If you’ve been researching the best-paying freelance gigs, you’ve probably come across the term “copywriting” or “content marketing.” Those are the hot new things, right? You know, all the cool kids are doing it, and the rates are on an upward trajectory.
If that sounds good to you, you’re in luck because we’ve got you covered.
In this article, you’re going to learn what you need to know about copywriting and why you should consider specializing in this lucrative territory.
The Rise In Popularity
For starters, let’s look at the rise in the popularity of copywriting. In the past, if you wanted to become a copywriter, you had to study journalism or communications (including marketing and advertising) at a reputable school. But today, with the rise of digital nomads who want to freelance, there is no need for you to be confined to one industry. You can literally write your way to a career in copywriting, and probably make a lot more money than you would if you were limited to one industry.
According to HubSpot, a marketing software company, the demand for copywriters is expected to increase by 25% in the next two years.
What can you do with a copywriting degree? You can start a business focusing on copywriting and marketing strategy, and charge higher rates than the usual freelance writer because of your specialized knowledge.
According to GoForth, a career website, the job growth for copywriters, editor, and journalists is 14% higher than the average for all occupations.
Why Specializing In Copywriting?
If you’re absolutely sure that you want to specialize in copywriting, here are some reasons why.
The demand for copywriters is increasing, so if you’re aiming for higher rates, it’s well worth becoming a specialist in this field. Plus, there are a variety of jobs available, from in-house copywriting to SEO, social media, and content creation for e-commerce.
Here’s a short list of the things that you need to know about the copywriting industry.
The Most Popular Specialties
There are several popular specialties within the copywriting industry, including:
- E-commerce copywriting
- Digital marketing/social media copywriting
- Content creation for websites and blogs
- Marketing and advertising plan
- SEO copywriting
- Content strategy
- Writing for business.
These are all very lucrative industries, and if you want to make a good living, it’s probably a good idea to specialize in one of them.
Where Do I Start?
If you’re just starting out, where should you look for work? There are several options, from freelancing to raising your initial offer. You might want to consider raising your initial offer because you’ll most likely be competing with other freelancers for jobs. So, if you want to increase your earnings, it’s probably a good idea to do so.
You have two options here. You can either look for work that’s already been assigned, or you can bid on projects yourself. If you want to get started, you can find freelance writing jobs on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com.
Raising Your Rates
So you’ve decided to specialize in copywriting, and you’re excited about the opportunity to make a decent living. But how much should you charge?
If you’re new to the game, there are a few things you can do to increase your rates.
The first step is to learn how to market yourself. If you want to get the rates you’re looking for, you need to stand out from the crowd. To do this, take some time to learn about the different types of marketing, and which method of marketing will be the most effective for you.
You should also look into the kinds of clients you’ll be serving. If you want to attract a certain type of client, you’ll need to adjust your rates and your approach to marketing accordingly.
Where Do I Go From Here?
Once you’ve determined that copywriting is the right path for you, the next step is to determine what you’ll do next. First, you’ll need to decide whether you want to specialize in inbound or outbound copywriting.
Inbound copywriting focuses on attracting, engaging, and delighting people to grow a business. So, inbound copywriters write web content, social media posts, and other types of digital or online marketing. Outbound copywriting is the opposite – it focuses on converting and closing deals, so it’s excellent if you want to become a salesperson. Outbound copywriters write sales letters, process evaluations, and other types of marketing materials.
If you’re new to the game, it’s probably a good idea to start with inbound copywriting, and then you can slowly transition to outbound once you’ve mastered the craft. Why? Inbound writing tends to be more structured, and therefore, easier to follow.
Once you’ve decided which path you want to take, the next step is to learn as much as you can about the industry. Start by taking some time to read industry publications such as Editor And Publisher or The New York Times. Also, consider joining groups or communities related to your chosen field on sites like LinkedIn, and participate in the discussions.
Additionally, you can find books on the subject, and even write your own. The most important thing to do is to educate yourself.