If you’re looking to enter the copywriting industry, you’ve probably wondered: How big is it? How many people are employed in it? What are the average salaries? How do I get started? What are the requirements? How long will it take to get clients?
You might also be wondering, how can I become a top-notch copywriter?
Before you begin your copywriting journey, it’s important to understand where you’ll find clients and how you’ll attract them. That way, you can craft winning marketing campaigns that will generate leads and grow your business.
Let’s examine the state of the copywriting industry and how you can become a top-notch copywriter.
The Growing Demand for Content Creation
If you’re reading this, it’s probably safe to assume that you’re somewhat familiar with the terms ‘content creation’ and ‘copywriting’.
The growing demand for content creation and copywriting is all around us. Mobile phones evolved to the point where everyone expects to be able to consume content on the go. E-commerce has redefined the retail industry, creating a new business model where brands compete for your attention through content marketing and SEO.
This is a golden opportunity for people who can craft compelling content that will keep the reader’s attention and ultimately convert them into a lead or an existing customer.
Where do I find clients?
With the rise of content creation, SEO, and inbound marketing, more businesses than ever before are looking for people to help them with their marketing. If you can prove that you can produce good content for their industry, you’ll have a great opportunity to pitch your skills and land a job.
There are a few places that you can find potential clients, depending on which one you prefer. You can either go through an agency or pitch your services online.
If you have a passion for helping businesses grow, consider pursuing freelance copywriting as a side gig. Many large businesses, such as Forbes, Inc. and Entrepreneur, have an editorial team that creates content for various platforms. If you can impress them with your writing ability, you have a chance at getting hired full-time as a copywriter.
The Growth of the Freelance Copywriting Industry
The freelance copywriting industry has grown by leaps and bounds. In fact, according to HubSpot Blogs, the freelance copywriting industry will grow 19% year from 2020 to 2025.
If you’re looking to break into this exciting industry, it’s vital to hone your skills and build up your portfolio. You can start by taking on some freelance copywriting projects for fun and gain experience. Once you’ve proven yourself, you can start looking for clients.
The Increasingly Competitive Landscape for Copywriting
As demand for copywriting increases, so does the competition. With more people looking for freelance writing jobs, competition increases as well.
If you want to stand out from the crowd, consider raising your rates. As a freelance copywriter, you have complete control over your working conditions. You can set your own hours, be your own boss, and earn as much as you want. But, if you want to increase your rates, consider increasing your qualifications and experience. A good place to start is LinkedIn. Once you’re connected, you can see a large number of your connections’ jobs and get an idea of what other people are earning. If you see that most of your connections are in the marketing and sales sector, consider switching gears and going for a career in copywriting.
The Profitable Side of Content Creation For Entrepreneurs
If you’re looking to break into the content creation industry, you’ll find many profitable niches. Whether you want to create content for SEO, e-commerce, or web design projects, you can find customers who will value your services.
If you can become known for creating high-quality content that is useful and valuable, you can start establishing yourself as an expert in your industry. Then, when you start pitching your services to potential customers, they’ll value your content even more. And, because you’ll be able to provide such pertinent information, they’ll likely hire you rather than your competitors.
The Skills You Need to Become a Successful Copywriter
If you’re serious about breaking into the copywriting industry, you’ll have to develop certain skills. Depending on which one you prefer, you can choose from a variety of specialties.
Strategically planning content can help you become better at pitching ideas to clients. After all, successful copywriters know exactly what will and won’t persuade an audience to take action. Before you begin your copywriting journey, consider taking a few classes on marketing, strategy, and planning. These classes will help you hone your skills and become an invaluable asset to any agency or company that hires you.
Then, learn to become a better listener. Inbound marketing and content marketing experts will tell you to listen more intently and understand what your customers want before pitching them anything. Good listeners can develop into great copywriters. Once you’ve developed the ability to understand and analyze your customers’ needs, you can craft custom marketing plans to suit them.
Above all, be persistent. Even though you may not start out with many clients, keep pitching your services and establishing yourself as an expert in the industry. As long as you continue developing valuable content and providing excellent service, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to grow your freelance writing business.