How Much Do Copywriters Make?

I agree to a point.

The more you can help your clients, the more money EVERYONE makes.

The focus should always be on helping.

However, the whole martyr vibe is ridiculous.

And it does matter how much the copywriter makes.

There's no reason at all to break your own back if there isn't an appropriate exchange of energy = money for skill.

...Another aspect to making lots of money as a copywriter is only engaging in situations where there is a tangible expression of appreciation.

When appreciation is a constant during the collabrative client/copywriter process, there's much more passion and inspiration to draw from that translates into fantastic results.

In essence though, a copywriter makes about as much as he or she thinks they're worth.

When I first started this game, I would bring in about $2,000 a month - working with just one person at a time.

Now that I've converted for people and my confidence is up, I repositioned myself to work with more upscale/high-end entrepreneurs.

One JV alone brings in 5 figures a month.

There's no such thing as a hungry copywriter...

...right?

Your business model and positioning means everything.

How do you charge? (upfront? JV? Both?)

How do you exhibit your value?

How do you produce results - once hired?

JaRyCu, you'll find a goldmine of information in the archives of the forum. You can search it easily. But you'll also benefit from just browsing through and clicking various threads that look interesting. You'll find the answers to your questions and even questions you didn't know you had yet.

There's two routes to choose from:

Option #1: Self-study. See the sticky in this forum on recommended copywriting books. You can do a search on recommended home study courses for copywriting as well. Study them and practice what you learn until you have developed your copywriting skills to the point where you feel ready to start charging for your services.

Keep in mind, a big part of being a successful copywriter is your reputation. If you develop a reputation for delivering poor quality copy or copy that doesn't convert, then you will find it much harder to find clients.

Self-study is also an ongoing process. You will want to keep refining and honing your skills.

Option #2: Mentoring. You can do a search in this forum for recommended copywriting coaches. Mentoring is not cheap but you can get up to speed a lot faster than self-study this way. You can also get your specific questions answered from an experienced copywriter. You can get your copy critiqued by your coach who can tell you where it needs improvement or can be stronger.

Depending on the coach, they may or may not send you client leads.

One final point about being a professional copywriter... you need to develop a thick skin to criticism. The majority of copywriters I've ever met or talked to are big advocates of tough love.

If you think we're tough on people on here sometimes... then you should hear what clients will say if the copy you wrote bombs for them and they are down thousands of dollars in marketing/advertising expense.

When your copy converts well, it's champagne toasts all around. If your copy bombs, then the client may be sizing you up for a public lynching at high noon UNLESS you are able to quickly and calmly determine why it bombed and how it needs to be fixed FAST.

Be prepared to take your lumps early on because it will make you a stronger copywriter in the long run.

Best of luck,

Mike

P.S. If you do decide to become a professional copywriter, then you will definitely want to learn how to get clients for your business. That's the marketing side of the business that 99% of the copywriting books & courses out there don't cover. The A-List, frequently name-dropped top copywriters are all experts at marketing or promoting their services. It's not a coincidence either.

Hi J,

Please don't be insulted - content and copywriting are worlds apart and I should know - I used to be a content writer! But I got sick of being paid peanuts. If you're really fed up of writing for content mills, stop.

Instead, get your teeth into real life ads and brochures and re-write the bad ones (you know the ones that go on forever about how great they are but give the customer no benefits?)

Offer local business owners a free re-write for their ads (and you'll find plenty in the local paper) for the sake of building credibility and your portfolio. Get yourself a website (there are tons of free ones like Wordpress and Weebly) and get your samples up.

You can easily write for local businesses - Last year I did a 6 hour project for a college which paid me $125 an hour - go figure! Commercial writing rates start between $50 and $125 an hour.

PM me for a copy of my Commercial freelancing guide - that will put some serious money in your pocket!

Writing for businesses can mean brochures (you can charge a LOT for these), leaflets, newsletters, reports, presentations, web content etc. Everything but the kitchen sink and NO cheap content writing in sight!

And when I did that for a while (I still do commercial freelancing alongside copywriting) I took a copywriting course with coaching (look up Paul Hancox - I have to say he is brilliant) and that's how I became a copywriter.

And remember to market yourself wisely. I did a one month marketing stint in December last year - I practically spent 4 weeks marketing and not much else...and was booked solid from January to April. Everytime I start to get a little less busy, I market myself that bit more.

I hope that helps!

Care to explain this comment Power88 in your response to Arfa Saira?

Personally... I think your comment above is a load of piffle but there we go.

I'd like to see what your take is on this indepth?

Why is pushing yourself zip to do with anything?


Mark Andrews