Copywriter Job Description, Income & Side Hustle Basics
Copywriting is rewarding if you can create quality content. Read the article to learn about being a copywriter, and the income and salary to expect.
- Copywriting involves creating persuasive content to boost client sales and engage audiences.
- A copywriter's tasks include researching, writing, and collaborating with marketing teams.
- Success in copywriting requires creativity, strong writing skills, and an understanding of marketing.
- Copywriting offers good income potential, flexible work hours, and a balanced work-life schedule.
Brett Helling is a gig economy expert who has been running his own small business for over 10 years.
If you’re considering a career in copywriting, regardless of your background, you’re probably wondering: is it a suitable career choice?
That depends on what you want to achieve.
Fortunately, there aren’t any serious barriers to becoming a copywriter.
However, having a formal education, training, and experience might give you a good start and ensure your work is up to standards.
Keep reading to learn the definition of copywriting as a profession, the tasks copywriters perform, and the rewards and drawbacks of pursuing a career in copywriting.
What Is a Copywriter?
A copywriter crafts persuasive copies for digital and traditional marketing campaigns.
They write materials and engage with clients to persuade them to buy something immediately or in the future.
A copywriter takes the customer’s marketing plan and turns it into something that will pique the interest of the intended audience.
Each word, sentence, and paragraph in a professionally written copy has a specific function.
Therefore, a copywriter pays close attention to detail while maintaining a consistent tone and vocabulary.
A copywriter possesses creative writing skills, a knack for persuasive language, and an in-depth knowledge of the product or service they’re promoting.
What Does a Copywriter Do?
A copywriter creates engaging and persuasive content to help brands sell their products or services.
The role of a copywriter is to understand clients’ target audience and create content that resonates with them.
They often work alongside other professionals, such as graphic designers, marketers, and web developers, to create a cohesive and effective marketing campaign.
A copywriter’s responsibilities vary from one client to another. Some clients want content for print publications, while others solely focus on online content.
Clients might be individuals, agencies, publishing companies, newspapers, magazines, and corporate offices.
What Does a Copywriter Usually Focus on?
A copywriter focuses on understanding the different media types to create compelling copies that fit within their client’s desired brand image.
That might include writing articles, press releases, blog posts, website content, social media posts, advertisements, catalogs, commercial radio scripts, direct mail pieces, taglines, and white papers.
They strive to create error-free content consistent with the company’s brand voice and style guidelines.
Copywriter Job Description
The most common tasks for a copywriter include the following:
- Setting the advertising strategy and researching the product to identify its unique selling characteristics.
- Cooperating with senior editors and various creative teams, including marketing and design, to accomplish marketing goals.
- Proofreading and editing published content to ensure it meets all guidelines.
- Determining a project’s requirements by reading and interpreting copywriting specifications.
- Applying search engine optimization strategies to expand content’s reach.
- Sourcing images and other content.
- Participating in client pitches and proposing copy ideas to the internal team.
Top Copywriter Jobs and Careers
Copywriters tend to focus their career paths on several fields but the three most important of these are described below.
Content Designer
You’ll work as a member of the creative department that develops the visual aspects of an advert or promotional strategies.
Common roles include creating website visual assets and web services like a blog.
Web Content Developer
A web content developer’s job is to collect and create textual and visual materials for a company’s website.
You’ll be responsible for creating videos, webinars, and other forms of online media to support advertising and improve customer service.
Freelance Copywriter
One of your key roles as a freelance copywriter is to figure out what your clients want and give it to them.
The most common types of writing include articles, blogs, research reports, and publications.
Where Can a Copywriter Work?
A copywriter can work for marketing and advertising firms, media companies, magazines, newspapers, websites, and individual clients.
They can work in an office setting or remotely.
What It’s Like To Be a Copywriter
If you’re looking for an exciting career that combines creativity, technical knowledge, and the power of persuasion, being a copywriter might be the perfect fit for you.
It can be rewarding when your copies resonate with readers and your clients are happy with the results.
While there will likely be moments of stress, you can manage them.
Is Being a Copywriter Hard?
No, but it might be challenging if you don’t have the necessary skills and knowledge.
Copywriting is one of the most common gig economy jobs requiring creativity, technical skill, and marketing savvy.
Becoming an effective copywriter takes hard work, practice, and dedication. But the rewards can be great for those willing to put in the effort.
With the right tools and guidance, anyone can become a good copywriter.
To get started, you’ll need to develop an understanding of what copywriting is and how it works.
It would be best if you also took time to hone your writing and communication skills and build a portfolio of your work.
Is a Copywriter’s Job Stressful?
A copywriter’s job can be very demanding and stressful, as you must constantly develop fresh ideas and stay ahead of the competitors.
The pressure to produce great work can be intense.
However, stress levels vary from person to person.
Some may find the pressure to write exciting and engaging copies exhilarating, while others may struggle to create new and innovative content.
But as long as you stay organized, prioritize your work, and keep your eye on the prize, you can be a successful copywriter.
Requirements, Skills, and Education Required for Copywriters
Read the section below to discover the skills required to work as a copywriter.
Who Should Consider a Copywriter Career Path?
Copywriting is a great side job for those with a knack for writing, strong communication skills, SEO knowledge, and an understanding of marketing and audience engagement.
The best copywriters can develop original ideas, find innovative ways to grab readers’ attention, and craft compelling stories.
Who Should Not Consider a Copywriter Career Path?
You shouldn’t consider copywriting a career path if you struggle to write well or can’t communicate your ideas effectively.
Furthermore, copywriting might not be the best choice if you don’t feel comfortable thinking creatively.
Is It Hard To Become a Copywriter?
Becoming a copywriter isn’t as hard as you may think.
While it requires skills, education, and experience, it is an achievable goal for many.
On-the-job training and completing online courses can give aspiring copywriters the edge they need to stand out.
Researching topics and practicing your writing skills are essential to becoming a great copywriter.
What Do I Need To Become a Copywriter?
If you’re considering a career as a copywriter, you’ll need to establish a word limit and keep your paragraphs short.
Limiting your text and breaking it into manageable sections helps the reader understand and remember the material.
In addition, always use clear and direct sentences.
Using active voice improves readability and ease of comprehension.
Don’t forget to employ subheadings as they make the text more aesthetically pleasing and easier to skim, which increases readability.
Requirements for Becoming a Copywriter
Learning to write compelling copy takes time and effort.
Even though the qualifications necessary to become a copywriter can vary depending on the job, there’re a few universal standards that include:
- Excellent time-management and organizational abilities.
- Efficient research skills.
- Knowledge of web content and marketing techniques.
- Competence in reading, writing, rewriting, and proofreading.
- Expertise in search engine optimization.
What Skills Does a Copywriter Need?
You need excellent writing skills to thrive as a copywriter.
However, you don’t have to be a master writer, but regular practice will help improve your writing with time.
In addition, you must be inquisitive.
To write compelling content, you need preliminary research on your intended subject and readership.
A successful copywriter is also detail-oriented.
You should be able to craft clear and concise content that is easy to read and comprehend as well as spot errors in your work.
Furthermore, being a copywriter requires you to be creative because you’ll need to come up with new ideas regularly.
What Education Does a Copywriter Need?
Most copywriters have at least a Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or communications.
That helps provide the foundational skills necessary to be successful in this field.
A degree in marketing can also provide valuable insight into using language and visuals to convey messages.
What Experience Does a Copywriter Need?
Most employers will look for a copywriter with experience in marketing, communication, and writing.
The most important consideration is the ability to create persuasive content that engages readers.
A copywriter with a solid work portfolio may also have the edge over other applicants.
How To Become a Copywriter
So, you’ve read this far and decided that copywriting is for you.
Let’s look at a few tips on how to become a copywriter.
First, you need to understand the fundamentals of copywriting.
Being a good copywriter takes more than knowing how to write properly and following instructions.
A mastery of client psychology and demands is essential for any copywriter.
Then, you need to understand why businesses hire copywriters.
If you can tell why a business seeks to hire a copywriter, you will be able to tailor your marketing efforts more effectively.
Finally, you should find your place in the market.
Start looking for clients who value whatever service you have to offer.
That will assist you in increasing your effectiveness as a copywriter and establishing your expertise in a given field.
Where To Find Copywriter Opportunities
Here are some places you can land copywriting jobs.
Job Boards
If you’re starting, browsing for internet gigs on job boards might help you land an opportunity.
The drawback of job boards is that you can meet scams and other low-paying companies.
LinkedIn is an excellent internet resource for prospective copywriters.
The site’s primary purpose is to facilitate professional networking.
Warm Email Prospecting
It entails sending out tailored emails to individual recipients at the right time.
It’s a great strategy to get in touch with potential customers you have not yet met.
Applying for the Gig(s)
When applying for copywriting gigs, avoid overselling yourself.
Don’t pretend to have the necessary skills or experience if you do not.
Interviewing for the Gig(s)
If you want to ace your copywriter gig’s interview, highlight the qualities that make you a standout candidate.
Say that you believe in creating action-inducing content for your clients.
How Do I Prepare for Copywriter Gigs?
You should consult your clients to determine their intended audience, brand voice, and message.
Every client will want you to adopt a voice that complements their marketing efforts.
Readers are more likely to hit the unsubscribe button very fast if you switch voices and tones all over the place, diminishing your content’s value.
Content that concentrates too much on selling is doomed to fail.
Your audience already knows that your customer is in business to make money.
Create an enticing copy that makes the reader want what the client is selling without appearing pushy.
Common Copywriter Work Day
How many hours and tasks a copywriter performs depends on where they work.
A copywriter spends most of their time drafting and revising content.
Suppose you have a 9-5 job.
In that case, writing will take up around 75 percent of your time.
You can split the remaining 25 percent between meetings, performance reviews, presentations, briefs, and project collaboration with other marketing teams.
Copywriter Tasks & Duties
A copywriter has many specific tasks and duties.
A copywriter may proofread and edit copy to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
Occasionally, copywriters collaborate with marketing teams to align copy with the brand and marketing strategy.
Copywriter Work Hours & Schedule
If you’re a full-time copywriter working in an office setting, your employer may expect you to work standard business hours, Monday through Friday.
However, some industries, such as advertising, may require more extended hours and working on weekends to meet deadlines.
If you’re a freelance copywriter, you’ll have more control over your working hours and schedule so long you can meet your client’s deadlines.
Does This Career Field Embrace Work/Life Balance?
Yes. Freelance copywriters can set their schedules and determine their workloads.
It allows you to manage your time better, whether you are a parent juggling jobs, school, and kids’ activities or a fitness enthusiast who wants to fit in an early morning, online fitness class.
Do Copywriters Make Good Money?
Yes, copywriters make good salaries.
However, how much you earn as a copywriter may vary depending on various factors such as a project’s urgency, work experience, educational background, and availability.
You will make more money if you have a history of producing work that boosts your clients’ bottom lines.
In addition, you must choose the copywriting you want to undertake and the prospective earnings of such projects.
How Much Do Copywriters Make?
Copywriters earn an average of $3,820 a month, or over $60,000 annually.
The average annual income of a copywriter in the United States is $54, 642, with 80 percent making between $49,371 and $61,551.
Some organizations will constantly strive to negotiate a lower price for whatever service they purchase, and copywriting is no exception.
How Do Copywriters Get Paid?
Copywriters working for an advertising agency receive a paycheck every month.
As a copywriter, you will mostly get paid through direct deposit or PayPal, especially if you’re copywriting for blogs or writing articles.
Recently, some copywriting agencies have started paying their contractors through crypto.
Before signing your contract, ask your client or employer the payment method they accept.
Wrapping Up
Being a copywriter is one of the most rewarding and satisfying careers.
You’ll have the opportunity to be creative and craft a copy that moves people to take action.
From crafting compelling product descriptions to producing punchy email campaigns, your words can significantly impact how people think and behave.
However, you’ll need to be up-to-date on all the latest trends and technologies so that your work remains relevant.
Furthermore, you must know how to use copies to build customer relationships and increase sales.
If you have questions about being a copywriter, let us know in the comment section below.