How To Become a Freelance Copywriter (2023)

A lot of people who are new to freelance copywriting think it’s all about writing, because that is the most visible part of the job.

But there is so much more to it than just typing words on a page.

You also have to market yourself, network with potential clients and study your target audience closely in order to create effective content for them.

You might be thinking “Isn’t this obvious?”.

We’ve come across many freelancers who don’t understand how important marketing and networking are when you’re trying to grow your business.

It can feel like an uphill battle at times if you’re not getting enough work or if no one is responding back after you reach out.

That’s why we have put together a few tips that should help you get started on your journey to becoming a successful freelance copywriter.

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Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

What Is a Freelance Copywriting?

Copywriting helps promote or sell a product or service.

This might include creating catchy headlines, strong descriptions, effective sales pages and more.

Copywriters must have a good understanding of their audience, what frustrations they may have, what interests them, what needs and wants they have-in order to tailor their message accordingly.

Copywriting is not just about writing, it’s also about marketing and researching.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re interested in becoming a freelance copywriter, there are a few things you can do to get started:

1. Join online communities and groups where you can learn more from other copywriters.

2. Attend workshops, webinars and conferences that focus on copywriting.

3. Get a mentor or coach who can help guide and support you through your journey.

4. Start writing and selling your services.

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What Skills Should I Have as a Freelance Copywriter?

In order to succeed as a copywriter, you need a lot of different skills that will help you get through each task.

Here are some things that can come in handy:

Being able to write in various styles for different audiences

This is a skill that can be learned over time with practice.

Copywriters must be able to write in a style that will resonate with their target audience.

Which means you’ll need to learn about your target audience and what they want.

Ability to do research and understand your target audience

Copywriters need to know their audience inside out.

This includes understanding what frustrations they may have, what interests them, what needs and wants they have and more.

This can be done by doing online research, attending workshops and conferences, networking with other professionals and more.

Marketing skills

Copywriters must be able to market themselves effectively in order to land more jobs

This includes creating a portfolio, writing proposals, reaching out to potential clients and more.

How Much Do Freelance Copywriters Make?

The pay for a copywriter can vary widely depending on the work you do and where you live.

Some copywriters charge by the project while others charge an hourly fee.

The average copywriter makes anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 per year.

If you’re just starting out as a freelance copywriter, it’s recommended that you charge between $20 and $40 per hour.

As your skills improve over time, you can start charging more for your work.

What Are the Different Types of Freelance Copywriters?

There are two main types of copywriter, those who work in-house and for an agency.

Here’s a quick look at each one:

In-house Copywriter:

These writers work for companies either full time or part time, usually as part of another department.

Their job is to write the content that is published on the company website or used in their marketing pieces.

Agency Copywriter:

Agencies are usually composed of multiple writers who are assigned different clients to develop unique content for them.

They may also need to come up with different ideas and concepts in order to successfully market a product or service.

What skills are needed to become an in-house copywriter?

In order to become an in-house copywriter, you need to be able to meet deadlines, create engaging content and more.

You’ll also need excellent grammar, spelling and punctuation skills.

There’s no need to be a master of grammar, but you will need to use the right format and spell words properly.

The ability to create catchy headlines and tag lines can also help set you apart from other writers.

What skills are needed to become an agency copywriter?

In order to become an agency copywriter, you need excellent writing and editing skills as well as a wide range of knowledge about many topics.

You’ll also need the ability to come up with engaging content and create proposals for potential clients.

Agency copywriters usually have a degree in Communications, Journalism or English.

Where To Find Freelance Copywriting Jobs?

There are a number of places where you can find freelance copywriting jobs.

Here are a few platforms to get you started:

ClearVoice

It’s one of the largest freelance copywriting platforms.

Here you’ll find hundreds of jobs for writers by creating and adding your CV.

Not only can you find writing jobs but also build a brand and your portfolio.

Click here to sign up for ClearVoice

ProBlogger Job Board

This job board focuses on work for writers specifically.

You can find a variety of different writing jobs here, from copywriting to blogging and more.

Click here to find freelance copywriting jobs on ProBlogger Job Board

Upwork

This is one of the most popular platforms for freelancers and it’s a great place to find copywriting jobs.

You can create a profile and promote yourself as a copywriter, which will help you get more jobs.

Click here to visit the Upwork website.

Related Post: 20 Best Upwork Jobs for Beginners to Earn Income From Home

Freelancer

This platform is similar to Upwork and it’s also a place where you can find freelance copywriting jobs.

You can create a profile, post your resume and bid on jobs that you’re interested in.

Click here to visit the Freelancer website.

iWriter

This is a platform that connects freelance writers with clients who need content.

You can sign up for free and then start bidding on jobs.

Click here to visit the iWriter website.

Indeed

This is a search engine that allows you to search for copywriting jobs in your area.

Simply type in “copywriter” and “remote” then you’ll be presented with a list of online jobs that match your search criteria.

Click here to visit the Indeed website.

Contently

This is a community for freelance writers.

In order to find copywriting jobs, you have to create a profile and then wait to be approved by the team.

Click here to visit the Contently website.

Fiverr

This is a platform where you can offer your freelance writing services.

You need to do your research and find out if it’s worth it, but if you’re just starting out then it could be a good opportunity to get your foot in the door.

Click here to visit the Fiverr website.

Related Post: 50 Best Fiverr Gigs that are in High Demand

Copify

This is a UK-based company that offers copywriting services.

You can sign up for free and browse through the list of jobs that are currently available.

Click here to visit the Copify website.

Skyword

This is a website where you can apply for work as a freelance copywriter.

To apply, fill out one simple form and submit your resume for consideration.

Click here to visit the Skyword website.

Frequently Asked Questions for Freelance Copywriter Jobs

If you are still wondering how to become a freelance copywriter, here are some answers to your questions.

What types of copywriting jobs are available?

There is a wide range of copywriting jobs available, from writing website content to crafting compelling sales letters.

It’s important to do your research and find out which type of copywriting is the best fit for you.

What type of skills do you need?

Aside from excellent writing skills, you’ll also need to be knowledgeable about marketing, networking and the latest trends.

You should also be able to tailor your message to your audience and write content that will convert potential customers into loyal clients.

What are the education requirements?

Graduate degrees in Communications, Journalism or English are preferred by many employers.

However, it’s also possible to find freelance copywriting jobs without a degree if you’re willing to start at the bottom.

What type of experience do you need?

While it doesn’t hurt to have some previous copywriting experience, you can find freelance jobs if this is your first time around.

However, a larger client might require that you already have a portfolio or samples of your work.

What type of pay can I expect?

The pay for freelance copywriters varies depending on the client, the project and your experience.

However, most copywriters earn an average of $50,000 per year.

What are some common challenges that freelance copywriters face?

The main challenge for freelance copywriters is finding new and interesting projects to work on.

Another challenge is staying up-to-date with the latest trends in order to appeal to potential clients.

Key Takeaways

Copywriting is a lot more than just writing.

It’s also about marketing, networking and studying your market to see what people want.

Copywriters are in charge of coming up with catchy headlines, strong descriptions and effective sales pages that will convert visitors into loyal customers.

They must know their audience very well-their frustrations, interests, needs and wants and tailor their message accordingly.

On top of all this, they need to create killer content for any given project which is entirely unique to the customer’s specifications!

That is why it is better to learn the ropes on a smaller project before moving onto something bigger and more complex.

So if you want to become a freelance copywriter, start by creating a profile and applying for jobs that match your skill set.

Don’t be discouraged if you’re not accepted straight away, keep applying until you find the right fit.

And most importantly, never stop learning!

There is always something new to learn in this ever-changing industry.

Once you have enough experience under your belt, move onto bigger projects and establish yourself as a professional copywriter.

So what are you waiting for?

Start your journey to becoming a freelance copywriter today!