Have you ever stared at an ad and thought, “I could write that”?
Maybe you’ve scrolled through social media and noticed those catchy captions that make you want to buy things. Someone wrote those words. Someone got paid for them.
That someone could be you.
Starting copywriting isn’t as scary as it sounds. You don’t need a fancy degree or years of experience. You just need to know where to begin and what steps to take next.
Let’s break it down together.
What Exactly Is Copywriting?
Think of copywriting as salesmanship in print. Or on a screen. Or wherever words live.
It’s the art of writing words that makes people take action. Buy a product. Sign up for a newsletter. Click a button. Download an app.
Every time you see an email subject line that makes you curious, that’s copywriting. When a product description makes you add something to your cart, that’s copywriting too.
And here’s the cool part: businesses need this skill desperately. They need people who can write words that sell.
That’s where you come in.
Do You Really Need Experience to Start?
Nope.
Seriously, you don’t need to be a professional writer or have published books. Many successful copywriters started with zero experience. They learned as they went, just like learning to ride a bike or cook your first meal.
What you do need is curiosity and a willingness to practice. Can you observe what makes you click on things? Can you notice which ads catch your attention?
That’s already the beginning of your copywriter journey.
Step 1: Learn the Basics (But Don’t Overthink It)
Before you dive in, you need to understand some fundamentals. But don’t worry, this isn’t rocket science.
Here’s what to focus on:
- Understanding your audience (who are you writing for?)
- Writing clear, simple sentences
- Creating headlines that grab attention
- Using words that trigger emotions
- Including strong calls to action
You can learn these basics through free YouTube videos, blog posts, or affordable online courses. Spend a few weeks soaking up information, but don’t get stuck in learning mode forever.
Books like “The Adweek Copywriting Handbook” or “Everybody Writes” are gold mines. Your local library probably has them for free.
The trick is learning enough to get started, not learning everything before you begin.
Step 2: Study Copy You See Every Day
This step costs nothing and teaches you everything.
Start paying attention to the world around you. Look at billboards while you’re stuck in traffic. Read the emails that land in your inbox. Notice the ads that pop up on your social media feed.
Ask yourself questions:
- Why did this headline make me stop scrolling?
- What words made me feel something?
- Which sentences confused me?
- What made me want to click or buy?
Create a “swipe file” on your phone or computer. Screenshot ads you love. Save emails that made you take action. Collect examples of good writing.
This collection becomes your teacher. It shows you what works in the real world, not just in theory.
Step 3: Pick Your Niche (Or Start Broad)
When you’re figuring out how to start copywriting, you’ll hear people say “pick a niche.”
A niche is just a specific area you focus on. Like health and fitness. Or software companies. Or restaurants.
Should you pick one right away? Maybe. Maybe not.
Some people love focusing on one industry from day one. It makes them an expert faster. Others prefer trying different types of writing first to see what clicks.
Popular niches for beginners include:
- E-commerce product descriptions
- Social media content
- Email marketing
- Blog posts and articles
- Website copy
Start with what interests you. Love fitness? Write for gyms and supplement companies. Obsessed with technology? Tech startups need copywriters desperately.
Or just try everything and see what feels right. There’s no wrong answer here.
Step 4: Practice Like Your Career Depends On It (Because It Does)
Truth bomb: Reading about copywriting won’t make you a copywriter. Writing does.
You need to practice. A lot. Every single day, if possible.
But how do you practice when you don’t have clients yet?
Try these ideas:
- Rewrite bad ads you see (make them better)
- Create fake campaigns for your favorite products
- Write sample emails for businesses you admire
- Practice writing product descriptions for items in your home
- Challenge yourself with daily writing prompts
Set a timer for 30 minutes. Write without stopping. Don’t worry about perfection. Just get words on the page.
The more you write, the better you get. It’s that simple. Your first attempts will probably stink, and that’s completely normal. Everyone’s first drafts are terrible, even professionals.
Step 5: Build a Simple Portfolio
You need somewhere to show your work. Even if that work is made-up practice projects at first.
A portfolio is just a collection of your best writing samples. It shows potential clients what you can do.
Here’s how to create one fast:
Start with a free website using platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Google Sites. You don’t need anything fancy. Clean and simple works perfectly.
Include 3-5 writing samples. These can be practice pieces you created. Write them for real companies (even if they didn’t hire you). Make them look professional.
For example, write an email sequence for a fictional coffee shop. Create product descriptions for an imaginary clothing brand. Draft social media posts for a pretend software company.
Label these as “spec work” or “sample projects” so you’re being honest. Clients just want to see if you can write. They don’t care if someone paid you yet.
Add a simple “About” page. Tell your story. Why copywriting? What makes you different? Keep it friendly and real.
Include contact information. Make it easy for people to reach you.
That’s it. You’re officially a digital marketing professional with an online presence.
Step 6: Land Your First Paying Client
This is where most people get stuck. How do you find someone willing to pay you?
The secret: start small and start local.
Here are proven ways to get your first client:
- Ask friends and family: Does anyone you know own a business? They might need help with their website, emails, or social media.
- Check local businesses: Walk around your neighborhood. Which businesses have terrible websites or boring social media? Reach out and offer to help.
- Use freelance platforms: Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer connect writers with clients. Yes, the pay starts low, but you’re building experience and reviews.
- Cold email: Find businesses you’d love to write for. Send them a short, friendly email explaining how you can help them. Include a specific idea or observation about their current marketing.
- Join Facebook groups: Many business owner groups have people looking for copywriters. Offer your services.
Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait until you’re “ready.” You’ll never feel completely ready, and that’s okay.
Your first client might pay you $50. That’s fine. You’re proving to yourself that people will pay you to write. The money grows from there.
Step 7: Learn to Sell Yourself
Here’s something nobody tells you about how to start copywriting: you need to market yourself.
You’re not just a writer. You’re also running a business. Your business happens to be writing, but you still need to find clients and convince them to hire you.
This feels uncomfortable at first. Most writers hate “selling” themselves. But it gets easier with practice.
When reaching out to potential clients:
Focus on their problems, not your credentials. Instead of “I’m a great writer,” try “I noticed your website doesn’t clearly explain what you do. I can fix that.”
Be specific about how you’ll help. Numbers work great here. “I can write five email campaigns that boost your open rates” sounds better than “I’m good at emails.”
Follow up. Most people don’t respond to the first message. That’s normal. Send a friendly follow-up a week later.
Keep it short. Busy people don’t read long emails. Get to the point quickly.
Show personality. Let your real voice come through. People hire humans, not robots.
Step 8: Set Your Prices (And Don’t Work for Free)
Pricing is tricky when you’re just starting. You don’t want to charge too much and scare people away. But you also don’t want to work for pennies.
Here’s a rough guide for beginners:
- Social media posts: $15-50 per post
- Product descriptions: $20-75 each
- Blog posts: $50-200 depending on length
- Email sequences: $100-400 for a series
- Sales pages: $200-1,000+
Start on the lower end while you’re building experience and confidence. Raise your rates as you get better and busier.
Never work completely for free unless it’s for a charity you deeply care about. “Exposure” doesn’t pay rent. Your time and skills have value.
If someone balks at your price, they’re not your client. Move on. Better clients exist.
Step 9: Study Direct Response Copywriting
Want to know a secret weapon? Learn direct response copywriting.
This is the type of writing that asks for immediate action. Buy now. Sign up today. Download this.
It’s different from general content writing. It’s more focused, more urgent, more results-driven.
Companies love direct response copywriters because this type of writing directly impacts their bottom line. When your words lead to sales, clients will happily pay you more.
Study classic direct response campaigns. Read old-school sales letters. Notice how they build desire, overcome objections, and push for action.
This skill separates okay copywriters from great ones.
Step 10: Build Relationships, Not Just Transactions
The copywriting world is smaller than you think. The clients you work with today might refer you to ten more clients tomorrow.
Be reliable. Meet deadlines. Communicate clearly. Be pleasant to work with.
When a client gives you feedback, don’t get defensive. Listen and adjust. They know their business better than you do.
Go the extra mile sometimes. Spot a typo on their website? Point it out. See a marketing opportunity they’re missing? Mention it.
These small actions build trust. Trust leads to long-term relationships. Long-term relationships mean steady income and referrals.
Some of your clients will become friends. That’s the beauty of this work. You’re not just exchanging money for words. You’re solving problems and building partnerships.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning how to start copywriting means also learning what NOT to do.
Don’t get stuck in learning mode forever. Yes, education is important, but at some point you need to actually write for real clients. Two months of learning is plenty before you start reaching out.
Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. That copywriter making $10,000 a month? They’ve been doing this for years. You’re just starting. Comparison will only make you feel bad.
Don’t try to copy someone else’s voice exactly. Learn from others, but develop your own style. Clients hire you for your unique perspective.
Don’t ignore the business side. Track your income and expenses. Save money for taxes. Create simple contracts. This stuff isn’t fun, but it’s necessary.
Don’t give up after one rejection. Or ten rejections. Or fifty. Every successful copywriter has been told “no” hundreds of times. It’s part of the process.
What About AI and ChatGPT?
You’ve probably wondered: Will AI replace copywriters?
Short answer: not completely, but it’s changing the game.
AI tools can help you write faster. They can generate ideas, create outlines, and even draft first versions of copy. Smart copywriters use these tools to their advantage.
But AI can’t replace human understanding of emotion, culture, and nuance. It doesn’t know your client’s specific voice or their customers’ deepest fears and desires.
Think of AI as a powerful assistant, not a replacement. Learn to use it, but don’t depend on it completely.
Your human creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking are still your biggest assets.
How Long Until You’re Making Real Money?
Everyone wants to know this. When will the money actually show up?
The honest answer: it varies wildly.
Some people land a steady client within their first month. Others struggle for six months before things click. Most fall somewhere in between. I actually landed my first client in 7 days. And I teach how I did it here.
Here’s a realistic timeline:
- Month 1-2: Learning basics and creating your portfolio
- Month 3-4: Landing your first few small clients
- Month 5-6: Building momentum and raising rates
- Month 7-12: Developing steady income streams
By your first year, you could realistically be making $1,000-3,000 monthly if you’re consistent. Some people make more. Some make less. It depends on how much time you invest and how aggressively you market yourself.
The key is consistency. Show up every day. Keep improving. Keep reaching out. Keep learning.
You Don’t Need Permission to Start
Here’s the final truth about how to start copywriting: nobody’s going to give you permission or a perfect road map.
You just have to begin.
Start writing today. Not tomorrow. Not after you finish one more course. Today.
Write something. Anything. A headline. An email. A product description. Put words on a page.
Then do it again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next.
The path from complete beginner to paid copywriter isn’t mysterious. It’s just a series of small actions repeated consistently.
You learn. You practice. You reach out. You get rejected. You try again. You land a client. You do good work. You get another client.
That’s it. That’s the whole thing.
Some days will feel exciting. Other days will feel discouraging. Both are normal. Both are part of building something from nothing.
The difference between someone who becomes a successful copywriter and someone who doesn’t isn’t talent. It’s not education. It’s not connections.
It’s simply refusing to quit.
So here’s your first assignment: close this article and write something. Anything. Just start.
Your copywriting career begins the moment you decide it does.
Ready to Master Copywriting Faster?
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- Step-by-step training on every type of copywriting you’ll need to master
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