How to Launch a Profitable Copywriting Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you a wordsmith with a gift for persuasion? Do you love crafting compelling copy that inspires people to take action? If so, you might have what it takes to launch your own copywriting business.

Starting a copywriting business is an exciting endeavor for any writer with an entrepreneurial spirit. You get to do work you're passionate about, set your own hours, and build a company that can generate income for years to come. However, it does take a lot of time, dedication, and know-how to get a copywriting business up and running.

In this post, we'll walk you through the essential steps to starting your own copywriting business, from developing your services to building a client base and beyond. If you're ready to become your own boss as a freelance copywriter, let's dive in!

The Copywriting Market Landscape

The copywriting market serves businesses of all sizes, from local mom and pop shops to major corporations. As a copywriter, your target audience will depend on the types of clients you want to work with. You may focus on small businesses in your local community, ecommerce companies selling luxury goods online, or large brands with a mass market reach.

No matter who your target clients are, the demand for high-quality copywriting is huge. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 8% from 2018 to 2028. Copywriters who specialize in areas like content marketing, email marketing, and social media are in especially high demand.

To succeed as a copywriter, you need to identify who you want to serve and become an expert in writing copy that resonates with their target audiences. While the copywriting market is large, it is also competitive. Specializing in a niche and building a strong portfolio of work is key to standing out and winning new clients. With the right skills and experience, copywriting can be an extremely lucrative business.

Developing Your Copywriting Services

As a copywriter, your core service is writing persuasive copy for your clients. However, you need to determine what specific types of copywriting you want to focus on, such as:

• Content marketing: Blogs, articles, email newsletters, etc. This is a popular area many copywriters specialize in.

•Website copy: Homepage, about page, service pages, etc. Every business needs copy for their website.

•Social media posts: Captions, ads, and other short-form copy for platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

•Email marketing: Welcome emails, promotions, newsletters, and autoresponder series.

•Direct mail: Sales letters, postcards, brochures, and other print materials.

To stand out, focus on a few core areas you excel in and enjoy writing. Develop samples to build an online portfolio showcasing your work. Your services should be delivered primarily through digital means, though some print work may be required for certain clients.

Determine how you will charge for your services, such as by the project, word, or hour. Create service packages at different price points as well as an à la carte menu of options. Meet with clients to understand their needs, then craft a custom proposal outlining exactly what you will deliver and how much it will cost.

With a compelling portfolio, competitive rates, and a consultative sales process, you'll be well on your way to winning new copywriting clients. Be sure to ask for referrals and reviews to help build social proof of your abilities.

The Economics of a Copywriting Business

As a freelance copywriter, your main costs are the time and effort required to serve your clients. You do not have a physical product, so you do not need to worry about manufacturing or shipping costs. However, you still need to charge rates that will generate a healthy profit after accounting for your own business expenses.

Your costs will include things like:

•Office supplies: A laptop, reference materials, software, etc. The costs to set up your home office.

•Business licenses and permits: Requirements vary by location but may include a business license, sales tax permit, etc.

•Website and marketing: Hosting fees, domain names, email marketing services, and any paid advertising.

•Continuing education: Books, courses, and conferences to strengthen your copywriting skills.

•Taxes: Federal and state income taxes, self-employment tax, and any business taxes in your area.

To determine your rates, calculate how much you need to earn to cover your costs and generate a profit. Factor in the value and impact of your services as well. Most copywriters charge between $50 to $500 per hour, depending on experience and expertise. You may charge less for small businesses and more for large companies.

Some copywriters offer package deals, retainer relationships, or monthly subscription plans in addition to their hourly rates. This provides predictable income and an opportunity to build long-term relationships with clients. You can also charge premium rates for rush jobs or high-level consulting services.

With the right pricing strategy, a copywriting business can be very profitable. Be sure to revisit your rates over time and make adjustments as needed based on demand for your services and your increasing experience. Happy clients and a steady stream of referrals will enable you to continue raising your rates and growing your business.

Marketing Your Copywriting Business

To build a successful copywriting business, you need to market your services to attract new clients. Some of the top strategies include:

•Search engine optimization: Optimize your website to rank for keywords like “copywriter,” “freelance copywriter,” and “copywriting services” in your local area. Write blog posts on topics your target clients care about to generate organic traffic.

•Social media marketing: Create profiles on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to raise awareness of your business. Post updates about your latest work, share tips for business owners, and engage with potential clients. LinkedIn in particular is a great place to connect with marketing managers and business owners looking to hire copywriters.

•Email marketing: Build an email list from your website visitors and social followers. Send newsletters with your latest blog posts, case studies, and service offers. Promote your business to the list with special deals and discounts.

•Direct outreach: Identify potential clients and reach out to them directly via email or phone to pitch your services. Focus on businesses that may need help with content creation, email marketing, or website copy. Have a script ready to explain what you do and the value you can provide.

•Paid advertising: Run targeted ads on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google to reach new audiences. Pay-per-click ads and social media advertising are affordable ways to increase visibility and generate leads for your business.

•Networking: Attend local events to meet business owners and marketing professionals in your area. Join relevant organizations and look for opportunities to get involved. In-person networking is a great way to make personal connections that lead to new client relationships.

•Referral marketing: Ask happy clients to refer you to others who may need your services. Offer a discount or incentive for any referrals that turn into new business. Referrals are one of the best ways to win high-quality clients that already trust you and your work.

Sales Strategies and Processes for a Copywriting Business

To win new copywriting clients, you need to employ effective sales strategies and have a structured sales process in place. Some key strategies include:

•Consultative selling: Meet with prospects to understand their needs and challenges. Explain how your copywriting services can help them achieve their goals. Focus on the value you provide rather than just selling your features. This approach builds trust and credibility.

•Solution-based proposals: After the initial meeting, draft a custom proposal outlining how you will solve the prospect’s problems. Include samples of similar work you have done and the results achieved. Price your services based on the value to the client rather than what competitors are charging.

•Follow up persistently: It can take multiple contacts to win a new client. Follow up regularly via email and phone to address any concerns, provide more details about your proposal, and reiterate why you are the best copywriter for the job. Be professional yet persistent.

•Ask for referrals: Once you win a new client, ask them if they know of any other businesses that could benefit from your copywriting services. Referrals from existing clients are an excellent way to generate new leads. Offer an incentive for any referrals that turn into paying clients.

To streamline your sales process, define the specific steps you will take from initial contact to signing a new client. This typically includes:

1. Conducting research on the prospect and their business to prepare for your first meeting.

2. Meeting with the key decision maker to discuss their needs, goals, and any copywriting challenges they want to address.

3.Drafting a custom proposal outlining your recommended services, deliverables, timeline, and fees.

4.Following up to address any questions about your proposal and negotiate final details of the agreement.

5.Onboarding new clients by clarifying project details, sharing your process, setting deadlines, and getting any required information or materials from them to get started.

6.Delivering your copywriting services and following up to ensure your client is satisfied with the results and experience.

7.Asking for referrals and a review to build social proof and look for new lead opportunities.

With a defined sales process in place, you will find it much easier to win and retain copywriting clients. Be sure to measure key metrics around lead generation, proposals issued, new clients acquired, and revenue to track the success of your sales efforts over time. Make adjustments as needed to improve your results.

Operations and Execution

To run a successful copywriting business, you need efficient operations and processes to execute client work effectively. Some key things to focus on include:

•Project management: Have a system to keep track of deadlines, deliverables, and client details for each project. Use tools like Asana, Trello, or monday.com to organize your tasks, set reminders, and store all project-related information in one place.

•Content creation process: Develop a consistent process for researching, writing, editing, and proofreading your copy. Start by conducting in-depth research on the client’s business and target audience. Outline your copy, then draft a first version. Get feedback, make revisions, edit and proofread before finalizing. Store useful resources and past copy in a swipe file for future reference.

•Quality assurance: Ensure high quality work by proofreading and double-checking all copy before delivering to clients. Fact-check statistics and test any calls-to-action. Ask a colleague or friend to also review and provide feedback. High quality work and few errors or typos will lead to happy, long-term clients.

•Time management: As a freelancer, it is up to you to manage your own time effectively. Create a schedule to keep yourself accountable for work and deadlines. Use time-blocking to focus on one task at a time and avoid distractions. Learn to say no so you do not take on more work than you can handle. Meet deadlines and be transparent with clients about any delays.

•Continual learning: Take courses and read books on copywriting, content creation, and digital marketing to strengthen your skills. Stay up-to-date with trends in content formats, social media platforms, email marketing software, and more. Join copywriting groups and follow industry leaders. Continuous learning will make you a better and more valuable copywriter.

•Streamlining and automation: Look for ways to streamline your operations and automate repetitive tasks. Use templates for proposals, contracts, and other documents. Invest in tools that can help with lead generation, email marketing, invoicing, and project management. The more you can automate, the more time you will have to focus on client work and growing your business.

Legal Considerations

Before launching your copywriting business, research the legal requirements to operate legally in your city and state. You may need business licenses, permits, and insurance. Federal law requires all businesses to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax purposes.

Conclusion: Launch Your Copywriting Business Today

If you have a gift for crafting compelling copy and want the freedom of working for yourself, starting a copywriting business is an excellent path to pursue. While it does require effort and dedication, a copywriting business can be very rewarding. You get to do work you find meaningful, set your own schedule, and build a company that provides value to clients for years to come.

By developing your services, establishing a sales process, and implementing efficient operations, you'll have the foundation to build a successful copywriting business. Reach your target clients through a mix of marketing strategies, focus on high-quality work and great customer service, and never stop improving your skills. With passion, persistence, and the right planning, you can establish yourself as an in-demand copywriter.

What are you waiting for? Start putting together your business plan, build your website, and launch your copywriting services today. The opportunity is there—you just have to take the first step. Become your own boss and start crafting copy that makes a real impact. Your dream of owning a copywriting business is within your reach!