Do you dream of becoming a freelance copywriter? In this article you will learn everything you need to know about this profession, as well as discover the secrets of getting your first orders. Find out if freelance copywriter is the perfect profession for you!

Copywriter-freelancer is the so-called freelancer - a self-employed person. It deals with providing companies with copy, i.e., marketing content.

Even though a copywriter writes content, they are not a writer. Why? The main task of the content prepared by the copywriter is selling. And it is not about a literal sale, i.e., a transaction for money. A copywriter is a person who sells with words - they want to elicit an appropriate response from the recipient. Among others, it is to create a good impression of the brand for the reader or encourage them to perform a specific activity (purchasing a product, signing up for a newsletter, or reading an article on a blog).

A copywriter should be distinct from a journalist, SEO, or social media specialist - although knowledge and skills in all these areas can benefit them.

✍ Content writer vs copywriter. How are they different? 

When it comes to content writing, there are two main types of writers: content writers and copywriters. Though the two roles have some overlap, there are key differences between the two.

Content writers create original content for websites, blogs, and other publications. They may write about a variety of topics, from current events to product reviews. Content writers must be able to write well and have a good understanding of grammar and syntax.

Copywriters, on the other hand, create content that is specifically designed to sell a product or service. They write ad copy, website copy, and email marketing content. Copywriters must be skilled at persuasion and be able to create content that is both effective and engaging.

So, what is the difference between content writers and copywriters? Content writers write for the sake of writing, while copywriters write to sell. Content writers focus on informing and entertaining their readers, while copywriters focus on getting their readers to take action.

When you think of a copywriter, what comes to mind? Many people might think of a person who writes ad copy. While it is true that copywriters often write ad copy, that is just one of the many tasks that they do.

Copywriters are responsible for creating the text for a variety of communications. This includes print ads, brochures, website content, and email marketing materials. They also write the text for company and product literature, and create speeches for company executives.

In addition to writing, copywriters also do some strategic planning. They help to develop the messaging and positioning for their clients, and come up with ideas for marketing campaigns. They also work with designers to create effective layouts for their materials.

Copywriters must be able to write in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner. They must also be able to understand the needs of their clients and create materials that meet those needs.

If you are interested in becoming a copywriter, it is important to have a strong writing background. You should also have some knowledge of marketing and graphic design. Copywriters typically have a degree in communication, marketing, or advertising.

Although a copywriter's profession is most often associated with freelancing, this does not always have to be the case. Before starting your own business, it is worth considering all copywriting options. There are several paths in this career:

a) Full-time - larger companies sometimes hire a permanent copywriter instead of outsourcing individual texts to a freelancer. If a company has a high demand for content, a full-time copywriter may be a good solution. 

b) Part-time - frequent practice in agencies, where copywriter prepares content not only for one company but serves many clients. It means writing texts on various topics, so a copywriter working in an agency should be more versatile. He often works in a duo with a graphic designer, creating content for clients.

Nevertheless, the fastest path to becoming a copywriter is to start collecting jobs as a freelancer.

Being freelance a copywriter has many advantages:

a) Save time - as a freelancer, you work remotely and focus on promoting yourself, acquiring customers, and delivering results. Due to the growing popularity of remote work, you can also work from home as a full-time copywriter.

b) Minimal equipment required - the only things you need are something to write (notebook, tablet, etc.) and Wi-Fi to do research. You can invest in writing software or SEO tools. Still, it's not necessary. 

c) Low entry threshold - As a freelancer, you don't need to have completed studies or specialized courses. Your portfolio will be much more critical for your clients. So remember to prepare it! 

d) A large number of orders - if you are adequately prepared to start your business, you can collect a vast number of orders as a freelance copywriter.

Despite intense competition, the demand for texts on the Internet still exists. But it's essential to stand out, find suitable customer acquisition sources, and earn feedback! It is effortless to catch the first orders - even if you have no experience. 

Copywriting is a broad term. Besides writing texts, it has a lot in common with a brand image-building strategy, marketing tactics, advertising, or specialized SEO knowledge. For this reason, there are several areas of copywriting that you can deal with:

1) B2B copywriting involves creating content for companies or entrepreneurs targeted at their business clients. B2B (business-to-business) communication characterizes professional language and a professional tone. In this type of content, facts, data, numbers, and statistics are often used. It may involve writing:

→ social media posts 

→ creating newsletters

→ e-books

→ articles

→ case studies 

→ catalogs

→ landing pages 

2) B2C copywriting - the content is to be delivered directly to the customers of a given company. Business-to-customer communication characterizes a colloquial language that speaks to a given target group. Talking about emotional benefits is used because emotions often play a crucial role in making a purchase decision. B2C copywriting may include content for online advertising, content for social media posts, offers on websites, descriptions of services and products on an online store, newsletters, landing pages. 

3) Social-media copywriting - focuses on creating texts for social media (usually content for posts). An excellent choice for those who know very well the specifics of the operation of individual social networks. A social-media copywriter should make a copy that generates reach. It often includes any activities on social media that build community involvement, e.g., starting discussions, encouraging followers to like, comment. Also important is adjusting content to current trends and optimizes texts to specific social media portals requirements.

4) SEO copywriting - texts created following SEO principles influence the website's position in search engine results. Therefore, an SEO copywriter should have technical knowledge of positioning, use SEO tools, and write and optimize texts following SEO principles.

5) Content copywriting - content copywriter focuses on creating valuable and consistency with the company's content to attract the right audience. In principle, this type of content should reach the customer organically (not through a paid promotion) and translate into activities that will profit the company. Therefore, the content's goal is to inspire customers' trust in the company and persuade them to take action (make a purchase, use the service, or make an appointment). Content copywriting may include valuable writing articles, know-how guides, newsletters, e-books, providing information via infographics, case studies, and social media channels. 

Copywriters are in high demand, and as a result, they can demand high salaries. How much a copywriter makes depends on a number of factors, including experience, skills, and the type of copywriting they do.

Generally, freelance copywriters make more than those who are employed by a company. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median wage for a freelance writer is $24.70 per hour, while those who are employed make $18.70 per hour.

Copywriters who have more experience and skills can demand even higher salaries. Those who are able to write well for the web, for example, can make $50 per hour or more. Copywriters who specialize in copywriting for advertising can make $75 per hour or more.

So, what is a copywriter’s salary? As with most things, it depends. But, if you are a skilled writer with experience in a particular field, you can make a very good living as a freelance copywriter.

Freelancers' earnings can vary significantly due to many factors. The amount of the copy fee may depend on the:

Copywriter's experience - apart from education and experience, specialist knowledge is essential. It's best if you're a copywriter who's also an SEO expert or have broad knowledge in a specific field (e.g., accounting, dietetics, or IT). 

Speed of writing and quality of texts - quick preparation of good-quality content will increase the service price. For example, a student with no experience will write a text quickly for a shallow rate. However, nobody can expect it's going to be a high-quality copy. So it all depends on the client's expectations. Some companies need a large number of texts in a short time and want the lowest possible rate. Others will be able to pay more and wait for better-quality content.

Topic difficulty - more complex topics require more research time. Topic's extension may increase your payment. In a situation where creating content involves many consultations with the company, freelancers can offer hourly billing. 

Many corrections - the amount of time the customer spends on introducing revisions or annotations to your text also affects the rate's amount. Hence, it is so important to choose a topic in which you are an expert. 

Customer value of the content - some content will be more critical to the customer, resulting in a higher bid. As a rule, there will be all image content, i.e., text for the website and experts articles for the blog.

Providing additional services - if (besides writing a copy) you perform other services (e.g., translations, graphic design), your rate should be correspondingly higher. 

Result - the effectiveness of your copy is of great importance for future customers. That's why we suggest using your current works in your portfolio.

Looking for ways to get by as a copywriter with no experience? Follow the tricks listed below to quickly get your first assignments and increase your reputation as a professional freelance copywriter!

To become a copywriter with no experience you should practice your writing skills, among other things. The best way to do this is to... simply by writing! You can start your own blog or create a copy for brands or products that interest you or might challenge you as a copywriter. 

Another way to gain experience is to get an internship at a marketing or advertising agency. They have a high demand for copywriters who can create great copy for marketing campaigns, websites or social media. Having such an internship will allow you to put your skills into practice and improve them. 

Learning copywriter skills through online courses or books can also help you become a copywriter. Remember that a copywriter doesn't just have to write well or correctly. It must possess persuasiveness, for example, to make a purchase through encouraging copy. So be sure to familiarize yourself with the best copywriting practices as well.

⚡ BOWWE Growth Hack:

The copywriting basics include knowing Power Words or the most effective formulas for creating attractive headlines.

Collecting certificates from copywriting programs can also help you land a job. There are plenty of paid as well as free courses available online, after which you will get a certificate. Such information looks especially attractive on a resume or in a profile on LinkedIn. 

Just be careful to take such courses only with widely respected people or companies whose certifications will actually count in the copywriting industry.

Creating a copywriter portfolio and resume will showcase your skills and experience to potential employers. Put in the works that you can show off and that best demonstrate your skills. Also, don't forget about certificates you've earned or experience you've gained, like an internship.

⚡ BOWWE Growth Hack:

Copywriters often create copy that lands in online campaigns or e-commerce stores, for example. For this reason, it is difficult for them to present their achievements in a classic resume. 

The ideal solution is to create an online portfolio, allowing you to present any web projects in an accessible form for potential employers. Learn how to create a professional online portfolio in a few steps!

Don't wait for potential employers to come to you on their own. It may not happen at all or it may take some time. It's best to take matters into your own hands and start looking for a job yourself. 

You can find job ads for copywriters on Fiverr or Upwork, among others. In the first case, you can set up your own profile there and advertise your own services. On Upwork you can do the same, but what's more, you'll also find job ads for copywriters that you can respond to. 

People who want to start their own business as a copywriter in 2022 have many opportunities for development and a good chance of good earnings despite much competition. The growing popularity of remote work generates demand for online marketing specialists, including copywriters. Every entrepreneur who wants to develop their business must invest in presenting their services on the web. For you, this means the correct number of orders to be able to earn satisfactorily.

However, it is essential to improve your skills and develop distinctive competencies constantly. There is already artificial intelligence that can automatically create content, e.g., a blog article. That is why it is worth combining copywriter skills with other qualifications (e.g., SEO knowledge) to ensure that no machine can replace you.

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