Do you want to become a copywriter? There are plenty of opportunities to do so in Upwork, the world’s largest freelancing platform. Many companies, brands, and organizations rely on talented copywriters to help them get their point across to the public through advertising and content creation. What is copywriting in Upwork? Let’s look at the definition, roles, and requirements of a copywriter in this platform.
What Is Copywriting In Upwork?
As the name suggests, a copywriter creates compelling copy for various purposes, including advertising, marketing, and journalism. Copywriting in Upwork is a form of content creation that involves crafting engaging, analytical, or persuasive messages to persuade readers to take action, make a purchase, or simply engage with the content.
According to HubSpot Blogs research, the average freelance copywriter earns around $25 per hour in the United States, with some charging as much as $50 per hour. There are plenty of opportunities to make even more money as a copywriter in Upwork. One survey respondent noted that they typically average around $50 per hour, while another said they make $40-$50 per hour. One of the biggest perks of being a copywriter in Upwork is the flexibility in terms of hours. Some writers report that they can put in 10 hours and hit the nap button, while others told HubSpot Blogs that they could put in as little as 3 hours and still manage to pull a decent amount of work. You’ll find that most companies don’t expect you to put in a 10-hour day every day, so you can easily work on partial days or even in round-the-clock sessions when needed.
Roles Of A Copywriter In Upwork
As a copywriter, you’ll typically work within a group of other writers, researchers, and designers. Depending on the project, you may also be joined by an editor or a content strategist. It would be wise to have an understanding of all of these individuals’ roles before you begin your copywriting career. You can also expect to become familiar with various writing software, such as HubSpot’s Draft.com, which many large companies use to collaborate on content.
One of the most important roles of a copywriter in Upwork is to craft the ‘voice’ of the organization or business. This includes everything from the tone of the writing (e.g., humorous vs. straight-forward) to the language used (e.g., American English vs. British English). To give you an idea of the importance of this role, one respondent told HubSpot Blogs that they would often have to rewrite the entire piece of content multiple times because the voice of the client was different each time they came back for a revision.
Sometimes you may be asked to take a more editorial approach, reviewing existing materials and providing feedback. In other situations, you may be given a brief and need to put your creative spin on it. The important thing is that you understand the purpose of the content and be able to communicate that to the client.
Another critical role of a copywriter in Upwork is to conduct ‘research’ about the topic or industry you are writing about. This means gathering and analyzing information about the topic, including primary and secondary sources. You’ll need to be able to think critically and recognize similarities and differences among various types of information. When doing your research, it’s important to keep the reader in mind. You want your writing to be informative and interesting. It’s also important to know when to be cautious in your writing and when to promote a product or service. This requires an understanding of the general landscape of your industry (e.g., competition, technological advances, etc.). Being familiar with these issues is what makes you a valuable asset to a company in need of content.
What Skills Are Necessary?
If you’re looking to become a copywriter, you’ll need to have at least an undergraduate degree in English or journalism. Several years of experience in journalism or editing is also highly preferred. You’ll need to have a working knowledge of various software programs, including Microsoft Word and Excel. In addition, being a good listener and able to think critically are also really important.
In terms of education, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree if you want to be paid to write. However, a lot of job seekers find themselves in a bit of a catch-22 situation because many employers demand a post-graduate degree, yet many post-graduate degree programs don’t offer a paid internship or job. If this is you, consider looking into a graduate degree in English or journalism, as many universities will only award these degrees to those who have demonstrated interest and aptitude in the field. In terms of software skills, a working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel is sufficient. In addition to this, you’ll need to be able to quickly and accurately input information into these programs. Even if you aren’t paid to use these software programs, you’ll be using them consistently as part of your job as a copywriter.
Pricing And Contract Negotiation
As a copywriter in Upwork, you’ll have the opportunity to tackle a variety of projects. The most common type of project is an ad campaign. For these types of projects, you’ll be provided with a copywriting budget and given a target deadline. Depending on the project, you may be expected to put in a certain number of hours per week. Most businesses and organizations will not negotiate the price of a project, but rather leave it as an ‘all-in’ cost. However, it is wise to ask for more hours if you feel that the paid amount is not enough for the amount of work you need to do. Before you begin your copywriting career, it’s important to know that getting a raise is usually a lengthy and tedious process, so it’s best to just focus on improving your skills and taking on more work as needed. In terms of contracts, the majority of the work that you do as a copywriter will be for free. However, if you are doing any substantial amount of work for a company or brand, you should be compensated for your efforts. The most common form of contractual payment is per hour, with a task rate also being available. However, the most lucrative opportunities for a copywriter in Upwork come in the form of brand campaigns, where you are contracted to produce a certain number of articles or blog posts per week. In these situations, the fee is usually calculated on an individual project basis with payment deferred until the work is completed. If this sounds like something that would be of interest, read on.