Are you hoping to begin a side hustle as a copywriter but aren’t sure how to get started?
Are you interested in earning extra cash as a copywriter while working your own hours from anywhere?
Copywriting is the perfect side hustle for many reasons. Not only can it pay well, but you can work as a freelance copywriter from anywhere in the world as long as you have internet access. Plus, all kinds of industries and companies need copywriters to craft stories and messages about their brand.
Copywriting has proven to be one of the most sought after skills today, and that should not change for many years to come. Businesses of all types need great copywriters to help convince their prospective customers to buy from them and great copy in an email, on a landing page, in a social post, or anywhere else their eyeballs are can do just that.
Learning the basics of good copywriting can go a long way, and it is a skill that with practice can be one, that just about anyone can get really good at.
With all of that said, just how do you launch your copywriting side hustle? We put together the below info to help get you started. We also found a great video from Simple Learning that is an amazing introductory course to copywriting.
After reading this article and watching the below video course you should be well on your way to making extra cash as a copywriter.
Build a Portfolio
It is rare that someone is going to hire you as a copywriter if you can’t first demonstrate your writing chops. The best way to showcase your skills as a copywriter is to build a portfolio.
A portfolio will not only make it easier for you to apply for jobs, but it’ll also help you pitch to clients directly. Your portfolio should include a range of copywriting samples, from emails to online ads to magazine ads.
If you don’t have any experience as a copywriter, don’t let it stop you from creating a portfolio. You can volunteer to do some copywriting for a non-profit, or you can make some mock samples based on an imaginary company or one that already exists.
At School For Freelancers we are all about doing work for free for friends, family, non-profits, or just a business you want to get your foot in the door with. It is one of the best ways to hone your skills while building a portfolio.
The best part is, often times the free work you do to build your copywriting portfolio can lead to referrals and paying gigs from the same company after you have proven your worth.
Know Where to Look for Jobs
To find quality clients, start by reaching out to those in your direct network. For example, if you used to be a hairstylist, reach out to the salon you worked for to see if they’re in need of a copywriter.
We also suggest searching job boards specifically aimed at writers, such as ProBlogger. And, don’t be afraid to pitch to clients directly via email. When cold emailing a client, explain how your copywriting skills can benefit their business. It can help to create a small sample of ad copy or some other type of copy for the client to look at to show your familiarity with the brand.
Remember that as a copywriter your outreach emails and posts on social media looking for clients is a perfect opportunity to showcase your skills. If you are convincing in your pitch to find new clients, that is proof that you are good at what you do.
After all copywriting is copy that is intended to drive someone to take action. If you can do that in your own pitch with your own copy there is proof in the pudding.
Market Yourself
To be successful as a freelance copywriter, you need to market yourself. You’ll land most of your copywriting gigs online, so make sure you have a strong web presence.
We suggest creating a website dedicated to your copywriting services. On the site, you can display your portfolio, testimonials, services, and more. You can easily create a website using platforms like WordPress, Square Space, or others. We love WordPress around here for its flexibility and SEO awesomeness.
You should definitely optimize your LinkedIn profile so people know you’re a copywriter who is looking for work. This will only take you about 20 minutes and could help you land copywriting gigs in a big way, as LinkedIn is all about business.
And, don’t be afraid to attend in-person networking events to land some gigs. Meeting people in person is one of the best ways to sell your services. Everyone gets bombarded with emails and ads these days, so shaking someones hand and making eye contact can help you land that gig.
Learn Fundamentals of Copywriting
You are absolutely going to need to understand the fundamentals of copywriting. We cover this and so many other topics in our online freelancing community, our monthly newsletter, and our courses.
Time to Launch Your Copywriting Side Hustle!
By following the above steps, you’ll be well on your way to launching your side hustle as a copywriter. While copywriting won’t make you rich overnight, it can help you build a steady stream of extra income.
If you’re on the hunt for freelance writing jobs,check out this post on the best freelance writing jobs for beginners.
You should also check out our other amazing (if we don’t say so ourselves) freelance resources.
We greatly appreciate you taking the time to read our blog! If you found this useful pleasebe sure to share it with your network! If you have any questions about our program be sure tocontact us. Thanks again and happy freelancing!
