Starting a copywriting business of your own can be a dream, but one that you can realize. The good news is that you don’t need a degree or decades of experience to begin. With the right steps, anyone who has an enthusiasm for writing can build a rewarding career for themselves in copywriting.
Many people today seek flexible ways to make money, and copywriting has become one of the most desired options. You can do it anywhere, write for different industries, and get good paychecks doing something you love. If you’ve ever asked yourself how to start a copywriting business, then keep reading.
Let’s take it step by step on how to begin and excel at copywriting.
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What is Copywriting and Why is it so High in Demand?
Copywriting is the art of selling words. It could be scripting ads, emails, social media, product copy, or website content. The goal is to make readers do something — like buy, sign up, or click on a link.
As businesses now sell online more than ever in the past, they need good copy to get noticed and get people to buy from them. This is why professional copywriters are in such demand. A good copywriter can really help a business grow, and because of this, businesses are willing to pay top dollars for such an offering.
Read Also – 10 Essential Copywriting Skills Every Writer Needs to Master
Who Can Start a Copywriting Business
The short answer is — anyone. You don’t have to be a good writer or have marketing background. If you can write well, understand people’s needs, and learn selling through words, you can start a copywriting business.
The majority of successful copywriters today started with no experience. They just learned the basics, practiced a lot, and offered services to small businesses or internet clients. With time, they grew their business and income.
What Exactly Does A Copywriter Do?
In the spirit of copywriting for beginners, this query “what exactly does a copywriter do” has been one of the most common questions at all copywriting sessions.
A copywriter writes copies for emails, advertisements, landing pages, sales pages, do A/B split tests on existing copies, social media copy (e.g. LinkedIn posts, Medium, Twitter, Facebook, etc), web pages, case studies, industry reports, web copies, presentations, video scripts, headlines, product descriptions Lead magnets, etc.
The purpose of these copies is to be optimized in a well-guided way so that they can lead the searcher towards taking some action. This means that these copies are optimized in such a way that they lead a reader towards taking an action.
Apart from making copies, they also research, Interview, Edit written copies for grammatical mistakes, Proofread, source pictures, use conversion elements example; social proof, sense of urgencies, emotion-triggering words, etc.
With all these, how do you then start a copywriting business?
Also Read – Copywriting for Beginners: 10 Simple Exercises to Improve Copywriting Skills
How to Start Copywriting Business in Simple Steps
Now that you know what copywriting is, let’s go on to the steps in starting your own copywriting business.
1. Learn the Basics of Copywriting
Spend some time learning about the basics before you start selling your services. There are free and paid websites that outline the copywriting process. Look up blogs, courses, or YouTube tutorials that are beginner-friendly to teach you how to write engaging content.
Good topics to learn are:
- Writing headlines that get the readers’ attention
- Writing for different mediums (email, web, social media)
- Understanding your audience
- Using calls-to-action (CTA) to guide the reader
Learning in copywriting is never over. The more you learn, the better you get.
2. Select a Niche to Specialize In
Even though you can write for any kind of industry, picking a niche makes you unique. A niche is a type of business or industry you like writing for. For example:
- Health and fitness
- E-commerce products
- Real estate
- Technology startups
- Beauty and cosmetics
Don’t work on several niches simultaneously. Focus on a single niche and master it. Experts are believed by clients more and receive more money for their expertise.
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3. Create a Simple Portfolio
Your portfolio shows your work. Even if you don’t have clients yet, you can create mock sample projects to show your writing style.
Write a mock sample like:
- A sales page for a skincare product
- A promotion email for an online course
- A Facebook ad for a clothing firm
Put these samples into a Google Doc or create a simple site on free sites like Wix or Carrd. Having a good portfolio makes you more likely to gain clients.
4. Create Your Online Presence
Let people know that you’re in the copywriting business. Start with the following:
- Create a LinkedIn profile and include your services
- Create a Facebook or Instagram business page
- Join freelance websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or PeoplePerHour
- Join Facebook groups of business owners or freelancers
Being visible online makes it simple for potential customers to see you. Always inform others what you do and how you can help businesses grow through copywriting.
5. Start Looking for Your First Clients
Obtaining your first client might get you anxious, but it is quite achievable. Start small and target:
- Friends or family members who run small businesses
- Local businesses or service providers
- Business owners on the internet who might need assistance
Send a straightforward message such as:
“Hi [Name], I saw your website/social media would do with some new content. I am a novice copywriter and would appreciate your assistance. May I send a free sample or a proposal?”
Be courteous, kind, and willing to begin with small jobs. As you build experience, you can increase your price and deal with bigger clients.
6. Do Great Work and Ask for Testimonials
Do your best when you receive a break. Turn in work promptly, do what you’re told, and fix any errors they request. After you’ve completed the work, ask for a testimonial.
Testimonials make you more credible and generate more clients. You can use these in your portfolio or website.
7. Set Your Rates and Build Your Business
When you start, there is no issue with charging low for experience. But when your skills grow, start hiking up your fees. Bill for the worth your writing provides.
- You may bill by:
- Project
- Word count
- Hour
- Monthly retainer (for returning clients)
Keep on learning, developing, and networking with customers. Down the line, your copywriting venture can be a full-time income stream.
Read Also – How to Become a Marketing Content Writer in 2025 in 5 Simple Steps
How Much Can You Earn from Copywriting?
One of the biggest attractions of copywriting is the pay. You can earn $20 to $50 per job as a new copywriter, but you can charge hundreds, even thousands, of dollars per project as you get established and better.
For example, writing a landing page or email series can earn you anywhere from $100 to $1,000 depending on the client and the value your writing is providing.
Many copywriters earn part-time income as a secondary source, while others are doing it as a full-time job and earning six figures annually.
What Skills Do You Need to Start a Copywriting Business?
You don’t need to be perfect, but you will require some fundamental abilities:
- Writing skills – You need to be able to write in plain and clear language that easily registers with individuals.
- Persuasion – Copywriting is about persuading individuals to do something, so you must understand what drives them.
- Research – You must learn how to research topics and what you need to deliver to your target audience.
- Basic grammar – Your work must be error-free and tidy if you need clients.
- Listening and communication – These allow you to understand what clients require and deliver it accordingly.
As you go along, you can boost your proficiency by watching copywriting books, YouTube tutorials, and working on yourself regularly.
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What Tools Do You Need to Begin a Copywriting Business?
To begin your copywriting business, you don’t need a lot of equipment. Some fundamentals will suffice:
- A laptop or a smartphone
- A reliable internet connection
- Google Docs or Microsoft Word
- Grammarly for spelling and grammar checks
- Email account to handle clients
- Canva (optional) to create simple graphics if the need arises
These simple tools can help you write, edit, and send your work to clients in a professional manner.
What Mistakes to Steer Clear Of as a New Copywriter?
In your first days, try your best to avoid these errors:
- Undercharging – Know your worth and don’t be afraid to raise your rate as you improve.
- Accepting every job – Not every client is worth it. Decline bad offers.
- Poor communication – Always reply to messages and make things clear if unsure.
- Missing deadlines – Keep to deadlines. It builds you trust and a good reputation.
How Can You Stay Motivated as a Beginner?
Starting something new can be daunting at times. You may doubt yourself or get stuck. To stay motivated:
- Get inspired by following other copywriters online
- Track your progress and enjoy the small wins
- Develop daily writing as a routine
- Motivate yourself by putting a reason why you started into perspective
Success as a copywriter comes from practice and steadiness, rather than perfection.
Also Read – How to Build Backlinks For Free: A Step-by-Step Guide
Can You Start a Copywriting Business With No Experience?
Yes, you can. Most successful copywriters started without experience. What they had was a desire to learn and the courage to start.
You don’t have to wait for the “right time” or perfect skills. Start small, learn fast, and grow in the process. The journey is more than worth the risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree to start a copywriting business?
No, you do not. The majority of good copywriters are self-educated. What matters more is that you can write and sell using words.
Do I need a website to start my copywriting business?
You do not need one, but having a simple website or portfolio site makes you look professional and earn the confidence of clients.
How long does it take to be a good copywriter?
It varies. If you practice and study regularly, you can start getting paid assignments within a few months. Building a strong business takes 6–12 months or more.
Which niche do I specialize in for copywriting?
Choose a niche that fascinates you, like health, technology, or fashion. Niche specialization helps you stand out and attract better-paying clients.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy writing and would love to be able to do it from anywhere, then yes — starting a copywriting business is a great idea. You can work part-time, full-time, or as a supplementary income. You set your hours, choose your clients, and build at your own speed.
Just remember that the beginning can be slow. But with passion, patience, and spirit of learning, you can build a successful business on what you really love.
So, what are you waiting for? Start learning, make your first duplicates, and take the first step towards your dream copywriting venture today!