Last Updated on August 30, 2024
Copyrighting or copywriting?
If you’re anything like me from 2 months ago, you probably don’t know the difference either. You do know, though, that you keep seeing videos about it online.
Loads of people are apparently profiting from this amazing thing called c o p y w r i t i n g, making over six figures and traveling constantly…
But, what the heck is it?
What Is Copywriting?
Copy is any form of writing that intends to persuade or sell to an audience. So, naturally, copywriting is the practice of writing that marketable good good.
What does that actually mean, though? Well, everything. Copy is everywhere, and with most of our time being spent on the internet, you have probably written copy without knowing it. Any social caption marketing an affiliate link, any podcast or video script highlighting a sponsor, or emails showcasing a new product are all forms of copywriting!
You don’t need a degree, impeccable grammar, or even SEO in order to write good copy.
Can I Do It?
Copywriting is a job that you can find in any country, for any company! If someone needs to sell something, they will use copywriting.
And coming from an introvert that’s currently pursuing this career path, you do not need to be super outgoing or a social media guru either!
That being said, there are some things that may make your path to success with it a bit easier.
If you have an interest in psychology or what makes people “tick”, you may have a good foundation for copywriting! Copywriting is 50% marketing, and 50% writing. Understanding your customer’s pain points, hopes and dreams will illuminate why they need your
If you spend a lot of time on the internet, you should already have some feeling of copywriting. It has been reported that the average person may see up to 10,000 digital ads. A. DAY.
What?!?
Yes! Everyone is vying for attention now–it’s the digital wild-wild west–and customers want an endless supply of content. Marketers have worked out that shimmying their products to the forefront of their user’s experience can lead to more sales. Think of the “Shop” tab in TikTok that nobody seems to want, or the Facebook ads that look like Reels and Stories.
And don’t even get me started on the influencers…we’re being sold to everywhere!
Lastly, if you are good at persuasive writing, copywriting may be a good fit for you. There is no reason to manipulate your audience into purchasing something they don’t need. However, knowing how to give gentle nudges toward real solutions to their problems is a definite skillset that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Different Forms of Copywriting
Looking to start your brand new career in writing and marketing? Well, start! All you need to start copywriting is a laptop and some know-how.
Here are a few beginner friendly options:
- Email Marketing: Contrary to popular belief, email marketing is more important than ever. According to Site-Seeker, up to 91% of consumers have email. You may already be doing this on the job, and don’t know it–I know I didn’t! Writers can charge up to $250 per email.
- Blog Posts: Do you already have a blog of your own? You could be missing out on some real dough by not marketing your services to other, very busy and overwhelmed, bloggers. You could make $250 – 800 per post.
- Social Media Setup: Although there are a million how-to videos about it, setting up a client for success on Instagram or TikTok is nothing to sniff at! They will pay handsomely for it–up to $500 per network!
(For more information on pricing, check out AWAI’s 2023 Copywriting Pricing Guide.)
Isn’t This Just Sales?
Copywriting is a part of a company’s sales funnel, but it isn’t concerned with making the sale itself. To put it simply: copywriting markets and raises awareness for your client’s products to their customers. That’s it.
There are certain situations when the copywriter may “sell” directly to someone (i.e. by writing a sales page), but this seems to be rare.
Also, sales doesn’t have to be icky!
When I think of a classic salesman, the slimy car salesman played by Danny DeVito in the classic film “Matilda” (1996) always pops up in my mind. In the movie, he was ripping people off left-and-right, selling cars that were a load of junk, and usually overpriced.
So long as you are solving the problems of your target audience, you can avoid this unfortunate ethical outcome.
In fact, besides the obvious moral dilemma, I would encourage everyone to market ethically in this market. Customers are savvier than ever and people are getting canceled at the speed of light. A few bucks is not worth losing your credibility, good reputation and brand integrity!
What Now?
So, I’ve convinced you that this is an amazing career path, right? What now?
Practice!
Read emails from your favorite brands, ads you get in the mail, social media captions. Everything!
Ask yourself, what about this got my attention? What’s lacking? Could you write that message in a different way?
Study psychology and all the reasons why consumers buy products. Dabble in different writing styles, like poetry, to get better at conveying imagery, feelings and concepts in a shorter set of lines.
The sky’s the limit! So long as you have the consumer in mind while you practice, you will hone your craft in no time.
And if you aren’t sure if this is for you yet, stay tuned here as I share my journey to becoming a full-time copywriter! I’ll be completing Alex Cattoni’s 2024 Copy Posse Launch Pad; a program that launches beginner copywriters into their freelance writing careers with all the tools (and portfolio) they need to succeed.
I can’t wait to start!
Happy Writing.