Live the Writer’s Life as a Copywriter

Did you get a renewal letter today for any magazines you subscribe to, perhaps offering a discount or free gift?

How about an offer from a bank for a new credit card? (You’re prequalified and eligible for super-low interest rates.)

Maybe your local car dealer is having a sale this weekend and invited you to come by.

All of these pieces were written by copywriters. And copywriting is a career you really ought to consider. Because it is the fastest and easiest way to experience the many benefits of what I call the writer’s life.

That includes having more control over your financial future… Spending more time with your family… Having more time to travel… Having a flexible schedule… Working at home… Living where you want… Working when you want…

I’ll explain how copywriting can help you do all of that in a moment.

But first, let me explain what it is a copywriter does…

Unlike news or editorial writing, copywriting is all about getting the reader to take action.

That action might be to click a link in an e-mail, fill out a form, sign up for a magazine, buy a set of pasta bowls, donate to a local charity, get your city planner to approve a proposal – just about anything.

Copywriting is part of $2.3 trillion industry worldwide. And it gives you two financially valuable opportunities:

  • You can work as a freelance copywriter in your spare time or as a full-time career.
  • You can use the skill to increase the money you’re making from your own business.

Either opportunity puts more coin in your pocket at the end of the day. But today, I’m going to concentrate on the first opportunity, and show you what you can expect if you decide to pursue freelance copywriting as a full- or spare-time career.

First up, how much can a freelance copywriter earn?

It depends a lot on how ambitious you are and how much time you’re willing (or able) to put in. But here are some examples to give you an idea:

Kathleen C has a 9-to-5 “day job” – but she wants to earn extra money for family vacations and to build a nest egg for retirement. So she does copywriting in the evening and on weekends… and makes $25,000 a year. (Although she’s hoping to make $50K this year!)

Eileen C is a stay-at-home single mom. She has two young children to care for, but still manages to find four hours a day for copywriting. She makes $75,000 a year.

For Pam F, copywriting is full-time job. She puts in time not only on the copywriting itself but also on growing her freelance business. She makes over $120,000 a year.

Joshua B is a real go-getter. He not only found that he has a real talent for copywriting, but also that he’s a terrific networker and business developer. He has negotiated lucrative contracts with a number of big companies, and will be making more than $300,000 this year.

You get the idea? The great thing about being a freelance copywriter is that you can adjust how much you work and earn to suit your personal circumstances.

You don’t HAVE to aim to make $100,000 a year or more.

Neither do you HAVE to limit yourself to $100,000.

The decision is yours.

What kind of qualifications do you need to be a copywriter?

None! And this is why I love my job of working with copywriters. I’ve met successful copywriters from many different backgrounds. There is no “mold” when it comes to this career.

You can be 18 or 80.

You can have a Ph.D. or not even a high school diploma.

You can be working as a plumber right now… or as a lawyer… or have no job at all.

You can live in a big city or in a cabin up in the mountains – and you don’t even have to live in the U.S.

All you need is a computer and an Internet connection. And if you have a laptop, you can work while visiting family or friends – and your clients will have no idea that you’re not in your “office.”

Are copywriters still in demand, even with this crazy economy?

Great question. And the quick answer is a resounding YES! Here’s why…

When times are tough, companies will do all kinds of things to reduce costs. They’ll close stores and plants, and let as many employees go as they can.

Even senior-level employees.

But one thing they HAVE to keep doing, if they want to survive, is sell their products or services as effectively as they can.

This means they always need good copywriters.

That said, they might let some of their in-house copywriters go, if they have any. They might do the math and realize that it costs less to hire a good freelancer than it does to pay the salary and benefits of a full-time employee.

But one way or another, companies absolutely HAVE to keep selling.

So even during an economic downturn or recession, good copywriters are still in strong demand.

Can you really learn to be a copywriter simply by taking a course?

It depends on which course you take.

The craft of copywriting CAN be learned from a course. That same course CAN also show you how to get started. It can even help you get your first paying clients.

But you have to choose the right course.

For example, you probably already know about the Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting from American Writers & Artists Inc. (AWAI). It was co-created by Michael Masterson. And it is mandatory for all ETR staff members. I’m partial to it, of course, because I know it inside and out. And I have personally met and worked with hundreds of people who started successful freelance copywriting careers by taking it.

No matter what course you take, though, the fact remains: You don’t need to get a degree or pay a lot of money for expensive training to become a successful freelance copywriter.

If you can write a simple e-mail or letter to a friend, and you like to share ideas with other people… you have all the qualifications you need to become a copywriter.

It doesn’t matter what job you have right now.

It doesn’t matter if you have no job at all.

It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you live.

It doesn’t even matter where your clients are located!

With the Internet, you can work for companies on other continents, if you wish.

You can even conduct your entire business by phone and e-mail.

So if you’ve been thinking about “testing the waters” and taking a step toward learning how to write copy, check out AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting.

I’ve gone ahead and put together a special zero-risk, 30-day “test drive” offer exclusively for Early to Rise readers that’s good ’til May 8. It will allow you to check out the entire program for only $17.

You have all the qualifications you need to become a successful freelance copywriter and start living your own version of the writer’s life.

So if it’s something you want to try, there’s never been a better time.