Is Copywriting a Good Career? The Pros and Cons

What does a copywriter do?

That broad scope has led to a range of specialisms, including:

• Content writer — creates specialist content for particular industries
• Social media copywriter — writes posts for social platforms
• E-commerce copywriter — focuses on copy for online stores

There are many more examples. Most copywriters also specialise in a field, such as healthcare or law. It’s a broad profession, with room for writers with different interests and strengths.

Is becoming a copywriter worth it?

Copywriters’ experiences vary widely. Some earn well and enjoy a steady flow of assignments, but success is not guaranteed. Before choosing this career, it’s worth weighing its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of copywriting

• Learning as you work. Researching assignments helps you discover something new every day.
• Good earning potential for experienced writers. Established copywriters can earn more than a typical local salary.
• The option to work remotely. If you dream of earning a living from home, copywriting could make that possible.
• A low barrier to entry. You don’t need a large upfront investment to start writing and building your skills.
• Personal development. The market keeps changing, encouraging you to learn and improve your writing.

Disadvantages of copywriting

• Difficulty finding well-paid assignments. You’ll face competition from other writers looking for the same clients.
• Income that changes from month to month. Without a salaried role, your earnings may fluctuate considerably.
• Potential legal and financial risks. Although the risk is usually low, you need to take care with copyright and confidential information.
• Isolation. Working from home without colleagues nearby may suit some people, while others will miss the company.

Whether copywriting is worth pursuing depends on your personality, abilities and expectations. It may seem like a modern, convenient career, but it won’t suit everyone.

How much do copywriters earn?

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

Writing speed varies from person to person. A possible monthly workload is 300,000–500,000 characters including spaces.

At the rates above, that works out to an indicative $3,000–$15,000 per month, assuming enough assignments to fill your working days. Beginners generally earn less, particularly when starting out on freelance writing platforms.

What skills does a copywriter need?

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

• Good organisation — meeting deadlines and delivering on briefs are essential, whatever the assignment. Leaving everything until the last minute often leads to weaker work.
• Writing ability — you need a strong command of grammar, punctuation and spelling, as well as a feel for style, a varied vocabulary and the ability to write clearly.
• SEO knowledge — much of today’s copy is published online, so visibility matters. Keep up with search best practices.
• An understanding of your audience — accurate writing is not enough. To meet marketing goals, your copy must speak to readers’ needs and motivations.
• Awareness of legal requirements — you may need to license your work or transfer rights to a client. Be prepared to handle the relevant agreements and formalities.

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