Is Copywriting a Good Career? The Pros and Cons

What does a copywriter do?

That variety has led to several copywriting specialisms, such as:

• Content writers, who create specialist content for particular industries
• Social media copywriters, who write posts for social platforms
• E-commerce copywriters, who focus on online shop descriptions

There are many more examples. Most copywriters also specialise in a field, such as healthcare or law. It is a broad profession, with plenty of scope to find the kind of writing that suits you.

Is becoming a copywriter worth it?

Copywriters have very different experiences. Some earn well and enjoy a steady flow of projects, but success is not guaranteed. It is worth weighing up the advantages and disadvantages before choosing this career.

Advantages of copywriting

• Learning as you work. Researching new subjects helps you build your knowledge every day.
• Good earnings for experienced writers. Established copywriters can earn more than a typical local salary.
• Remote work. If you would like to earn a living from home, copywriting can make that possible.
• A low barrier to entry. You do not need a large upfront investment to start writing and producing good work.
• Personal development. The market keeps changing, encouraging you to learn and improve your writing skills.

Disadvantages of copywriting

• Finding well-paid projects can be difficult. You will compete with other writers for clients.
• Income can vary from month to month. Without the security of a salaried role, your earnings may fluctuate considerably.
• Some financial risk. Although the risk is relatively low, copyright infringement or a breach of confidential information can have consequences.
• Isolation. Working from home without office colleagues may be ideal for some people and difficult for others.

Whether copywriting is right for you depends on your personality, abilities and expectations. It may have a reputation as a modern, flexible career, but it is not always easy.

How much do copywriters earn?

Money is another important consideration. Copywriting income depends mainly on two things: your rate per 1,000 characters including spaces and the amount of work you complete.

Writing speed varies from person to person. The volume of work a copywriter can complete in a month may range from 300,000 to 500,000 characters including spaces.

At those rates and volumes, estimated monthly take-home earnings range from £3,000 to £12,500. That assumes, optimistically, that you have enough projects to fill every working day. Beginners usually earn less, particularly when starting out through copywriting marketplaces.

What skills does a copywriter need?

If copywriting sounds like the right career for you, bear in mind that writing ability alone is not enough. These are some of the essential skills and qualities you will need:

• Good organisation – meeting deadlines and delivering on briefs are essential, however demanding the project. Leaving writing until the last minute usually affects its quality.
• Writing ability – a strong command of language is fundamental. That means more than grammar, punctuation and spelling: you also need a feel for style, a clear voice and a varied vocabulary.
• SEO knowledge – most copy is published online, where visibility matters. You will need to keep up with changes in search optimisation.
• An understanding of psychology – accurate writing is not enough. To meet marketing goals, your copy must speak to its audience, so you need to understand readers’ needs.
• Awareness of legal requirements – you may need to license your work or transfer rights to a client. You should understand the paperwork involved.

We hope you now have a clearer idea of whether copywriting is right for you. If these challenges sound appealing, you may have found your ideal career! 🙂