I got my first big break nine years ago.
With no real experience or extensive portfolio.
I know, not the most conventional way to break into the industry as a copywriter, right? But hear me out.
As a Film Studies graduate, the only writing I had was a few short film scripts and a personal blog where I wrote short stories, shared fashion insights, and reviewed films.
Despite this, I applied for a handful of junior copywriter jobs. One was a Copywriter and Producer role at a well-known cable channel in the Philippines, whose vibe I loved.
And yes, I got the job.
“How?” I hear you cry.
Well, it all boiled down to luck, timing, and my winning strategy: I banked on my strengths to find the perfect fit for me.
Whether you’re a fresh graduate or someone with a passion for writing, there’s a path to success in this industry.
And if you’re wondering where to start, The Creative Copywriter Academy offers all the tools you need to sharpen your skills and launch your career.
But for now, let me break down the steps you need to follow to kick-start your copywriting career.
How to become a freelance junior copywriter
Build your portfolio
Your body of work can make or break you, so make sure to put a premium on quality rather than quantity.
But that’s not all. Check out more of our actionable strategies on how to build a winning portfolio from scratch.
Get a little help from your friends
Don’t just stop at scanning your phone contacts or Facebook friends – expand your reach by tapping into your social media connections.
LinkedIn is your playground here.
Connect with fellow creatives, small business owners, and budding entrepreneurs who are in need of your copywriting magic. And don’t be shy about offering your services for free when you’re starting out – it’s all about building that all-important portfolio.
You can also join Facebook groups or LinkedIn communities where startups and freelancers hang out. Keep an eye out for businesses in their early stages, and offer to help with their copy needs, whether it’s a landing page, some web copy, or a press release.
It’s a win-win: they get quality copy, and you build a solid archive of work to show off to future clients.
And hey, if you’ve got friends who are graphic designers, why not propose a swapsie? You write the copy for their website, and they can help you design your portfolio.
It’s all about working those connections and creating opportunities where you can.
Boost your online presence
I know that when I first started, I didn’t have a website or online portfolio. But that was in 2011, and best practices have since changed.
Now, the best thing to do is to have your own website where you can showcase your sample works, services, and even some case studies if you’ve managed to work with several different brands already.
You don’t even have to be techy to pull it off. Again, you can do a swap with someone who can design your website. Or find low-cost designers on People Per Hour or Upwork.
If you want to do it yourself, you can get started with WIX.com, a website builder that’s beginner-friendly. It’s not free, but the plans are affordable. It has over 500 templates that are defined by industry, so it should be easy to find one that suits your new brand – check them out here.
Another option is WordPress. You can also find templates there, though they might look a bit dated next to the slick Wix ones.
You can also opt to create an account on The Dots. Here, you can easily upload your sample works, connect with fellow creatives, and find copywriting jobs.
Enrol on a copywriting course
Not only will you learn invaluable skills from amazing, experienced copywriters, but you’ll also produce a body of copywriting examples that have been fine-tuned to imperfect perfection. The best bit is that these examples can then be added to your portfolio and showcased to future clients.
There are a ton of awesome copywriting courses out there that can be completed in your own time, and you’ll be tutored by experienced copywriters who really know their stuff.
Intrigued? You’re in luck, because we’ve just rolled out our freelance copywriting course. Besides learning the ins and outs of copywriting and jump-starting your copywriting career, you can also get inside info on how to set yourself up. And pitch to and win business from clients of all sizes.
We’ve worked with brands like Adidas, TikTok, and Hyundai, so we can help you make a splash. See what we’re made of – check out our very own copywriting portfolio while you’re here.
Slay your LinkedIn profile
Contrary to what many people think, LinkedIn isn’t just a platform for job hunting anymore. It’s your personal brand’s stage.
Sure, having a polished profile with impressive credentials helps, but the real magic happens in your About Me section. This is where you let your copywriting chops shine.
- Skip the corporate jargon. Write in your own tone of voice (TOV) and keep it authentic. Summarise your experience and sprinkle in some personality—whether it’s your passion for film, fashion, or that side hustle you love.
- Engagement is key. Regularly posting and interacting boosts your visibility and shows potential clients or employers that you’re more than just a CV.
- Share insights on trending topics, comment on industry news, or give your take on a brand’s latest marketing move. Don’t be afraid to experiment—upload a video, add GIFs, or even write your own LinkedIn articles.
- Keep it thoughtful. Avoid pushy, salesy content and focus on value-driven, supportive posts that demonstrate empathy and relevance in today’s climate.
Looking for a bit of inspiration? Check out this killer post by our CEO, Konrad Sanders.
Types of copywriter
TECHNICAL COPYWRITER
- What you’ll be asked to write: Web copy, whitepapers, eBooks, long-form blog posts, product descriptions, technical specifications, landing pages, ads, and end-user documentation.
- Clients: software as a service (SaaS) companies, as well as software and data brands. Think Intel, Microsoft, and SpaceX.
- Skills: You’ll need to be able to humanise technical terms to be an effective copywriter in this field.
THE LIFESTYLE COPYWRITER
- What you’ll be asked to write: Web copy, blog posts, high-conversion landing pages, and social media. (Not so much eBooks and whitepapers, that’s more the tech writer’s arena.)
- Clients: B2C (Business to Customer) brands that are selling a lifestyle, not just a product or service. Fashion, retail, travel, self-care, and cosmetics all come under this bracket. For example, Nike inspiring people to ‘just do it’ (be superior athletes). Small start-ups are potential clients, too.
- Skills: A lifestyle writer will need to have an innate understanding of the human mind and be able to translate those desires to the copy.
THE LEGAL COPYWRITER
- What you’ll be asked to write: Website copy, blog posts, PR articles, and high-conversion landing pages. There may even be client-facing guides and brochures thrown in there, too.
- Clients: Law firms all the way. There are a ton around, and most are waking up to the fact that compelling copy could transform their business.
- Skills: You must know how to turn dense legal subjects into accessible copy. You also need to learn all the rules and nuances around using legal language and jargon.
THE MEDICAL COPYWRITER
- What type of copy you will likely be asked to write: Print and digital ads, websites, articles and blog posts, and sales emails.
- Clients: Pharmaceutical companies, small healthcare providers and physicians, and educational healthcare institutions.
- Skills: A medical copywriter must combine their knowledge of the sciences with a creative flair.
If you’re just beginning your career, it’s good to identify which topics genuinely interest you. But you also need to be knowledgeable in that area so you can write with credibility (and so your audience can trust you).
Career opportunities for junior copywriters
As a junior copywriter, the world of words is wide open – and there’s no shortage of places to kick-start your career.
Here are just a few of the paths you could explore:
- Advertising agencies
Get your foot in the door at creative agencies, where you’ll collaborate with designers and strategists to craft punchy ad campaigns and snappy taglines. - Digital marketing agencies
Dive into the digital world, writing copy for websites, landing pages, email campaigns, and social media posts. - In-house copywriting
Many brands – from tech startups to big-name companies – have in-house copy teams. Here, you’ll work directly with marketing teams to shape the brand’s voice across various platforms. - Content marketing
If long-form content is more your style, content marketing roles allow you to focus on blog posts, articles, case studies and whitepapers that help boost a brand’s thought leadership. - Freelancing
Fancy the freedom? Freelance copywriting lets you choose your own projects, work remotely, and build your portfolio with a variety of clients.
Whichever path you choose, there’s plenty of room for growth – and plenty of opportunities to hone your craft along the way.
Want some more advice? We share even more tips in this blog post.
Kick-starting your copywriting career won’t be a walk in the park. You have to be creative and strategic with your work.
And you have to have the patience and perseverance to put yourself out there – online, in person, and through your connections.
Enjoy the process and use each step of the way as a learning opportunity that will take you closer to your dream job. Have a blast!
Hugs,
Sam