5 Reasons Freelance Copywriting May Be the Perfect Job for You
See what the pros say
I’m not a copywriter (yet).
I’m a high school teacher. Where I live, that means working 6 days a week, 40 plus weeks a year. It’s tough. And with a newborn baby, it doesn’t feel like a sustainable schedule. So I’ve been looking at jobs I could make a career change to, and one promising job that keeps popping up in my research is freelance copywriter.
But, why would you listen to me? I’m not even a freelance copywriter. So, let’s see what the professionals think.
Don’t take my word for it — this is what the pros say
Here are 5 benefits of being a freelance copywriter according to actual freelance copywriters.
1. Be your own boss
Jacob McMillen, a 6 figure-earning copywriter and educator, lists this as one of the perks.
When you’re your own boss, you choose your schedule. For example, many people do their best work between 5 am and 11 am. No problem.
You’re the boss — you can work whenever you want.
Next, you choose what you work on and who you work with.
This means you get to choose your niche and the direction of your company. So, you can align the things you write about, and the people you write for, with your interests. If you’re a keen golfer, for example, you can write for golf websites.
You’re the boss — you can work on whatever you want with whoever you want.
2. Demand
Every business needs copywriters.
Because every company has a website. And every website needs someone to write its copy. Alex Cattoni, a freelance copywriter since 2012, says creative, hardworking, and skillful (of course) writers, have lots of work opportunities.
Get good at writing copy and you’ll be in demand.
3. Lucrative
Both Jacob McMillen and Alex Cattoni grew their businesses from writing for small fees to bringing in 5 figures per month.
How did they do it? Well, they wrote. A lot. And they understood the importance of pitching and selling. And they did this consistently over several years.
Earning 6 figures as a freelance writer isn’t easy, but it isn’t complicated.
4. Work anywhere
If you’ve got a laptop and an internet connection, you can do it anywhere.
Emma Sothern writes for companies like Google and Dell from her base in Vietnam. You can write from anywhere. You could be backpacking around Asia. Or in the countryside avoiding crazy rents in the cities. Either way, freelance copywriting gives you the flexibility you wouldn’t get with a traditional 9 to 5.
Ever wanted to work by a tropical beach? Well, you can if you have a laptop and wifi.
5. Minimal expenses
And finally, setting up and running a freelance writing company won’t cost a fortune according to Jacob McMillen.
Initial and recurring expenses are low. You need a computer and an internet connection (which you probably already have). You need website hosting for your portfolio. And, there’s no need for office space because you can work from home. Compared to many other types of companies, it’s cheap to get set up and run.
Of course, there are risks involved when going out on your own, but they are balanced out by the low start-up costs.
Avoiding the 9 to 5
Whether you’re looking for your first job or a mid-career change, with freelance copywriting you can avoid the 9 to 5. Or in my case the 8 to 5:30, 6 days a week. There’s demand, it pays well, and you can do it anywhere. And, it will allow you to spend Saturdays with your newborn son (talking about me again here, sorry).
