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How to Become a Copywriter in 2022 (The Ultimate Guide)

Are you aspiring to be a great copywriter? If so, copywriting could be right for you. Though it may seem like an easy job, this type of writing requires in-depth knowledge and skill. Many people dream of becoming a copywriter, but they don’t know where to start. With this guide, you’ll learn what it takes to become a successful copywriter. You’ll find out about the different types of copywriting and get advice on how to get started as well as tips on succeeding in your future career.

What is Copywriting?

In its simplest form, copywriting is the language a business uses to move a consumer closer to a purchase. (And it’s got nothing to do with copyright law.)
This includes writing the copy (AKA words) on a website. Copy can appear on the back of a carton of orange juice or on business flyers passed out at events. You’ll find copy across business cards, emails, sales pages, newsletters, ads, video scripts, Instagram posts, LinkedIn profiles, landing pages, billboards, and much much more.
Almost everywhere you come into contact with a business, copy shows up in one form or another. Without copy, businesses can hardly communicate anything to customers at all.
In the beginning, copywriting can feel like a small subset of marketing. But the deeper you go, the more expansive it becomes. Once you’ve been copywriting a few years, you realize just how much there is to this role.
Copywriting isn’t just finding cute words to throw on your next marketing promotion. This isn’t a grown-up version of your high school creative writing class. Copywriting is equal parts creativity and science. We are salespeople and marketers first, writers second. There are business objectives to hit, particular constraints to work within, and customers to connect with.
But as you’ll learn as we go on, the most creative copy really just comes down to scientific writing methods that have been tested and improved upon for decades. Scientific copywriting is a skill you can learn, too.

What does a copywriter do?

The Media world is full of hype, as everyone now wants to be a copywriter. There are several different types of copywriting jobs, some that require more creativity and others that require more technical knowledge. Copywriters can work in a wide range of industries, from marketing to education to corporate law. The most important thing to remember when you’re looking into becoming a copywriter is that there is no such thing as one way to become a professional writer. You have to be willing to try new things, explore your options, and make calculated risk decisions in order to succeed in this industry. Here are some ways you can start preparing yourself for a career as a copywriter.

A copywriter creates clear, captivating and persuasive content aimed at encouraging people to take action, usually to buy a product or subscribe to a service. They find creative ways to convert their clients’ abstract ideas into compelling content suitable for advertisement. Copywriters can produce content for magazines, websites, blogs, TV programs or other media outlets.

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Apart from producing sales copy, copywriters may also generate the following forms of content:

Technical reports, user manuals, training manuals and any other scientific documentation
Social media content
Persuasive speeches
Public relations materials like press releases, feature articles, products updates and memorandums
Marketing emails
Content idea pitches to interested organizations

Average salary

A copywriter’s salary can vary greatly based on their experience, education and employer. Freelancing or full-time employment can also affect salary.

Common salary in the U.S.: $61,657 per year
Some salaries range from $14,000 to $114,000 per year.

Copywriter requirements

Copywriters may be required to have a range of skills, education, training and certifications, including:

Education

Copywriters typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or another related major. Some employers may hire copywriters with a high school diploma or GED certificate, an appealing work portfolio and experience. In school, students should focus on courses such as writing, media, communications and marketing.

Those who specialize in a certain area of copywriting may have a degree in the subject. For example, software copywriters may have a degree in computer science or engineering. These copywriters typically learn how to copywrite by taking extracurricular courses or conducting individual studies.

Training

Copywriters typically receive a large portion of education training. During schooling, they learn the basics of spelling and grammar. When they join the workforce, the company or agency they work for typically provides training to develop particular writing styles and concepts.

Copywriters usually undergo continuous training to stay up to date on the latest copy trends. They should know how to perform research on certain topics and how to create copy for best SEO practices.

Certifications

Though copywriters don’t need certifications to work, they can still earn them to show their dedication to the role and increase the possibility of a higher earning potential. Here are two copywriter certifications:

SEO Copywriting Certification: Offered by SuccessWorks, the SEO Copywriting Certification shows a writer’s ability to use search engine optimization best practices in their articles. To earn this certification, candidates must complete a training course that instructs them on how to understand client needs, target keywords and boost content to the top results of a search page. Candidates also need to pass a final examination following the training course.
Direct-Response Copywriting Specialist: Offered by DigitalMarketer, the Direct-Response Copywriting Specialist is available for copywriters who want to learn more about marketing and search engine optimization. To earn this certification, candidates need to complete a training course and pass an exam.

Skills

Copywriters need a unique set of skills to create successful content that is easy to read and understand:

Research skills: Copywriters often write about a variety of topics and need to be able to convey information about subjects in clear terms. Researching each subject they write about and how to target best SEO practices can help them create effective copy for clients.
SEO skills: These skills allow copywriters to generate content that helps their clients attract traffic to their websites. SEO skills are becoming an increasingly important part of online copy.
Creativity: Different assignments require unique approaches. Good copywriters can develop new and fresh ideas for common content.
Time management: Copywriters often compose multiple pieces per day for clients. The ability to manage their time effectively helps them submit all of their content on time. Time management can assist in creating a schedule for each piece they need to write, proofread and submit.
Communication: Copywriters often work with clients and managers to understand requirements and style guides. They should be able to read written communication and follow precise instructions to create satisfactory copy.

Copywriter work environment

A copywriter’s work environment varies based on their role. Most copywriters spend long periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Many copywriters still utilize a notepad and pen for their work. Freelance or contract copywriters may be able to work from home or another remote space like a coworking area. Copywriters who work exclusively for one company could work in an office setting with other copywriters, editors and creative teams. They may work part or full time.

Copywriters could work in the following industries:

Media and broadcast
Education
Government
Technology
Corporations