Copywriting comes off as one of the most profitable dealings of all respect, falling under the broad domain of marketing and communications. Which is why it’s vital to know the timeline of making money and the kind of potential income. Be it a new career path, freelance opportunity, or even an in-house job—literal or proverbial—. That is what this article will do: explain how long it generally takes to start earning from copywriting and the range one can expect, considering factors such as job type, skillset, experience, and others.
Understanding Copywriting
But, before lingering on the dedicated financial aspects, what one needs to understand is what copywriting really is. By definition, copywriting is the job of creating sets of words which are persuasive and interesting enough to influence readers to take over a cause. This could be anything from purchasing a product, subscribing to a newsletter, or just clicking a link. It spans anything from website content to advertisements to email campaigns and social media posts.
How Long Before You Start Making Money?
1. Freelance vs. In-House vs. Agency
Freelance Copywriting
There is no uniform period within which a freelancer must be paid. Much of this really does depend on how quickly you can produce a client base and a reputation. With a portfolio already in place, you may start making some money within weeks or months. Beginners will probably take up to six months to earn their first steady income stream.
- Timeline:
- Initial learning period: 1-3 months to grasp the basics and begin to practice
- Building a portfolio, getting clients: 2-6 months
- Steady Earnings: 6-12 months
In-House
In-house with a company, however, it gets a little more structured. You apply for positions, go through interviews, and probably undergo a probation period. Once hired, you can start earning from the date of employment. However, it would take some time before you really get comfortable with it and hit that stride, and that would then show in your raises and promotions.
- Job Search and Hiring: 1-3 months.
- First Earn: The first day on the job.
Agency Writing
This would mean that agencies are going to hire you for a variety of client projects. The timeline works out to be about on par with an in-house role; however, if you are already working with an agency, you will likely be able to ramp up quicker to start earning money. Usually, agencies transfer money at intervals that are either bi-weekly or monthly. Keeping that in mind, you may very well start earning money once you start working.
- Timeline
- Time Until Hired: 1–3 months.
- Pay: Immediately upon commencement of work.
2. Experience and Skillset
Beginner
Fresh faces with little prior experience cannot command high prices or big, high-end clients immediately. At this stage, most beginners need to gain work that will allow them to build a good portfolio and learn the best practices in that particular industry. Entry-level jobs or lowly paid freelance work is quite common during this stage.
- Timeline:
- Jump to speed, way of skills: 3-6 months.
- First Earnings: 3-6 months after initiation.
Intermediate
Older copywriters who have been around the block but should still charge decent prices for their copy. At this point, they may have had the opportunity to build up a current client base and perhaps learn more about what works in what niches. Sometimes, this step is slowly ramped up in terms of earnings as you are picking up clients and maybe niche down.
- Timeline
- Continued Growth: 6-12 months.
- Predictable Income: 6-12 months.
Established
Solid copywriters with solid work in their repertoire and a superior understanding of the market have a decent bunch of clients who do not shy away from premium pricing. At this stage, certainty about the work being available and at a set of premium rates is acquired. This could also attract some other passive income through courses, books, or even consulting.
- Timeline
- Exponential Growth: 12+ months
- Advanced Earnings: 12+ months though, with the chance of strong hikes.
How Much Can You Earn with a Copywriting Business
1. Freelance Copywriting
The income potential as a copywriter spans quite a spectrum, greatly depending on a writer’s experience level, niche, and the clients that he or she is able to attract
Entry-Level
Per-hour or per-project charges of entry-level freelancers can be as low as $25 to $50 or even as much as $100 to $300 for medium to large length target copy. In this case, incomes may be from around $20,000 up to $40,000 for such copywriters whose work is relatively average in experience or talent.
More experience and a solid portfolio bump rates up to the $50 to $100 per hour range. That pegs projects at somewhere between $300 – $1,000 per project. In this particular respect, freelancers are going to make on average between $40,000 to $80,000 per year.
Experienced
Even the highest-rated freelancer can bill per hour, $100-$300 or per project, $1,000 to $5,000, especially as the projects get very significant. Those freelancers can easily make well over $100,000 annually and, in some instances, significantly more.
2. In-House Copywriting
When it comes to in-house copywriting, copywriters are employed with a fixed pay that will at times come with insurances such as health and retirement.
Entry-Level
Most in-house copywriters can demand anywhere between $40,000 and $60,000 annually, based on the company and the place of posting of the company.
Mid-Level
With two to three years of experience, the pay scale can rise between $60,000 and $80,000 per year.
Senior-Level
Ranging between $80,000 to $120,000 yearly, and maybe much more, depending upon the size and the industry of the company and the managerial position or even a more experienced in-house copywriter position.
3. Agency Copywriting
Agency copywriter salaries can differ greatly depending on the size and reputation of agencies.
Entry-Level
Most agencies pay a starting salary that falls between $40,000 and $60,000 per year.
Mid-Level
Copywriters working in agencies for a few years can command between $60,000 to $80,000 annually.
Senior-Level
If you achieve the designation of senior copywriter or head of agency, then you can earn anything from $80,000 to even $120,000 or more per year.
Other Factors That Affect Earnings
1. Niche Specialization
This only means that copywriters who invest time to obtain a special amount of knowledge and expertise regarding very high-demand topics, such as technology, finance, or health care, will come at a higher price
2. Geographic Location
One more important thing that becomes a deciding factor is the geographic location where copywriters live. For example, copywriters who live in a metropolitan area or a place where the cost of living is high should expect to be paid a higher salary/rate than those who live in a small town or a place where the cost of living is lower.
3. Reputation and Network
A strong reputation and network can influence the earnings to a great degree. More established copywriters with a good reputation will charge more for their services and attract higher-paying jobs.
4. Additional Skills
SEO skills, digital marketing, or other content strategy skills add to stock. Additional services or specialization in areas such as conversion rate optimization will also yield higher rates.
Conclusion
Of course, how long it takes to start earning weights against many other parameters: job type, gained skill set, experience level, and area of specialty. Freelancers might take up to a year in getting a steady income, while in-house and agency copywriters almost start earning the day they get hired. These amounts may also significantly vary in opportunities to take home money, but generally fall into the following ranges: entry-level, $20,000 to $60,000 a year; mid-range, $40,000 to $80,000; experienced, $100,000 and up.
Whether you freelance, go in-house, or to an agency, success will happen only by combining improved craft with strategic positioning and a lot of doggedness. At the same time, you need to understand timelines and potential income, so you can make long-term career and financial plans in this ever-changing field of copywriting.
Leave a Reply