Copywriting is one of the most profitable online skills in today’s digital economy. Businesses need persuasive words to sell their products and services, which means copywriters are always in demand. But here’s the big question: How do you get paid as a copywriter without experience?
The good news is you don’t need a degree, years of training, or a massive portfolio to start making money. What you need is the right approach, persistence, and the ability to show potential clients that you can deliver results.
In this guide, we’ll break down step-by-step strategies to help you land your first clients, build credibility, and start getting paid as a beginner copywriter.
What Is Copywriting?
Before diving in, let’s quickly clear up what copywriting actually means.
Copywriting is the art of writing words that persuade people to take action — whether that’s buying a product, subscribing to a newsletter, signing up for a free trial, or clicking a link. Unlike regular content writing, which is mainly for information, copywriting focuses on sales, conversions, and results.
Think of:
Sales pages
Email campaigns
Ads (Facebook, Google, TikTok, etc.)
Product descriptions
Website landing pages
The ability to write words that sell is valuable — and that’s why companies are willing to pay you, even if you’re new.
Why You Don’t Need Experience to Start
Many beginners hold themselves back because they think no one will hire them without experience. But here’s the truth: clients don’t care about your experience; they care about results.
If you can show that your words can bring in sales or leads, you’re already valuable. Even as a beginner, you can:
Create spec samples (mock projects that demonstrate your skills).
Offer to write for small businesses, startups, or nonprofits at discounted rates in exchange for testimonials.
Leverage platforms where clients are specifically looking for beginner-friendly copywriters.
Your first paid job might not be huge, but it opens the door to more opportunities and bigger projects.
Step 1: Learn the Basics of Copywriting
You don’t need a college degree, but you do need to understand the foundations. Luckily, there are free and affordable ways to learn:
Free resources: Blogs, YouTube videos, and podcasts about copywriting.
Books: The Copywriter’s Handbook by Robert Bly or Influence by Robert Cialdini.
Courses: Affordable online programs on Udemy, Skillshare, or Coursera.
Focus on learning about:
Headlines that grab attention
Persuasive writing techniques (AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire, Action)
Customer psychology
Calls-to-action (CTAs)
This basic knowledge will help you feel confident even if you’re new.
Step 2: Create Your First Writing Samples
Clients want to see proof of your writing. If you don’t have paid work yet, you can create your own samples.
Here’s how:
Rewrite the copy from a brand you like (e.g., a Facebook ad or product description).
Create a fake landing page for a made-up product.
Write a short email sequence promoting a digital product.
You don’t need to say these are real client projects. Simply present them as sample work to demonstrate your skills.
Step 3: Build a Simple Online Portfolio
You don’t need a fancy website at first. Even a free Google Drive folder or a profile on LinkedIn, Medium, or Blogger can serve as your starter portfolio.
As you gain real clients, update your portfolio with actual projects and testimonials. But in the beginning, keep it simple and focused.
Step 4: Start Finding Your First Clients
This is where the money starts coming in. Here are some places beginners can land copywriting jobs without prior experience:
1. Freelance Marketplaces
Upwork – Many clients are open to hiring beginners if your pitch is strong.
Fiverr – Create “copywriting gigs” for ad copy, product descriptions, or email writing.
Freelancer.com – Bid on beginner-friendly projects.
2. Social Media
Join Facebook groups, LinkedIn communities, and Twitter spaces where business owners hang out. Engage, provide value, and offer your services.
3. Cold Pitching
Research small businesses, especially local shops, startups, or e-commerce brands. Send them a personalized email offering to improve their website or product descriptions.
4. Networking
Tell friends, family, or colleagues that you’re offering copywriting. Your first client might come from someone in your circle.
Step 5: Learn How to Pitch Yourself
The way you pitch is just as important as your skills. Clients want to know “what’s in it for them.”
Here’s a simple pitch formula for beginners:
1. Introduce yourself briefly.
2. Acknowledge their business and show you’ve done research.
3. Highlight the problem (e.g., weak product descriptions, low-converting landing page).
4. Offer your solution (your copywriting service).
5. Call to action (invite them to schedule a call or reply).
Example:
"Hi [Name], I came across your online store and noticed that your product descriptions don’t highlight benefits as strongly as they could. As a copywriter, I help e-commerce businesses write persuasive descriptions that increase sales. I’d love to rewrite one of your product pages for free as a sample. If you like it, we can discuss more. Would you be open to that?"
Step 6: Offer Entry-Level Pricing (But Don’t Work for Free)
When starting out, you may need to charge lower rates than experienced copywriters. That’s fine — it gets your foot in the door.
Examples of beginner-friendly rates:
$20–$50 for a short landing page section
$10–$30 for a product description
$50–$100 for an email sequence
Over time, as you gain experience and testimonials, you can increase your rates significantly. Some advanced copywriters charge thousands per project.
Pro tip: Do not work for free unless it’s a deliberate exchange for a testimonial or case study. Even small payments build your confidence and credibility.
Step 7: Deliver Results and Collect Testimonials
Once you land your first client, your #1 goal is to deliver outstanding results.
Meet deadlines.
Be professional in communication.
Go the extra mile (e.g., suggest improvements, provide variations).
After a successful project, ask your client for a testimonial. This builds social proof and makes it easier to land higher-paying jobs.
Step 8: Leverage Content Marketing to Attract Clients
While pitching is great for beginners, you can also start attracting clients to you with content.
Write LinkedIn posts about copywriting tips.
Publish blog posts (like this one) on copywriting and marketing.
Share before-and-after examples of your writing.
This positions you as an authority, even as a beginner, and helps clients find you organically.
Step 9: Keep Improving Your Skills
Copywriting is a skill that gets better with practice. The more you write, the more persuasive you’ll become.
Ways to grow:
Practice rewriting ads from big brands.
Study successful email campaigns.
Take feedback seriously and improve.
Learn about niche industries (e.g., finance, fitness, e-commerce).
The better you get, the more you can charge.
Mistakes to Avoid as a Beginner Copywriter
Waiting too long to start: Don’t spend months “learning” without taking action.
Working for exposure only: Always ask for payment or a testimonial.
Generic pitches: Customize every message to show you understand the client’s needs.
Fear of rejection: Not every pitch will work, but every “no” brings you closer to a “yes.”
Summary
Getting paid as a copywriter without experience is 100% possible. Thousands of beginners land their first clients every day by taking simple, consistent steps.
Remember:
1. Learn the basics.
2. Create samples.
3. Build a simple portfolio.
4. Start pitching and networking.
5. Deliver great results and collect testimonials.
With persistence, your first $50 job can quickly turn into $500 and eventually $5,000+ per project. Copywriting has unlimited income potential — but only if you start.
So don’t wait until you “feel ready.” Start writing, start pitching, and start getting paid
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