Apply for freelance copywriting jobs on websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com, tailoring your resume and cover letter to each job.
- Attend industry events to meet potential clients in person and learn about their needs.
- Network with other professionals, such as friends, family, and former colleagues, to see if they know of any businesses that need copywriting services.
- Share your work on social media and engage with other professionals in your field to get your name out there and attract potential clients.
It is important to be patient and persistent when landing your first clients. It may take some time to find the right clients and build a relationship with them. However, if you are willing to put in the work, you can increase your chances of success.
What Skills does a Freelance Copywriter possess?
A freelance copywriter possesses the following soft and technical skills in their profession;
- Exceptional Writing skills: A freelance copywriter must have strong writing skills, including impeccable grammar, They must write clear, concise, and persuasive copy, and also be able to tailor their writing style to the needs of their clients and their target audience.
- Research skills: Copywriters often need to research a topic before they can write about it. They must be able to find reliable sources of information and merge them in a way that is understandable to their readers.
- Marketing skills: A solid understanding of marketing principles and strategies is important to create copy that aligns with the client’s marketing goals. This includes understanding the target audience, the buyer’s journey, and the different types of marketing content.
- SEO skills: Most freelance copywriters write copy for the web. These copywriters need to have some basic SEO knowledge in order to write copy that is optimized for search engines.
- Communication skills: Freelancers must communicate clearly and professionally with clients, understand their needs, and provide them updates on project progress.
Freelance Copywriting FAQs
Freelance copywriters can make a wide range of money, depending on their experience, skills, niche, and location. According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly wage for freelance copywriters in the United States is $44.87.
However, some freelance copywriters can make upwards of $100 per hour, while others may only make $20 per hour. It is also important to note that freelance copywriters are typically paid on a per-project basis, rather than on an hourly basis. This means that their earnings can vary from month to month.
Figuring out what to charge for freelance copywriting is just as crucial as figuring out what your niche and pitching strategy is.
There are multiple ways to charge for your work:
1. By the word
2. By the hour
3. By the project
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to charging for freelance copywriting. You’ll most likely end up charging different clients in different ways depending on what they need and the specific project requirements.
There are several ways to find freelance copywriting jobs and clients; this includes online job boards, social media, networking, cold pitching, and even your website.
We’d also like to add that it is important to be professional and reliable when working with clients. This means meeting deadlines, delivering high-quality work, and being communicative. If you can build a good reputation with your clients, you will be more likely to get repeat business and referrals.
While a degree can be beneficial, it is not a requirement. Focus on building your skills and portfolio instead.
Set goals, break them down into actionable steps, and celebrate your achievements along the way. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who can provide support and accountability.
Absolutely! Many copywriters start their journey part-time while working another job. As you gain experience and clients, you can transition to full-time freelancing if desired.
Freelancing, like any career, comes with its ups and downs. However, by constantly improving your skills, building a strong network, and delivering high-quality work, you can create a stable and thriving career as a freelance copywriter.
Conclusion
Freelance copywriting can be a great way to make a living doing what you love. Continuously refine your skills, stay updated with industry trends, and actively market yourself to attract clients. With hard work and dedication, you can build a successful freelancing career, and help businesses achieve their goals.
Let us know in the comment section if you find this article insightful. We would love to hear from you!
