What is Copywriting and How to Make Money From it Online?

Copywriting is a frequently-used term these days. But do you know you can make money out of it online? Becoming a freelance copywriter allows you to work not just from home but anywhere in the world. Before exploring the methods to become a successful online copywriter, it's essential to know what is copywriting and why it's a multi-million dollar industry.

What is copywriting?

Copywriting involves writing promotional materials that convince your readers to take action. This action can be to engage or opt for a service or buy a product of a specific brand. You should consider the job role of a copywriter similar to a salesperson. But instead of convincing the potential customer by interacting verbally, you need to use your writing skills. You must have excellent knowledge of the product or service for which you need to create content. This will help to come up with catchy phrases that attract your target audience's attention instantly.

You will often come across copywriters' work on ads, emails, websites, sales pages, how-to guides, brochures, billboards, blog posts, and press releases. Copywriting content also varies according to the medium for which you are writing. For example, the writing style for a press release should be different from the content you write for a billboard. You need to keep these factors in mind to become a standout copywriter.

Skills to become a copywriter

Now that you know what is copywriting, here are some of the skills that you should acquire before becoming an online copywriter:

• Stellar writing skills – Remember, you will write to sell. It's literally impossible to become successful if you don't have good writing skills. If writing doesn't come to you naturally, copywriting may not be your cup of tea.
• An eye for detail – This is where your knowledge of the product or service proves crucial. The more you learn about the product, the better you can describe it to your target audience. This also helps you deliver error-free content.
• An inquisitive mind – Don't hesitate to be curious about your subject. It helps to ask questions that your target audience may have. Once you get those answers, you can write better content.
  Impeccable research skills – Curiosity and research skills go hand in hand in copywriting. You have to research what makes the content relatable to your audience. It also allows you to grasp your audience's perspective.

How much money does a freelance copywriter make online?

This is probably the question that you want an answer to before figuring out how to become a copywriter. Well, there is no definite answer. A freelance copywriter doesn't have a fixed salary unless a company hires you. This also gives you the freedom to earn much more than a salaried income. Freelancing means you can work for anyone. That's why some freelance copywriters make $30,000 a year while others make more than $2,000,000. There is no doubt that this profession can be lucrative. But it's up to you how you work and how much time you dedicate to this profession.

Moreover, your income also depends on your skills and experience. Any company would feel hesitant to pay a huge amount to a first-time copywriter instead of an experienced one. You can't expect to make hundreds of thousands of dollars from your first year if you don't have enough experience in this job.

How to become a copywriter and make money online?

1. Identify your niche

What product or service are you most comfortable with? Find the answer to identify your niche. It keeps you interested in studying the topics you write on. You can later explore other niches to widen your scope to earn more.

2. Acquire copywriting skills

Enroll in an online course on copywriting to know the rules and guidelines for copywriting content. It helps to familiarize yourself with different subjects quickly instead of researching thoroughly every time.

3. Hone your skills

Don't rush to make money. Start by writing copywriting content for friends or relatives' companies. Consider this as the stepping stone to make it big in the copywriting world. It gives you the experience to write good content for reputable companies.

4. Build an online presence

Develop your copywriting website. You can start promoting yourself via social media initially. Tell your friends, school and college mates, and relatives to suggest your service if anyone needs copywriting services. You can invest in SEO services to ensure that your website appears on the first page of search engines when people in your area need content.

5. Ask for feedback

Request your clients to leave honest feedback on your website. Share the reviews on your social media profile. This would also improve your online presence on search engines.

Learning what is copywriting and implementing these skills are totally different. You must hone your skills regularly to gain experience in this field and make the kind of money you dream of.