Copywriting is the act of creating compelling writing to help a company present itself to the world. Copywriters generally work from home and earn a decent hourly wage, convenient for stay-at-home moms looking to get a little work in while the kids are away.
Here’s what you need to know about making money online as a copywriter.
Can I Work from Home as a Copywriter?
Most copywriters work remotely. That is to say, the average copywriter works from their home and generally works more flexible hours than a standard office worker would.
It is because copywriters typically work independently as freelancers for multiple clients.
So yes, you can work from home as a copywriter – it’s the industry standard to do so! Copywriting is a field where you can control when and where you work, convenient for people who cannot work regular office jobs.
It’s a good idea to dedicate a specific place in your home to work from since it will increase your focus.
Having a home office, even if it’s just a desk in the corner of a room, can help you mentally keep your work and home life separate and make you more productive in both areas.
How Do I Become a Copywriter?
Starting as a copywriter requires only a word processor and an internet connection. You can become a copywriter by learning copywriting basics, researching your industry and niche, creating a portfolio, and marketing yourself to clients.
Copywriting basics start with having a solid grasp of the English language.
Copywriters have to understand grammar rules and standards for many different kinds of writing, from blog posts to commercial product descriptions.
They should also understand basic marketing strategies, including search engine optimization (SEO) and social media marketing. Once you have those basics covered, you can start researching your industry.
You’ll want to know the standards for the exact field you plan to work in, like:
- Is it a technical field?
- Lots of legal jargon?
- More geared toward the average consumer?
Be sure that you understand who your typical audience will be, as well as what your specific client wants.
You’ll also want to establish a specified writing field within that industry for yourself, otherwise known as a niche. Your niche allows you to build up an area of expertise you can use to gather new clients.
While researching, start building your portfolio. A good writing portfolio includes sample pieces for your niche; you can post these to a personal blog or pitch guest blogs to various industry websites. Once you start getting clients in, ask if you can showcase their projects as part of your portfolio.
Finally, you have to learn to market yourself. Create dedicated professional social media accounts – the most useful are Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn – and post to them frequently. Frequent job boards like Upwork and Fiverr for small projects to build your portfolio.
Interact with other professionals in your industry to start building your own following—message potential clients with a detailed proposal of how you could help their business.
If you do this, you’ll be able to get into copywriting and start earning money very quickly.
Who Would Hire Me If I Start in Copywriting?
It’s a fact that most, if not all, companies need copywriters; they provide a primary, essential business product in the form of marketing and sales material that helps them grow and expand.
While some companies will look to hire an on-team copywriter to work only for them, most smaller businesses will hire freelancers to work on a project-by-project basis.
It means that if you establish yourself as a competent freelancer, you’ll be able to work with a constant, large pool of clients. As mentioned above, it’s easiest to begin as a freelancer on a job board site like Upwork or Fiverr.
These sites offer simple, one-off jobs with clearly defined contracts built in that allow you to build up a portfolio and find long-term clients without having to cold email or do all the legal legwork yourself while you’re still learning.
They also offer a convenient profile that you can refer future clients to, complete with reviews of your performance and job history.
Think of these as your living resume.
Suppose you don’t have any prior experience. In that case, you might consider starting a blog to show your future clients your writing style, and it can be an excellent way to increase your skills and quality even if you don’t have any experience.
Blogging can be a fun side hustle by itself, but it’s a great way to become better at writing.
Here is an article that covers how you can start a blog, and then you can use it as your portfolio when you’re pitching potential clients.
What Is the Average Salary for a Part-Time/Full-Time Employed Person in Copywriting?
The average salary of a full-time copywriter is $58,658 per year, according to Glassdoor. However, the range they provide is anywhere between $38,000 and upwards of $91,000 with more specialized and experienced professionals.
ZipRecruiter goes into more detail, saying that the average hourly pay for a remote copywriter is around $36 per hour.
It means that even working part-time at 20 hours per week, you’d be making about $36,000 per year.
Of course, this number reflects copywriters with multiple years of experience and is the salary to shoot for long-term. Initially, copywriters will make roughly $21-$25 per hour, which still equates to a part-time salary of $21,000-$25,000 per year.
Do I Need Any Formal Qualification, Or Can I Do This with No Experience or Qualifications? Does It Affect How Much I Can Earn?
You do not need any special qualifications to become a copywriter beyond a basic understanding of English and marketing practice.
It means that you can start working as a copywriter immediately. You’re more likely to earn more money if you research and educate yourself as you work.
Copywriter Alex Cattoni recommends getting a basic grasp on the field before getting started, as most clients will want you to know basic concepts right from hiring. She says the key is to constantly learn by taking online writing courses, following fellow copywriters to hear how they work, and reading books on the craft.
If you intend to get a college-level education, you can see increased job quality. It would help if you had a college degree in English or writing specifically on average.
It can increase your hourly rate, improve your opportunities for being hired, lead to further advancement in your career faster, and can often mean a higher level of job satisfaction.
Will It Help Me Make A Few Bucks for My Family and Contribute to The Household Economy? Can I Do This When My Kids Are at School or Are Taking a Nap?
Being a freelance copywriter means that you can work as much or as little as you’d like to. You can squeeze in projects while the kids are at school or down for a nap and after they go to bed.
You can also take time away whenever you need to attend events or be with your family.
Copywriting is a good way of supplementing your household income without sacrificing family time. You can decide your salary by the hours you put in and how many projects you work on, as well as your experience and skills.
Here is one way to use your copywriting skills if you don’t want to work for someone else.
Conclusion
Copywriting can be a fulfilling job. You get to help companies grow and expand and see your work around you in everyday situations. It’s also a job you can take on without having to take time away from your kids; work while they’re in school and spend the rest of the day with them.
If you’re interested in helping your family financially from home, I have found one of the best options for you.
References
Copywriter Salaries Indeed.Com
How to Get Started Fast with No Experience As a Copywriter
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