As a busy copywriting agency working with writers all over the world, we often get asked ‘who can become a copywriter?’ And the answer is truly, anyone. All you need is certain skills, a love of writing and a really good attitude.

So if you’re thinking of pursuing a career in copywriting, that’s awesome! Here are a few things you should consider before getting started.

Practice, practice, practice

The more you write, the better (and faster) you’ll become. So be curious, experiment with different styles and write — a lot.

Work on your portfolio

If you are thinking of a career in this space, you should probably start by working on a portfolio of your written work. Chances are, prospective clients will want to see a sample of your writing before hiring you, so it’s best to have a few good pieces to share straight off the bat.

Get your first commission

Next up is securing your first commission. Now don’t panic. Your ‘commission’ could be anything: an advert, a suggestion from a family member, a video script… anything with words in it! All you need to do is take an idea, make it your own, and see if you can turn it into a valuable piece of writing. Easy enough, right? Once you’ve done that, ask for feedback. We understand that criticism can be terrifying, but it really is the best way to improve and gauge if you’ve nailed the brief.

Your first paid job

Next step? Getting your first paid job! Maybe you’ve pitched your services to a local company, or you’ve joined a freelance agency and managed to secure work that way. Whatever the case may be, it’s an exciting milestone and you’re obviously going to want to do a good job. The most important thing to remember is to carefully read and understand the brief you’re given and, critically, to deliver on time.

Find a Specialism

Our final tip for the development of your copywriting career is to find a specialism. The more specialised you are as a copywriter, the more in demand you are going to be because you’ll bring something unique to the table. So start considering what you love to write about. Are you creative? Are you good at selling things? Are you interested in cooking? It doesn’t really matter what your interest is. Just develop your knowledge in that area, establish yourself as an authority in that field, and watch the work roll in.

…And off you go! Keep reading, writing and learning on your journey. Gaining experience will allow you to eventually demand higher rates for your work and make a bigger success if your copywriting career.

Join the ‘Finesse Your Writing’ course waitlist!

If you’re just starting out and could use some more copywriting insight, we invite you to join the waiting list for our ‘Finesse Your Writing’ copywriting course, starting soon. Sign up at byfinessegroup.com/learning!