If you’re going to get into a new career, it makes sense that you’d want to know for sure that there are jobs and opportunities. We get it—who doesn’t have a rent or a mortgage to pay?! There are more opportunities for copywriters than there are good, trained copywriters.
Copywriters are in the marketing and advertising industry, but, as you may be able to guess, the marketing industry is a part of every industry. Every business that has a product, service, or offer—anything they are selling—needs marketing. “If you build it, they will come,” simply doesn’t work.
But there are certainly industries where there may be more opportunities for copywriters than others. That’s because certain industries are simply growing faster for many job opportunities.
Here are just a few to consider adding to your pitch list, but be sure to read the second part to this. There are far more opportunities for copywriters than in the industries listed below.
4 Hot Industries for Copywriters
First, that’s a simple question, so let me give you a simple answer. The industries that are seeing the biggest growth and need for copywriting are…
1. Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals
Five out of the 20 industries projected to grow the fastest between now and 2029 are in healthcare. People are getting older, more products and companies are being created, and those products and companies need copywriters. There’s also more of a focus on healthier eating and lifestyles, too.
Many products and services within the healthcare industry require translating complex language into ideas and concepts that are accessible to their target audiences.
2. Technology
This is the same as with healthcare: Technology is big business and these companies need people who get it and can write about it.
There is particular growth and demand in SaaS (or software as a service). Think: Google, Microsoft, and Dropbox. But also think: Zoom, Netflix, and Square.
Technology crosses into other industries, too, such as with healthcare (e.g., medical devices) or, as you’ll see below, finance.
3. Finance/Fintech
The ability to translating complex financial concepts to a target audience is a skill that financial companies are actively seeking (and paying for).
Fintech (short for financial technology) companies are also growing fast and in need of copywriters who can communicate the benefits of their services. Ever paid for drinks and had your friends send you money via an app at the end of the night? Or paid your credit card bill from your phone? Those are just the tip of the fintech iceberg.
There are financial technology companies helping both consumers and businesses make their lives easier, opening up a world of opportunities for copywriters to communicate their USPs.
4. Start-ups
More and more new companies are realizing that they need to start working with copywriters to refine their messages right away, not just once they’ve secured their big rounds of funding.
After all, in order to get people to know about their product or service, they need a message. And in order for people to remember and act on that message, they need someone who knows how to write messages that stick. Heck, to even secure big rounds of funding, they need really powerful messaging that communicates to investors why it’s worth pouring money into their idea.
5. Solar Energy
The solar industry is growing rapidly as it’s becoming increasingly cheaper to use solar energy than fossil fuels. This burgeoning industry is going to need copywriters as it continues to grow.
Along the same lines as solar energy, look for the eco-friendly industry to keep growing.
Every Industry Is Looking for Copywriters
While the industries listed above are certainly looking for copywriters, it’s important to underscore this point: Every industry is looking for copywriters.
Whether you’re interested in sports, beauty, health, children’s education, or dentistry, there are jobs for copywriters within your interest.
And sure, jobs in “high-profile” industries like sports or fashion or travel might have a bit more competition, but there are still plenty of jobs. As with absolutely any other job (in or out of copywriting), it’s up to you to make yourself the best candidate.
Use these industries to add ideas to your pitch list or help you focus some of your initial pitches. But don’t feel limited by these options.
High-Paying Copywriting Jobs Can Come in Any Industry
We understand the instinct of wanting to know exactly where you can look to get a high-paying job the fastest (though “high-paying” may not apply to start-ups until they make some big bucks). But you can’t make assumptions about what a company can and cannot afford.
As of a few years ago, there are about 4,000 publicly traded companies in the United States of the millions of companies in the country. This means we have no idea about the financials of the vast majority of organizations that may need our services.
If you see a company that you think you’d like working for, pitch them! The worst that can happen is they don’t answer or say, “no.” (In which case, you can always re-pitch them three, six, or nine months down the road.) Or maybe you do work for them and decide it’s not a company for you. As a copywriter, you have a skill you can take with you. You are never stuck working for a company you don’t love.
So, as much as possible, notice when your brain is making assumptions based on zero data and pitch! You have the tools to say “yes” or “no” to a project based on what happens after that.
Why You Need to Try Copywriting in a Few Different Industries
If you’ve followed Filthy Rich Writer for awhile, you know we don’t advocate choosing a niche when you’re first starting out.
That’s because it helps broaden your experience and help you discern what you’re naturally most apt at writing about. You may be surprised at what you enjoy writing about and what you don’t! You may love to watch sports, but you may find it’s not as fun to turn a hobby into work. (Playing tennis may be a lot more fun to you than writing about the composition of a tennis racquet and why it’s superior to other racquets.)
You should also not let one experience in an industry color your entire impression of that industry. You may work with one tech company and not enjoy it and do work with another that you absolutely love. Remember that the projects and the people can have just as big (if not bigger) impact on your experience as the actual copywriting.
Find Copywriting Work You’ll Enjoy
The most crucial takeaway? Don’t get into (or stay in) an industry just because it’s “hot” or it pays well. If you want a fulfilling job, a major factor is that you have to enjoy what you do at least some of the time.
And, as a copywriter, you can get paid well for what you do in any industry. It’s a matter of finding companies that value what you do. And those companies are, you guessed it, in every industry.
There’s a bit of a trap in staying with a job you’re not loving, too: You could begin to think you don’t like copywriting, when what you really don’t like is your industry or your particular job.
So, sure, try out pharmaceutical copywriting or tech copywriting or beauty copywriting or sports copywriting—there are writers who love their jobs and are making good money in all of them. But don’t limit yourself. Copywriters are needed in every industry (and in ad agencies catering to every industry). Explore and find the industry/job/work situation/part-time job/freelance gig that’s right for you.
Copywriting can be as flexible, creative, and fulfilling as you want it to be and as you make it. It’s up to you to take advantage of that!
Watch More: Copywriting Niches
On episode 130 of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Nicki and Kate discuss some of the highest paying copywriting niches today. They also dig into why it’s very dangerous to your career—and income—to only have experience in one industry.
Your Turn
What industries are you most interested in? Let us know in the comments below!
Last Updated on April 17, 2024
Josh Paul Lugembe says
Hi Nicki,
I like your blog. I like your blog because there’s something to learn each time I visit it. And there’s something to learn because the way you think about copywriting is a ‘personal growth like’.
Other experienced copywriters like you tend to talk more about competition: how difficult it is to break into the profession for example. But that’s not your view.
You keep telling us that there are enough jobs out there for every one. But of course, these jobs are for those who are ready, those who are competent enough, those with passion, those who believe in their talents, those who set time to learn something new every now and then…
Over the last two years I have observed that the demand for fine copywriters has increased so much…well, at least here in the UK.
And that agrees with your post that, even though there’s higher demand for copywriters in some industries, technology for example, but if we look at it properly there is enough increase in demand for copywriters in all industries.
And I would like to argue that this is the highest demand in the history of copywriting usefulness to business people.
Great post!
So Nicki, have you written any book on copywriting… like ‘Krawczyk on Copywriting’ or something?!
Nicki says
Hi there!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog. And you’re right: the jobs are for people who, well, know how to do the jobs! But everyone has to start somewhere and no one was born knowing how to write copy. And there definitely is a strong demand for copywriters; more and more companies are realizing that it’s a specialized set of skills that they can’t “fake” by trying to do it themselves. It may very well be the time of highest demand!
I haven’t written any books yet :), but we’re in the process of putting together even more courses to help people learn.
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Muhammad Abdullah says
Thank you NIcki for this blog.
I’m following your Youtube channel. Glad to come across your blog too.
Thanks again for this info. It’s very helpful.
The Filthy Rich Writer Team says
You are so welcome!
Ola Daniel says
Thank you Nicki…
You literally took off my headache.
….. because I got exactly what I’ve been searching for.
I love your stuffs.
Please, expect my follow up on your social media channels.
The Filthy Rich Writer Team says
Thanks for the feedback! So glad you enjoyed the post!
Roberto says
Hi. I’m completely new to copywriting. I want to get into writing copy for anything having to do with the travel/hospitality industry. Maybe start off by offering my services to airbnb host for their listings or to city tourism offices. What kind of copywrite should I focus on? I know there’s SEO copywrite, social media copywrite, direct action copywrite, etc. Which one would you recommend I focus on as a beginner wanting to do a career out of this? Thanks
The Filthy Rich Writer Team says
Good question! We really encourage our students to focus on learning copywriting as a whole (like our Comprehensive Copywriting Academy), and not chose a niche. Not only does this make them more marketable as copywriters but also reduces burnout.
Kira says
I am about to begin my career as a copywriter! Thank you so much for all this helpful information!
The Filthy Rich Writer Team says
We’re so glad to hear that! Best of luck on your new journey!
Daniel says
How can I start writing copy writing for companies aboard and get paid at least per month,I’m just a new beginningner I have no idea
Give me an idea
The Filthy Rich Writer Team says
One of the great things about freelance copywriting is that you decide who you pitch to and work for! Once you’ve learned the skill and are ready to begin working you have so much control over what your client base and calendar looks like!
Jesujuwonlo Atobatele. says
I love this post! As a student who’s trying out different digital skills, copywriting being one of them, this helped so much.
Thank you!
Katie Metcalf says
I’m so glad it was helpful! Thank you for letting us know. 🙂
Jonathan says
I think another issue regarding niching or picking industries is that those of us in tiny tiny markets have no choice but to cast a wide net. Eg the US may have over 4000 listed countries but New Zealand has about 190. This is my biggest concern about copywriting here. Very small numbers and very small budgets.
Katie Metcalf says
Hi Jonathan! The wonderful thing about the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy is that the principles we teach are applicable regardless of language or location. (We’re proud to have thousands of students from all over the world in the CCA!) This means that you’re not limited to any particular region as far as where you’re clients are located. As long as you can make the time zones work for the occasional meeting, your client could be on one side of the world and you could be on the opposite side, working from the beach. 🙂
If you’re interested, here’s a look at some of our international students’ other frequently asked questions: https://filthyrichwriter.lpages.co/international-faq/
Let us know if you have any questions about copywriting or the CCA—we’re just an email away. >>> [email protected]