One of the first questions I always hear when someone’s thinking about getting into copywriting
is, “Okay, this sounds great—but when will I actually start making money?”
How-Soon-Can-You Make-Money-as-a-Copywriter?
Totally valid question, right? If you’re diving into a new career, you want to know when you’ll
Start seeing some cash flow.
So, here’s the deal: I’ll answer that, but first, I’ve got to assume you’re actually learning how to
do copywriting. Honestly, one of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to land gigs before
They even know how to write copy.
Think of it this way: no one’s going to hire you to be a barista if you don’t know how to work an
Espresso machine. Same goes for copywriting—it’s a skill, and you’ve got to take the time to
Learn it.
That’s why finding good training is key. It’s not just about learning how to write; it’s about
understanding how to write copy that makes people take action—whether it’s clicking “Buy
Now,” signing up for a newsletter, or downloading an app.
Two Things You Need to Start Making Money
Alright, so how soon can you start earning? The short answer: as soon as you’re ready. But to be
ready, you need two things: training and experience.
- Training
Copywriting isn’t something you can just wing—it’s like learning any other profession. The
good news? It’s way faster and cheaper to learn than most other careers.
You don’t need to drop thousands on a fancy portfolio school, and you definitely don’t need one
of those “certifications” that sound impressive but don’t really matter.
What you do need is training that teaches you the basics, like:
- How to turn features into benefits (so your writing actually resonates with people).
- How to write killer calls to action.
- How to create ad concepts that grab attention.
Oh, and you’ll also want a course that shows you how to find clients—because learning how to
Write copy is one thing, but landing gigs is a whole different ballgame.
- Experience
Here’s the tricky part: clients want experience, but you need clients to get experience. It’s the
classic-chicken-and-egg situation.
But here’s the secret: you don’t need real clients to build a portfolio. You can create your own
Samples by writing spec ads—basically fake ads that showcase your skills. It’s an awesome way
to get your feet wet and start building something you can show off to potential clients.
Once you’ve got the basics down, start pitching small businesses. They’re usually not marketing
experts, so even as a newbie, you’ll probably know more than they do.
And as you get more work and more samples, you can start going after bigger clients, agencies,
or even in-house gigs.
Your Timeline = Your Pace
Here’s the thing: how quickly you start making money is entirely up to you. Some people dive in
headfirst and land their first client within weeks. Others take it slow and steady, fitting learning
into a busy schedule.
But to give you a better idea, let me tell you about Margaret.
Margaret’s Story: 327 Pitches to Her First Client
Margaret started copywriting from scratch. She didn’t know anything about it when she first
reached out to me, but she was ready for a career change and wanted something she could enjoy,
grow in, and make money doing.
She got the training, built her skills, and started pitching. And when I say she pitched, I mean she
pitched. Margaret sent 327 pitches before she landed her very first client.
Yep, it wasn’t easy, but she kept going. She kept refining her skills and learning from every
pitch. And eventually, all that hard work paid off.
Fast forward a few months and Margaret emailed me saying she was working consistently with
clients and making a full-time income. She didn’t have to wait for years—it just took persistence and a willingness to keep at it.
Could It Take Longer?
Of course! Everyone’s situation is different. It depends on how much time you can dedicate to
learning and building your portfolio.
Could you do it faster? Totally. Some people land gigs within weeks because they hit the ground
running. Others take a few months to build confidence and put themselves out there.
At the end of the day, there’s no magic formula. But with good training, a solid plan, and
consistent effort, you can start earning sooner than you think.