Discover how to become a freelance copywriter who works for yourself, has more freedom, and earns 6+ figures.

Interested in learning how to become a copywriter and be your own boss in 2025?

The rise of online entrepreneurship since 2020 has opened doors to more freedom and financial potential. And as traditional workplaces return to the office and go through layoffs, maybe you want to work remotely, boost your income, and take charge of your career’s future.

Freelance copywriting is not just lucrative and flexible, it’s also accessible. You don’t need to go back to school to learn how to become a copywriter and earn 6+ figures.

Even in this era of AI tools like ChatGPT, talented copywriters are still in demand. But to stand out, you need the right skills, direction, and strategy to build your client base and outshine AI.

The ones who succeed follow a proven process – like the one I’m about to show you.

1. Part One: What Is Copywriting?
2. Part Two: The Impact of AI on Copywriting
3. Part Three: How to Become a Freelance Copywriter
4. Frequently Asked Questions
5. Your Next Step to Become a Copywriter in 2025
   
   

This step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to become a copywriter – and start earning money in three months or less. It stands out because it teaches you copywriting and guides you in building a robust client base of people you’re happy to work with.

Plus, I’ll answer questions like:

• How long does it take to become a copywriter? 
• How do I become a copywriter with no experience? 
• Will AI replace copywriters?
  
  

Why trust my advice? I’m proud to have spent over a decade as a freelance copywriter, earning $25k per month from copywriting. My work has generated $37 million in service-based sales.

And most importantly – I’ve helped thousands of copywriting students start earning upwards of $10k per month without working 40+ hours per week.

They found success using the exact process I’m about to teach you.

You’ll come away knowing exactly how to become a copywriter with no experience, start earning money within three months, and scale your services to 6 figures from there.

Part One: What Is Copywriting?

>> If you already know WHAT a copywriter is and want to skip to HOW to become a copywriter – click here.

Copywriting, or “copy,” refers to the words in marketing materials that promote a brand’s products, services, and offerings.

Examples of copywriting include:

• Words on a brand’s website
• Social media posts captions
• Email promotions and newsletters
• Landing pages that sell a specific product 
• Blog posts like this one
  
  

…the list goes on!

In today’s world, copywriting is everywhere. You’re constantly shown messages to make you aware of a brand or sales copy that compels you to purchase a product or service.

All brands need effective copywriting and online content to sell their offers.

This critical piece of digital marketing communicates the value of their products and services and compels people to engage with them.

This is why copywriting is a skill that’s in high demand. If your copywriting produces results, you can earn a great living doing something creative and interesting for brands you love.

Freelance Writing vs. Content Writing vs. Copywriting

Freelance writing is an umbrella term that copywriting, content writing, and other forms of writing fall under. But there’s a major difference between copywriting vs. content writing.

Content writing is solely educational and doesn’t compel the reader to take further action.

Copywriting can be educational, but it always compels the reader to take action.

The action your copywriting drives may vary. It could incentivize the reader to purchase a product, book an appointment, or take the next step in the marketing funnel.

In this article, you’ll learn why copywriting is often more valuable than content writing. Picture content writing as a librarian and copywriting as an effective salesperson.

The librarian provides valuable, informative resources, helping visitors explore and learn. They offer a wealth of knowledge – but their role isn’t to influence any specific action beyond sharing information.

On the other hand, the salesperson informs and also persuades.

The salesperson understands the visitor’s needs, desires, and challenges. With this, they guide them towards a decision – like a purchase or action that’ll help them. Copywriting drives action that impacts a brand’s success and sales. 

If your copy persuades your reader to take action, then your clients get more engagement and revenue. You can be confident charging more when your copy delivers results like these.

Is Copywriting Right for You?

If you’re thinking of exploring copywriting as a career, you may be wondering if it’s right for you. Copywriting is a versatile field where you can specialize in topics that interest you. Many people are able to make copywriting work for them – regardless of their background.

That said, many of my successful copywriting students share a desire to:

• Pursue writing. Did you enjoy creative writing but grew up thinking you couldn’t earn money as a writer? Copywriting pushes back on this idea and offers a very effective way to earn money writing. (But copy is very different from academic writing, so if you didn’t like writing in school – don’t worry).
  
  
• Research and learn. Copywriting involves a fair amount of research into different topics and types of copywriting. This keeps your job fresh and exciting, which many copywriters love. If you enjoy exploring new subjects, copywriting could be the career for you.
  
  
• Work for themselves. Like I said earlier, copywriting lends itself well to becoming your own boss. Copywriting is a highly in-demand skill that many brands need. So you can build a client base fairly quickly as a skilled freelance writer.
  
  

Having a foundational interest in writing or content marketing benefits you as you start your copywriting career. But if you’re still learning what copywriting is, don’t let this intimidate you. 

You can learn copywriting skills and become a copywriter even if you have no prior experience. Later in this article, I’ll show you how to become a copywriter. But before that, let’s get into the difference between a freelance and an employed copywriter.

Freelance Copywriting vs. Employed Copywriting

There are two main ways to pursue copywriting as a career.

Some copywriters choose to work as an employee at a brand or as a marketing agency copywriter. This is the route to take if you’re looking for a corporate job with a set salary and working hours.

If you want to become your own boss and have more freedom, then freelance copywriting is the career path for you. The freelance route means you’re not employed by one specific brand but instead work with various clients on a contract basis.

Here are a few of the benefits of being a freelance copywriter versus an employee:

• Work from anywhere. 
  Freelance copywriters are able to work remotely from anywhere in the world. As long as you have a laptop and a stable wifi connection, you can take your work with you daily.
  
  Freelance copywriting lets you work from the road – whether you want to travel or spend more time with family.
  
  
• Control your salary. 
  When you work as a corporate copywriter, your salary is set at a specific rate. You need to ask for a raise or get a promotion to see a boost in your income. As a freelancer, you set your own rates – and raise them when you increase your skills.
  
  Plus, you can take on extra work and projects if you want to earn a higher income in a particular month. The bottom line is that you are in control of your income. And I’ve watched thousands of my students replace and exceed their corporate salaries.
  
  
• Future-proof your career.
  As more companies experience regular layoffs, the once-perceived stability of traditional jobs is fading. As a freelance copywriter, you have multiple clients and income streams.
  
  Diversifying your income through freelance copywriting offers greater stability than relying on a single employer. Plus, diving into freelance copywriting allows you to explore other earning opportunities in the online space –  like selling digital products.
  
  
• Work part-time and control your hours. 
  As a freelancer, there are no specific hours when you have to be online. You can work when you want for as long as you want.
  
  Are you a night owl who has your most productive hours at night? Do you prefer to finish all your work in the first 4 hours of the early morning? Your hours are up to you as long as you get your work done and deliver results to your clients!
  
  
• Choose the brands you work with. 
  At a marketing agency, you don’t always get to choose the brands you work with. You could be put on an account that doesn’t feel interesting or aligned with you. And if you work at a brand, you’re always working with that one specific company.
  
  As a freelancer, you get to pitch clients you admire and really want to work with. This is how you grow a value-aligned career that stays interesting and excites you to get your work done each day.
  
  
• Learn copywriting quickly with online resources. 
  Going back to school used to be one of the only viable ways to make a career shift. And many creative marketing agencies still favor candidates with two years of creative advertising school under their belt.
  
  You don’t need prior experience or formal education to become a freelance copywriter. You can learn the necessary skills through an online copywriting course and start earning money in three months or less.
  
  

Many of my successful copywriting students stood at a crossroads similar to where you might be now. They wanted to leave their current job – so they considered going back to school, thinking that further education was their only option.

But instead of incurring additional debt and delaying their income growth – they discovered an alternative through freelance copywriting. 

Copywriting offers immediate value, empowering you to enhance your earning potential without the drawbacks of traditional education. And it brings enormous benefits beyond finances alone. You have more freedom, flexibility, and control over your time and headspace. 

Now you know all the incredible benefits of becoming a freelance copywriter who works for yourself. Maybe you came to this article already knowing you want to take the freelance route. Or perhaps this last section convinced you (I thought it might!)

To make this article the most applicable resource for you – the rest of this article walks you through how to become a freelance copywriter. Or, if you’d prefer to watch, here’s my free copywriting masterclass:

Part Two: The Impact of AI on Copywriting in 2025

Before we dive into how to become a freelance copywriter, let’s talk about AI. You can’t venture far into the copywriting world without hearing about AI’s potential impact on this career path.

Initially, there was a frenzy. Just like some thought Canva might replace graphic designers, many feared and predicted that AI would replace copywriters.

But, I’ve always believed that while AI is a tool to enhance the writing process, it can’t replace the unique value offered by high-value freelance copywriters. Those who provide more than content with strategy, time-saving benefits, and tangible outcomes for their clients.

• Strategy: Brands still require a forward-thinking strategist who can offer insights into content needs and their strategic alignment with business goals.
  

• Time: Business owners, already strapped for time, find that effectively utilizing AI tools demands a level of expertise and involvement they still don’t have.
  
  
• Expertise: AI tools, while advanced, lack the ability to fully grasp and replicate the techniques that produce results.
  
  

The most sought-after writers are valued not just for their writing skills but for the tangible outcomes they deliver to their clients.

Now, many are realizing that AI can’t achieve these outcomes without expert guidance from writers who understand how to craft content that engages and converts.

It’s also important not to dismiss AI or ignore its evolution. Embracing AI and integrating it into your process greatly enhances your capabilities as a copywriter.

The most successful freelance copywriters know how to leverage AI to their advantage to set themselves apart from copywriting AI tools and other writers. But AI doesn’t replace the need for a high-value copywriter and strategist.

So, let’s explore how to become a high-value freelance copywriter in this evolving landscape.

Part Three: How to Become a Copywriter (Freelance Edition)

The following sections walk you through the A-Z steps for how to become a freelance copywriter. Each of these phases takes time on their own, so don’t try to rush the process. You may want to bookmark this page to come back to as you work through it all.

Becoming a successful copywriter depends on both copywriting skills and career-building skills.

You could be the most talented copywriter in the world. But you need to know how to market and sell those services to have a thriving client base.

On the other side, you could master your marketing and new client acquisition. But you still need high-quality copy skills to drive results that lead to repeat clients and new leads.

That’s why, unlike other copywriting resources, this guide is going to teach you how to do both. First, you’re going to learn how to grow your copywriting skills. Then, we’ll talk through how to grow your client base and career. 

Let’s dive in!

I. Learn Copywriting Skills

One of your top drivers of success as a copywriter is the ability to get your clients results. That means that copywriting skill is truly the foundation of your success. Prioritizing your skills and evolving your skills as you grow sets you apart.

The Basics of Copywriting

Copywriting is more casual and conversational than the traditional forms of writing you may be used to, like academic writing. You want to think of your copy as a 1:1 conversation with your reader. How would you speak to them in real life?

• Use “you.” Using “you” helps your readers visualize themselves as the subject of your copy. This builds a connection and makes them more likely to take action.
  
  
• Active vs. passive voice. In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. This helps you get your point across faster and more efficiently.
  
  
• Elementary reading level. Did you know that the average reading level is a 6th-grade level? Keep your language simple so you don’t lose your readers to confusion.
  
  
• Short and punchy sentences. Run-on sentences take a lot of brain power for your audience to read. Use short and direct sentences to keep readers on the page.
  
  
• Use storytelling. Paint a picture for your readers to help them envision themselves in the story. Our brains like stories and clear narratives that cut through distractions.
  
  

These techniques are different from the types of writing you’re familiar with. So, the first step is to study effective copywriting. Here’s a list of recommended copywriting books to get started.

Study Effective Copywriting

One of the most effective ways to learn copy is to study the work of other copywriters.

One tactic I recommend to my copywriting students is to hand copy effective copy. This tactic allows you to truly pay attention to every word and phrase you write. It helps you understand this writing style. 

Copying the text by hand gives you a sense of the pacing, rhythm, and style of copywriting – which your brain stores and remembers later.

Aside from hand copying, I also recommend reading a few books on the craft of copywriting.

• Breakthrough Copywriting: How to Generate Quick Cash With the Written Word
• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
• Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content
  
  

Books like these play a huge role in your understanding of copywriting techniques, skills, and examples. It’s beneficial to read these books once a year or every couple of years to re-familiarize yourself with the tactics and fundamentals of copywriting, marketing campaigns, and direct-response copy.

Like I always say: learn the rules of copywriting so you can break them like a pro. Once you know effective skills, techniques, and your target audience – you can take creative liberty from there.

Understand Your Audience

Copywriting is all about your audience and how you meet their needs, resonate with their pain areas, and empathize with their experiences.

Your copy should communicate how the offer would solve their problem. So, before you get started writing, you want to research and understand the audience you’re speaking to.

Here are a few questions to help you get to know your reader:

• Who is your audience?
• What are their beliefs?
• What are their pain points?
• What problems does your product or offer solve?
  
  

Taking time to research and write these types of questions before you start writing gives you a lot of information to start with. Instead of staring at a blank page, you’ll have research to begin forming your outline for your persuasive copy.

Learn Persuasive Copywriting Techniques

Your copy’s goal is to compel your audience to decide to take action with your client’s brand. Whether that means purchasing a product, enrolling in a program, booking a consultation – or whatever action is most pertinent to the piece.

Since you’re prompting a decision, it’s helpful to understand the factors that influence human decision-making. Here are the six principles of persuasion coined by Robert Cialdini:

• Scarcity – It’s human nature to not want to miss out on something. Limited stocks or limited deals are effective because they tap into the feeling of scarcity. But, only use this technique if it’s genuinely limited stock to keep the customer’s trust and respect.
  
  
• Reciprocity – If you give someone a personalized and/or unexpected gift, they may feel compelled to give you something in return. It’s effective to give away something for free, like a freebie, to connect with a new audience.
  
  
• Commitment – Once someone purchases or takes action with the brand once, they’re far more likely to do it again. Effective copywriting gets the reader to say yes to small things along the way to increase the chances of them saying yes to the big purchase.
  
  
• Social Proof – Consumers want to see reviews from others who have an objective perspective of your offer. Sharing positive results, testimonials, and case studies builds trust with the audience.
  
  
• Authority – Consumers are more likely to purchase from brands they trust. Showing your knowledge and authority in the industry builds trust with your audience and helps them choose you over competitors.
  
  
• Liking– Like they say, people buy from people. Likeability isn’t the only factor in your audience’s buying decision. You want to make sure the brand is likable and relates to audience values.
  
  

It’s fascinating to learn about human psychology and how it affects your marketing efforts.

If you understand how the human brain thinks and makes decisions, you can guide your audience into making the decision to buy the product or take the next action. This helps them solve their pain point – the problem your offer helps them with.

Of course, be sure to use the psychology tactics ethically. Do your research on the offer you’re promoting to make sure it’s a quality, ethical product. From here, you begin growing your copywriting skills.

Grow Your Copywriting Skills

As you start and grow your career in copywriting, always continue to learn and evolve your craft. Too many copywriting “experts” don’t put enough emphasis on continually learning and growing their skills – even as they become more successful.

Continuing to learn and grow sets you apart as a freelance copywriter. Here are a few ways to continue to evolve your craft:

• Get feedback on your work. I recommend working with a copyeditor as early as possible. This is a profound way to save time, learn from feedback, and even boost your confidence when you hear positive reviews of your work.
  
  
• Listen to copywriting podcasts and YouTube videos. There are many free online resources about copywriting. Listen to these on a drive or a walk around the neighborhood to learn new things or to study something specific.
  
  
• Work with clients. The most effective way to evolve your skills is by working with clients, even before you feel fully ready. You learn the most when you’re accountable for a client project. And I always tell my students to “earn as you learn!”
  
  

At this point, when you have a foundational understanding of effective copywriting, that’s when I recommend starting to use an AI tool.

Leverage AI Copywriting Tools

AI still requires the right guidance and know-how to be effective. Think of it as needing to know what good food tastes like before you start cooking and experimenting with different flavors.

Understanding copy skills first arms you with the know-how to properly guide AI tools, fine-tune their output, and know when the copy is effective.

To demonstrate this, I asked ChatGPT to “write me an intro to my email newsletters that explains what copywriting is to a new copywriter, and compels them to view my Youtube video to learn more.” Here’s the response from the AI copywriting tool:

Although this intro is factual, the text is very broad and doesn’t answer the question, “why should I keep reading?”. Instead, a human writer might focus this more on the reader, drawing them in with empathy and curiosity. 

Here’s how I would infuse copywriting techniques like empathy, humor, and storytelling to differentiate from AI-generated content:

“[First Name],

If you’re new to copywriting, it may be difficult to figure out what exactly it is. 

No, it has nothing to do with legal rights.

And no, it has nothing to do with writing a novel.

(Although I like to refer to copywriting as a gateway to entrepreneurship, since it can facilitate any future business ideas you may have) 


So what exactly is copywriting?

Copywriting is sales writing. And its goal is always to get the reader to take action. 

If you’re confused about what that looks like, don’t worry. I’m here to help.

In this week’s video, I’m sharing 7 examples of copywriting to help you understand what copywriting actually is and its seemingly limitless possibilities.”

Did the second opening pique your interest in delving further into the newsletter?

Crafting content with empathy, curiosity, and storytelling is what draws your readers in, ultimately boosting open rates and delivering better results for your clients. These skills elevate your work above AI copywriting, making it more impactful and valuable.

But once you understand effective copy, you can leverage AI to help you with things like: 

• Researching
• Writing outlines
• Providing examples
• Editing
  
  

But remember to always reframe AI-generated content to be effective and original.

Here are a few tips for how to use AI tools like ChatGPT:

• Ask Questions: Start by asking ChatGPT what it requires. For example, “To create an article outline on mindfulness, what details do you need?” This approach prompts ChatGPT to request necessary information, helping shape the content direction.
  
  

• Establish Clear Goals: Before using an AI tool, clearly define your target audience, content purpose, and objectives. This preparation ensures the AI’s output aligns with your strategic needs and resonates with your audience.
  
  

• Get Specific: When working with ChatGPT, the more specific your instructions, the better the results. Include details about your audience, the product or service in focus, and the desired content tone.
  
  

• Edit and Personalize: AI-generated content is a starting point, but make sure you refine and build off of it. Always edit and personalize this content to ensure it’s unique, engaging, and fits your or your client’s brand voice.
  
  

Approach AI tools as a learning opportunity. Just like mastering copywriting takes time, getting comfortable with AI platforms is a gradual process. Experiment with different prompts and styles to discover effective ways to kickstart your content creation.

By integrating these strategies, you can effectively harness AI tools like ChatGPT in your copywriting process. Here’s an in-depth article on how to use AI in your copywriting process.

Now it’s time to choose a niche to specialize in.

Choose a Copywriting Niche

Choosing a copywriting niche or area of specialty boosts your success in your copywriting career. It gives you direction for growing your career in a couple of different ways.

• Specialist vs. Generalist. You grow your knowledge of one specific industry, so clients in this space see you as a specialist for their needs.
   
• Focused Outreach. When you start pitching clients, you focus on one specific niche and industry, making your search easier.
  
  

My #1 tip is to choose a copywriting niche that genuinely interests you. You’re going to spend a lot of time researching and writing on topics in that area. So, make sure you enjoy it!

You could find a niche that aligns with an aspect of your past career (if that interests you).

For example, many of my copywriting students have backgrounds in healthcare, such as former nurses or doctors. Although they wanted to escape the demanding healthcare environment – they were still interested in the field and topics of medicine.

So, they became copywriters in the health and wellness niche. Now, they dive into topics that fascinate them, like nutrition, exercise, and conditions. But they get to enjoy the flexibility of working from home, setting their own schedules, and often earning more.

Blending your past expertise with your copywriting niche allows you to write about things you enjoy. Enjoying your work makes you more productive and happier. Your ideas flow, you feel energized by your work, and you get a sense of fulfillment.

Once you have your niche, it’s time to create your portfolio.

Create Your Copywriting Portfolio

So, you’ve studied copywriting techniques, read copywriting books, and even chosen a copywriting niche. Now, it’s time to start putting together your copywriting portfolio.

The wonderful thing about pursuing freelance copywriting as a career is that you don’t need years of experience or a resume to succeed. As a copywriter, your clients only care about how effective your writing is. 

You only need a couple of copywriting samples and a portfolio to show clients that you’re capable of creating solid work for them.

Here are a few tips for creating your copywriting portfolio:

• Create a website. Want to stand out from other freelancers? Create a simple website communicating your services and how you solve your ideal client’s problems. Your website should include your services and rates and help the audience get to know you.
  
  
• Link out to writing samples. Self-publishing your first copywriting samples on Medium.com is a simple way to have a professional-looking sample. Have someone else read over your work before you publish it.
  

Remember to tailor your copywriting samples and portfolio to your copywriting niche.

Think about your ideal client within your niche and then speak to their needs on your site. Similarly, choose a copywriting topic that relates to your niche. For example, if you want to write for functional medicine doctors, you could publish a piece about gut health.

Now that you have a copywriting portfolio, you’re ready to start pitching your first clients!

II. Build Your Copywriting Client Base

Understanding copywriting skills is only half the formula for learning how to become a copywriter. Now, it’s time to discover how to market your services and to get paid for copywriting work.

There’s an abundance of potential clients and opportunities available to you as a copywriter. And you only need about 2-10 clients to have a full-time income with copywriting. As you grow, you’ll get even bigger retainers and opportunities.

Building your client base doesn’t need to be challenging, but it does take some intention, consistency, and patience. Here’s how to do it.

Develop Your Business Owner Mindset

As an independent copywriter, you are more than a freelancer. You’re a business owner!

Viewing and treating yourself as a business owner versus an employee is critical to building a career you love. A business mindset means that you…

• View yourself as an equal to your clients. Don’t view yourself as “beneath” your clients. You are bringing huge value to the table as a skilled copywriter and deserve the same respect they do.
  
  
• Reach value-aligned goals. As a freelancer, you’re in the driver’s seat of your career. Choose to make decisions that lead you towards the goals that align with your values and vision for your life.
  
  
• Put your growth before your clients’. It’s easy to slip back into an employee mindset where you’re always focused on your clients’ brands. Remember to prioritize your own growth before your clients.’
  
  

I urge you to start cultivating your business-owner mindset from the beginning. Prioritizing your business growth and values propels you forward and helps you create a career you love.

From there, you’ll naturally grow your confidence as you start to get results for your clients.

How to Get Your First Copywriting Client

One of the simplest, fastest ways to get your first client is to tap into your existing network.

Between your family members, friends, and mutual friends – I’m willing to bet multiple people need marketing help. Whether they own their own brand or work for one.

Think about your personal network. Maybe you know…

An aunt who started her own jewelry brand a few years ago.

A friend who’s starting her own online fashion brand.

The owner of your favorite local pet store.

Anyone like this is a potential client to reach out to. Reaching out to your existing network is an effective way to get new clients because you already have rapport. You can tap into a relationship to land your first project, get a testimonial, and find more clients.

Pro tip: if you’re working with someone in your network, be sure to over-deliver. The fact that they’re your friend doesn’t mean you should take the project lightly. Do the best you can so you can keep your relationship strong and get a glowing testimonial and possible referrals.

How to Get Copywriting Clients

Okay, so you’ve tapped into your existing network, and now you’re ready to expand and go after bigger fish. How do you start getting freelance copywriting clients in your niche?

Here are four proven client acquisition tactics. Try each of these out to see which aligns with your energy and working style.

1. Cold Email. One benefit of being a freelance copywriter is you don’t need to sit and wait for work to come to you. One of the most impactful ways to get copywriting clients is to send them a personalized cold email.
   
   Focus your pitch on a problem you can solve for the brand and then introduce your services. If you communicate the value you deliver and speak to their specific needs, your pitch is going to be better than 90% of the cold pitches they get.
   
   
2. LinkedIn Networking. LinkedIn is a fantastic place to network with ideal clients and create short- and long-term opportunities. First, optimize your profile to speak to your ideal clients. Then, make connections and engage with each other’s posts.
   
   The goal on LinkedIn is to start a conversation – whether that’s on someone else’s post or your own. The more consistent you are with posting content, the more impact you’ll see on this channel.
   
   
3. Facebook Groups. Similar to LinkedIn, Facebook groups are a great place to network with ideal clients in your niche. Start a conversation in this space where your audience already hangs out.
   
   Focus on providing value in the groups. Answer questions on other people’s posts and post helpful content. The goal is for people to start seeing you as a resource so you come to mind when they have copywriting needs or know someone who does.
   
   

4. Upwork (try with caution). When done right, Upwork can be an effective way to find clients. You may need to send out a large number of responses to job postings at first. But once you get positive reviews, clients are able to find you.
   
   A word of caution: clients often try to pay low freelancing rates on websites like these. So make sure you’re intentional and don’t let clients lowball you.
   
   

Keep in mind you don’t need to do all these tactics at once. It’s essential to identify a client acquisition strategy that feels right for you. I’ve seen my students have success using one of these platforms – and others using a mix to bring in a steady stream of leads.

Up-Leveling Your Client Acquisition

The four client acquisition tactics above aim to bring in new clients as quickly as possible. But there are a few longer-term ways to get new client leads organically. This means that people find your services on their own, saving you time.

Here are two organic lead-generation tactics:

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Incorporating SEO keyword strategy on your website and content helps your ideal clients find you on search engines like Google.
   
   It can take 3-6 months to start seeing results from consistent SEO efforts. But these efforts compound over time – and you could have many clients find you in the future from the website content you create now.
   
   
2. Referral Program. A referral program encourages current clients to refer new clients to your services. This is a great way to grow your client base through the power of word-of-mouth marketing.
   
   Offering a referral incentive makes it easy for clients to refer their contacts, increasing your client referrals. And when you focus on providing valuable, effective services, client referrals tend to happen organically.
   
   

Results from these strategies compound over time, so it’s beneficial to start them as early as possible. Many of my copywriting students generate their client leads through their website SEO instead of cold pitching.

This saves you time to grow other areas of your career – or enjoy more of your free time!

How to Become a Copywriter: Frequently Asked Questions

Now, I’m going to answer a few questions I get about how to become a copywriter. We’ve already covered a few of these in this article, but I’ll recap it all to make things easier.

• What qualifications do you need to be a copywriter?
  You don’t need formal qualifications or a degree to become a freelance copywriter. You can learn the skills you need through online resources and copywriting courses.
  
  Writing quality content that gets results for your clients is much more important than having a degree in copywriting. Create a copywriting portfolio and copywriting samples where potential clients can view the quality of your writing.
  
  
• Do copywriters make good money?
  Copywriting is generally a high-paying role, although a copywriter’s salary varies depending on where they work. The average senior copywriter salary at a brand or agency is around $60-$80k per year.¹
  
  One of the main reasons I recommend freelance copywriting is that you can earn more money without working 40+ hours per week. The top copywriters earn around $25k per month from copywriting alone and then create additional income streams.
  
  
• Will AI replace copywriters?
  AI doesn’t replace the unique value that skilled writers provide. Especially when it comes to strategic thinking and delivering results for clients. The most effective approach is to embrace AI as a tool to help you grow.
  
  Learning to use AI effectively can enhance your work, streamline certain aspects of content creation, and provide new opportunities for delivering value to your clients. By integrating AI into your workflow, you can stay ahead in the evolving landscape of copywriting, ensuring that your skills remain relevant and in demand.
  
  

It’s normal to have tons of questions, especially when you’re starting out.

Back when I was beginning, I was swamped with uncertainties. It was a lot of learning by doing, and I often found myself wishing for a mentor who could guide me.

This longing for guidance and clear answers is exactly what inspired me to create my copywriting education program – a resource designed to offer the insights and direction I wish I had when I was in your shoes.

How to Become a Copywriter in 2025: Your Next Step

Want even more in-depth support? My signature copywriting education program, Write Your Way to Freedom, takes you through every step this article outlines – and so much more. You’ll get clarity and training on each stage of the process.

Get to your goals faster with…

• In-Depth Training. Step-by-step modules on copywriting techniques, building your client base, learning types of copy, and much more.
  
  
• Coaching & Q+A Sessions. Hands-on support and mentoring from some of the top copywriters in the industry.
  
  
• Community. A network of other like-minded freelancers who are building their freelance copywriting careers alongside you. Get support, accountability, and friendship.
  
  

Want to discover if Write Your Way to Freedom is the right program to teach you how to become a copywriter? Get started by watching my free copywriting masterclass:

Resources:

1. Glassdoor