How To Become A Freelance Copywriter
Modern technology has opened doors that many never imagined possible. If you are a good writer, you can now make money online as a freelancer and its easier than ever.
Here at Evviva, we are committed to helping you achieve financial freedom. One of the key tools to building your abundant life is side hustles like freelancing.
For more ways to make money, click here to check out our side hustle course.
What Is A Freelance Copywriter?
A freelance writer is someone who works for himself or herself rather than for a firm. Because of this, they have more control over their work schedule and working conditions.
Freelancers charge a fixed price per hour or per project to clients who can work with them either regularly or on a one off basis. Freelancers can charge a premium since businesses prefer their services when they don’t want to hire someone for salary and benefits. As a result, they are left with an immediate demand for your talents.
In a nutshell, freelance copywriters work on a contract or project basis. They are considered business owners since they provide copywriting services but they’re not part of an in-house team or employed full-time by a company or an agency.
Moreover, freelance copywriters set their own rates and advertise to get more clients. On top of that, they can choose which writing assignments they want to work on.
What Does A Copywriter Do?
Generally, copywriters create content and copy that align with the business goals of each client.
Freelance copywriting duties include:
- Tracking content analytics
- Following the client’s style guides
- Implementing stakeholder’s feedback to the copy
- Publishing website copy to a CMS (Content Management System)
- Enhancing website content with images
- Applying strategic keywords in the copy
- Performing market research
- Making recommendations with regard to targeting consumers
Freelance copywriting may also include creating marketing materials such as:
- Emails
- Blogs
- Video scripts
- Sales pages
- Webinars
- Paid social and paid search ad copy, etc.
Why Be A Freelance Copywriter?
There are many excellent benefits to being a freelancer in 2022. For one, the U.S. freelance economy is worth an estimated $1.2 trillion annually. (CNBC, 2020)
That’s big.
As a freelancer, you can work from anyplace that has an internet connection. You are in control of your own schedule, so you can choose when to work and for how long. You also have the freedom to select who you want to work with and types of jobs to take. Freelancing is a great Side Hustle in college and even has the potential to become your career after graduation.
Freelance work can pay extremely well. The average freelance copywriter makes about $40 per hour, but the top earners make over $150 per hour. (Glassdoor, 2022)
Freelancing also allows you to be more selective about the jobs you undertake. You can pick and choose tasks that pique your interest and are in line with your principles.
Which Type Of Copywriting Is For You?
It’s okay to try everything when you’re a beginner. But as you gain experience, you’ll soon discover which topic you really want to write about. The following is a list of the different types of copywriting with their own style and purpose.
1. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
SEO copywriting includes website content and blogs which focuses on integrating persuasive writing and certain optimization techniques to enhance a web page’s visibility in search engines.
2. Technical
It is necessary for a technical copywriter to have an area of expertise since you’ll be sharing specific knowledge and research with your audience.
3. Creative
Creative copywriting involves creating catchy phrases for ads, blogs, branding, etc.
4. Marketing
It helps you have a marketing background for this type of copywriting. You’ll be creating ads, email campaigns, and billboards that will influence the public by speaking to their needs.
5. Content
Content copywriters produce blogs, how-to guides, newsletters, scripts, social media, and billboards to provide more information about certain products. The goal is to convert one-time customers into dedicated followers.
How To Become A Freelance Copywriter
You don’t have to be a novelist or someone with a four year English degree to become a copywriter. The beautiful thing about the freelance industry is that you can get involved with basic experience and get paid as you learn, increasing your prices from low to high as your skills and reviews pile up.
There are a few key things you need to get started as a freelance copywriter:
- Editing/writing skills
- A portfolio of copy to showcase
If you have these things, you’re well on your way to becoming a freelance copywriter.
Editing/Writing skills
The first step is to build your skills. If you’re learning from the ground up or wanting to build your skills further, there are many resources available to assist you. You may want to study at home by watching free instructional videos or enroll in an online course.
The more you practice, the better you will be. Here are some resources for getting up to speed and developing your portfolio.
Online Courses:
Copywriting – Become A Freelance Copywriter In 7 Days
This course is a step-by-step way to go from wanting to be a copywriter to booking your first client in 7 days.
The comprehensive course is highly ranked and vetted to take you form beginner to professional, launching you on your journey to success and even boasts a 30-day money back guarantee. With a focus on both writing sales copy and building a client base, this course truly is comprehensive.
The Ultimate Copywriting Course – Write Copy That Sells 2022
For those who are looking to refine their copywriting skills and want to better sell to clients. This course may be just what you need.
While no previous copywriting experience is needed, this course focuses on honing specific skills, such as social media posts, sales copy, irresistible headlines and so much more. If you want to dive into the specifics of copywriting, this course is a great choice.
Modern Copywriting: Writing copy That Sells In 2022
Focusing on sales copy, this course will teach you the latest copywriting tactics such as the use of “power words” and persuasive writing that move readers to take action.
When writing sales copy for clients, you need to take into account who they are selling to (businesses or consumers) and the difference in strategy that you will need to employ.
This course not only teaches these tactics, but will teach you formulas to streamline your writing process and remove ambiguity.
These are just some of the courses out there to bolster your copywriting skills. Check out more here. (probably want to remove click here’s for stuff we don’t have yet)
Create A Portfolio
It’s time to put your talents to use after you’ve honed them. A portfolio is a collection of your finest work that you can exhibit to potential customers.
It’s critical to have a wide range of work in your portfolio so that clients may see your skill set. You may build an online portfolio using sites like Wix, Weebly, or WordPress. It’s simple to create and free. You can establish an online portfolio using sites like Wix, Weebly, or WordPress. Some freelance websites will even allow you to upload work to their site, to show clients.
If you like to write or took one of the courses above, you’ll have plenty of material to start your portfolio. To get started, all you need are a few items. After you’ve completed building your portfolio, it’s time to look for clients.
Where To Find Clients
Once you’ve got writing abilities and proof of them, it’s time to start earning money! There are several freelance platform sites that can connect you with customers right now. Making money as a freelance copywriter has never been easier.
You can check out our article on freelance platforms if you would like to see more options, but here are our top platform recommendations for freelance copywriters.
Top Freelance Platforms To Find Clients
1. Fiverr
Fiverr is one of the most popular freelance websites; it is easy to use and has a huge pool of clients ready to hire.
One of the best things about Fiverr is that it’s straightforward; clients can can search for consultants by skills and location, and then view their profiles, reviews, and gig descriptions. Then you both can easily chat on the site.
Key features:
- Huge pool of consultants & clients
- Easy to use
- Consultants are rated and reviewed
- Fiverr takes a 20% cut of every transaction.
2. Upwork
Upwork is a major freelancing website with over 12 million registered freelancers and 5 million customers. Upwork has a comprehensive vetting procedure for contractors, so businesses know they can rely on you.
A freelancer’s profile on Upwork includes a CV, portfolio, testimonials, and a rate card. To help clients and freelancers find the ideal match, Upwork offers a searchable database of professionals, skills tests, and bids.
Key features:
- 16 million registered freelancers
- Rigorous screening process
- Skills tests
- 20% fee for the first $500
- 10% from $500-10,000
- 5% above $10,000
Make sure to set up your job alert or job feed on Upwork to receive job recommendations. Also, you should set up your RSS feed to get notifications about the latest job postings in your category.
What Are You Waiting For?
As a freelancer, you may work from anywhere that has access to the internet. You are your own boss, so you can create your own hours. You also get to choose who you want to collaborate with and what tasks you’d like to take on. This is a fantastic Side Hustle while in school that might even grow into a career by the time you graduate!
