October 30, 2009, Newsletter Issue #136: 5 Reasons I Love Being a Copywriter

Tip of the Week

So...you’re thinking of becoming a copywriter. While copywriting can be stressful at times – meeting deadlines and waiting on payments from clients – the pros far outweigh the cons. If you’re considering leaving the 9-5 world to pursue a career as a copywriter, here are some great reasons to take the plunge.

Job Security – Unfortunately for many people in the freelance world, companies are having a much easier time finding workers overseas. Programmers and designers are available from all over the world and have the ability to produce quality work for prices that American workers would scoff at. With copywriting, however, you are offered job security because of not only your language, but also the culture of which you are a part of. Companies are willing to pay top dollar for a writer that understands the language and cultural nuances that are required to produce quality work.
Low Start Up & Overhead – When I started my copywriting career I was trying to transition from the long hours of driving 18 wheelers to owning an art studio (yeah, it was a jump). When the art studio began to fall through I was lucky enough to work downstairs from The Midwest Writers’ Workshop and made friends with the woman who ran it. She knew a guy who needed some website writing done and knew I liked to write. Long story short – I had a computer, a passion for writing and a couple of contacts. That’s all you need too.
Become an Expert – What did you do before you started copywriting? Were you a truck driver? A real estate agent? Maybe even a dog groomer? Every one of these professions can benefit from copywriting services. Copywriting gives you the ability to enhance your knowledge of not only your current profession, but anything you have a mild interest in. Over the course of my career, I have researched and written on subjects from health insurance and car transmissions to sex positions. Every writing job you do well puts another notch in your belt and opens the door to even more possibilities.
Great Pay – You really didn’t think I would have a top 5 list without mentioning money, did you? While you may not make the big bucks when you are first starting out, once you have established yourself as a copywriter, businesses will pay top dollar for your services. Even better, most copywriting jobs pay, at least in part, before you begin writing. (Unless you’re Stephen King, there are not a lot of other writing jobs that do this.) Deposits for copywriting services range from one-third to one-half of the total fee and clients expect this, so don’t be afraid to ask for it.


Hold on, I’m going to the pool...

Freedom – Oh, yeah. Did I forget to mention that copywriting comes with a lot more freedom than other types of work? Yes you will have deadlines. Of course you will have set meeting times with clients, either in person or by phone. These things are standard, but what other job will let you stop in the middle to take the kids to dance class, the dog for a walk or even take a dip in the pool? In fact, as long as you have access to a laptop and an internet source, copywriting is a job you can take to the beach, camping, or even on a cruise.



There are, of course, many more reasons why copywriting is one of the greatest jobs in the world. But whenever I get in a funk or have a little writer’s block, these are the five reasons that always remind me why I do what I do.


What about you? What do you love most about your copywriting career?

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