In the modern age, many of us are striving for digital jobs that can be completed from anywhere – copywriting being a prime example. Whether you long for the comfort of your sofa, a vibrant co-working space or the serenity of a tropical island, being a copywriter is one of the most flexible job roles you could seek to fill.
If you constantly find yourself asking Google ‘how to become a freelance copywriter’ without finding the answers you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. As a team of expert copywriters in the UK and beyond, we’re here to offer our best tips – tried and tested!
Let’s get started.
5 Top Tips: How to Become a Freelance Copywriter
1. Decide If Being a Copywriter Is the Right Path For You
Now our first tip might seem like an obvious one, but it’s also the most crucial decision you can make on your journey to becoming a professional copywriter: is this really the right career for you?
Copywriting has an immense list of positives to offer – flexibility, variety and creativity to name just a few. But like all industries, it also has its drawbacks. If you’re wondering how to become a freelance copywriter, it might be worth considering what the job might involve before quitting your day job.
As a copywriter, you’re likely to face:
- Criticism and rejection – Not everyone will like the work you produce first time, and you’ll often have to spend hours changing something you might believe to be on the money. If you can’t handle the truth (or your clients’ truth at least), it might not be the right path for you.
- Tight deadlines – If you manage your time effectively and handle client expectations well, tight turnarounds can be avoided. However, you’re likely to face at least a few touch-and-go deadlines during your career as a copywriter.
- Writer’s block – Even the most creative writers suffer from a disconnect between the internal dictionary and what spills out onto the page every now and again. Some days you might not feel like writing at all, but if the client is waiting, you’ll be forced to deliver.
While there are some drawbacks to copywriting, it is also one of the most exciting, rewarding and interesting jobs on the market. You’ll come away from every project with a world of knowledge (great for the weekly pub quiz) AND you’ll be able to see your completed work make a genuine impact.
Think about your decision – if you’re still up for the challenge, keep reading!
2. Identify and Develop the Skills Needed to Be a Copywriter
Once you’ve established that you definitely want to pursue the wordsmith way of life, you’ll need to find out what skills are needed to be a copywriter. Start adding them to your CV to make yourself as appealing as possible to potential employers and clients – once you’ve honed them, that is!
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Copywriter?
- Ability to write engaging and concise text – If you excelled in English at school, love writing stories or fancy yourself a natural wordsmith, chances are you’ll make a great professional copywriter. Most businesses are looking for optimised copy that’s concise, efficient and gets the job done in as little words as possible – often known as the KISS principle. Check out our blog on this here.
- An eye for detail – Want to know how to become a freelance copywriter? Refining your eye for detail is a great place to start. When it comes to delivering exceptional copy, your clients will expect results free from grammatical errors, and that includes typos. An eagle-eye will come in very handy for those last-minute checks before submission!
- Knowledge of SEO – Back in the day, copywriting was mostly about leaflets, labels, posters and billboards, but nowadays digital marketing is a much more popular option. With that in mind, your copy should be optimised in ways that allow search engines to find it – no matter what the topic.
- Problem-solving skills – The day in the life of a professional copywriter isn’t always plain sailing. You’ll likely face clients who aren’t sure what they want (until you give them what they don’t want), or even potential customers offering way below your worth. You’ll need to learn how to keep your cool and hold your ground, that’s for sure!
- Communication + negotiation – Whether you’re thinking about becoming a freelance copywriter or a salaried team member, now’s probably a good time to brush off those essential people skills and put them into practice. As a professional copywriter, you’ll have to negotiate pricing with your clients and communicate when things aren’t going to plan.
- Research skills – Unless you specialise in one particular niche, copywriting can throw open a world of variety. One day you could be writing about forklift trucks, and the next you’ll be updating audiences on the latest variety of baked crisps. It really is an adventure, but you’ll need to have great research skills in order to keep up with demand.
3. Get Some Experience – Even If You Have to Write for Free
Working for free is a subject of contention. Most will argue that free work – whether in the form of work experience, unpaid internships or test projects – are wholly unethical, and this we do agree with. However, when it comes to starting out in your copywriting career, it’s important to have evidence of your skill. If you’re advertising your freelance services but don’t have a portfolio or samples to back them up, you’re unlikely to score paid clients any time soon.
With that in mind, it might be worth offering a few hours of your time to a small publication or local business to get some experience under your belt. And who knows, they may like your work so much that they end up taking you on as a permanent contractor. For those wondering how to become a freelance copywriter, this is one of the best ways to speed up your path to success.
4. Find Your First Paid Client
Now you’ve got a portfolio stacked with beautifully written examples, it’s time to start seeking out your first paid client – unless they approach you first! There’s a few potential routes you can take when it comes to finding work as a professional copywriter, so let’s take a look at them.
How to Become a Freelance Copywriter – Some Potential Routes to Success:
- Join a Freelancing Platform – Websites like Fiverr, PeoplePerHour or Upwork are great for people starting out on their freelancing journey, especially if it’s still just a side hustle. You’ll have to offer your services at lower rates to begin with, but once you secure some stellar reviews, you’ll be flying.
- Make the Most of Social Media – Social media can be a curse, that’s for sure, but it can also be a blessing. If you’re looking for freelance copywriting work, why not put a call-out on Facebook or LinkedIn? Try posting in specific groups with the work you’re looking for, and make sure to highlight exactly what you can offer brands or businesses.
- Reach Out to Businesses – Unless you LOVE sales with a burning passion, you probably hate sales with a burning passion. The thought of reaching out to businesses to sell your services can be scary, but it can also be incredibly fruitful. If you prefer old school methods, why not visit shops or restaurants in your local area with a leaflet or business card? Alternatively, try sliding into their DMs and see how far it takes you.
Check out this guide to Instagram marketing for tips on building an online presence.
5. Network With Fellow Creatives and Copywriters
Oh here it comes, the tip you’ve all been dreading. Networking might seem like a terrifying prospect, especially if you’re an introverted writing type who prefers their own company. However, circulating with people in your field and adjacent creative roles can be a HUGE benefit for those starting out in the copywriting industry.
Let us ask you a question: what does a marketeer, a web designer, a publisher and a brand manager all have in common?
The answer is simple – they all work with (and often require the support of) copywriters. Networking with these people and staying on their radar is NEVER a bad idea.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our ultimate guide on how to become a professional copywriter. If you’re still not sure how to get started or you’re struggling to get things to take off, drop us a DM on Instagram or get in touch through our website and we’ll see if there’s anything we can do to help.
In the meantime, check out our freebies page for some super useful resources to add to your copywriting toolkit.
