You can learn to become a copywriter without necessarily going to college. There are a variety of ways you can get experience writing sales material for businesses. You can take a course on Lynda.com, get hired by a company, or even become a freelancer. For those looking to break into the field, here are five ways to get copywriting experience.
1. Take Online Courses
One of the best ways to learn copywriting is through online courses. You can take classes on Skillshare.com, you can get a free certificate for taking a class on Coursera.org, or you can learn from a reputable source like Copyblogger.com. As a beginner, take a look at what online courses are available and see which one fits you best. You can also take advantage of any local communities that provide classes for free or for a very low cost.
If you’re serious about breaking into the field, consider taking a course on Skillshare.com or Coursera.org. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge from experts in the field, but you’ll also have access to a community of aspiring copywriters that can help you find your feet. Just remember to be careful about choosing your course mates. Browse through their profiles before making a decision. Additionally, don’t be afraid to explore other options beyond copywriting either. Learning to be a marketing or management specialist can also put you in the right mindset to become a successful copywriter. By gaining experience in other areas, you’ll also be able to contribute more value to the company you work for. This is important because even a seemingly ‘simple’ task like writing an email can require a complex series of steps. And, at the end of the day, you’ll be responsible for driving sales.
2. Take Advantage Of All Those Post-Pandemic Marketers
This one may surprise you, but having a solid grasp of marketing and sales is actually required to become a successful copywriter. According to HubSpot Blogs research, only 17% of respondents cited learning to write effective copy as the main area of need. Most marketers (68%) said they needed experience in copywriting in order to grow with their departments and enhance their overall business performance.
If you’ve been put off by the amount of marketing jargon you’ve encountered while learning about marketing, you can actually take advantage of the pandemic to develop your marketing skills. Fuelling the demand for marketing analysis tools like HubSpot, marketers are increasingly looking for new ways to communicate with customers and prospects. The good news for you is that marketing is a very broad topic and a pandemic marketing expert can actually write a pretty good ad for just about any business. It really is that simple.
If you’ve been putting off learning marketing, now may be the right time to take a dive in. You won’t necessarily need a degree in marketing to be a successful copywriter, but you will need to know how to market. And, for those pursuing their MBA, a marketing-focused degree should be high on the list of prerequisites. Most likely, you’ll find yourself working for a marketing agency or in-house marketing department.
3. Join A Startup Or Incubator
As a copywriter, you’ll be working with small businesses and startups who are just getting started. However, that doesn’t mean you need to look at this as a negative. It can actually be an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the biggest names in business, all while having the flexibility to move about and gain experience.
If you’ve always been the type of person to want to join the company you work for, now might be the right time to do so. With more businesses shutting down than opening up, there are plenty of positions available. And, as more and more people enter the workforce, competition is increasing which means companies are looking for people with unique skills. One of the best things about starting your own business is that you get to define your own hours, work environment, and most importantly, what you will be paid.
If you’re looking for an agency to place your application through, make sure you set up some time to meet with the head of marketing or operations. After sitting down with you to discuss your interest in the role and what you bring to the table, they will be able to tell you whether or not you have what it takes to be a successful copywriter. And, as mentioned above, if you’ve been putting off learning marketing, now may be the right time to take a dive in because there will be plenty of jobs available when you’re ready to break out into the industry.
Incubators and accelerators are all the rage these days. Through an incubator or accelerator, you can join a vibrant community of professionals who are working to build the business you want to work for. Many incubators and accelerators offer an incredible opportunity to build a network of people who can help you find your feet in the industry. These programs can get you exposure to some of the biggest brands in the world, all while providing you with the tools to become a successful copywriter. Some of the more prominent networks and platforms that offer an incubator or accelerator include UpGrad, Growthoid, and Yerba Buena.
4. Get Employed By A Company
The best way to learn copywriting is from experienced professionals. However, that doesn’t mean you need to be employed by a company in order to gain experience. You can get experience by getting hired by a company, or even starting your own company. There are numerous ways you can gain experience including:
- Writing press releases
- Creating marketing content
- Developing sales materials
- Facilitating phone calls with clients
- Analyzing marketing data
If you are looking for a leg up in the industry, consider getting hired by a company or starting your own company. Sometimes, all you need is an opportunity to prove yourself and gain experience. If you’re looking for a steady paycheck, you can get that too, but the freedom to learn new things is what’s truly invaluable.
5. Start Your Own Blog
Blogs are a great way to get experience. You can write about anything that interests you, even if it’s not related to marketing or sales. You don’t necessarily need to have a focus on blogging to become a successful copywriter. However, having a blog can certainly help you in your quest. Some of the most notable blogs in the industry include Copyblogger.com, Moz.com, and Brafton.com. You can use any of these platforms to start a blog and take advantage of the millions of people who are now looking for content.
If you’re looking for a way to learn copywriting, consider starting a blog. You don’t necessarily need to write about marketing or sales to become a successful copywriter. However, having a blog can certainly help you in your quest. Some of the most notable blogs in the industry include Copyblogger.com, Moz.com, and Brafton.com. You can use any of these platforms to start a blog and take advantage of the millions of people who are now looking for content.
Blogs can be quite the money-maker. You don’t necessarily need to use free blogging platforms like Blogger to establish yourself as an authority in your chosen field. There are numerous premium blogging platforms available that will allow you to establish and grow a personal brand.