Ever heard someone say, “Oh, copywriting is really hard to get into”? If you’ve told anyone
you’re interested in copywriting, you probably have. But where does that idea even come from?
Let’s break it down.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at an event, met someone new, and gone through the
usual small talk: “What do you do?” When I say I’m a copywriter, nine times out of ten, I hear,
“Wow, that’s tough to get into.”
Then comes the reasoning:
- “My friend’s brother tried it and failed.”
- “My old roommate gave it a shot but couldn’t make it work.”
You see the pattern? It’s almost always secondhand stories. People love to share opinions, but
more often than not, those opinions are based on someone else’s experience—or lack of it.
Now, sometimes, I’ll meet someone who says, “Yeah, I actually tried copywriting, but I just
couldn’t make any money.” So, I ask, “How did you try to find work?” The answers are usually
along the lines of, “I talked to a few people” or “I applied to agencies.”
Okay, fair enough. But then I ask, “How did you learn to write copy?” And without fail, the
answer is, “Oh, I’ve always been a good writer, so I just started doing it.”
Copywriting Feels Hard to Get Into—If You Don’t Have Training
No shame to anyone who’s tried it that way, but here’s the thing: Any career is tough to break
into if you don’t have training or experience.
Think about it. Would someone who enjoys doodling expect to land a job as a graphic designer
without learning design principles and building a portfolio? Would someone who loves to cook
just walk into a restaurant and become a chef without training? Probably not.
It’s the same with copywriting. If you don’t have the skills, it’s going to be a steep climb. And if
you’re applying for jobs against people who do have training and experience, guess who’s
getting hired?
Copywriting isn’t harder to break into than any other career. But very few people succeed
without actually knowing how to write copy.
There’s a difference between thinking you can write copy and truly understanding the strategy
behind it. Things like writing persuasive CTAs, structuring an email funnel, and turning features
into benefits—that’s the real stuff that makes a copywriter valuable.
Don’t Let Others Decide What’s Possible for You
So, first things first—ignore anyone who tries to tell you that copywriting is too hard to get into.
Either they don’t have firsthand experience, or they assumed that just being a good writer was
enough to land paying gigs.
Success in Any Field Requires a Plan
If you want to be a copywriter, you absolutely can be successful. But it won’t happen by
accident.
You need a plan:
- How will you get trained?
- How will you build experience?
- How will you get feedback and improve?
- How will you land clients?
People who go in with a strategy are the ones who make it happen.
Listen to the Right People
If you want to succeed, take advice from people who are already doing what you want to do.
Surround yourself with those who have figured it out, and stay focused on your goal.
And when you land your first client or your dream job, you’ll be the one proving those naysayers
wrong.