Are you starting out in copywriting and want to get better at this interesting branch of online marketing? Copywriting is not for everyone, as it requires creative thinking and ideas. However, if creative work comes easily to you, you can make a very good full-time living from copywriting from the comfort of your home.
Who is a copywriter and what qualities do they need?
First, let’s clear up who a copywriter actually is. It would not be the first time I have seen a puzzled look on someone’s face when I told them I was a copywriter. The usual question is: So what do you do all day? You just write?
You could say that, yes, but that would be too simple, wouldn’t it? Copywriting is a field of content marketing that focuses mainly on writing copy. Online marketing needs copy for many types and formats of marketing messages. A copywriter writes social media posts, product descriptions, PR articles and classic articles, for example for a blog, as well as advertising slogans, banner and billboard copy, and much more.
Copywriters fill websites, social media and even TV adverts with content, provided that companies and businesses realise how important it is to rely on the professional services of a copywriter.
Pros and cons of working as a copywriter
By now you may have got the impression that more or less anyone can do copywriting. Surely all you need is to know how to spell and have the occasional idea. I will have to disappoint you: it really is not that simple.
The supply of copywriters on the job market exceeds demand, so you really have to work hard to break through. Another drawback of this profession is that you are paid for the copy you produce (often by the number of standard pages), so if you cannot come up with anything worthwhile all day (and there are days like that), you simply earn nothing. If a day like that hits you in an office where you are paid by the hour, you can stare at your computer screen all day, deal with old emails and still go home with your pay. A copywriter simply does not get paid, even if they spend the whole day doing the same thing.
However, copywriting also brings plenty of advantages, which is why I love this job. It is a very creative activity where you can truly express yourself, and people will value you for your originality and interesting ideas. It is ideal for creative personalities who would be bored by the routine of other professions.
For much (or even all) of your working time, you can work from home or even while travelling. You can set your own working hours, adjust your daily schedule flexibly and so on. All you have to do is meet the final deadlines; nothing else ties you down.
The last advantage I would highlight is the overlap with other areas of online marketing that copywriting gives you. You usually get a look behind the scenes of your clients’ marketing, for example their website back end, social media and so on. A copywriter is an indispensable member of the marketing team and can therefore learn a lot from other areas too. It is also not unusual for copywriters to work in other marketing fields as well, combining writing with, for example, social media management or PPC advertising.
Copywriting: 5 tips on how to get started and break through
So if you are tempted to dip into this interesting field and really want to break through, some advice and tips for your first steps will come in handy. Let’s get started.
1/ Apply for an internship
Have you ever noticed in American films that when someone wants to break into a new field, they do not hesitate to apply for an internship at their dream company? Then they give it their all and hope to be hired permanently. You can try the same approach in our Czech world of copywriting too.
There are interesting copywriting internships that will teach you the basics of writing, help you build a base of articles for your portfolio and, ideally, also teach you the overlap with SEO. Do not be afraid to throw yourself into an internship like this and learn something new.
2/ Build your own portfolio
Whether you decide to respond to a copywriting job offer or want to build your own client base, you will need a high-quality portfolio of your work. It should show your work and writing style and sell your skills. Include sample articles, but also other formats of copy, so that it demonstrates your writing skills.
3/ Practice is the best teacher
This may seem like dull advice, but in copywriting, writing itself teaches you the most. If you really enjoy it, you can start your own blog and express yourself through articles on it. You can also try writing social media posts, where you will also get feedback from other users. Simply write, write and write. Practice makes perfect (in this case, writing copy).
4/ Reading takes on a new dimension
Another great tool for fine-tuning your writing is reading books. You will gain a larger vocabulary, from time to time a clever turn of phrase or metaphor will catch your eye, and you can also pay attention to spelling and style. For this purpose, I recommend alternating authors and genres for even more variety in your writing.
5/ Books for beginner copywriters
And while we are on the subject of reading, you can also pick up excellent books written specifically for copywriters. From my own experience, I can recommend, for example, Manuál copywritingu (Copywriting Manual) by Untermüller Vojtěch, which is an easy read and full of practical tips. If you are interested in the overlap with social media, I recommend the bible of all marketers, Jak na sítě (How to Do Social Media) by Eliška Vyhnánková and Michelle Losekoot.
Do not underestimate the power of e-books or newsletters that you can subscribe to either. For example, experienced copywriter Otto Bohuš offers a free e-book for all copywriters on his website.
Copywriting tips you can apply to any text
Once you have your first clients, the quality of each text matters more than anything else. These principles work for almost every format you will write.
- Know your reader and your goal. Before you write a word, decide who the text is for and what you want them to do after reading it.
- Lead with benefits. A feature says what a product has. A benefit says what it does for the reader. Readers care about the second.
- Keep it simple. Use short sentences, short paragraphs and everyday words. One idea per sentence is a good rule.
- Give the headline time. Many people read only the headline, so write several versions and pick the clearest one.
- Edit, then edit again. Read your text aloud. Wherever you stumble, the reader will too.
Web copywriting tips
People scan web pages rather than read them word by word. Put the most important information at the start of each section, use descriptive subheadings and break longer passages into lists. Make buttons and links say exactly what happens next, for example “Download the price list” rather than “Click here”.
Sales copywriting tips
Sales copy has to answer the reader’s doubts before they turn into reasons to leave. List the typical objections, such as price, risk or effort, and address each one. Back up your claims with proof like customer reviews or concrete examples, and end with one clear call to action instead of several competing ones.
Ad copywriting tips
Adverts give you very little space, so focus on one message only. Make sure the page the ad leads to continues the same promise, otherwise people leave straight away. If the platform allows it, write two or three versions and let the results show you which works best.
How to learn copywriting step by step
- Collect examples. Save adverts, emails and web pages that made you act, and note why they worked.
- Copy good texts by hand. Writing out strong copy word by word helps you absorb its rhythm and structure.
- Rewrite weak copy. Take an unclear product description and make it better. It is practice with a clear benchmark.
- Work to a brief. Set yourself a target reader, a goal and a word limit, just as a client would.
- Ask for feedback. Comments from editors or experienced copywriters will move you forward faster than writing alone.
Common mistakes beginner copywriters make
- Writing about the company instead of the reader’s problem.
- Using vague superlatives such as “the best quality” without proof.
- Trying to say everything in one text, which leaves the reader with nothing clear.
- Skipping the brief and guessing what the client wants.
- Sending a first draft without proofreading it.
Frequently asked questions about copywriting tips
Can you learn copywriting on your own?
Yes, many copywriters are self-taught. You can learn by studying good examples, practising regularly and reading books on the craft. Feedback from someone more experienced will still speed up your progress a great deal.
What are the most useful copywriting tips for beginners?
Start by knowing exactly who you write for and what you want them to do. Keep your sentences short, focus on benefits rather than features and always edit your text before sending it.
How is web copy different from other copy?
Web readers scan the page and often leave quickly, so the key information has to come first. Clear subheadings, lists and specific button labels help people find what they need without reading every word.
How long does it take to learn copywriting?
There is no fixed timeline, as it depends on how often you write and how much feedback you get. You can learn the basic principles quickly, but writing persuasive copy with confidence usually takes steady practice over a longer period.
Leave A Reply