How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

I'm going to try and become an expert in copywriting in 30 days. I'm leaving my website and other projects to one side for the time being as well.

Is copywriting a good source of income?

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Good luck with that one Captain. Yes, the income is great... You have ZERO experience and think it only takes thirty days to learn, and then land high paying clients!!! Alrighty then... how exactly do you plan on doing this? Keep us posted.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

You have an ambitious plan. You can read a lot of copywriting
books and information in 30 days but you learn by DOING
and that is the tough part time-wise. Copywriting is not
just knowledge but a skill you develop.

Great to have a plan anyway. Most people don't.

-Ray Edwards

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Well from what I've seen posted around here you should easily be able to learn enough copywriting in 30 days to charge $150. If it sucks you can just tell people you tried hard and you're learning...

:rolleyes:

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Have you ever noticed? When someone sets an aggressive goal, the "You-Can't-Do-That!" crowd rushes in and tries to crush your dream.

Thankfully, you don't need the permission of others to succeed.

The fact is, you CAN do it.

PM me if you need further encouragement or tips on how to accomplish your goal.

Alex

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

I believe you can learn anything to do with Internet Marketing from scratch within 30 days and earn some kind of money. I didn't say high paying yet though as that obviously takes more time. Any type of client will be good as I'm making no real money right now.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

I'm going to send you a very short PM with some ideas you can implement. Obviously, your time and talent level is going to have an impact on how well you implement these ideas.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Yep, good thing copywriting is based on results and not opinions. I say go for the glory! But you don't need my approval either.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

There's a difference between aggressive and foolishly unrealistic. I'll let you guess which this is.

OP, writing good copy is an art and takes damn hard work. Just like you don't get a physique like yours in a month of hitting the gym, you don't become an expert copywriter in 30 days.

Now, I'm all for positive thinking and overcoming limiting beliefs. But it's obvious you're only in this for the money, which is the worst way to approach this discipline.

Writing copy is not an easy job, unless you're crazy talented or are in love with it. There are easier fields to go into (generating traffic as an affiliate, for example).

If you love copy and want to know everything about it, go nuts. But seeing as I can tell from your post this isn't the case, I'd advise against it, for your own sake.

-Daniel

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

The first letter I wrote with the specific intention of making a sale, I made $15,000.

You can do it. You absolutely can.

- Rick Duris

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Not to pour cold water on your ambition...

Daniel is right however.

Yes you can learn a great deal about copywriting in 30 days.

Yes you can achieve success in copywriting in 30 days.

But no, you won't become an expert in 30 days.

All of the top guys here are learning about copywriting all the time.

Each of them have put into their craft well in excess of 10,000 hours. In many cases decades of their time.

This isn't a business where you can start from scratch to go on to become an expert in 30 days - period.

A year maybe. If you devote every single waking hour to learning everything you can about this business.

Most likely though a minimum of two years at least. Not part time hours mind you. I'm talking full time hours, literally from the second you wake up in the morning, until the second you go to sleep 7 days a week, month in, month out.

Then you might, with the emphasis being on might - you might become an expert copywriter but please don't bank on it.

There is no push button easy solution to learning how to become an expert in copywriting.

There are no shortcuts.

If you want to truly become a knowledgeable expert in copywriting, you're going to have to pull out every stop possible for at least the next year or two to even remotely, to even possibly make this happen.

This is not to say you cannot become a damn good copywriter in a much shorter period of time. Anything is possible.

I just don't believe you should delude yourself too quickly or set for yourself unrealistic unattainable goals at the beginning of the process to become a respected copywriter in your own right.

Good luck in your endeavor!

Smoking hot,


Mark Andrews

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Its all about how determine you are to succeed. I started my copywriting firm in June with zero experience and never once worked in a creative or advertising agency. I learnt everything from scratch.

Its also about how you sell yourself. My first deal came a week after I told my biz contacts that I am running a copywriting firm. I charged $1,500 for that deal, a 5 page web content. 6 months down, I estimated my average deal to be $2000 and above.

Start by selling yourself, your service. Meet with as many prospect as possible and learn what makes people buy. If you can sell, you can write copy because essentially, it's all about selling in print.

Someone once told me:"learn how to sell, because if you can sell, you can sell anything".

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

By all means, go for it! Copywriting, like any soft skill, relies much more on innate talent than those who sell high priced courses would care to admit. I promise you that after just 30 days, Halbert and Bencivenga churned out copy that would outperform that of 99% of writers with 10,000 hours of experience. The only way to find out if you're a natural is to give it a shot yourself!

My first copy project was a space ad in a local paper, written 12 years ago. It outperformed the previous one, which was created by a highly regarded agency, by a significant margin. My only training was a copy of Dan Kennedy's "The Ultimate Sales Letter." and Caples "Tested Advertising Methods." I've had my share of bombs since then, but that first success was all it took to launch my career.

All the best!

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

You can learn enough about copywriting in 30 days to make money at it, whether you're writing copy for yourself or for an unsophisticated client.

But to become an expert, no. That's a ridiculous overreach.

If you can't play the guitar now, do you think you can match the greats by practicing your fingers off for 30 days?

If you can't run a mile now, would you expect to be able to run a marathon in 30 days?

If you can't speak French now at all, do you think you would be able to give a speech in French in 30 days?

Learning just doesn't work like this. Mastery takes time.

You can be realistic and ambitious at the same time. That's what I recommend.

Marcia Yudkin

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Being an expert is overrated. Akin to being "facile with words."

- Rick Duris

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

As Marcia said, you can make money in copywriting in 30 days. Just don't expect to become an A-list writer.

However, I always say reach for the sky. Then if you only reach the top of the mountain you've still achieved something.

Most people only aim for the mountain and are lucky to reach the first floor of a building.

It's hard work. And most people don't want to do it.

When I took on a coach at the beginning of my copywriting career, he gave me a task to do on the first day:

That task was to write out three long form sales letters, thrice each, by the time we spoke the next day. These letters were around 15 pages each. Tightly packed.

When he asked me the next day if I'd done it, I said I did. And it was true.

I sat down and wrote and wrote and wrote, until I finished the task.

I had cramps in my fingers several times. But I didn't give up.

And you know what?

He was surprised. He actually asked, "Really?"

I knew then others don't. Or at least, the majority don't.

I also did the Gary Halbert course he held in 1996. (No, I wasn't there. I wish I was).

I did the course at home.

I set everything up: CD player, desk, plenty of writing paper and pens.

I did that course from morning till night each day.

I finished in three days.

And I've done this with plenty of other courses.

And in a very short time, I've had some positive comments from some of the best marketers and copywriters in the world...

And made some decent cash with my copy.

My rates for writing?

Not always the same, but very decent.

So go for it.

Give it your best shot.

Very least you can do is be better than you are now.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

You have to start or nothing will happen.

Give it your maximum effort.

But just so you know - a great copywriting education costs a lot of money and takes time. Even if you're fantastically gifted you'll still need to know a huge range of techniques.

And you can only get them by buying and studying all the best material.

I quickly added up the costs of all my books, courses, cd's and dvd's as well as all the seminars over the years and the grand total is well over $130,000.

And I still buy more stuff.

So...

Starting from scratch you learn the "basics" in a month.

Find a client and write them some copy.

6, 12, 18 months later that copy would now be dramatically better.

5, 10, 15 years later it'll be phenomenal.

So, the kicker question is - what's your income going to be like when you're a beginner?

And the answer is - it gets higher as you get better.

To be realistic, it's not a get rich quick business.

It's more of a lifetime passion.


Steve

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

If you're starting from zero background in copywriting, then it's going to be tough to reach expert level in 30 days. Experience-wise, you'll need more than 30 days to get there.

I went from 0 clients to full-time in 6 weeks when I started my copywriting business BUT I had already been studying and writing copy for 13 years at that point. So I already had a pretty deep foundation of knowledge and experience when I opted to hang my copywriting shingle.

Anyways... I say go for it and keep challenging yourself to get better in every facet of the game everyday.

Good luck,

Mike

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

130k?!!?

Have you earned that back in clients?

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Michael,

I can't speak for Steve but I bet the answer is yes.

I can however speak for myself... I have also spent right around the exact same number over the last eight years. And I still buy stuff just as he does. And in doing so I've made that back many many many many times from clients.

Your response seems to indicate you might be apprehensive about spending money to educate yourself. If you want to become a master, don't skimp on education.

Just so you know, my intent in my earlier post was not to pee in your Cheerios. It's great to have goals and go for it. But when I hear the word "expert" that means you would have the ability to charge what many of us here do. If after 30 days you cannot, don't quit, keep going, and re-evaluate how to get there.

Hell, the letter I wrote last week I charged 10k for and I do not call myself an expert compared to the guys who command 30k per letter. We're a crazy bunch (speaking for myself) and it takes a special breed to do this stuff.

We always keep learning and growing and we're nut's enough to love what we do.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Michael,

I've been in the wonderful world of copywriting for a while (28 years) so yes, it's been a fabulous investment.


Steve

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Thanks for the reply.

I'm willing to put the effort into copy-writing just to make around atleast $5k a month. I shouldn't have used the word expert really I'm just looking for a relatively consistent way of making money.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

...if I was starting all over again, I would concentrate entirely on Flyers and Postcards.

If you want, PM me for my "secret formula" which makes them work like magic, creating excellent profits for your clients, which means with a bit of effort and technique you can easily earn your $5k plus a month.


Steve

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

You can shortcut the whole learning process by grabbing
a Yellow Pages ad which made a plumber an xtra
$180,000 year on year over his old ad.

Go out and sell the result of a proven ad.

Best,
Ewen

P.S. Same ad with tweak for electrician brings in an
extra $30,000 a month for him. He lives in another country.
Just use a proven ad and sell it's results.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Good for you. Only concentrate on this and pretty soon you will be making hundreds off of the people who are saying that your goal is impossible.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

"If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it
away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best
interest." - Benjamin Franklin

I love that quote. Ben Franklin had a man-purse, and you should too.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Great goals spur men to greatness.

The thing is...what will you do after 30 days?

Throw in the towel and call copywriting the fakest thing since Kim Kardashian's rear?

Beat yourself up for not being able to do great things in 30 days?

Change goals and follow the next shiny object, "copywriting is great, but this is GREATER!!"

Continue learning, writing, testing, failing and succeeding???

What happens next, what happens after 30 days?...

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

I made 6 figures with my own products before I even knew what the hell copywriting is.

I was following rules I didn't even know existed.

If you want to start making REAL money sooner, rather than later...

...dig deep into the human emotional psyche.

Connect, connect, connect.

Mark

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Pure Gold this thread.

Which sales letters would you guys recommend for a newbie to write longhand?

Thanks Rob.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

@robkinn: Check out this list from Ryan McGrath's website. It's a list of the exact sales letters Gary Halbert recommended that everyone who was interested in learning how to write solid copy write out longhand.

OP, you have an incredibly ambitious goal. I definitely respect that. That level of ambition is pretty uncommon (outside this forum). Becoming an "expert" copywriter is an admirable goal, and you will, if you practice over a long enough time period.

However, it's important to keep something else in mind. As long as you're better than your clients (i.e., your writing brings in more results than theirs can), you can still charge them for your services. Copywriting is a valuable skill, and it will become increasingly more valuable as you keep writing and learning.

If you (or anyone else) wants a systematic plan to improve your copy in a short time, I recommend you check out Gary Halbert's "Hands On Experience" issue of his newsletter. You can find it here.

A ton of work, but the dues you have to pay if you want to be the best.

Good luck,

-Corey J. Pemberton

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

30 days almost up. Any update?

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

If you have a background in sales or at least have an understanding of how the sales process works you may be able to put together a decent sales letter in 30 days.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

You're ambitious my man. Just an FYI, no one "becomes" an expert in 30 days, or 30 years even. It's a continuous process. My advice, pick a niche and stick with it, something you're an expert in. If you're already an expert in the content, all you have to become an expert in is the writing. I'd suggest a good copywriting course (Free one) but it would probably get my post deleted.

-Good luck.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Not an expert as most predicted but I have managed to nail down 3 clients. 2 of which have already paid me $500 between them and one that is going to pay $100 for a sales letter but it's all experience so I'm not too worried about the price right now.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

I havent read anyone elses posts, but I will tell you that some of the best writers I know have been GREAT writers (well ahead of the curve) from a very young age. I think it's kind of like being an artist...you CAN teach yourself, but the very best folks have it in their blood. Also, if you're writing ad copy, you also need to be a good salesman on top of having great writing....I find this to be a rare combo. This is why alot of business people hire professional writers.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

My experience tells me that most copywriters cannot make a decent income solely with it. They want to, but there is just not enough demand out there. It is difficult to get clients.

The vast majority of biz owners don't see the need. They don't think the words in their advertising are important. Esp for the large fees copywriters charge. There are better things to spend their marketing dollars on, in their mind.

Because of this there are few high income copywriters. I dont care what kind of pitch you get from the "make it big in copywriting" book and course sellers, and copywriters who want you to think they are successful. They are all "selling the dream".

I'll get hammered here for this. Just callin' it as I sees it. Too many marketing peeps (and marketing writers) with there heads in the clouds.

NTL

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

And what experience would that be, pray tell?

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

My experience is the complete opposite. I talk to small business owners and Fortune 500 marketing directors every day. They are crying for good writers that know how to sell.

That's the key. What you say may be true for content or article writers. I don't know.

I do know if you can write to sell there's enough work for you until doomsday. Or until the Lakers start looking like a championship team again, whichever comes first.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Lots of these big-name copywriters will be shouting out at newbies about how you can be rich, making 100,000 bux a sales letter.

I've only been in the business 2 or 3 years, but I'm only making $50,000 a year. So maybe I'm doing something wrong. Then again, I live in Asia and only work 4 hours a day, so I don't have the economic pressure that many people in the states do.

Regardless, sustaining yourself via copywriting is completely feasible. But it's not a secure job. Some months you'll be raking in over $10,000 in projects, while others will leave you feeling unemployed.

I'd like to know the influx/outflux of people in this profession. I imagine those who are looking for stability leave pretty early.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Michael, when I started copywriting, I spent several months diving in and out of self-help courses and books. My first real copywriting course was apparently claiming I could make $50,000 a year - It was based on the AIDA formula and had a 'Power copywriting' module with it that contained a template for a sales letter. I finished both courses in a week and it gave me a VERY basic grounding in copywriting.

My first ever REAL copywriting (not content writing) paid out $1300 (but I will stress here that I wrote a 40 page ebook, sales letter and 5 articles for that price) for 2 weeks work.

I put a lot of work into it, and for someone who was struggling back then, it was a lot of money.

Looking back, the number of hours I put into that is about half of what I put into a sales letter now.

The original crash course I took in copywriting was NOTHING compared to the 6 month intensive I did while being coached by a top copywriter...I do the entire sales funnel now and even though I've had some excellent conversion rates, made my clients a LOT of money and worked with agencies and mostly B2B clients, it's been a continual learning experience.

I NEVER stop learning.

True mastery comes from a hunger to be better, to know more, learn more and do more.

Expert in 30 days? I doubt it, but then who am I to judge?

Pretty decent and making good money? Absolutely

I echo the others here - you don't master any craft in 30 days, but you can certainly make a lot of money...

I've PM'd you with a link you will find useful to get a LOT of clients quickly...

Best of luck to you!

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

It's important to position yourself so business comes to you.

I think it's also beneficial to be able to sell yourself, to go out and get the business, especially in the beginning years. Doug D'Anna covers it pretty well in this interview with Mike Humphreys:
Market Your Copy and Doug D'Anna Exclusive Interview

There's also some good discussion on approaching business owners here:
http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...g-clients.html

...and good stuff here like, "This is a game of perception and positioning. You have to be confident and make your pitch. It doesn't matter if you have experience (really, even if you have skill) as long as you have balls YOU WILL SELL some people. ":
http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...ting-copy.html

In the end, it's like starting any other business--it takes guts, persistence, constant education and hard work.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

That is par for the course for any entrepreneur, unless they have a good marketing channel in place. The variability is not specific to copywriting. Having been self-employed for over 35 years, I can assure you that marketing is important.

Even if the marketing is in place, positioning also plays a huge part. The "Mom and Pop business" target market has very different needs (and budgets) than larger businesses, which affects income.

It's not the copywriting occupation itself that is the problem (as NeverTooLate alleges), because opportunities are everywhere. If someone isn't making it as a copywriter, then the problems are going to be in copywriting skills or business marketing. It's simply a business, and needs to be run like one.

As Arfasaira points out, it's also a continual process of learning and experience. Like she did, I am also going through a 6-month intensive, because of the value it adds. The learning will never stop.

The point is - 30 days is just a starter, and the learning will (or should) never stop. With the other elements in place, the income can be good to excellent, but if you want to be an entrepreneur (as opposed to an agency employee), expect your business to be like a wheelbarrow: if you dont push it, it doesn't go.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Years ago when I started doing stand-up comedy part-time in the mid 90s the mantra was (and is) "get as much stage time as possible" to get good. The first few years I did a show six or seven nights a week in every comedy club, gin joint and strip club in the SF Bay area.

My comrades and I had paid our dues but the manager of the big local comedy club told us, "You guys are good. But you have no idea how much you have to learn." Boy was he right. I think copywriting is probably similar.

Did I just use the term "gin joint?"

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Tell us a joke, Joe.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Couple hours curled up with a copywriting book at Barnes & Noble....

...just a guess.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Here is what you can try: rewrite advertising, because you could do it better. Become aware of all the copy around you. Just for fun, and to get some writing samples, rewrite some of it. If this gives you a real buzz, and you find it easy. Most copy is basic and uninspired.

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

I think Rick just gave me a boner. :O

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

I'd say your reaction time is lacking...check the date:smilies_rolleyes:

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

Okay well this should be fun.

I am an okay creative writer, turned to copywriting. In the last two weeks actually. My method is really simple. First of all I sell a few (3 per day maybe) 300 word sales letters on Fiverr... yeah yeah laugh it up. Today I worked for a Messianic Jewish charity, an MLM marketer selling get rich quick seminars, and a lady who wrote a pretty neat book about bullying and the signs/effects of that. Why?

Easy... I get feedback. I get straight forward feedback and I work at writing copy. Oddly enough 3 jobs this week have turned from $5 sales into $45 , $150 and $80 sales. I sent them a short version. They liked the sales letter. I sold them a 1000 word version. Yeah it's chump change. But I literally started a fortnight ago. And for me this is the closest to a copywriting school as it gets. I get to write and write and write and when I'm not writing I read. Anything I can find on the process. David Ogilvy and Dan Kennedy videos on YouTube get watched a lot. Rick Duris and his blog CopyRanger is a sweet research resource.

Then I spend a few hours per night with a pen and paper under a lamp in a dark room. And just...........write. Usually headlines. Sometimes chunks of copy.

I think about what I've bought recently and WHY. Why did the sales copy convince me?

I also post some efforts on here. Take the advice, go back, adjust, try again. There's no real point at which you are done with the process I guess? You just start somewhere and keep going. As long as you are moving forward it's fine.

30 days?

Hell a week ago I wrote Great White Seeks Dark Horse as a headline. I feel like shooting MYSELF in the face for that lobotomy.

Just post on here. If people are kind which they are. They will advise you.

If you are smart which I hope you are. You will shut up and listen.

Anyhoo... my 2 cents.

James

Re: How To Make Money Off Copywriting?
 

True love has no time limit :D