Here's the short answer: It is possible to have a copywriting side hustle ... but not the way most people treat side hustles. Read on ... What is a Side Hustle? What is a side hustle? Well, it’s basically a small business that you run in your free time to help you bring in extra cash. People may start a side hustle to supplement their income indefinitely or they may … [Read more...]
How Do You Write an Email Funnel?
Many copywriters make the mistake of thinking of emails as single messages, shot out at their target audiences. Email funnels create a fuller conversation, taking the reader on a journey—and, ultimately, guiding them to your end result. Sometimes, the best copywriting can be simply to explain the benefit of a product and say “Buy Now.” But often, a prospective buyer needs to … [Read more...]
Features vs. Benefits Quiz: Test Your Copywriting Knowledge
You know that it’s important to understand the differences between the benefits and the features of a product or service, but are you always able to differentiate them? Let’s find out! This post gives you a little sneak peek into our Comprehensive Copywriting Academy. This features vs. benefits quiz is early on in the Foundations modules. Understanding the difference between … [Read more...]
How to Use Spec Ads in Your Copywriting Portfolio to Break Into New Industries
If you’re new to copywriting, you’re probably wondering how to build your portfolio before you actually have things to put in it. Having an online portfolio site is crucial because it helps “sell” you to prospective employers and clients before they even meet you. The samples in your portfolio prove that you know how to write copy, work with a designer, write to a brand … [Read more...]
What’s a Back Pocket Career? (And Why You Need One)
Getting fired or downsized is devastating—emotionally and financially. But there’s something you can do to help prepare yourself and make sure a career shock doesn’t completely throw you. Everyone (and I truly mean everyone) needs a back pocket career. If you like copywriting, but aren't sure you want to do it full-time, that's totally fine! There are plenty of copywriters … [Read more...]
The Difference Between Copywriting and Editing
The word “copy” gets bandied about quite a bit, but how do you know when it’s referring to the work you do (or want to do)? You may see "copy" referring to writing and editing. But does that mean you should prepared to be both a copywriter and a copy editor? The short answer to that is a resounding no. But let's dig into why, what each of these careers entails, and how you … [Read more...]
Copywriting Q&A: Why You Sometimes Need to “Greek It”
“It’s all Greek to me” takes on a totally different meaning in the creative field. Today, we’re going to talk about “Greeking it” and why, sometimes, that’s the best thing for a copywriter to do. Read on… Today’s question comes from Eugene G. who asks, “In a meeting today, a designer told a project manager that they were just going to “’Greek it’ for the time being.” What on … [Read more...]
Copywriting Q&A: Important Digital Copywriting Definitions
Digital copywriting is a fast-growing field, and you should aim to get experience in it as soon as possible. But with terms like “DPI” and “click to open rate,” it can be easy to get lost in a conversation. So let’s fix that, shall we? Read on… Today’s question comes from Seth H. who asks, “I was in a meeting yesterday and someone mentioned ‘CPM versus CPC.’ And then also … [Read more...]
Copywriting Q&A: Important Job Definitions
As a copywriter, you're never working in a vacuum: Your job involves collaborating with any number of people and departments. But when someone says, "Go talk to traffic?" do you know what that means? Today, we're going to get crystal clear on a bunch of job titles so you're prepared to collaborate with the best of ‘em. Read on… Today's question comes from Caroline M. who … [Read more...]
Top 10 Misconceptions About Copywriting—Part 2
Misinformation about copywriting runs rampant, but we’re trying valiantly to set it right! Today’s article is part two in our series about the top ten misconceptions about copywriting. Prepare for clarity and then read on… If you missed the first five of our top ten misconceptions about copywriting, you can find those right here. But if you’re ready and raring to see the next … [Read more...]