Make money online as a copywriter: 10 tips from a professional

Earning money online as a copywriter is not only possible, but can be a very lucrative career. When I first started learning about copywriting, I was surprised at how many ways there were to get paid for it. So I decided to delve deeper into the best resources to see what strategies work best for those looking to break into this world. After analyzing the top 30 Google search results for the query “Get paid for copywriting,” I found that many sites offer valuable ideas and practical advice on how to start making money from copywriting – whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your existing business.

How I got started in copywriting

When I started, I had no idea that copywriting could be such a flexible and lucrative field. I imagined working long hours at an advertising agency, writing commercials or perhaps drafting sales letters. But then when I started exploring the possibilities, I realized that there are many different paths that you can take depending on your interests and skills, as well as changing directions at will rather than depending on the specialization of the company you work for.
From freelancing on popular platforms to contacting companies directly, the options are endless. Let me tell you about what I discovered.

1. Freelancing platforms: The path to copywriting

Freelancing sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com are a great place to start. They offer easy access to a wide range of assignments, and you can build a client base with relatively little upfront effort. When I first created my profile on Fiverr, I optimized it by adding strong keywords and examples of my work. This is one of the most important SEO strategies for freelancers – your profile needs to stand out in search results.

Key tips for success:

• Create a clear, engaging profile: Your profile should emphasize your strengths and include relevant examples. Think of it as your landing page.
• Focus on small orders at first: In the beginning, I aimed for small, short-term projects to build up feedback. Over time, I switched to larger projects that pay better.
• Set competitive rates: In the beginning, I set lower rates to gain credibility, but gradually increased them as my portfolio expanded.

Hundreds of directions to suit any skill set:

2. Content mills: Not glamorous, but effective

If you’re just looking to get started, platforms like Textbroker or iWriter will provide you with steady work. While the pay here isn’t the highest (often starting at $0.01 per word), it can be a great place to gain experience and practice writing on a tight deadline. Early in my career, when I was still a student, I spent several months writing for content mills to get a feel for the pace and expectations of clients.

While I don’t recommend sticking around for too long, it’s a useful starting point to practice your craft and earn your first few dollars.

3. Niche job boards

One of the gems I discovered during my research is niche-specific job boards. Sites like ProBlogger, Freelance Writing Gigs, and Content Writing Jobs offer higher quality copywriting jobs, often posted directly by companies. These jobs generally pay more, especially if you have experience or specialize in areas such as SEO, copywriting for e-commerce, or email marketing.

Why choose niche job boards?

• Quality over quantity: These platforms tend to have higher quality clients who are specifically looking for qualified copywriters.
• Targeted jobs: You’ll find more specialized jobs that match your knowledge and experience, which will earn you higher rates.

I remember the first job I got on ProBlogger – it paid $300 for a detailed article. Not bad for a few hours of work, right?

4. Cold pitching: Direct appeal

Cold pitching is a method I was hesitant to try at first. It seemed intimidating to me, but it turned out to be one of the most profitable ways to attract clients. After studying a few of the best sites, I learned how to compose customized emails that didn’t look like spam, but on the contrary, demonstrated a sincere interest in the client’s business.

The key is to thoroughly research the company, understand its needs, and offer specific solutions through your copywriting services. Once I understood how to do this, I managed to attract several long-term clients this way, including a medical technology startup that I’m still working with today.

Tips from the pros on cold pitching:

• Personalization is crucial: Mention something specific about the business and how you can add value.
• Follow up: Often one email will not get a response. Polite follow-up emails can greatly improve your chances of getting a client.

5. Copywriting agencies: High standards, high pay

If you’re looking for full-time work without the hassle of finding clients, working with a copywriting agency can be a great option. Agencies such as Express Writers and Copify offer freelance copywriters permanent projects, but require a high level of skill.

When I started looking for agencies, I realized that having a strong portfolio and a deep understanding of SEO and conversion optimization is essential. Agencies tend to pay more because they often deal with high-end clients who need well-researched and compelling texts.

6. Self-publishing on Medium and Substack

One strategy I discovered during my research that surprised me was guest posting on different blogs and self-publishing on platforms like Medium or Substack. Both of these platforms allow writers to monetize their content directly through paid subscriptions or affiliate programs.

When I started publishing on Medium, I didn’t expect much. But over time, by optimizing my articles with the right keywords, adding value to them, and promoting them on social media, I started to make a profit. The key here is consistency and audience engagement. Quick indexing and possible top search engine rankings are invaluable benefits of this method. By creating an engaged audience, your articles will be able to generate revenue over time.

7. Specialize in a profitable niche

One of the best tips I’ve found on various blogs is niche specialization. Whether it’s copywriting for SaaS, email marketing, or writing for financial companies, becoming a specialist can help you raise your hourly rate and get you much higher payouts. For example, I shifted my focus to writing for B2B SaaS companies and saw my rates nearly triple.

Niche examples:

• Tech and SaaS: Many tech companies need specialist writers who can explain complex products clearly.
• Finance: Financial copywriting is in demand, especially for blogging, email marketing, and writing.
• Health and Wellness: A growing industry that is always in need of quality, credible content.

Look at how much articles cost on Constant Content, a platform where the buyers are large companies, entrepreneurs and bloggers:

8. Scaling up with SEO copywriting

Content is still King! SEO copywriting is a skill that pays off not only for clients, but also for your own business. Being able to write text that ranks high on Google is an invaluable asset. In my early days, I took the time to learn SEO best practices, and that knowledge allowed me to land high-paying clients who needed optimized content.

Basic SEO tactics:

• Keyword research: Utilizing tools like Ubersuggest and Ahrefs to find high-traffic, low-competition keywords.
• Optimized formatting: Headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs make your content more readable and SEO-friendly.
• Internal and external linking: Linking to other relevant content both on and off your site helps improve SEO rankings.

9. Scale your copywriting business

Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram can help you connect with potential clients. Share your expertise by posting helpful tips, case studies, or writing samples. This can position you as a copywriting authority and attract business owners in need of your services.

• Connect with business owners and marketing professionals on LinkedIn.
• Join Facebook groups for freelancers, entrepreneurs or business owners, where job openings are often posted.
• Use Twitter to follow brands and companies that need copywriters and participate in discussions about their content.

Once you’ve established a steady stream of clients, think about how to scale your business to generate even more revenue. Here are a few strategies:

• Build a team: Hire other writers to help you tackle larger projects.
• Offer value-added services: Offer related services such as content strategy, social media management or email marketing.
• Create digital products: Some copywriters create courses, eBooks or other digital products to diversify revenue streams.

10. Courses and certificates

Investing in copywriting courses can provide not only knowledge, but credibility. Programs like Copyhackers or AWAI (American Writers & Artists Inc.) will teach you the art of persuasive copywriting and how to write in a way that converts.

When I took an email copywriting course, it greatly improved my ability to sell with words. It opened up more high-paying opportunities to write email sequences, product launches and sales pages.

Conclusion: My journey into copywriting

My journey into copywriting has been nothing less than fruitful. By exploring different methods such as freelancing, cold pitching and SEO, I was able to find a niche for myself and steadily increase my income over time.

If you’re just starting out, the most important thing is to remain patient and persistent. Build your portfolio, learn new skills, and always look for ways to add value to your clients. When you create a Name for yourself, clients will seek you out on their own and you will choose what to write about and how much you should be paid. Copywriting is a skill that can take you far, but it’s all about constantly improving and finding what works best for you.

Our reader’s words and a short message:

If this sounds too good to be true, believe me, I felt the same way at first. I felt guilty about raking in cash just by writing online. Then I remembered the catty office politics and the long commute every day that I left behind, and I began to change my thinking to enjoy all the freedom and empowerment I am now experiencing at home.