Shiv Shetti's Performance Copywriter Method Review: Do You Need Certification To Find High-Paying Clients? - Ippei Best Online Business

Performance Copywriter Method Pros and Cons

Do You Need Certification To Find High-Paying Clients in Copywriting?

You don’t need certification to find high-paying clients in copywriting. In fact, many professionals argue it’s not necessary, and in some cases, it might even hurt. Jacob McMillen, a professional copywriter, says nobody has ever needed a special degree, license, or certification to get hired. Nicki Krawczyk of Filthy Rich Writer warns that a certificate can mark you as a newbie and doesn’t prove you can actually write copy. One Reddit user echoed this, saying, “Good samples are worth a lot more to clients than some certificate.”

But here’s where the Performance Copywriter Method stands out. Unlike most programs, their certification isn’t just a piece of paper - it’s a pipeline. Students who complete the course, apply the strategies, and meet all requirements get referred to vetted, high-paying businesses by Shiv Shetti and his team. So in this case, the certificate means something and can directly lead to high-paying clients.

What Can You Get From Performance Copywriter Method?

• Certification. Performance Copywriter Method certifies students who complete the program and pass their assessments. According to Shiv, the PCM model revolved around “performance-based copywriting.” Within the course, writers learn to create high-quality promo emails that yield real results for clients.
• Guaranteed Client Placement Opportunities. PCM gives certified students the chance of landing high-paying clients. According to Shiv, the goal is to get students placed within 90 days. These “vetted businesses” usually offer a commission percentage of 15-20%.
• Your First $10K Month. PCM guarantees they will work closely with each student until they reach a 10K revenue month. This applies to students who implement all strategies, attend all coaching sessions, and complete all assignments. When a student does not hit the said milestone within 12 months, PCM will continue coaching them on a 1 on 1 basis at no additional cost. Otherwise, students may request to have their investment back.

Who Is Performance Copywriter Method For?

Performance Copywriter Method is for:

• aspiring copywriters with zero experience.
• new copywriters who want to improve their craft to make more money.
• experienced copywriters who want to learn how to attract high-paying clients.
• online entrepreneurs who want to start or grow a copywriting business.

What Are People Saying About Performance Copywriter Method?

Students have positive things to say about the Performance Copywriter Method. Michael shares that his copywriting business finally hit $17.5K per month. Thanks to the PCM model, he was able to “generate massive ROIs” for his clients.

As a copywriter, Areeba says signing up with PCM was the “single best investment” she ever made. “I’ve gone from charging $0.02 per word on Upwork to making $15.5k per month!” she points out.

Freelance copywriter Felix “managed to pull $30K in sales out of thin air” for his client in 5 days. As a result, he makes $6K “in extra monthly income, for work I did in just a few days.”

Who is Shiv Shetti?

Shiv Shetti is a copywriting coach and online entrepreneur from United Kingdom. He has a bachelor’s degree in Economics & Politics from the University of Leeds. He is the co-founder of Scale With Copy, a bespoke copywriter placement service. Shiv runs the company with Linh Trinh, his business partner.

According to Shiv, he has mentored around 150 copywriters “over the last half decade.” He helped them “level up their copy skills while landing large retainer deals.” Shiv and his partner also work closely with 6, 7, and 8-figure businesses. Together, they have helped generate “over $1M in tracked sales” for their clients.

CopyHour creator Derek Johanson describes Shiv as his “secret weapon,” adding that he helps transform copywriters. Drop Dead Copy founder John McIntyre says Shiv is ”one of the best coaches” in the industry. Besides, he has “a long and proven track record of student successes behind him.

Shiv Shetti Claims You Can Earn $10K-$15 While Working Less

Shiv Shetti claims the Performance Copywriter Method lets you earn $10K to $15K per month while working fewer hours. Business owners dislike hiring “run-of-the-mill copywriters for sky-high fees.” On his DitchTheRetainers website, he explains that fixed-fee retainers put writers at a disadvantage. According to Shiv, retainer copywriters are drowning under insanely heavy workloads and earning practically pennies for the long hours they’re putting in.

The Performance Copywriter Method changes this. It removes the risk and ongoing costs for business owners, while uncapping income and slashing workloads for copywriters. According to the site, it’s also very easy for business owners to say yes to performance-based commissions compared to fixed retainer rates.

Potential Drawbacks of Shiv Shetti’s Claims

New copywriters without client experience or a solid portfolio may struggle to build trust, close deals, or deliver results that lead to commissions. Unlike fixed-rate projects that pay upfront, this model requires writers to prove their value first. This means slower progress and lower earnings in the beginning. You can’t expect $10K earnings right away.

Other possible disadvantages of commission-based rates are delayed compensation and the risk of non-payment. Moreover, client dependency and complex tracking may make commission-based work less appealing.

Also, even experienced writers prefer the reliability of fixed rates. Sites like Fiverr, FlexJobs, Freelancer, Upwork, and WeWorkRemotely confirm this. Many job postings show that most writers and companies still prefer traditional fixed-rate pricing. This means per-word, per-hour, or project-based pricing.

Many writers still earn substantial incomes through these models. On Reddit, conversion copywriter Alex Napier Holland shares that he charges per project. According to his post, he makes $5,500 for “a single landing page.” “Most of the copywriters that I’m close to are at around $200-$250k/year revenue,” he likewise adds. “But we all worked hard for a few years to get here.”

Meanwhile, Talent.com reports that the average annual salary of a US-based copywriter is $72,070. Entry-level writers make at least $55,008 yearly, while top-earning ones earn up to $103,746 per year.

To be fair, the Shiv Shetti copywriting course is clear in its disclaimer. All guarantees are “subject to specific terms and conditions.” The program only helps students find high-ticket copywriting clients if they achieve certification. Also, they are quick to point out that results shared by other students “are not typical.” As such, “income examples provided are not direct guarantees of earnings.” People should have clear expectations before signing up with PCM.

How To Start a Copywriting Business with Zero Experience?

To start a copywriting business with zero experience, you should:

• Learn about the copywriting business model. Check out relevant courses, blogs, or YouTube videos to expand your industry knowledge. Up to 90% of beginners fail without proper structure and mentorship, so it’s best to start well-equipped.
• Target sustainable niches. Health, tech, and finance are among the top niches in the industry. Check out LinkedIn, Upwork, and other sites to find paying clients.
• Master copywriting skills. As a copywriter, being flexible works to your advantage. Learn how to write email, social media, and website content for different niches. Use top writing tools (Grammarly, Hemingway) to deliver quality work.
• Build a brand with proper systems. Ensure legal compliance with local requirements to have a legit brand. Use tools like Excel and QuickBooks to track finances.
• Create a business website. Showcase your portfolio, testimonials, and services offered. With this, potential clients know what to expect from your company.
• Leverage omnichannel marketing. Sign up on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Create targeted content to reach more of your audience.

What Are The Top Copywriting Niches in 2025?

The top copywriting niches in 2025 are:

• SEO copywriting. This focuses on creating content that rank well on Google and other search engines. You’ll need to learn about keyword research, link building, strategic use of H-tags, and more.
• Digital marketing copywriting. This requires creation of business-focused content for B2B and B2C clients. Writers need to focus on writing concise, conversion-driven copy.
• Social media copywriting. With this niche, your goal is to write brief, engaging content for social networking sites. For example, Buzzsumo reports that Facebook posts under 50 characters are most effective in the platform.
• PPC advertising copywriting. This focuses on paid campaigns with customizable reach. Success requires writing captivating headlines and compelling copy.
• High-ticket sales copywriting. This focuses on marketing to high-paying clients. Writers produce content to sell premium products or services to a targeted market.

Conclusion: Why Local Lead Generation Is Better Than Copywriting

Local lead generation is a better business model than traditional copywriting. With copywriting, you face global competition. It also requires extensive experience to attract high-paying clients. You eliminate these disadvantages with local lead gen. Besides, you are targeting specific geographic niches with fewer competitors. This localized focus makes it easier to start and scale a successful online business.

Also, copywriters constantly spend time doing research, producing content, and communicating with clients. Meanwhile, establishing a local lead gen site only requires 10-15 hours of initial setup. Once your site ranks in search engines, you may expect to earn $500 to $3,000 per month.

Local lead generation generates a profit margin of 80-95%. Most importantly, top-ranking sites reach become valuable digital assets. Your sites will generate passive income with minimal or zero maintenance work.