How to become a copywriter with no experience:
1. Study free online copywriting resources.
2. Join a paid copywriting course.
3. Practice writing persuasively and creatively.
4. Choose a copywriting niche.
5. Build a copywriting portfolio.
6. Join copywriting groups and exclusive communities.
7. Find copywriting clients.
The copywriting industry continues to grow each year. According to projections, the global market size of copywriting services is estimated at $25.29 billion this year and is expected to reach $42.22 billion in 2030. Moreover, Google Trends also reports that the term “copywriting” has reached an all-time high worldwide in January 2023.
With a growing industry also comes growing competition for newbies aiming to work as copywriters. For example, the r/copywriting subreddit grew 422% in the past 3 years and Fiverr has over 10,000 copywriting services on its website.
As a copywriter with no experience, it will take time and effort to learn copywriting and find clients. Dealing with competition can be another challenge, plus you can’t expect to earn good money right away. In this feature, we discuss what it takes to become a copywriter, plus we also share about potential copywriter salaries, and more. We also tell you about another business model that’s way more profitable and requires less work than copywriting.
How To Become a Copywriter With No Experience: 7 Straightforward Steps
Step 1: Study Free Online Copywriting Resources.
The first step on how to become a copywriter with no experience is to study free online copywriting resources. With proper research, any aspiring copywriter can easily find online resources where they can learn valuable copywriting skills.
For example, a short 14-minute YouTube video by Brian Dean shares helpful tips on how to become an effective copywriter. “Despite of what you might have heard, you don't need years of experience or training to learn copywriting,” Brian said in the video.
Now an 8-figure entrepreneur, the Backlinko founder and current Exploding Topics CEO shares he once worked as a freelance writer. When a client asked if he writes sales letters, he told them yes even if he had never written one before. He spent time researching how to write sales sellers and eventually met the 1-week deadline. As a result, his sales letter outperformed the client's previous sales letter by 2 to 1.
“Copywriting is really easy,” adds Brian. “That is when you know what to do and how to do it.”
Another free YouTube video goes in-depth about how to get into copywriting and succeed in the industry, even without much experience. Tyson 4D’s FREE 4 Hour Copywriting Course For Beginners promises people they can go from earning $0 to $10,000 per month in as little as 90 days.
According to Tyson, he had no idea what he was doing when he started out as a freelance copywriter. He eventually joined a life-changing course by Andrew Tate and learned much from it. He made his first sale after 3 months and then started making $10,000 per month within 9 months. He’s now teaching other copywriters through his free and paid online courses.
On Udemy, the Copywriting Quickstart: Top Free Writing Tools & Hacks can help “boost your copywriting skills and become a better writer with the internet's best free writing tools and hacks.”
Created by Tyler Speegle, the free copywriting course has gained 4.2 out of 5 stars from 6,636 ratings with over 94,000 students, so far. Tyler is a professional writer, freelance blogger, and a Huffington Post contributor.
Other free copywriting resources you can check out:
Step 2: Join a Paid Copywriting Course.
For those with money to spend, there are a number of great copywriting courses out there, can benefit from the writing skills and industry knowledge taught by competent coaches.
For example, you can check out programs, such as Write Your Way to Freedom by Sara Turner ($1,999) and the Filthy Rich Writer by Nicki Krawczyk ($697).
Other paid copywriting resources you can check out:
Step 3: Practice Writing Persuasively and Creatively.
Your goal as a writer is not merely to share information but to make people think and feel something. So learning the art of writing persuasively and creatively has to be a priority.
As an Upwork article tells us persuasive writing “specifically aims to convince a reader to accept your point of view.” Writers can achieve this by using logic and data. Also, showing empathy and sharing examples can help you persuade more of your audience.
Meanwhile, Kristel de Groot of Your Superfoods Inc. emphasizes that authenticity “is the secret to writing effective copy.” In a Forbes feature, she says that writers need to connect with their readers by understanding the customers’ goals and struggles. “When you can relate to how they’re feeling and empathize with them, you can write from the heart, which is what really resonates with others,” adds Kristel.
To develop persuasive writing skills, writers need to:
- Research their subjects well
- Use relevant facts and data
- Show real-life examples
- Share good stories
- Deliver a clear CTA (call-to-action)
Step 4: Choose a Copywriting Niche.
Selecting a copywriting niche allows you to focus on a single market and become a specialist. To choose a niche, look for one that you are an expert in and have considerable market demand at the same time. This can help you launch your copywriting career and achieve positive results quicker. You will also be able to charge higher client fees as you establish yourself as an authority.
Today, some of the most profitable niches in copywriting are:
- Real estate and travel
- Fashion and beauty
- Tech and AI
- Entertainment
- Mental and alternate health
- Health, fitness and medical
- Finance
- Food and drink
Step 5: Build a Copywriting Portfolio.
Having a web-based copywriting portfolio is always a practical idea for any aspiring writer. It allows you to compile and showcase your best works. Plus a portfolio link is easier to share with a potential client than PDF files or Microsoft Word documents.
To start your portfolio website, you can consider signing up with the following platforms:
Step 6: Join Copywriting Groups and Exclusive Communities.
For the most part, copywriters with no experience are welcome to join copywriting groups and exclusive communities. You can sign up for workshops, talks, and seminars in your area. Alternatively, there are a lot of free resources online for anyone seeking support in their copywriting journey.
Step 7: Find Copywriting Clients.
As a copywriter with no experience, there are different ways for you to find a paying copywriting client. You can, for example, send cold emails and offer your copywriting services to various businesses. Another idea is to look up copywriting agencies and freelancing platforms online to look for job postings. Some top websites where good writers can find copywriting opportunities are:
Take note, however, that applying for a copywriting job can be the most challenging part. Although there are numerous postings out there, competing against good copywriters with years of experience will not be easy. Look up copywriter qualifications and try to see which ones do not have strict requirements.
What is Copywriting?
Copywriting is the art and process of writing marketing and promotional content that effectively encourages readers to take specific action. According to Hubspot, copywriting is “one of the most critical elements of any and all forms of marketing and advertising.”
A compelling copy persuades people to click a link, book a consultation, buy a product, donate to a cause, download a software, join a program, or subscribe to a mailing list, among others. Small, medium-sized and large businesses hire professional copywriters to help them achieve such goals.
What Does a Copywriter Do?
A copywriter is a professional writer who creates written materials for promotional campaigns, content marketing, and other purposes. They write persuasive content designed to encourage people to think, respond, and take action.
Copywriters handle various writing tasks, such as:
Being a copywriter entails conducting extensive research and organizing the information they’ve gathered before proceeding with writing and editing. Some of the top skills required to be a good copywriter include analytical thinking, attention to detail, as well as ability to understand the market and empathize with readers. Writers also need to master the skill of crafting informative, engaging, and persuasive content using proper grammar and punctuation.
ad copy blog post brochures case studies email newsletter
press release product descriptions sales letter social media posts website headers
Being a copywriter entails conducting extensive research and organizing the information they’ve gathered before proceeding with writing and editing. Some of the top skills required to be a good copywriter include analytical thinking, attention to detail, as well as ability to understand the market and empathize with readers. Writers also need to master the skill of crafting informative, engaging, and persuasive content using proper grammar and punctuation.
6 Popular Types of Copywriters
How Much Do Copywriters Make?
Copywriters make up to $61,370 per year in the United States. This is the national average, although some may earn lower ($40,210) while others can go way up ($93,667).
According to Indeed.com, Seattle, WA is currently the highest paying city for copywriters. They average at least $100, 576 per year.
That said, copywriting salaries may differ depending on the company, niche, location, and the writers' qualifications.
What are the Skills Needed in Copywriting?
Is Copywriting Beginner-Friendly?
Yes, copywriting is beginner-friendly. It’s an industry that doesn’t require degrees, training, or certification, for the most part. You can get hired as long as you can write with flair, can submit a convincing portfolio, and, in some cases, pass a writing test.
The key to learning copywriting is by doing it consistently and staying committed to your craft. Practice continuously and learn from other expert copywriters. These can help you improve as a copywriter even if you don’t have any previous experience.
Can I Start Copywriting With No Money?
Yes, you can start copywriting with no money. As mentioned, there are free or cheap resources online where you can join a community, learn copywriting, and build your portfolio website. You don’t even have to spend on advertising to find paying clients. While some beginners would invest in building a website and in copywriting courses, it’s definitely not a requirement. What’s important is that you understand copywriting fundamentals and know how to do the job. All you need to start a copywriting career is a laptop (or desktop computer), an internet connection, a word processor, and your writing skills.
Of course, the hardest part is attracting interest among your target clients. Many companies prefer experienced copywriters so they do not have to spend time and money in training them.
According to online data, there are about 131,200 copywriters in the United States alone. As a copywriter with no experience, it’s possible to stand out, but fierce competition is also a reality you’ll constantly have to deal with.
Related Articles on Copywriting
Why Starting a Local Lead Generation Business is Far Easier Than Being a Copywriter
Becoming a copywriter with no experience is indeed possible. Anyone with writing skills, industry knowledge, and dedication to the craft can launch a career in copywriting. In comparison, I still say lead generation is a better business model overall.
With copywriting, lack of experience can be a disadvantage, especially because the market is highly competitive. Companies almost always hire copywriters with years of experience and excellent track record. Inexperienced writers often have a hard time finding clients because of this.
Lead generation is less competitive, more profitable, and is simply an easier business to pursue. With lead gen, you’re not competing with thousands of other copywriters for the same job plus you don’t have to write content each day. Instead, you are your own boss and are offering your services to small businesses in your area. Your goal is to create a business website from scratch, boost it to the 1st spot on Google ranking, and then offer it for rent to interested business owners who want the benefit of organic leads. You’re not competing with thousands but just a few small businesses targeting the same keywords. If you have the skills, you can easily outrank others and generate passive income from your site.
Case in point, I earn $2,000 from this tree care website I built years ago. This digital real estate requires little to no maintenance since it hit #1 in search engine results. My client happily pays me for the leads I bring to their business. Plus since I own several of these sites, I make up to $52,000 per month. I also teach a lead generation coaching program for those interested in learning about the business model.
