Written by Kirsty Simpkins, Copywriting Coach
Kirsty Simpkins is known for helping others to fulfill their dreams of becoming copywriters and living a freedom-based lifestyle. She is the author of Empowered Copywriting and founder of the widely anticipated Empowered Copywriter Master Program, a mentorship program taking students from beginner to copywriting pro in just 90 days.
Do you feel like the world of online writing is shrouded in mystery? That only a select few are somehow able to create magic content that makes people click to purchase over and over again? I hear you. I used to feel like this, too. But it’s not true. It’s a myth that to become a successful writer, you have to be born with the gift of weaving wonderful tales. Or that you need an English degree from Oxbridge. I’m here to tell you that you can become a copywriter even if you have no prior experience or knowledge of the industry.
In fact, I’m going to tell you exactly why copywriting is a high-income skill, how to get started copywriting even without experience, and why copywriting is a great choice for anyone who’d like to work online.
Grab your favourite pen (I know you have one, all the best writers do!) and get ready to take notes.
Why is copywriting a high-income skill?
First? Demand.
Every business needs a copywriter. Let that sink in for a moment. Every. Single. Business.
And, in the digital world, where millions of people now compete for the same jobs, so does every professional individual looking to make a name for themself.
The second reason copywriting is one of the most high-earning online jobs is because of its ROI (return on investment).
A business can have the best product, the best service, and the shiniest of shiny objects.
But if businesses struggle to make their target market understand the value of that shiny object, then the business won’t be able to sell it. They need to make their audience feel like their life will be better if they buy the shiny object.
That’s where copywriters come in. Copywriters are the communication channel between a business and a business’s client. Copywriters know how to engage with a business’s target market to make them want to spend money. And that makes copywriters one of the most valuable assets a business can have.
Do I need qualifications to become a copywriter?
The short answer is no. There’s no degree or qualification required.
You don’t even need experience.
You do, however, need to become good somehow, which leads to the next question.
How do I become good at copywriting?
1. Practice
It’s not the answer people want.
But you have to spend time each day studying great copy and practising your own.
There are tons of free materials online that you can get your hands on, like my free course. Remember that good copy is all around you.
Want to write ad copy? Listen more attentively to the ads interrupting your podcasts or your Spotify playlist.
Want to be great at email marketing? Study the emails that come into your inbox each day. What makes you want to open them? How are they structured? What common patterns do you notice?
Practise writing your own versions of ads, sales pages and emails for your dream client.
In The Empowered Copywriter Master Program (sign up for the waitlist here), I work with you to build a portfolio full of writing samples for your ideal clients, and I help you get started with smaller clients who are less likely to request proof of prior experience.
2. Study the greats
There are books by stellar copywriters and entrepreneurs who break down the art (you might even call it a science?) of copywriting. Some of them have changed the way I write forever!
Beware: it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stuck in the cycle of trying to learn everything before you get started. Remember that the best way to learn is by doing.
Read, research and then reinforce what you’ve learned through regular practice.
There are hundreds of books out there, but I recommend you begin with:
Gary Halbert: The Boron Letters
Jim Edwards: Copywriting Secrets
William Zinsser: On Writing Well
3. Get on a course or hire a coach
If you want to fast-track your way to becoming a high-earning copywriter, the best way is to hire a coach, someone who’s in the position you’d like to be in one year from now.
Investing in a coach was the best thing I ever did. I had studied copywriting and had a degree in English, so I knew how to write. But I had no idea how to market myself.
So, I opted for a business coach rather than a writing coach. Consider your strengths and decide which might suit you best.
In The Empowered Copywriter Master Program, we teach both copywriting and how to build your business.
How long does it take to learn copywriting skills?
One of the best things about copywriting is that it’s relatively easy and quick to learn.
People mistakenly believe it’s all about grammar. It’s not. Even if it were, spelling and grammar correction software has eradicated that obstacle.
Copywriting is about consumer psychology and your ability to understand the target market’s motivations.
And, once you understand that, you’re golden.
You can then study and replicate copywriting frameworks, templates, and structures. You can use them over and over again.
What you bring to them is your knowledge of what you’re selling and who you’re selling it to. Plus, a touch of creative flair, which comes with practice.
Can I do copywriting as a side hustle?
Absolutely! That’s how I started, and it’s what I advise students to do when they enroll in The Empowered Copywriter Master Program.
Copywriting is the perfect, risk-free side hustle. You can learn in your own time, take on as many or as few clients as you’d like and you can build up your finances without needing to quit your full-time job.
What are the benefits of being a copywriter?
“How to be a writer” is one of the most popular Google searches. And I’m not surprised.
Writing for a living is amazing. And that is not a humble brag; it’s a fact.
Especially now, because you can write from anywhere with an internet connection, which was my main reason for starting. I was tired of fitting my travel plans around holidays prescribed by my employer.
Other benefits of being a copywriter include setting your own hours. Whether you’re a morning bird or a night owl, you can organise your hours accordingly. This was another draw for me because, instead of having to push through the afternoon slump, I can now finish my workday at 2 pm.
I have a better work-life balance, I am in better shape than ever, and I have visited 10 countries in the last 18 months.
Others may wish to do the school run every morning, spend more time with loved ones, or pursue a hobby they’ve been meaning to start for a while.
In addition, there is the creative freedom that comes with being a copywriter. My previous job had become pretty mundane. Now, I get to work with amazing businesses I love.
I choose who to work with and every day I am flexing my creative muscles, which feels awesome.
Is copywriting for me?
Copywriting is for you if any of the following statements apply to you:
You want to learn a high-income skill without needing to quit your current job
You are interested in creating impact for businesses you love
You enjoy researching new things
You enjoy writing (you don’t have to be great at it, you can learn that as you go)
You understand emotions and are able to put them into words
You crave a creative outlet
You want to set your own hours
Land your first copywriting client without any experience
The thought of getting your first client may feel overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. I have a free 5 day course with actionable steps sent straight to your email inbox. In it, I take you through the 5 steps you need to follow to land your first copywriting project. If you're ready to finally start making money from your writing, get it for free today. Let's work together to achieve your copywriting goals.
Read more from Kirsty Simpkins
Kirsty Simpkins, Copywriting Coach
Kirsty Simpkins is a leader in copywriting excellence and mindset mastery. After spending 3 years stuck at her job in China, subjected to Draconian lockdowns, she set out on a mission to live a life of freedom and fulfillment. She has since experienced unprecedented success in writing for sustainable brands while documenting her travels through Central America. Now, she is set on helping others do the same. She has founded the Empowered Copywriter Master Program, which equips individuals with the mindset and skills needed to thrive in the business of online writing, allowing them to pursue a life of fun, freedom, and flexibility.
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