If you’re a new copywriter stuck somewhere in between “side hustle” and “burn out”…
And you’re ready to raise your rates, attract dream clients, escape the grind and build a business you absolutely love.
Then this blog is for you.
I’m sharing 4 easy steps you can follow – starting TODAY – to go from a new copywriter to an indispensable ASSET who your dream clients will gladly pay top dollar.
Hey, Posse! What’s up? It’s Alex.
Coming at ya this week with something that is a BIG question ALL copywriters in the beginning stages of their career ask…
How do you build a sustainable copywriting business that gives you the life, freedom and income you crave?
Without being overworked, underpaid and burnt out.
Well, I’m here to tell you it IS possible…
And honestly, it can happen pretty damn quickly too if you focus on learning the RIGHT skills.
In fact, many of my students are able to turn their side hustle into a full-time business in less than a year…
And some have even hit 6-figures in as little as 6 months!
Now, of course, those results aren’t “common”…
They are a direct reflection of the work YOU are willing to put in.
But I can tell you this…
If you follow the 4-steps I outline in this blog…
And you remain COMMITTED…
You can absolutely get there too.
But first, if you’re new to the crew – welcome! My blog is here to teach you the ins and outs of copywriting and marketing. So make sure to subscribe to my newsletter if that’s your jam.
Now let’s dive right into the very first step you need to take to become a highly-paid copywriter…
#1 – Create A Marketing-Focused Portfolio
So I’m going to go ahead and assume that if you’re reading this, you ALREADY have some basic knowledge of copywriting…
Maybe you’re self-taught from blogs like this one…
Maybe you took some online classes…
Or maybe you’re one step ahead of most and have already taken a comprehensive and practical copywriting course.
But no matter where you are on your journey, in order to be taken seriously as a copywriter, you NEED to have a portfolio.
In the words of Nicky Lorenzo, creative director and copywriter at Olgivy, one of the biggest advertising agencies in the world, when asked “Do you think that having a portfolio is important for copywriters?” She said…
You have to have one. It’s not important, it’s like… you have to have one. It’s not even a question. If you don’t have a portfolio, what are you even doing? Unless you have a friend who works at the agency that recommends you, you need a portfolio to get in. To even get looked at.
Nicky Lorenzo
But I’ll take the one step further and say…
You don’t want just ANY portfolio.
If your portfolio is a hodge podge of random stuff you’ve written, I hate to say it, but it’is probably doing more harm than good. In order to STAND out to high-paying clients, you first need to DEMONSTRATE that you do more than *just* write copy.
You want to show them that you actually know and understand the entire marketing process…
That you can write, build, and ideate an entire funnel…
That you can capture new leads… nurture those leads…. convert those leads into paying customers… and RETAIN those customers and increase customer lifetime value.
Trust me…
Businesses will pay PREMIUM if you can do that.
And this is why having a great marketing-focused portfolio – that is strategically organized – is such an important first step to take.
And if you need help building a portfolio your dream clients will DROOL over – complete with copy assets for every single touchpoint of the marketing funnel – then make sure to check out my 8-week copywriting program, The Copy Posse Launch Files.
Alright, so you’ve got a professional and marketing-focused portfolio…
The next step to becoming a highly-paid copywriter is to…
#2 – Own Your Skills
One of the best things I ever did as a freelancer was to stop offering to do EVERYTHING for my clients…
In the beginning, I would offer my clients project management, social media management, content writing, list management, video editing, blog editor and the list goes on and on…
I was so worried about losing clients that I’d offer to do whatever they needed, including low-value tasks that I was DEFINITELY overqualified for.
As soon as I started owning the fact that I was a damn good copywriter and THAT is all I offered, I was able to work in my genius zone and felt WAYYYYY less burnt out and was able to charge higher rates for this high-value skill.
Then, when approaching new clients, I was VERY SPECIFIC in the way I could help them…
“I write emails and sales pages to help you monetize your list and traffic.”
A jack of all trades is a master of none.
So my advice is OWN your skills and get crystal clear on EXACTLY HOW you plan to serve your future clients. Ask yourself:
WHAT do you offer?
- Will you offer copy, content, or both?
- What is your ideal niche? It could be personal development, online education, beauty, health and fitness, and the list goes on.
- Ask yourself what you truly enjoy researching, learning, and writing about and THAT’S what you should pick as your starter niche. (Because remember, you’re going to have to write about this topic, like, every day for the foreseeable future…
WHO do you serve?
- Do you want to help coaches, entrepreneurs or authors?
- Female-led brands?
- Local businesses?
- Natural and sustainable products?
- SaaS sites?
- E-commerce companies?
- You should be getting specific on WHO your ideal client is.
HOW do you do it?
- What services will you offer?
- Do you want to do blog posts, sales copy, video scripts, emails, social media, website homepages, or ads?
There are so many different types and mediums of copywriting out there.
Now this doesn’t mean you WON’T do anything else and you can pivot at any time. But getting clear on this will help you position yourself as THE PERSON who can help your clients achieve their goals.
Alright, now on to the third step to becoming a highly-paid copywriter…
#3 – Hone Your Skills
Once you own your skills, it’s time to hone your skills and build up your experience, authority and expertise. Because here’s the thing…
A.I. is here.
And yes, it can do some pretty impressive things. If it can write a mediocre email and that’s why you shouldn’t settle or be okay with *just* being mediocre.
In fact, I had the opportunity to ask Seth Godin how copywriters can stand out today, and he basically said the same thing I’m telling you right now…
“Medicore copywriting is doomed.”
Seth Godin
This isn’t to scare you.
It’s just like anything else that’s being “replaced” by technology…
Mediocre accountants are being replaced by do-it-yourself software like Freshbooks, Honeybook & Quickbooks…
But that doesn’t mean we don’t pay a LEGIT PROFESSIONAL when it comes time to file taxes.
Mediocre graphic designers are being replaced by user-friendly design tools like Canva…
But that doesn’t mean we don’t pay a GREAT DESIGNER to design our websites.
While it’s true that there ARE going to be some brands and businesses that will choose to get by with A.I…
Their copy will be mediocre, at best.
If businesses want mediocre results, they’ll use a standardized template or AI tool…
If they want masterful results, they hire an EXPERT.
There is so much crappy, irrelevant and unreliable content being published right now and that is great news for you…
Because smart brands and businesses are doubling DOWN on their messaging so they can rise UP above the noise – and they are looking for real copywriters who can help them.
And that is why I think there is actually MORE opportunity right now for copywriters than ever before. A.I. cannot do everything that a good copywriter brings to the table…
- Creative strategizing…
- Big-picture marketing…
- Creative messaging that guides customers through an entire, cohesive brand experience…
- Using empathy, storytelling, psychology, and powerful HUMAN drivers….
This is the single biggest secret to making yourself invaluable to the highest-paying clients.
Again, if you need help becoming absolutely AI-proof…
Then definitely check out my 8-week copywriting program – the Copy Posse Launch Files because I walk you through ALL OF THIS and so much more.
Alright and my LAST tip for becoming a highly-paid copywriter..
#4 – Overdeliver >> Get Results >> Get Referrals >> Raise Your Rates >> Repeat
At the end of the day…
It really doesn’t matter how impressive your portfolio is or how great you position yourself as an expert…
Yes – those things will definitely get you noticed by high-paying clients.
But the truth is in the pudding, baby.
After you land these clients you have to deliver the results.
And more importantly… OVERDELIVER.
Never settle right where you’re at.
If you’re in the business of marketing, one thing is for sure…
The market is always changing and there is always something you can learn or improve upon.
So if you want to be “the best” and KEEP getting clients that are willing to pay you top dollar…
Then you need to get into this habit of:
- Always learning and improving…
- Bringing fresh new ideas to the table…
- Asking for feedback…
- And monitoring results.
This is the key to being able to confidently raise your rates and build a business based purely on referrals…
Great clients know other great clients. So overdeliver >> get results >> get referrals >> raise your rates >> repeat.
That’s how I built my business without ever sending a cold outreach email…
And I’ll show you how inside my Copy Posse Launch Files program – this is my highest-level copywriter training, which includes the proven tools, timeless formulas and community support you need to ignite your copywriting business, stand out and get paid – in just eight weeks.
Give me a thumbs up if you found this blog helpful, and until next time, I’m Alex. Ciao for now!
