So you’ve decided to become a copywriter. You’ve looked at what others do for pay, seen the high-paying jobs, and you want in. You figure it’s time to strike out on your own, do your own thing, and see what happens. Well, congratulations! You’re on the right track. But now it’s time to sink or swim. How much does copywriting pay? Is it worth it? How demanding is the job? Will you enjoy what you do? These are some of the most common questions new copywriters ask themselves and, in our opinion, they’re the wrong questions. Instead, ask yourself these questions: Am I happy with my decision? Am I enjoying what I’m doing? Do I feel like I’m improving every day? The answers to these questions will give you a much better idea of whether or not copywriting is the right career move for you.
The Cost Of Being A Copywriter
Many people decide to become copywriters because they think it’ll be a quick, easy way to make money. They assume that since there are so few of them, they won’t have a tough time finding work. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Despite the fact that there aren’t many people in the field, competition for jobs is high. This means that it takes a lot of work to get started, and even then, you’ll have trouble making ends meet. Let’s look at the costs associated with being a copywriter.
Study Cost
The first and most crucial cost of being a copywriter is the price of education and training. Since you’ll have to learn how to write, you’ll need access to a library. This will cost you about $1,000 per year, at least. Beyond this, you’ll have to pay for classes; these can range from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars per year. If you do decide to go back for your MBA after you graduate from university, this will add another $500 to the cost of your education. This isn’t including the cost of living in a fancy city, either. Your total per year study costs will be somewhere in the range of $5,000 – $12,000.
Taxes
The cost of taxes is something that doesn’t have to be declared, but it’s still there if you do the math. As a self-employed person, you’ll have to pay taxes on all of the money you earn. Depending on what state you live in and how much you earn, this could add up to a significant amount of money each year. In most cases, people who work for themselves pay more in taxes than they would if they were employees. This is also true for people who work remotely; they often have to pay both Social Security and Medicare taxes regardless of whether or not they ever set foot in a traditional office building. The amount of these taxes varies by person and situation, but there’s no way of knowing ahead of time what you’ll have to pay. This could range from about $1,000 to $5,000 per year, depending on your situation. If you live in a high-tax state, you might want to consider getting a salary or signing up for a payroll service in order to minimize the amount of taxes you have to pay.
Licenses
Being a copywriter is a profession, not a hobby. This means that you’ll have to continue your education and get certified. The first step is to become a professional freelance copywriter. To do this, you’ll need to pass the Certified Professional Copywriter exam. This costs you $500 and takes about four hours to complete. You’ll also have to register with the State Bar of California as a condition of practicing law. This costs you $50 and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Your total per year costs for licenses and exams are $600.
Mental Health
The stress and anxiety that comes with entering a new career is something that many people aren’t prepared for. The demands of being a freelancer are high and there’s a lot of competition for jobs. This can make it difficult to find the right fit. If you do decide to take the plunge and become a copywriter, be sure to get the right help. There are many stress-reducing and anxiety-reducing techniques and tools that you can use to help you manage your stress. This might include taking a step back from your work, getting a good night’s sleep, listening to calming music, or going for a walk. If you think that you’re becoming overwhelmed or anxious about your work, it might be a good idea to seek out mental health counseling or training in order to learn how to better deal with stress. Just remember, no matter what, always put your clients’ needs first.
Living Cost
Apart from your study and training costs, you’ll need money to live on. This is where things get a little more difficult. You’ll need to determine how much you’re willing to spend on rent and how much you’d like to save for necessities and entertainment. Most importantly, you’ll need to consider how much you want to spend on food. This will depend on what kind of diet you follow. If you’re looking to save money, it’s best to eat as little as possible and only buy what you need. Going on a diet to save money is not a good idea if you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Even worse, going on a diet to lose weight can end up costing you more in the long run. Unless you’re following a frugal lifestyle, you’ll probably want to allocate about $2,000 per month to living costs.
Income
If you’re looking to earn quick cash, you might want to consider other options. Freelancing is a great way to make money online and there are many opportunities for newcomers. You can become a social media content creator, a blogger, or a copywriter for businesses that seek online marketing support. In regards to income, the sky is the limit. You could become a best-selling author and earn thousands of dollars each month. In fact, some people even quit their jobs as copywriters and pursued full-time writing, knowing that it would be enough to support them. It’s all about how much you’re willing to put in and how much you want to earn. Hopefully, this article has given you a better idea of what becoming a copywriter entails and the many costs associated with it.