Retirement is an achievement and, for some, a time to completely close the door on the “work” chapter of their lives. But, if you’re like many others, you may miss having a job—or at least something in your day that offers structure—you may be toying with the idea of a retirement side hustle or even starting a new career. Or maybe you want to supplement your retirement savings with additional income.
Your retirement side hustle doesn’t have to feel like a chore. In fact, it can—and should!—be fun.
If you have an affinity for writing, then copywriting may be the perfect retirement job or side hustle.
1. Work on your schedule
One of the best parts about copywriting? Its flexibility. Once you know how to write copy, you can shape your career any number of ways. Want more interaction with other adults? Look for in-person roles. You can look for full- and part-time roles. But if you’re thinking, “I retired for a reason! I don’t want even close to that many hours,” good news: there are plenty of in-person contract and freelancing opportunities for copywriters, too.
Prefer working when and where you want? Focus on freelancing. Freelance copywriters work on their schedule (of course, with the occasional client meeting you may need to find time for).
2. Partner only with clients you love
As a copywriter, you quickly realize just how much opportunity there is across all industries. Businesses and organizations of all types and sizes need effective messaging to, well, stay in business! That includes nonprofits.
That’s good news for you. You didn’t retire to start a new job that makes you groan as you get out of bed every morning.
If you have an affinity for dogs, for example, you can work with dog shelters to get their message out. Or, if in your prior career you were a nurse, you could look to write copy for healthcare companies. Or maybe you feel strongly about supporting environmental efforts. You can look to work with nonprofits or other organizations in the sustainability space, contributing to their mission with your writing.
You get the idea! Think big and think broad—there is so much opportunity for copywriters.
Copywriting may be your opportunity to help organizations you love.
3. Don’t stress your resume
If you’re like most people who get into copywriting, your background has nothing to do with marketing. That’s completely fine and, when used to your advantage, a strength. You can use all your past experience to look at copywriting challenges from a unique lens.
And, as for your resume, it’s not the most important data point for clients looking to hire you. In fact, most won’t even ask to see one! What they will want to see is your portfolio—samples of work that show you know how to write copy (there’s an entire course in the CCA that walks you step-by-step through this process).
4. Earn extra income in retirement
The system we teach students for finding and landing clients in the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy (CCA) allows you to dial up and dial down the amount of work you have at any given moment. Want to do absolutely no work over the summer? Great! Want to take on a little extra work to upgrade your hotel on your next vacation? Done. You have ultimate control over how many projects you take on.
It is absolutely possible for copywriters to make six figures (and, in fact, some CCA students make six figures working part time!). But it’s also possible to make an extra $1,000 or $2,000/month if that’s your goal. You determine how much you want to work.
Learn More: Building a Copywriting Side Hustle in Retirement
Explore your opportunities in copywriting: get our free online training “How to Get Started in Copywriting.”
Click here to learn more about the the free training >>
Last Updated on May 25, 2023
Leave a Reply