How to Become a Copywriter: A Complete Guide
How to Become a Copywriter: A Complete Guide
How to become a copywriter
Interested in how to become a copywriter? You can start from any background and build practical skills for a flexible career you control. Many copywriters can land their first clients with no experience. This guide breaks down clear steps for writing, attracting clients, and creating your own success in the world of copywriting.
What is a copywriter?
A copywriter is a professional writer who creates persuasive, engaging text for advertising, marketing, and promotions. Copywriters craft content such as website copy, advertisements, emails, social media posts, brochures, and more.
The main goal is to use clear and effective language to encourage the audience to take action, like making a purchase or signing up for a service.
What does a copywriter do?
A copywriter works on a variety of projects to help brands and businesses communicate with their audience. Their focus is on writing persuasive content to support marketing goals.
Common responsibilities include:
Researching products, services, and target customers
Writing headlines, taglines, and marketing copy
Creating website and email content
Drafting social media posts
Editing and revising drafts
Collaborating with designers and marketing teams
How to become a copywriter with no experience
Step 1: Get copywriting training
Copywriting is not the same as academic or creative writing. The best way to get up to speed is through targeted learning. Explore online articles, free guides, or paid courses focused on persuasive writing, marketing psychology, and basic advertising formats.
Even experienced writers benefit from learning the reasons behind persuasive techniques and how to adapt for digital or print.
Step 2: Practice copywriting skills
After learning the basics, the next step is to put them into practice. Write every day, even if you just rewrite a headline or describe your favorite snack like an ad. Copy out ads you spot in magazines or online to get a feel for good writing.
Try making up ads for things you see around your house. Show your writing to someone and ask what stands out or sounds confusing.
Step 3: Build a simple portfolio
Once you start feeling more confident in your writing, it’s helpful to create a portfolio to showcase your best samples, including practice pieces. Make a simple website or free platform to share your work, adding new samples and different styles as you go. Write a short introduction about yourself and what you like to write.
Step 4: Find your first clients
With writing samples ready, you can begin reaching out for real projects. Connect with small businesses, family friends, or community groups who need help with flyers, social posts, or website copy. Look for easy gigs on job boards or freelance websites. Introduce yourself and share your portfolio.
Step 5: Explore specializations and find your niche
As you gain experience, start to notice which types of copywriting and project topics you enjoy most. Some writers focus on a particular industry (like health or tech), a format (such as emails or web content), or a style (like direct response or storytelling).
Testing different specialties helps you discover where your strengths and interests overlap with market demand. Picking a niche can help you stand out, attract better clients, and charge higher copywriting rates as you build your reputation.
Step 6: Build your brand and business
At this point, start thinking about how to make yourself stand out as a copywriter. A strong personal brand brings in better clients and helps your business grow.
Create a professional website with your best work and a clear introduction.
Use consistent photos, bios, and messaging across LinkedIn and social media.
Collect and display testimonials from happy clients.
Share helpful tips, articles, or short videos about copywriting on your channels.
Join a platform like Talo.com to connect with potential clients and showcase your skills.
Keep your contact information easy to find so clients can reach out quickly.
Step 7: Keep growing and expanding
With your career in high gear, the focus shifts to growing your network and expanding your skills. Join writer groups, attend industry events, or connect with other copywriters online to share ideas and get feedback. Stay updated on copywriting trends by listening to podcasts, reading blogs, or joining professional communities.
How to become a certified copywriter
While you don't need a formal license to be a copywriter, some people like to earn certificates to show they're clients they are skilled and committed to the craft.
You can become a certified copywriter by completing a course from organizations like the American Writers & Artists Institute (AWAI), a copywriting academy, or other online training programs. These courses usually teach you persuasive writing, marketing principles, and different formats of copywriting.
Upon completion, you may take a test or submit sample work to receive a certificate. Certification isn't required for most jobs, but it can boost your skills and give you more confidence as you start.
Copywriting skills
To succeed as a copywriter, there are must-have copywriting skills you will use daily. These skills help you write clearly, connect with readers, and achieve results for your clients. Some can be practiced through reading and writing, while others improve as you gain experience on real projects.
Important skills for copywriters:
Clear, simple writing that gets the point across quickly
Good research habits to understand products and audiences
Creativity to find new angles and fresh ideas
Ability to write catchy headlines and calls to action
Editing and proofreading for accuracy and flow
Adaptability to match different writing styles and brand voices
Listening and communication for working with clients or teams
Time management so you meet deadlines and handle more than one project at a time
Types of copywriting
Copywriting covers many specialties, each with its own style and goals. Focusing on one or two types can help you stand out, but trying a mix early on lets you find what fits you best.
Popular types of copywriting:
Direct response copywriting: Persuades readers to act right away, like making a purchase or signing up for something.
Email copywriting: Writes newsletters, sales emails, and welcome messages that build relationships and encourage sales.
Website copywriting: Covers homepages, landing pages, and product pages to inform visitors and turn them into customers.
SEO copywriting: Uses keywords and strategies to help web pages rank higher in search engines and attract more visitors.
Social media copywriting: Focuses on short, catchy posts for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to engage followers and promote a brand.
Content copywriting: Includes blog posts and articles that inform, educate, or build trust with subtle sales messages.
B2B copywriting: Targets businesses as buyers, emphasizing value, results, and efficiency.
Technical copywriting: Explains complex topics in simple language, often for software, tech, or health fields.
Video script copywriting: Creates scripts for commercials, explainer videos, and brand stories.
Copywriting jobs
Copywriters today have several career choices, with the most common roles including:
Freelance copywriter
Freelance copywriters are self-employed and pick which clients and projects they want. This path gives you full control over your schedule and work location. Many freelancers specialize in a few niches or types of copy. While income can be unpredictable at first, many writers love the independence and earning potential.
Agency copywriter
Agency copywriters work for advertising or marketing firms that serve many different clients. These jobs offer variety, writing for various industries and brands, often as part of a creative team. Agency writers learn quickly and work with designers, strategists, and account managers to craft campaigns and solve client challenges.
In-house or corporate copywriter
In this role, you write only for one company, focusing deeply on its brand, products, and audience. In-house jobs are stable and come with benefits, set hours, and the chance to grow with the company. You often collaborate closely with marketing, product, and leadership teams to shape the business’s messaging over time.
Questions to ask yourself
If you're considering a career as a copywriter, ask yourself these important questions to determine if this is the career path for you:
Do I enjoy writing and coming up with creative ideas every day?
Am I comfortable learning about new products, industries, or audiences?
Can I give and receive feedback without taking it personally?
Am I able to work on several projects at once and meet deadlines?
Do I want the freedom to work from anywhere, or do I prefer a steady job with set hours?
Am I willing to put in extra time to improve my writing and build a portfolio?
Do I enjoy working alone, or do I prefer collaborating with a team?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.