You know what’s funny?
People think making money with words is some kind of magic trick. Like you need a secret password or a fancy degree hanging on your wall.
No.
Copywriting is just writing that sells stuff. And businesses need it every single day.
Think about it. Every email you read. Every ad you see. Every website you visit. Someone got paid to write those words. Why shouldn’t that someone be you?
Let me show you exactly how to make money with copywriting, even if you’re starting from scratch.
What Is Copywriting (And Why Does It Pay So Well)?
Copywriting is writing that gets people to do something.
Buy a product. Sign up for a newsletter. Click a button. Book a call.
It’s different from other types of writing because it has one job: to make something happen.
And businesses? They’ll pay good money for that skill.
Why? Because good copy makes them money. If your words help a company sell more products, they’ll happily pay you a chunk of that profit. It’s that simple.
A single sales page can bring in thousands of dollars. An email campaign might generate hundreds of new customers. That’s why companies invest in skilled writers who know how to make money with copywriting.
How Much Money Can You Actually Make?
Let’s talk numbers.
Beginners often start at $50 to $100 per project. Not bad for a few hours of work, right?
But it gets better.
Once you’ve got some skills and a few wins under your belt, you can charge:
- $500 to $1,000 for a sales page
- $300 to $800 for email sequences
- $100 to $500 for product descriptions
- $2,000 to $10,000 for full website copy
Some writers make $5,000 a month working part-time. Others pull in six figures a year.
I’m not saying you’ll get there overnight. But the money is real if you’re willing to learn and do the work.
The Different Ways to Make Money with Copywriting
Here’s where it gets exciting. You’ve got options.
Lots of them.
1. Freelance Copywriting
This is where most people start. You find clients, write for them, and get paid per project.
The beauty? You work when you want. You pick your clients. You set your rates.
You can find work on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr when you’re starting out. Later, you’ll find better clients through your own network.
2. Work for an Agency
Agencies hire copywriters all the time. They’ve got more clients than they can handle, and they need help.
You might work as a contractor or full-time employee. Either way, you get steady work and a regular paycheck.
The downside? You usually earn less than freelancing. But you also don’t have to find your own clients.
3. Write for One Company
Some businesses hire in-house copywriters. You become part of their team and write all their marketing stuff.
You get benefits, steady income, and you don’t have to hustle for clients. But you give up the freedom of freelancing.
4. Create Your Own Products
Once you know how to write copy that sells, why not sell your own stuff?
Write ebooks. Create courses. Build a newsletter and sell sponsorships. The sky’s the limit.
This takes longer to build, but the upside is huge. You’re not trading time for money anymore.
Where to Find Your First Copywriting Clients
Okay, so you want to get started. Where do you find people who’ll actually pay you?
Job Boards and Freelance Sites
Start here when you’re brand new:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- Freelancer
- ProBlogger Job Board
Yes, the pay starts low. Yes, there’s competition. But you need experience more than money right now.
Take a few smaller gigs. Build your portfolio. Learn what you’re doing. Then move on to better opportunities.
Cold Outreach
This is my favorite method once you’ve got a bit of experience.
Find businesses that need better copy. Send them a short, helpful email. Offer to solve a specific problem they have.
Most won’t respond. But you only need a few yeses to build a solid income.
The key? Make it about them, not you. Show them what you can do for their business.
Your Network
Tell everyone you know that you’re a copywriter.
Friends, family, old coworkers, that guy you met at the coffee shop. You never know who might need writing help or knows someone who does.
I’ve landed some of my best clients just by mentioning what I do at a party.
Social Media
Post about copywriting on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. Share tips. Show examples of good copy. Talk about what you’re learning.
People will notice. And when they need a writer, they’ll think of you.
Copywriting Skills You Need to Start Making Money
Don’t overthink this part.
You don’t need to be the world’s best writer. You just need to be good enough to help businesses sell their stuff.
Understanding What Makes People Buy
This is the big one. You need to get inside people’s heads.
What keeps them up at night? What problems are they trying to solve? What do they really want?
When you understand this, writing copy becomes way easier.
Writing Clear, Simple Words
Fancy words don’t sell. Clear words do.
Write like you talk. Use short sentences. Break up big blocks of text. Make it easy to read.
Your fifth-grade teacher had it right all along.
Research Skills
Before you write anything, you need to understand the product, the audience, and the competition.
Good research makes writing so much easier. It’s like having all the answers before you take the test.
Basic Marketing Knowledge
You don’t need a marketing degree. But understanding digital marketing basics helps a ton.
Learn about sales funnels. Understand email marketing. Know what a call-to-action is.
This stuff makes you more valuable to clients.
How to Get Better at Copywriting (Without Spending Years)
Want to know a secret?
You get better by doing, not just learning.
Copy Successful Ads by Hand
Find ads that work. The ones you see everywhere. Write them out word-for-word by hand.
Sounds weird, right? But it trains your brain to think like a copywriter. You start noticing patterns and techniques.
Write Every Single Day
Even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Even if nobody pays you.
Write practice emails. Rewrite terrible ads you see. Create sample projects for fake clients.
The more you write, the better you get. It’s that simple.
Study What Works
Pay attention to marketing messages that grab you. What made you stop scrolling? What made you click?
Save examples of great copy. Figure out why they work. Then use those same techniques in your writing.
Get Feedback
Show your work to other writers. Join online communities. Ask for honest opinions.
You can’t see your own mistakes. Other people can. Let them help you get better faster.
Setting Your Copywriting Rates
This trips up so many new writers.
They either charge too little and burn out, or they charge too much and scare clients away.
Here’s a better approach:
Start Low, Raise Fast
When you’re brand new, charge less. Maybe $50 to $100 for small projects. You need experience and testimonials more than money right now.
But don’t stay there. After five or ten projects, raise your rates. Keep raising them every few months until clients start saying no.
Charge Based on Value, Not Time
A sales page that takes you three hours to write might make a client $10,000. Should you only charge $150 for that?
Nope. Charge based on the value you create, not the hours you work.
Have Different Service Levels
Offer basic, standard, and premium options. Some clients just want quick and cheap. Others want the full package.
Let them choose what fits their budget.
Building Your Copywriting Portfolio
You can’t get hired without proof you can do the job.
But how do you get proof when you’re just starting?
Create Sample Projects
Pick three types of businesses you’d like to write for. Create sample work for each one.
Write a fake email campaign for a coffee shop. Create product descriptions for an online store. Draft a sales page for a coaching business.
These samples show what you can do, even without real clients.
Take Small Gigs
Do a few cheap projects just to get real work in your portfolio. Write for friends’ businesses. Offer discounts to your first few clients.
Real projects with real results beat fake samples every time.
Show Your Process
Don’t just show the final copy. Explain your thinking. Share what problem you were solving and how your words fixed it.
This makes your portfolio way more impressive.
Common Mistakes That Stop People from Making Money
I see these mistakes all the time. Avoid them and you’ll be miles ahead of most beginners.
Trying to Be Perfect
Your first drafts will be rough. Your early work won’t be amazing. That’s completely normal.
Don’t let perfectionism stop you from sending proposals or sharing your work. Done beats perfect every single time.
Working for Free Too Long
Yes, you might do one or two free projects to get started. But that’s it.
Your time has value. Your skills have value. Charge for them.
Not Specializing
Saying you write “everything for everyone” makes you invisible. Pick a niche or a type of copy you focus on.
“I write emails for fitness coaches” is way better than “I’m a copywriter.”
Giving Up Too Soon
Most people quit after a few rejections. They send out ten proposals, hear nothing back, and decide copywriting isn’t for them.
Don’t be that person. Landing clients takes time. Keep going.
Tips for Finding High-Paying Copywriting Work
Want to move past those $50 gigs?
Target Growing Businesses
Startups and struggling businesses can’t pay much. Look for companies that are already making money and growing.
They have budgets. They understand the value of good copy. They’ll pay you what you’re worth.
Build Relationships, Not Just Transactions
Don’t just finish a project and disappear. Stay in touch with clients. Do great work. Make their lives easier.
When they need more copy (and they will), you’ll be the first person they call.
Ask for Referrals
Happy clients know other business owners. Ask them to introduce you.
One client can turn into five or ten through referrals. It’s the easiest way to grow your business.
Create Case Studies
When a project goes well, document it. Show the before and after. Share the results.
Nothing sells your services like proof that you get results.
Making Your Copywriting Business Sustainable
You want this to last, right? Not just be a side hustle that fizzles out?
Don’t Rely on One Client
Having all your income from one source is risky. What happens when that client leaves?
Always be building your client list. Even when you’re busy.
Raise Your Rates Regularly
As you get better, your prices should go up. Don’t feel guilty about this. You’re more valuable now than you were six months ago.
Keep Learning
Marketing changes. Consumer behavior shifts. New platforms emerge.
Stay curious. Keep learning. The copywriters who make the most money never stop improving.
Take Care of Yourself
Burnout is real. You can’t make money if you’re exhausted and miserable.
Set boundaries. Take breaks. Don’t work 80-hour weeks just because you can.
The Reality of Making Money with Copywriting
Let me be straight with you.
This isn’t a get-rich-quick thing. You won’t make $10,000 your first month. Probably not your second or third either.
But if you stick with it? If you keep learning and improving? If you treat it like a real business and not just a hobby?
You can build something amazing.
I’ve seen people go from zero to $3,000 a month in six months. Others hit $10,000 a month within two years. Some eventually build six-figure businesses.
The path isn’t always smooth. You’ll have slow months. You’ll lose clients. You’ll write copy that flops.
But you’ll also have wins. Clients who love your work. Projects that exceed expectations. Moments when you realize you’re actually pretty good at this.
And the freedom? Being able to work from anywhere, set your own schedule, and get paid well for something you enjoy? That’s worth the struggle.
Your Next Steps
So how do you make money with copywriting?
You start. Today. Right now.
Pick one type of copy to focus on. Create a sample project. Reach out to five potential clients. Write every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes.
The people making money with copywriting aren’t smarter than you. They’re not more talented. They just started before you did and kept going when things got hard.
Your turn.
Ready to Master Copywriting?
Look, everything I’ve shared here works. But learning from random articles only gets you so far. You need a complete system that takes you from beginner to paid copywriter step by step.
That’s exactly what The Complete Copywriting Course does:
- Proven frameworks that work for any business or industry
- Real examples and templates you can use immediately
- Step-by-step guidance from finding clients to getting paid
Stop piecing together free tips and tricks. Get the complete system that’s helped hundreds of writers build profitable copywriting careers.
Try the Complete Copywriting Course today and start getting paid for your words.
