- How to start a copywriting business: In short
- Understanding the Copywriting Business Landscape
- Freelance copywriter pay rates
- Step 1: Master Copywriting Fundamentals
- Step 2: Set Up Your Business Foundation
- Step 3: Build Your Portfolio and Online Presence
- Step 4: Find Your First Clients
- Step 5: Price Your Services Strategically
- Step 6: Deliver Exceptional Client Experience
- Essential Tools and Systems
- Scaling Your Copywriting Business
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- FAQs
- Good luck finding freelance copywriter work!
Starting is always the hardest part…
But if you want to build a copywriting business, the good news is you don’t need a whole lot to get things off the ground.
Copywriting is fun, flexible and doesn’t require a lot of upfront investment. Here’s how to start a copywriting business and build it to generate the revenue you want.
How to start a copywriting business: In short
- Start by taking some paid copywriting courses to brush up on your skills as a freelancer/business owner and copywriter
- Set up basic business structure with contract templates, accounting system, and client management tools like Tekmatix or simple spreadsheets
- Build your first portfolio using spec work and past writing experience, then leverage your existing network to find initial clients
- Price your services based on business expenses and value provided, starting around $50-75/hour for beginners with room to grow
- Focus on client relationships and testimonials to create a referral-based business that grows sustainably over time
Firstly, what is a freelance copywriting business?
It can be very broad. Some people stick exclusively to writing persuasive marketing materials, landing pages, emails and sales copy. Some think in terms of ads only, coming up with catchy slogans and video scripts.
Other copywriters work on blog articles, case studies and fully researched whitepapers, taking more of a ‘journalist’ approach.
You can pick a lane or work across all the different avenues… it depends on what you like, what you’re good at, where your experience and talents lie, and what your clients want. And at the end of the day, the goal is always to help your clients get noticed and get more leads.
Your freelance copywriting business can be a side hustle to generate a bit of extra revenue. It can be a part-time business that fits in around your kids… or it can be a full-time endeavour that nets you hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue per year. You can expand in the future to operate an entire agency, or stay independent and shape your business around your life.
Understanding the Copywriting Business Landscape
Even with the rise of AI, the modern copywriting industry is dynamic and rapidly expanding.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the different types of copywriting you can tackle:
The fundamental distinction between copywriting and content writing lies in intent and outcome.
- Content writers and creators typically focus on informing, educating, or entertaining audiences to build brand awareness and authority
- Copywriters specialize in persuasion and conversion. Every piece of copy is strategically crafted to guide readers toward a specific action, whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or scheduling a consultation.
Now, how are you going to make money doing one of the two, or both?
The most common approach involves working as a solo freelance copywriter, offering copywriting services directly to businesses ranging from small local companies to large corporations. Thousands of copywriters make this work, all over the world, doing 9-5 hours or splitting things up and working nights and weekends while juggling other parts of their life.
Many successful copywriters also work as contractors for advertising agencies, providing specialized writing skills for client campaigns while enjoying the stability of regular work flow. The advantage of this is that you’re saved the client acquisition, strategising and onboarding process; the agency does all this and simply sends work your way.
Most copywriters have a mix of work, managing:
- Regular small business owner clients on retainer
- Regular corporate clients who send through a set amount of work each month
- Briefs from agencies
- One off jobs from new and old clients
My story:
I started my business in 2015, after being let go from my job at Yahoo!. I didn’t even know what copywriting really was but I had a flair for the written word. Blogging came easily to me and I enjoyed it, so that’s where I started. Every time someone asked me for something, I said yes, then Googled like crazy! I have learned so much along the way. These days I still prefer content writing, but I have come up with some great sales copy for clients that I am proud of.
Not confident in your skills? Take a copywriting course.
Freelance copywriter pay rates
This is the big question: how much do freelance copywriters earn?
The figure varies significantly based on experience, specialization and business strategy. According to industry data, copywriters typically earn a median income of approximately $60,000USD annually, with experienced professionals and those doing work in high-value niches often achieving multiple six figures in annual revenue.
Successful freelance copywriters frequently command rates ranging from $75 to $300 per hour, with complex projects like sales pages and email sequences often priced in the thousands of dollars.
- Agencies tend to pay the least because they have to take their own cut, but they are process-driven and reliable
- Small businesses know they are saving by going direct to you and not to an agency, so you can charge a mid-level price
- Corporate businesses have larger budgets and can be your ideal ‘whale’, although sometimes there can be multiple stakeholders and approval processes that drag out your timelines.
- Other sole traders tend to have very limited budgets and you may find after doing a few smaller jobs that you need to price your work above the amount they are willing to spend.
Market demand for skilled copywriting services continues to accelerate as businesses increasingly recognize the critical importance of effective written communication in digital marketing. With over 60% of marketing executives outsourcing content and copywriting needs, the opportunities for new entrants remain substantial. The shift toward digital-first marketing strategies has created particular demand for copywriters who understand conversion optimization, email marketing, and social media engagement.
My story:
I charge different rates for different clients but they have steadily increased over the years. Something to remember is how to offer extra value without doing a great deal more work, e.g. by sharing images or making reels for clients. My business at its peak generated close to $300,000 per annum, but this includes expenses.
Start a copywriting business
Step 1: Master Copywriting Fundamentals
Building a successful copywriting business begins with developing solid copywriting skills through systematic learning and practice. The foundation of effective copywriting rests on understanding proven formulas, psychological triggers, and persuasion techniques that consistently drive results for copywriting clients.
Start your copywriting education by exploring high-quality free resources before investing in expensive courses. Copyblogger offers comprehensive articles on content strategy and persuasive writing techniques, while the AWAI (American Writers & Artists Institute) blog provides detailed insights into direct response copywriting. YouTube channels like “Copy Chief” and “Copywriting Secrets” deliver practical tutorials and case study analysis that help new copywriters understand real-world applications.
Master the classic copywriting formulas that form the backbone of persuasive marketing copy. The AIDA formula (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) provides a reliable structure for creating compelling advertisements and sales pages. The PAS framework (Problem, Agitation, Solution) works particularly well for email marketing campaigns and blog posts that need to highlight pain points before presenting solutions. The Before-After-Bridge formula helps copywriters craft narratives that show prospects their current situation, desired outcome, and the path to transformation.
See more: Free copywriting resources
Practice copywriting by analyzing successful advertisements, email campaigns, and sales pages from established brands. Rewrite existing copy in your own voice to understand how different approaches affect tone and persuasiveness. Focus on developing skills in crafting attention-grabbing headlines, benefit-focused body copy, and compelling calls-to-action that clearly tell readers what to do next.
After gaining basic proficiency through free resources, consider investing in structured copywriting courses from reputable organizations. AWAI offers comprehensive programs covering direct response copywriting, while Copyhackers provides courses specifically focused on conversion-oriented web copy and email marketing. These programs typically cost between $500 to $2,000 but provide systematic training that can accelerate your learning process.
Essential reading for aspiring copywriters includes “The Copywriter’s Handbook” by Robert Bly, which offers timeless principles for writing persuasive copy across all channels. “Breakthrough Advertising” by Eugene Schwartz provides deep insights into market psychology and positioning, while “The Adweek Copywriting Handbook” by Joseph Sugarman teaches storytelling techniques that enhance engagement and conversion rates.
Step 2: Set Up Your Copywriter Business Foundation
Establishing a solid legal and operational foundation ensures your freelance copywriting business operates professionally and protects you from potential complications as you grow. The business structure you choose will affect your taxes, liability, and administrative requirements, making it essential to understand your options before launching your copywriting services.
Most new copywriters start as sole proprietors, which offers the simplest setup process and requires minimal paperwork. However, forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) provides important legal protections by separating your personal assets from business liabilities. This becomes particularly valuable when working with larger clients or handling projects with significant financial implications. Consult with a local business attorney or accountant to determine the best structure for your specific situation and location.
Register your business name and obtain necessary identification numbers through your local government agencies. In the United States, you’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, while Australian copywriters require an Australian Business Number (ABN). These numbers enable you to open business bank accounts, file taxes properly, and present a professional image to copywriting clients.
This is a big tip that you will thank yourself for in the future…
Open a dedicated business bank account to maintain clear separation between personal and business finances. This separation simplifies tax preparation, helps track business expenses accurately, and demonstrates professionalism when receiving payments from clients. Choose an account with minimal fees and convenient online banking features to streamline your financial management.
Implement a reliable accounting system from the beginning to track income, business expenses, and tax obligations. QuickBooks offers comprehensive accounting features designed for small businesses, while FreshBooks provides user-friendly invoicing and expense tracking specifically tailored for freelancers. For copywriters just starting out, a well-organized spreadsheet system can handle basic accounting needs while keeping costs low.
I use Xero, because it’s highly regarded and a lot of bookkeepers and accountants like it and feel comfortable using it. Truth be told, I now pay someone else to do this stuff! It saves me a lot of time and is worth it. The company I use is called Financial Fanatics.
Create professional contract templates that clearly outline project scope, deadlines, payment terms, and revision limits. Your contracts should specify exactly what copywriting services you’ll provide, how many rounds of revisions are included, and what happens if clients request additional changes. Include clear payment terms, such as requiring 50% payment upfront and the remainder upon project completion, to maintain healthy cash flow.
Get copywriter templates here and start your business the easy way.
Consider purchasing business insurance, particularly if you plan to work with larger clients or provide strategic consulting beyond basic writing services. Professional liability insurance protects against claims of errors or omissions in your work, while general liability coverage handles potential third-party claims. Many insurance companies offer packages specifically designed for freelance copywriters and creative professionals.
Lots of larger companies won’t work with you if you don’t have insurance, so this is an important investment.
Step 3: Build Your Copywriter Portfolio and Online Presence
Your portfolio is evidence of your copywriting skills and demonstrating your ability to create results-driven content. Since most new copywriters lack extensive client work to showcase, creating high-quality spec pieces allows you to demonstrate your capabilities across different copywriting formats and industries.
Develop 3-5 spec pieces that showcase your versatility across key copywriting formats. Create a compelling website homepage that demonstrates your ability to craft benefit-focused copy with clear calls-to-action. Write an email marketing sequence that shows your understanding of nurturing prospects through a sales funnel. Develop social media posts for a fictional brand that demonstrate your ability to create engaging, shareable content that drives engagement.
Include any relevant past writing work in your portfolio, even if it doesn’t fit traditional copywriting categories. Academic writing demonstrates research skills and attention to detail, while blog posts show your ability to engage readers and communicate complex ideas clearly. Personal projects like newsletters or content for nonprofit organizations can illustrate your passion for writing and commitment to helping others achieve their goals.
Build a professional website using user-friendly platforms like Squarespace, WordPress, or Showit to display your portfolio and attract potential clients. Your website should immediately communicate who you help and what problems you solve through your copywriting services. Include a clear navigation structure that allows visitors to easily find your portfolio, learn about your background, and contact you for their projects.
Should you invest in an expensive website or DIY? If you have money… invest. If you have time… DIY. But it’s always a bit harder than it looks so if you can find someone to help you take that route. You’ll end up with a more professional result that works harder for you.
My experience:
I started with a DIY website that was cheap and nasty! It got those first few clients and I was able to pay a company around $2k to create a better version.
More to do: Write a compelling About page that highlights your unique background and perspective while building trust with potential copywriting clients. Share your professional journey, relevant experience, and personal story in a way that helps prospects understand why you’re uniquely qualified to help them achieve their marketing goals. Avoid generic statements and instead focus on specific experiences or insights that differentiate you from other copywriters.
Add clear contact information and detailed service descriptions that help prospects understand exactly how you can help their business. Include your email address, phone number, and preferred method of communication. Describe your copywriting services in terms of business outcomes rather than just listing deliverables, focusing on how your copy helps clients increase conversions, engage their audience, and grow their revenue.
As you begin working with clients, actively request testimonials that highlight specific results and positive experiences. Feature these testimonials prominently on your website and include them in your marketing materials. Client testimonials provide social proof that helps overcome scepticism and builds confidence in your ability to deliver results for future clients.
Small steps will get you there! You don’t have to do everything at once but set aside a bit of time each week to build your portfolio and online presence.
Step 4: Find Your First Copywriting Clients
Securing your first copywriting clients takes time, effort and a few strategies. Some will work, some won’t. Some will work for a while, then stop working. Basically, you’re gonna be on the hustle for the foreseeable future.
The most successful new copywriters combine personal networking, strategic outreach, and professional relationship-building to create a steady pipeline of opportunities.
Leverage Your Existing Network
Your existing personal and professional network is the fastest path to landing your first copywriting client. These connections already know and trust you, making them more likely to give you an opportunity to prove your capabilities or refer you to others who need copywriting services.
Announce your new freelance copywriting business across your social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn and Facebook, where your professional contacts are most likely to see business-related updates. Write an announcement that explains what you’re doing and asks for referrals rather than directly soliciting work. Share your enthusiasm for helping businesses improve their marketing communications while making it easy for people to understand exactly how you can help.
Reach out directly to former colleagues, friends, and family members who might need copywriting assistance or know someone who does. Many small business owners within your network may struggle with writing effective marketing materials and would welcome professional help. Send personalized messages that explain your services and offer to provide a free consultation or small sample project to demonstrate your value.
Contact local small businesses, restaurants, and service providers in your area who might benefit from improved marketing copy. Many local businesses have websites with outdated or ineffective copy, email marketing campaigns that lack engagement, or social media posts that fail to drive action. Offer initial services at discounted rates in exchange for permission to use the work in your portfolio and request testimonials.
My story:
I got my first client through a personal contact. Then I worked for that client for around a year. I trawled freelancer sites, cold pitched and went to networking meetings. Gradually, these all paid off in some way or another.
Use Strategic Networking to Grow Your Copywriting Career
Join local business networking groups and entrepreneur meetups where you can build relationships with potential clients and referral partners. Organizations like BNI (Business Network International), local chambers of commerce, and entrepreneur groups provide regular opportunities to meet business owners who may need copywriting services or can refer you to others in their network.
Show up at marketing and advertising industry events where you can connect with marketing managers, agency owners, and other professionals who regularly need copywriting support. These events often feature workshops, presentations, and networking sessions that allow you to demonstrate your knowledge while building valuable professional relationships.
Another idea is to jump into Facebook groups for entrepreneurs and business owners where members frequently seek recommendations for service providers, and promote yourself shamelessly (don’t break the rules).
Join groups specific to your target industries and focus on providing helpful advice rather than directly promoting your services. When members post questions about marketing or writing challenges, offer genuine insights that demonstrate your expertise and build trust within the community.
Connect with web designers, marketing agencies, and business coaches who often need copywriting partners for their client projects. These professionals frequently encounter clients who need written content but lack the internal resources or expertise to create effective copy. Building relationships with these potential referral partners can provide a steady stream of copywriting work as their businesses grow.
Try Cold Outreach to find Copywriting Clients
Research businesses that have horrible outdated websites or boring marketing copy and reach out with specific suggestions for improvement. Spend time analyzing their current content and identify concrete opportunities to enhance their messaging, improve their calls-to-action, or better connect with their target audience. This research-based approach demonstrates your expertise while providing immediate value, and it can generate you long-term clients.
Remember: What you seek is seeking you! Your clients are in need of your help 🙂
Send personalized emails that focus on specific improvements rather than generic service offerings. Reference particular pages on their website, specific email campaigns, or social media posts that could benefit from professional copywriting. Explain exactly how improved copy could help them achieve their business goals, whether that’s increasing website conversions, improving email open rates, or generating more social media engagement.
Use LinkedIn to find marketing managers and business owners in industries that interest you, then reach out with thoughtful connection requests and follow-up messages. Avoid generic pitches and instead focus on starting genuine conversations about their marketing challenges and objectives. Many professionals appreciate thoughtful outreach that demonstrates you’ve taken time to understand their business.
Keep your pitches concise and value-focused rather than salesy or self-promotional. Business owners receive numerous pitches for various services, so your outreach needs to immediately communicate how you can solve their specific problems. Focus on their potential outcomes rather than your qualifications, and always include a clear but low-pressure call-to-action that makes it easy for them to respond.
Cold calling is hard, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get, so give it a try. Before long, you won’t have to do it any more.
Step 5: Price Your Copywriting Services Strategically
Pricing. You need to balance competitive positioning with the value you provide to clients, while ensuring your rates support your business expenses and income goals.
Here’s the secret: all copywriters struggle with pricing decisions and it’s probably one of the industries with the biggest range in pricing. Some people charge 3 cents per word, others charge $1. The range is ridiculous.
A systematic approach will help you establish rates that attract clients while building a profitable copywriting business. Don’t price so low that you may as well be working at Starbucks!
One way to think of it: Nobody should be happy. You should feel you could be paid more. Your client should feel like they’re paying more than they want. This is a line an accountant told me once.
Your business costs money to run, so don’t charge like you have a job.
Calculate your minimum hourly rate by determining your annual income target, accounting for business expenses and factoring in non-billable time spent on marketing, administration, and professional development. Include costs like accounting software, website hosting, professional development courses and health insurance/retirement savings if you’re self-employed. Remember that as a freelance copywriter, you’ll typically spend 20-30% of your time on activities that don’t generate direct revenue, and 20/30% on tools and expenses. And then there’s tax… yikes.
Research competitor pricing in your area and niche to understand market rates for similar copywriting services. Review websites of other freelance copywriters, check freelancing platforms like Upwork and Freelancer, and join copywriting Facebook groups where professionals discuss pricing strategies. However, avoid competing solely on price, as this approach often leads to unsustainable business models and attracts clients who don’t value quality work.
Start with project-based pricing rather than hourly rates to avoid undervaluing your work and to focus client conversations on outcomes rather than time spent. Project pricing allows you to charge based on the value you provide and the complexity of the work, rather than being limited by hourly constraints. This approach also provides more predictable income and helps clients understand exactly what they’re paying for.
Don’t charge by time. Instead, consider value-based pricing for results-driven projects like sales pages, email sequences, and advertising copy where your work directly impacts client revenue. When you can demonstrate that your copy generates measurable results, you can command higher fees based on the business value you create. This approach requires tracking and documenting the performance of your work to justify premium pricing.
Increase your rates regularly as you gain experience, build your portfolio, and collect client testimonials that demonstrate your effectiveness. Plan to raise your rates every 6-12 months, particularly after completing successful projects or receiving positive feedback from satisfied clients. Existing clients often accept reasonable rate increases when they’re presented professionally and justified by your growing expertise.
Factor in time for research, revisions, and client communication beyond the actual writing time when calculating project costs. Effective copywriting requires understanding the client’s business, researching their target audience, and often involves multiple rounds of revisions and feedback. Include these essential activities in your project pricing to ensure you’re compensated fairly for all the work required to deliver excellent results.
My story:
I remember spending 6 hours writing an article, for $40. Never again! I often say to people, “What’s your budget?’. This lets them set the price… and it’s usually respectable (except for one woman who said she had $100 per month and wanted constant social media content; Bye Felicia!)
Step 6: Deliver Exceptional Client Experiences
Creating an outstanding client experience differentiates successful copywriters from the competition and generates the positive testimonials and referrals that drive sustainable business growth. Exceptional service delivery involves clear communication, professional processes, and consistently exceeding client expectations throughout every project.
Develop a smooth onboarding process that sets clear expectations and establishes professional standards from the beginning of each client relationship. Create a welcome packet that outlines your working process, communication preferences, project timelines, and revision policies. Include a detailed project brief template that helps clients provide the information you need to create effective copy while demonstrating your thorough approach to understanding their needs.
Communicate regularly… this is so so so important. Stay in touch throughout projects with updates, questions, and progress reports that keep clients informed and engaged. Send brief check-ins at key project milestones, share relevant insights or ideas that occur during your research, and proactively address any potential issues before they become problems. This consistent communication builds trust and helps clients feel confident in your professional abilities.
Deliver work on time and seek opportunities to exceed expectations when possible without undermining your pricing or creating unrealistic expectations for future projects. This might involve providing additional research insights, suggesting improvements to related marketing materials, or offering brief recommendations for how the copy can be implemented most effectively. Small gestures that demonstrate your commitment to client success often generate significant goodwill.
Once the job is done, request testimonials and referrals from satisfied clients immediately after completing successful projects while the positive experience is fresh in their minds. Provide template language that makes it easy for clients to write testimonials, and ask specific questions about the results they achieved or problems you solved. Many happy clients are willing to provide referrals but don’t think to offer them unless specifically asked.
Follow up after project completion to maintain relationships and stay top-of-mind for future copywriting needs. Send periodic check-ins to see how the copy is performing, share relevant industry insights, or congratulate clients on business milestones you notice through social media. These touchpoints often lead to additional projects and demonstrate your ongoing interest in their success.
Use project management tools to stay organized and maintain professional standards across all client interactions. Platforms like Dubsado, HoneyBook, or even simple spreadsheet systems help track project deadlines, client communications, and payment schedules. Professional organization not only improves your efficiency but also creates confidence in your ability to handle complex projects reliably.
Essential Tools and Systems for Copywriters
Efficient operations, even when you’re a microbusiness, require the right combination of tools and systems that streamline client management, enhance communication, and support professional service delivery without creating unnecessary complexity or expense. The following tools represent essential categories for building a profitable copywriting business.
Communication tools enable professional interaction with clients and support efficient project collaboration. Zoom ($10/month) handles video calls for client meetings and project discussions, while Slack facilitates ongoing communication for longer-term projects or when working with client teams. Many copywriters also use email scheduling tools to maintain consistent communication without requiring constant attention.
Time tracking applications help monitor productivity and provide data for improving pricing accuracy. Toggl offers free time tracking features that allow you to understand how long different types of projects actually take to complete. RescueTime automatically monitors computer usage and provides insights into productivity patterns that can help optimize your working schedule and identify time drains.
Design tools support the creation of professional marketing materials and enhance project presentations. Canva Pro ($120/year) provides templates for social media graphics, presentation slides, and marketing materials that help establish a professional brand image. While copywriters primarily focus on written content, the ability to create simple graphics enhances project deliverables and marketing efforts.
Writing and editing tools ensure professional quality across all client deliverables. Google Docs facilitates easy collaboration and revision tracking with clients, while Grammarly Premium provides advanced grammar checking, tone suggestions, and style improvements that enhance the quality of your written work. Many copywriters also use plagiarism checking tools to ensure originality.
Email marketing platforms enable copywriters to build their own audience and maintain relationships with prospects and past clients. ConvertKit and Mailchimp offer features specifically designed for content creators and small businesses, including automation sequences, landing page creation, and audience segmentation capabilities that support long-term marketing efforts.
See more: Recommended freelance copywriter tools
How do I scale my Copywriting Business?
After a while, you’re going to need help, even if you don’t have massive ambitions.
Growing beyond a solo freelance copywriting business requires strategic planning, specialized expertise, and systems that support increased revenue without proportionally increasing time investment. Successful scaling involves developing recurring revenue streams, expanding service offerings, and building personal brand recognition within profitable market niches.
As you scale, develop specialization in profitable niches like SaaS, e-commerce, healthcare, or financial services where clients typically have larger budgets and ongoing content needs. Specialized knowledge allows you to command higher rates, work with more sophisticated clients, and develop expertise that becomes increasingly valuable over time. Research industry-specific regulations, terminology, and customer personas to position yourself as an expert rather than a generalist.
Build recurring revenue through retainer clients and ongoing projects that provide predictable monthly income. Many businesses need consistent content creation for email marketing campaigns, blog posts, social media management, and website updates. Retainer agreements typically range from $2,000 to $10,000 per month depending on scope and provide the foundation for sustainable business growth.
Expand your copywriting services to include strategy consultation, content planning, and marketing funnel development that command higher fees than basic writing work. Many clients value strategic thinking as much as execution, and the ability to provide both positions you as a comprehensive marketing partner rather than just a writer. This expansion often doubles or triples your effective hourly rate.
Create passive income streams through online courses, templates, or affiliate marketing that generate revenue without requiring direct time investment. Experienced copywriters often develop training programs for other aspiring professionals, sell proven templates and frameworks, or earn commissions promoting tools and resources they genuinely use and recommend.
Another way to scale that’s helpful is to offer people a discount for paying up front for a few months or a year’s worth of content. This means you’ll have money in the bank and you can hire people to get the extra work done.
Outsource administrative tasks to virtual assistants as your revenue grows to focus your time on high-value activities like client work and business development. Tasks like scheduling, basic research, formatting, and social media management can often be delegated effectively, allowing you to take on more clients or charge higher rates for strategic work.
Build a personal brand through content creation and speaking opportunities that attract dream clients and referral partners. Regular blog posting, podcast appearances, social media engagement, and conference speaking establish you as a thought leader within your niche and generate inbound leads from qualified prospects who already understand your value.
My story:
I scaled slowly, starting with an assistant. Then I added a writer and things went so well that we grew to add a graphic designer. Fun!
Then the economy tanked. I had to let the writer go. It was awful. But eventually things improved and I got ‘back on the horse’, hiring more writers and a marketing manager.
Start a Copywriting Business: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from the mistakes of other freelance copywriting businesses can save significant time, money, and frustration while accelerating your path to sustainable success. The following common errors often derail promising copywriting careers and can be avoided through proper planning and professional development.
- Starting without proper copywriting education and practice frequently leads to subpar work that damages your professional reputation and makes client acquisition more difficult.
- Underpricing copywriting services to compete rather than focusing on value delivered creates unsustainable business models and attracts clients who don’t appreciate quality work. New copywriters often assume they must charge significantly less than experienced professionals, but this approach rarely leads to business growth or client satisfaction. Focus on demonstrating value rather than competing on price alone.
- Taking on every project without considering fit or profitability often leads to burnout and prevents the development of specialized expertise that commands higher rates. Learning to say no to inappropriate projects allows you to focus on work that builds your reputation and moves your copywriting career in the desired direction.
- Neglecting contracts and clear project scopes creates confusion, scope creep, and payment issues that damage client relationships. Many copywriters assume that informal agreements are sufficient, but professional contracts protect both parties and establish clear expectations that prevent misunderstandings.
- Failing to track time and business expenses properly creates tax complications and makes it difficult to understand which projects and clients are most profitable. Maintain organized records from the beginning to simplify tax preparation and make informed business decisions based on accurate financial data.
Not building an email list or maintaining client relationships represents missed opportunities for referrals, repeat business, and long-term professional growth. Many copywriters focus exclusively on finding new clients rather than nurturing existing relationships that could provide ongoing work and valuable referrals to other qualified prospects.
Start a copywriting business: FAQ
How long does it take to get your first copywriting client?
Most new copywriters can land their first copywriting client within 30-90 days of actively networking and pitching services, especially when leveraging existing connections and offering competitive rates. The timeline depends largely on your networking efforts, the quality of your portfolio, and your persistence in following up with potential clients. Those who start with their existing network often find their first clients more quickly than those relying solely on cold outreach.
Freelance Copywriting: Should I specialize in a niche immediately or start as a generalist?
Start as a generalist to gain copywriting experience across different industries and copy types, then gradually specialize based on what you enjoy and what pays well after 6-12 months. This approach allows you to discover which types of projects you find most engaging while building a diverse portfolio that demonstrates your versatility to potential clients. Once you identify profitable niches that align with your interests, you can focus your marketing efforts and develop deeper expertise.
Can I earn a real living as a freelance copywriter?
Yes. It’s not always easy, but if you deliver good work and ask for referrals, the results will snowball. Some copywriters earn over six figures per year and are able to support their families comfortably.
Good luck finding freelance copywriter work!
I launched my freelance copywriter business in 2015 and my experience has been intensely rewarding (albeit with a few ups and downs). I have met some wonderful people and written about so many interesting topics, and managed to make a comfortable living.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clea Jones is an award-winning freelance copywriter who has created content for hundreds of brands for the last 15 years. Her greatest success is having the flexibility to be home for her kids while also enjoying a 6-figure+ income.