Copywriting, also known as copyediting, is the practice of crafting compelling stories, speeches, and other pieces of writing, for financial gain.
While the line between editorial and marketing writing can sometimes be blurry, there is a clear difference between the two. Editorial writing refers to the journalistic or informative style of writing, while marketing writing is aimed at persuading the reader to take a specific action.
When it comes to pricing, copywriters can charge anywhere from $25 to $100 or more per hour, or more depending on their experience, training, and the size of the audience. While that may not seem like much, consider this: A freelance copywriter who charges $40 per hour may generate $1,600 per month. That’s more than $20,000 per year, easily.
The Downside
Despite what you may hear from reputable agencies, there is a dark side to freelancing as a copywriter. The biggest downside is that you are essentially self-employed, so you are responsible for getting everything done yourself. This can be both good and bad. On the one hand, you get to dictate your own hours and determine your own rates. On the other hand, you are on your own if something goes wrong.
The good news is you can prevent many problems by being smart about contracting work. Make sure you work with a reputable agency that has a good reputation and is well-known for providing high-quality work. Make sure to read reviews before you decide to work with a company. As much as possible, you want to work with a company you can trust. You don’t want to risk your reputation by submitting a bad piece of work, especially since you have to do all the work yourself anyway.
The Upside
On the upside, there are several benefits to freelancing as a copywriter. For one thing, you can build your portfolio. It is unlikely you will ever stop being able to charge for your copywriting skills, so having a portfolio is beneficial. Portfolios allow you to show off the work you have done and allow you to explore new opportunities.
You also have the freedom to set your own rates. While $40 per hour may not seem like much, if you figure in the cost of gas, meals, and other expenses, it can add up. When you freelance, you are responsible for getting the work done and charging accordingly. You can negotiate the price with the company if you’re able to get the project completed on time.
There are also many different platforms where you can sell your work. Not only do you have to consider the cost of gas to get to the office, but you have to think about parking as well. Since you will be working remotely, that can add up. With platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Amazon Mechanical Turk, you have the flexibility to connect with hundreds or even thousands of potential clients.
Finding the Perfect Fit
Finding the perfect fit between you and a company can be tricky. You want to find a company you can trust, but you don’t want to work with someone who is too aggressive or too cheap. The best way to find the perfect fit is to consider your requirements and the requirements of the company. For example, you may want someone with experience, while the company may prefer someone with a clean record. Once you find the perfect match, it’s up to you to determine the price and the terms of the contract. If something goes wrong after you’ve signed the contract, you can either decide to work together to resolve the issue or you can walk away. You don’t want to be stuck working with someone you don’t like or trust because you’ve signed away your rights to leave without penalty.
The main takeaway from this article is that you should consider what you’re willing to give up in order to succeed as a freelancer. Are you willing to put in the time and effort to learn new skills? To establish yourself as an expert in your chosen fields? Are you willing to take on more responsibility and be more active in the work you do? Setbacks happen to all of us, but they shouldn’t be held against you. Revert to the basics and get back to work. You’re always better off being active rather than passive.