Usually, I get this question via a Facebook comment on an ad. And, I’d venture to say that it’s not asked in the most, oh, constructive manner. (Which tends to be the way with most Facebook ad comments that come through in the middle of the night…) But it’s come up often enough—and maybe you’ve even wondered it yourself— that I want to be sure to address it now.
The question is, “If you make so much money as a copywriter, why are you teaching copywriting instead?”
First, I want to make one thing abundantly clear—I am NOT teaching copywriting instead of writing copy. I’m still a working copywriter, in the weeds and doing the work, cranking out copy for clients. I’m not teaching instead of writing copy—I’m teaching AND writing copy.
And yes! I make a lot of money as a copywriter. I am a six-figure copywriter. The finances are a little muddier now that I have this business as well and don’t devote 100% of my time to copywriting, but when I am strictly devoted to copywriting, I have no problem hitting 6-figures per year.
Which is great, right? It’s a lot of money! I could very comfortably sit back and just write copy for the rest of my days.
But honestly, I’d feel like I was missing out on something.
How I Got Started in Copywriting
When I first got started with copywriting (20+ years ago!), I had to figure everything out on my own. I did have the benefit of having learned how to write copy from dad, who was a marketing director at the time. But the business side of it? That was tricky. I made a lot of mistakes and I wasted a lot of time and money.
I even got custom-made T-shirts with my name, phone number, email, and services (see the photo for proof—CD-ROMs?!).
Then, later on in my career, I had the opportunity to build a team of copywriters. Some of them had some editorial writing experience and some had just a very, very little bit copywriting experience. So, they were a smart, talented group…but they didn’t know how to write copy.
It was up to me to teach them all of the principles of copywriting—the basic stuff and the advanced stuff—and how to wield it all to craft effective copy. And I discovered that I really loved it.
I loved helping them learn how to do what I already loved to do. And, because I’m realistic and know that no one should stay in any job forever, I also had them build their own portfolio sites and learn how to market themselves as copywriters as part of that training. Basically, I taught them what I wish I could have been taught when I first got started.
Not long after we finished our initial training, I thought, “Well, hey, what if I could do this on a broader scale? What if I could reach more people and help them learn to write copy and build careers—while also helping them avoid all of those dumb (but super common) mistakes I made when I was starting out?”
Why I Created a Comprehensive Online Copywriting Course
The thing is, there weren’t—and there still aren’t—a lot of good resources for people who want to build copywriting careers. Or even for people who want to do it part-time. There are some scammy ones that teach antiquated projects like “online sales letters,” make B.S. promises like, “you’ll make six figures in your first year in your pajamas,” and bank on weird and useless “training techniques” like hand-copying ads. (What??)
And there are other well-meaning programs from young writers who’ve found some success for themselves (yay!) but only know how to teach you how they did it. And, unfortunately, that means directing people into pitfalls those instructors don’t understand and can’t anticipate, and only being able to offer a limited perspective from limited experience.
I’ve been a copywriter for more than 20 years. I’ve worked as a freelancer, on-staff, and as a contractor. I’ve worked for multi-national, multi-billion-dollar companies, I’ve worked for solopreneurs, and I’ve worked for every size business in between. And I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt:
There is a real and true shortage of good, skilled copywriters.
There is a far, far greater need for copywriters than there are copywriters to fill it. Believe me, I couldn’t even BEGIN to create my own competition by training writers—there’s too much opportunity!
There have never before been so many companies in the world and never before have those companies better understood the need for and value of good copy.
Why I Love Working with New and Seasoned Copywriters
I teach copywriting because I find it SO fulfilling to help people create copywriting careers of their own.
Every time one of my students lands a new client or hits a new income goal, I am truly elated.
I can’t imagine it’s an especially good business tactic to sell a course and then hang people out to dry, but I wouldn’t know. I want each and every one of my students to succeed and hit all of their goals and I give them the support and resources to help them get there.
Why do I teach copywriting? Because I love it. I love my students, and I love watching them create successful, fulfilling, great paying careers of their own.
And I still write copy because I love the unique challenge of combining creativity and strategy to write messaging that really connects with people.
So, I’m lucky—I have two careers that I absolutely love. And THAT’S why I do them both. 🙂
Hear More About Nicki’s Copywriting Background
On episode 8 of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, we’re turning the tables a bit! Kate is interviewing Nicki about her start in copywriting, the major piece of advice she would have given to herself when she was a brand-new copywriter, and why she created the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy.
Last Updated on July 5, 2023
I love that you chose to post about this, and I really appreciate your passion for teaching! I have been part of the CCA for a while now and I can tell how much joy it brings you to help others.
It’s sad that our society often causes us to question someone’s desire to be of service.
I think the best careers are the ones where you can be creative and contribute to the world in some way, so more power to you finding a way to do both!
I made the plunge into fulltime freelance last August, after working in early education for the past several years. Now, I just began tutoring reading and writing so I can still return to teaching in some way, as well!
Hi Nicole,
I agree – when we can have the best of both worlds, why shouldn’t we do it?? And I’m so happy for you that you can combine teaching and copywriting, too! 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
How did you use your early teaching experience in copywriting? Interested as I am an early childhood teacher but getting older in a physically demanding career.
Hi Michelle,
I don’t actually have a teaching background myself; it’s something I’ve discovered I enjoy and a skill I’ve developed over the years. That said, though, we actually have a lot of current and former teachers in our student group. I think a teaching background makes them especially good at learning themselves, as well as working with their clients to uncover strategies and messages they might not even know are important. (Among many other things.) 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
When I was active in surgery, I also taught. Taught complex laparoscopic procedures, taught colleagues, medical students, gave some community lectures, mentored family practice residents, taught my scrub nurse how to suture skin and she became anyone’s equal..
When we mentor and teach we develop greater clarity, understanding the techniques, the reasons why to a greater depth and the why-for’s. If it weren’t for long ago gone surgeons & instructors over the last 250 years allowing us to stand on their shoulders and look yonder, how would we evolve?
I’m happy you teach. I’ve fallen behind, must prioritize; however, you always provide pearls while uplifting all of us. I listened to 3 other course offerings, they markedly contrasted. I always learn, plucking fresh ideas from your monthly sessions and can’t wait to finally create a website and receive professional feedback.
Teaching brought me more awareness, understanding and was always rewarding, we are always learning. It’s even more challenging being a good teacher/mentor/instructor.
Hi Skip,
Thanks for the insight – and I agree, teach helps make us all better and keeps us sharp! Learning never stops for any of us. 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Gary Halbert recommends writing copy by hand to his son in the Boron Letters. I am VERY confused about the so-called scam artists who teach this technique? You say this is NOT a fundamental way to learn copy? This would be the first time I’ve ever heard this claim.
Hi David,
No, it’s really not a valid way to learn copywriting. I mean, what would you actually be learning by hand-copying something? You wouldn’t learn how to write a novel by hand-copying War and Peace, right? Just like with anything else you want to learn, you need to learn the principles of copywriting and then you need to practice them. While reading and analyzing copy that’s out in the world is useful and a practice I recommend, hand-copying ads definitely isn’t.
Thanks for commenting,
Nicki
The benefits of hand-writing copy is based in a principle called “Structural priming”. There’s a lot of scientific literature about the topic.
It works and that’s why some of the greatest copywriters recommend this exercicise.
Take care,
Ferran
Hi Ferran,
We’ll have to agree to disagree. I’m familiar with the concept of structural priming, but learning sentence structure isn’t a very big concern when it comes to effective copywriting. Instead, students should be learning to analyze the copy they come across according to principles they learn so that they can more effectively create copy of their own.
Thanks,
Nicki