How to become a copywriter in 9 (not so) easy steps

Copywriting may seem like an easy career choice, but it’s far from that. There are no special degrees or certifications you can earn, there’s no single school you can go to to learn how to be a copywriter, and even if you do become an amazing writer, you still have to figure out how to market yourself and get your work out there in front of the people who need it most. But luckily, as with any other job out there, you can learn how to become a copywriter through both formal education and on-the-job training.

Step 1: Decide on your goal

Before you start your journey to becoming a copywriter, you need to know what your end goal is.What do you want to became a freelancing writer? A staff writer? What kind of writing do you want to do? Once you have a goal in mind, you can start planning your route.

Step 2: Do your research

Before you start reaching out to copywriting agencies or applying for jobs, it’s important to do your research and figure out what the field entails. What skills are required? What are the day-to-day tasks? What is the expected salary range? The more you know about copywriting, the better prepared you’ll be to enter the field.

Step 3: Nail your resume

A great resume is key to getting your foot in the door with any company, and the copywriting industry is no different. Be sure to highlight your writing experience, any relevant coursework, and any awards or accolades you’ve received.

Step 4: Find the perfect role

The next step is to find the perfect role. This can be done by job hunting online, attending job fairs, or networking. Once you find a role that interests you, research the company and position to make sure it’s a good fit. Finally, apply for the job and cross your fingers!

Step 5: Stand out from the crowd

In order to succeed as a copywriter, you need to be able to stand out from the crowd. There are a lot of people vying for the same clients, so you need to make sure that you’re offering something unique. One way to do this is by studying the competition and seeing what they’re not offering, and then filling that gap. Another way is to simply be the best at what you do – offer superb quality and service that your clients can’t find anywhere else.

Step 6: Get hired

So, you want to be a copywriter? Great! Here's how you can get started in the wonderful world of advertising. First off, don't quit your day job just yet. There are a few things you need to do before attempting this career change: make sure you're ready for the challenges and rewards that come with being an ad writer; have some solid experience in your industry; and create an impressive portfolio of samples. Once these steps are complete, it's time to start networking and finding out who is hiring copywriters right now.

Step 7. Learn fast, learn often, learn well

In order to be a successful copywriter, you need to have the ability to learn quickly, retain information, and apply it effectively. The best way to do this is by seeking out opportunities to learn as often as possible. This could include taking courses, reading books on the subject, or even just paying attention to the ads around you. Whatever method you choose, make sure that you are constantly learning and expanding your skillset.

Step 8. Write every day, because it's what you do.

No matter what you do, or where you go, or how many people you talk to, the only way to get better at writing is to write. A lot. It's not enough to just write when you feel inspired, or when you have something important to say. You need to write every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. The more you write, the better you'll get at it.

Step 9. Get noticed, get promoted

You’ve made it to the final step! Getting noticed and promoted as a copywriter can be difficult, but it’s not impossible.

1. Make sure your work is top-notch – This should be a given, but it’s worth repeating. Your work needs to be error-free and of the highest quality if you want to get noticed.