How Does One Make Money from Simple Copywriting?

 How Does One Make Money from Simple Copywriting?

Copywriting is the art and science of writing persuasive content intended to prompt action, whether that’s clicking a link, purchasing a product, signing up for a newsletter, or simply continuing to read. At its core, copywriting is about communication with purpose—and when done well, it can be a profitable skill for beginners and experts alike. But how exactly does one make money from simple copywriting?

1. Understanding What "Simple" Copywriting Means

Simple copywriting doesn't require flowery language or complex sentence structures. In fact, the best copy is often the clearest and most concise. "Simple" refers to writing that is easy to understand, customer-focused, and targeted toward solving a specific problem. This means that even beginners can get started with basic grammar skills and a sense of how to communicate benefits rather than features.

Examples of simple copywriting tasks include:

Writing product descriptions

Social media captions

Email marketing content

Website landing pages

Blog post intros and CTAs

Sales page bullet points

Since these types of content are in constant demand, especially among small businesses, startups, and e-commerce brands, there's a large opportunity to earn money—even if you're not an expert.

2. Learning the Basics of Copywriting

Before you start earning money, you need to understand the basic principles of copywriting. These include:

The AIDA Formula: Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action.

Knowing Your Audience: Understanding who you're writing for and what motivates them.

Benefits vs. Features: Focusing on what the product does for the customer, not just what it is.

Call to Action (CTA): Encouraging the reader to take a specific step.

Plenty of free and affordable online resources can teach these fundamentals, including YouTube tutorials, blogs, and platforms like Coursera or Udemy. With just a few weeks of dedicated study and practice, you can become comfortable with basic copywriting techniques.

3. Finding Clients or Gigs

Once you’re confident in your skills, the next step is to find clients. There are several effective avenues to get started:

Freelance Platforms:

Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour allow beginners to set up profiles and pitch for jobs. On Fiverr, for instance, you can offer “basic copywriting services” starting at $5 to $20 per project. As you build your reputation and reviews, you can increase your prices.

Job Boards:

Copywriting job boards like ProBlogger, Contena, and Writers Work frequently post paid gigs for writers. These are especially good for remote and part-time work.

Cold Pitching:

This involves reaching out directly to small businesses, startups, or website owners whose copy you believe you can improve. A simple email offering value (e.g., “I noticed your product descriptions could be more engaging—would you like help improving conversions?”) can open doors.

Social Media:

Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even Facebook groups for freelancers or entrepreneurs can help you network and find clients. Regularly posting helpful content related to copywriting can also position you as a knowledgeable writer.

4. Popular Niches for Beginner Copywriters

Copywriting spans nearly every industry, but beginners often do better when they choose a niche they’re familiar with or interested in. Some easy-to-enter niches include:

E-commerce and product descriptions

Real estate listings and promotions

AajHealth and wellness blog content

Travel and hospitality write-ups

Email marketing for local businesses

Focusing on a niche allows you to build credibility faster, refine your voice, and often earn more than generalist writers because you become known as an expert in that area.

5. How Much Can You Earn?

Earnings vary depending on your experience, niche, and where you find your clients. Here’s a general idea:

Beginner Copywriters (0-6 months): $10–$30 per hour or $20–$100 per project.

Intermediate (6 months–2 years): $30–$60 per hour or $100–$500 per project.

Advanced Copywriters (2+ years): $75–$150+ per hour or $500–$5000+ per project.

While starting rates may be modest, the growth potential is high. Many freelance copywriters eventually earn full-time incomes or scale their services into full agencies or coaching businesses.

6. Types of Income from Copywriting

There are different models of earning through copywriting, including:

One-Time Projects:

This is the most common for freelancers. Clients pay per piece (e.g., $50 for a product description or $200 for a landing page).

Hourly Work:

Some clients prefer to pay by the hour. Tools like Toggl or Harvest can help track time and report to clients.

Monthly Retainers:

You might secure ongoing work for a set fee per month. For instance, writing four blog posts and two email newsletters for $1000/month.

Royalties or Commission:

Advanced copywriters, especially in sales-focused roles (like writing sales pages or email funnels), may negotiate royalties—getting paid a percentage of every sale their copy generates.

7. Building a Portfolio

One common barrier for beginners is not having past work to show. Fortunately, you can create a portfolio even if you’ve never had a paying client:

Rewrite ads or landing pages you find online (for practice and show).

Offer free or discounted work to a friend’s business.

Use personal projects (like fake ads or mock websites).

Platforms like Clippings.me, Journo Portfolio, or even a basic Google Drive folder can serve as your online portfolio until you set up a personal website.

8. Upskilling Over Time

The best copywriters are always learning. As you grow, consider learning complementary skills like:

SEO copywriting

Content marketing

Email automation tools (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.)

A/B testing and analytics

These skills allow you to charge higher fees and offer more value to clients. You might even evolve into a strategist rather than just a writer.

9. Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Some mistakes new copywriters make include:

Undervaluing their services: Don’t charge rock-bottom prices forever. As you gain experience, raise your rates.

Being too general: Trying to serve everyone can make it hard to stand out.

Neglecting client communication: Clear, professional communication can make or break client relationships.

Ignoring results: Focus on writing copy that delivers measurable results, like conversions or click-through rates.

10. Conclusion: Copywriting is a Learnable, Profitable Skill

You don’t need a degree or years of experience to make money from simple copywriting. With a good grasp of basic writing, an understanding of customer psychology, and a willingness to learn, you can start earning quickly.

Copywriting rewards consistency and practice. By honing your skills, building a strong portfolio, and marketing yourself effectively, you can transform a few simple words into a steady and potentially high-income career—one project at a time.