If you found this blog post, there’s a pretty big chance you’re on the verge of quitting your job and becoming a freelance copywriter.
I get it. At my last 9-5 job, it was ALL I thought about on my commute there (and home).
While a “conventional” job has its benefits, there’s NOTHING like the freedom that comes with running your own copywriting business. But, before you rage-quit your day job, you need to have a sustainable plan in place so that you can make the transition with no regrets.
Starting your copywriting business is one of the most fulfilling, exciting things you’ll ever do, but it’s not a “magic carpet” that’s going to whisk you away to financial freedom overnight. There are few things you need to really come to terms with before you quit your job to become a copywriter.
Yes, running a copywriting business can be lucrative. Copywriting is a specialized skill, and you can charge accordingly. But, it’s by no means a “get rich quick” scheme. The highest paid copywriters have spent years honing their craft, building client relationships, and making a name for themselves in the industry. Yes, you’ll make money, but you have to have the foundations in place if you want it to actually be sustainable.
Copywriting is in high demand and it always will be. That doesn’t mean, though, that there will necessarily be business owners lining up at your door for your services.
There’s a huge shift in the economy right now, and a LOT of people are quitting their jobs to become freelance copywriters, which means the competition is fierce.
And hey–I don’t say that to discourage you from bailing on the 9-5 and following your freelance copywriter dreams. In fact, just the opposite: you can work HARD at establishing your client base, but it’s better if you work SMART.
Instead of pounding on the digital door of every business you can find, narrow it down to the type of clients you want to work with and what type of copy you want to write. Become a SUPER pro at it. And reach out knowing exactly what you can do for your potential clients.
Think: If a business owner received 2 emails from potential copywriters and one of them specialized in their niche and the other didn’t, who do you think they would choose?
Remember that you won’t build your client base overnight. But, with the right systems in place, delivering fantastic client experiences, and establishing yourself as an expert in your field, you’ll see consistent opportunities come your way.
Copywriting is the juxtaposition of art and science, and you’re not going to master your skills by taking a single copywriting course.
Even if you go the fast-track route and hire a copywriting coach or copywriting mentor, you need to put in the work and implement what you’ve learned.
Even after you’ve covered your foundational skills, copywriting is one of those careers where you need to constantly be learning. Listen to marketing podcasts, read sales psychology studies, and study consumer behavior. Anything that connects you to the buyer journey is going to help improve your copywriting skills.
Ok, so you’ve decided you’re not just IN…you’re ALL in. You want to quit your job to be a copywriter.
No matter how much you hate your job, quitting without a plan can wreak havoc on your life, and in turn, put your copywriting career goals even further out of sight. Let’s talk about how to formulate a sustainable plan for you to ditch the cubicle and start a copywriting business.
Starting your copywriting business as a side hustle before making the full transition from employee to business owner is a great way to quit your job and write full time.
Unless you’ve got a ton of money stashed away somewhere and can afford to take the leap RIGHT NOW, you want to build your business on the side until you’re ready to jump the 9-5 ship.
Set a schedule: Choose 2-3 hours in the morning before work or after work that are dedicated solely to your new copywriting business. Get yourself in a routine so it becomes second nature to clock out of your sh*t job and clock into your new life. Be consistent and you’ll see your side hustle become your MAIN hustle before you know it.
And, don’t be afraid to put in work on the weekends. Remember, your copywriting business won’t build itself.
A freelance copywriting business isn’t for the faint of heart, and as I mentioned above, it takes time to build your client base and establish a consistent income. I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend having a savings account with enough money to cover your bills for 3-6 months. Projects fall through. Clients disappear without payment. Anything can happen. And, especially when your business is new, you need a backup plan.
When your copywriting business gets to the point where you’re bringing in ⅔ of the income of your 9-5, you’re in a good position to quit your job and write full time. And, okay, disclaimer that “this is not financial advice,” but I’ll tell you why this is the exact time I quit my job to start my business.
If you’re spending 3 hours a day working on your business and bringing in ⅔ the amount of your full time job, imagine what you can do with the 8 hours a day you were spending at the office.
Like I said before…businesses don’t build themselves, and entrepreneurship is a far cry from the security of a regular paycheck.
Get in the entrepreneurial mindset by realizing that everything you do has a direct impact on your income. The smarter you work, the more money you make. Everything depends on YOU and only you.
I’d be lying to you if I said leaving the stability of employment was without its stressors. And every job comes with its own stress. But, when you own your own business, the key difference is this: the stress belongs to you. The stress associated with owning your own business comes from working on your OWN dreams instead of someone else’s.
Can ANYONE handle it? No.
But, is it worth risking what you know for what you want?
Abso-fucking-lutely.
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