3 Steps To Take When Turning Your Writing Skills Into A Copywriting Side Business 

While the US ad market is set to decline in 2020, businesses are still investing heavily in their advertising. As more businesses seek to make maximum impact with their advertising resources, many of them are hiring copywriters, making it a lucrative career or side business if done right. With more businesses prioritizing their eCommerce presence, many of them are looking for help in crafting their digital media like e-newsletters, website landing pages, and blogs. According to a report by McKinsey, demand for content creation skills exceeded supply. Whether you are looking to change careers and want to begin the transition process, or you're simply looking for another flexible and well-paid income source, copywriting could be a viable option. However, like all other new careers, launching your own copywriting business requires a few upfront decisions.

Nail Down The Services You Will Offer Clients
Copywriters offer many services, including conversion copywriting, authority blogging, and the writing of email content. With such a wide range of services, it helps to choose the area of copywriting you intend to specialize in. If you are new to copywriting, choosing a copywriting niche to specialize in can guide you with the qualifications/training you need to do before launching your business. If you are already experienced in copywriting, you can use your experience in that niche to guide you. Knowing the purpose of your writing and whether your content is intended for information sharing or traffic conversion purposes helps you tailor your approach to your search for clients, your pitch, and the platforms you register on for copywriting jobs.

Figure Out The Basics Of Owning Your Own Business
Owning your own copywriting business also comes with various requirements you will need to satisfy as a business owner. Before you can pitch or sign your first client, you need to fulfill legal requirements for running a business, such as registering your business as a legal entity, clarifying your taxation liabilities as a business, and choosing a business name. Setting up a business website and social media accounts can also help you establish your presence online and display a portfolio of work to clients.

There are other formalities you will need to take care of as well, such as securing business, cyber and self-employment insurance. Lastly, do your homework on your competition. Draft an advertising strategy, take note of popular platforms for securing copywriting jobs, and check out the average rates charged in your industry and by fellow copywriters.

Build Up Your Accreditation And Network With The Right Training 
While you do not necessarily need formal qualifications to kickstart a career in copywriting, having them can boost your trustworthiness in a client’s eyes. Enrolling in a copywriting course from organizations like Blackford Centre for Copywriting, The Writers Bureau, and Success Works increase your chances of landing your clients on your own. Also, it can help you navigate the legal aspects of copywriting, such as the rules on including disclosures. Copywriting courses are also a great networking mechanism. They can help you meet other copywriters and help you prepare for other parts of the job, such as how to prepare the perfect pitch for a copywriting job.

With the copywriting industry booming, there has never been a better time to use your writing skills to start your own copywriting business. Once you commit to taking the leap and have determined the niches that interest you, its time to kickstart your business by taking care of the legalities and getting prepared to compete as a professional copywriter. With the right tools and preparation, a long and successful career in copywriting can await you.