Copywriting is dead in 2024 for writers that don’t:

Artificial intelligence is set to disrupt the copywriting industry, with some people estimating that AI will take 90% of copywriting jobs over the next few years. Although it’s impossible to predict the true impact that AI will have on copywriting, one thing is certain, the copywriters that leverage AI to improve their workflows will offer better value than those that don’t. AI-enhanced copywriters can use the technology to substantially improve their research and writing speed while using their copywriting skills to verify information, adjust for brand voice, and improve formatting for the target audience. Even if companies want to save money by outsourcing copywriting to AI, they will still need someone to edit the AI content. 

In a time when many copywriting tasks are being outsourced to AI tools and cheaper labor from overseas, copywriters can gain an advantage by establishing expertise in the verticals they operate in. A copywriter that understands the nuances of a specific industry and the profile of its customers is much better equipped to create high-quality text that converts. Legendary copywriter Joe Sugarman details the importance of becoming an expert in his best-selling book The Adweek Copywriting Handbook, where he talks about spending many days studying digital watch technology at Sensor Watch Company in order to accumulate enough information to craft copy that resulted in millions of dollars in watch sales for the company. 

Modern copywriters can better position themselves for success by building complimentary marketing skills around copywriting. Those extra hours of work saved by AI need to be replaced by something, and additional marketing skills make the most sense for the majority of copywriters. Many businesses, especially small businesses, expect more comprehensive service than just the ability to produce copy. For example, a 10 year copywriter on Reddit says they have positioned themself as a more valuable employee compared to peers by building expertise in complementary skills like SEO, UX, web strategy, and CMS management.

A recent BBC article titled "AI Took Their Jobs. Now They Get Paid To Make It Sound Human" highlights how many copywriters are transitioning to editing roles to enhance AI copy for human readers. At least for now, humans can understand the desires and motivations of other humans better than AI can. This understanding allows elite copywriters to produce or adjust text that drives real results for businesses. Copywriters that neglect obtaining an advanced understanding of human behavior and leveraging that understanding to generate sales for businesses aren’t likely to last in the industry. 

In these challenging times for copywriters, it can be beneficial to use your skills to establish additional income sources beyond simply exchanging copywriting services for money. Starting a local lead generation agency can be an opportunity for savvy copywriters to enhance their online income potential. Local lead generation entails setting up websites that attract customers for local service businesses and selling those leads to real local service businesses for $500 to $3,000/month. Setting up these sites successfully primarily relies on copywriting ability, SEO knowledge, and CMS management (ex: WordPress), which many copywriters are already skilled in.  

In the following article, we discuss whether copywriting is dead by revealing 4 common misconceptions about copywriting and highlighting 7 copywriting statistics that provide some clarity on the future of the industry. 

4 Misconceptions Why People Think Copywriting is Dead

1. AI Will Replace Copywriters.

AIs will not replace copywriters. But, this does not mean that AIs have no use in the industry. Most aspiring copywriters and businesses forget that AIs and copywriting software are tools. They are meant to make work easier and cannot replace skilled copywriters. AI and software like ChatGPT, Bard, and Jasper rely on their training data. They use it to make correct outputs quickly.

According to an MIT experiment, professionals who used ChatGPT were 37% more productive. They also cut time spent on tasks by 80%. However, it cannot create original ideas. It cannot understand visions and human emotions. This makes AI content generic and lacking a human touch. 

What do I mean by this? AIs cannot understand emotions. So they cannot collaborate with you. They cannot turn your ideas into compelling copy. It can resonate with customers and reflect your brand, as a human copywriter could. It also opens you up to copyright troubles. Search engines penalize for AI content. They now value helpful and real content. AIs are tools that need good input to make great content. You'd still need a copywriter who can bridge the gap from ideas to content that makes real connections.

2. The Copywriting Market is Oversaturated.

The copywriting market is oversaturated and highly competitive. This is due to the growing popularity of online work and its low barrier to entry. This makes it hard for beginners to find jobs. But, the Internet made businesses, consumers, and workers adopt it. It created a fast-paced digital economy that’s rapidly growing.

Businesses can now market their products and services to a diverse global audience. They can do this faster than ever before. They compete with each other for market dominance and profit. This creates a growing demand for professional copywriters, debunking this misconception of oversaturation. They can create compelling copies. These will convert people to loyal customers and make their brand stand out. 

In 2022, a study by Litmus found that every $1 spent on email marketing has an average ROI of $36. This shows that businesses will pay for skilled copywriters. The writers help them connect with their audience. There are more copywriting jobs because digital marketing needs them. These jobs are on websites like Fiverr, Upwork, LinkedIn, and ProBlogger. They offer thousands of freelance, part-time, and full-time copywriting jobs. LinkedIn currently lists 28,000 copywriting positions.

These platforms are a reliable source for businesses. They use them to find talented copywriters. The platforms are also a place for new and experienced copywriters. They can offer their services in a secure environment.

3. SEO Tools Are Enough.

SEO and monitoring tools, like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, HubSpot Website Grader, seoClarity, Surfer, and Semrush, provide key insights. They show how a website is doing and how to optimize for keywords. They also help with analyzing competitors. But, they are not a sure way to succeed in digital marketing. These tools can analyze data and offer SEO tips. But, they are limited without humans. Humans must use the data well and work together. They must craft compelling copies that link companies to their audiences emotionally.

Good copywriters can use these SEO tools. They use them to create original, persuasive copies and connections. They will always provide value to companies. Let’s look at some numbers and examples. According to HubSpot, personalized call-to-actions increase the chances of converting traffic by 202%. For example, Unbounce did this. They changed their CTA from “Start Your 30-day Free Trial” to “Start My 30-day Free Trial.” This change increased their click rate by 90%. For example, let’s look at First Round Capital’s Homepage.

This copy conveys how First Round Capital understands its clients' challenges. It shows its expertise by citing notable companies they've helped. This creates a connection between First Round Capital, its clients, and the reader.

4. Online Platform Algorithms are Static.

Algorithms on social media and search engines are not static. They are dynamic and always changing. They change to improve user experience and content relevance. They also fight misinformation and spam and adapt to new trends. This makes it vital for businesses to keep up with the latest changes. They need to do this to ensure their marketing campaigns work. It also shows how valuable skilled copywriters are. They stay informed about industry trends and practices. This helps them create ad copies that satisfy search engines and consumers.

Why does this matter? Businesses must now stand out from the competition. This is needed for relevance and traffic in digital marketing. Let’s look at some numbers. Google has 92.5% of the search engine market and processes 8.5 million daily searches. We Are Social says 45% of internet users aged 16-64 use social media. They use it to research brands. Businesses that can't follow the algorithm updates won't stand out. They will have fewer platforms to reach their consumers.

Here is a brief overview of some of the latest algorithm updates on major social media and search engines:

7 Proven Copywriting Statistics that Prove this Industry isn’t Dead

Here are some interesting statistics on the impact of copywriting on digital marketing:

Is Copywriting Dead or Still in Demand?

Copywriting is still in demand because businesses in the digital age now sell and advertise their products and services faster to a broader global market and stand out from their competitors. These businesses need skilled copywriters. The copywriters must work with the businesses. They must help businesses craft original, persuasive, and compelling copies. They must also navigate the complex updates of search engines and social media platforms. These updates aim to connect with consumers. They also aim to establish brand identities. This is all in the vast digital marketing space.

Let's look at some numbers. According to CareerExplorer, there are about 131,200 copywriters in the US. The demand for copywriters is expected to grow to 7.6% from 2019 to 2026. This will lead to a need for 14,300 more copywriters to fill the gap. This shows that there is a growing demand for copywriters and a supply that needs to be filled.

The belief that AI will replace copywriters is a misconception. AI tools like ChatGPT and Jasper.ai boost productivity. But AI can't match the emotion and creativity human copywriters bring to content. The copywriting market is competitive. LinkedIn, Fiverr, and Upwork show that skilled professionals are in demand. The salary range for copywriters varies. It shows profitable opportunities. They depend on expertise and location. In summary, the role of copywriters is changing, but it is still critical. They craft unique and resonant content in digital marketing.

Is Copywriting Dead? Top Answers from Reddit

According to top Reddit comments, copywriting is not dead. Businesses still need good copies. It’s currently oversaturated. It requires skill and dedication to truly achieve success in the industry.

Reddit user u/senseibarbosa says that copywriting is oversaturated. This is due to social media and influencers. They make copywriting look like an easy way to make money. This user believes that people will leave once they face the challenges of being a copywriter.

Reddit user u/alexpierholland states that copywriting is profitable. He made his annual income from a previous position in just six weeks. He did it with hard work and dedication to copywriting.

Reddit user u/mads_61 says that the details of laws and regulations in some industries make it hard to automate copywriting and content creation.

Is Copywriting Dead? Top Answers from Quora

The top Quora responses say copywriting is not dead. It's more important than ever. This is due to increasing content demand and social media. Copywriting remains an important skill in marketing, and it’s undergoing a transformation.

Olivia Edmund states that the rise of the internet and social media has made businesses rely on good content. They need it to reach their audiences. This has caused a growth in demand for skilled copywriters.

Anum Shakoor states that copywriting is still vital in marketing and communication. The digital age highlights the need to craft compelling messages.

Faria Ejaz states that AIs can improve a copywriter’s skills. They make amazing things when used with human creativity and intelligence.

What is the Future of Copywriting?

The future of copywriting is bright. This is because of the rise of the internet. It is making transactions faster than ever. Search engines and social media algorithms are always changing. They now focus on real, high-quality content and interactions. AIs simply cannot provide them. These factors show there is a future for skilled copywriters. They can help businesses create persuasive copies. The copies can emotionally connect to their customers.

Is Copywriting Worth it in 2024?

AI tools cannot easily replicate this skill, as copywriting demands significant training and practice. Copywriting is complex, making it resistant to downsizing, outsourcing, or automation. It requires a deep understanding of language and brand voice. This complexity ensures that it's a career that’s worth getting into for years to come.

The scope of copywriting is growing. It now includes more platforms that need to be mastered, like social media and search engines, to reach audiences. As technology evolves, copywriters will get better tools to make more targeted and effective content. They will use them to leverage extensive data to address specific consumer needs.

Flexibility for remote work and the potential for high income adds to the appeal of this field. Copywriting is crucial in business and digital marketing. There is a constant demand for skilled copywriters who are dedicated to honing their craft and meeting the industry's evolving challenges.

A user with 5 years' experience working as an agency copywriter on WarriorForum advises copywriters keep an open mind and roll with the trends as there's always something new to learn in the copywriting world.

Copywriting FAQs

Go for an Undying Business Model in 2024: Copywriting or Local Lead Generation?

Copywriting is in high demand. Digitalization forces businesses to compete for brand recognition, relevance, profit, and customers. They must do so more than ever before. It has made a crowded market. It needs tremendous skill, time, patience, and dedication to compete. You must stand out to businesses who want your services. Why not use your copywriting talents? You can create your own profitable local lead generation websites. This way, you won't have to choose one business model over the other. You also won't be at the mercy of employers and search engine updates. 

Local lead generation stands out because there's less competition. It offers a chance at passive income. And you work for yourself. In local lead generation, you create websites for niches. They get traffic and rank in search engines. Then, you rent these websites out to local businesses. Think of it like becoming a digital landlord; these websites are your digital real estate. You’re cutting out the middleman and creating your own content and website.

Copywriting requires talent and creativity for creating original, high-quality content, which will generate great results when applied to content for local lead generation. Doing so can generate lots of traffic and leads. Businesses are willing to pay $500 to $3,000 a month for them. This business model requires less maintenance. It is easier to stay competitive than to stay up-to-date on the latest copywriting trends. Once you’ve set up and rented out your website, you can make more and repeat this process as much as you'd like.