"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money."

So said Samuel Johnson in 1776. While I doubt that he had copywriting in mind when he said it, it is appropriate, none the less.

It's a little-known fact that copywriters are among the most highly paid writers. They may not compete with the Jeffrey Archers of this world in terms of overall income, but if one compares the earnings per word written, no other form of writing even comes close.

In short, copywriters get paid more money for less work than practically any other writer.

In this webpage, we explain what copywriting is; what a copywriter does; and why it's so well paid. We also give you all the information you need to help decide whether copywriting is for you.

If it is, we'll show you how you can get started in this highly lucrative field, and set you on the path to an excellent full or part time income.

What is copywriting?

Copywriting has been called ‘Salesmanship in Print', and that's a fairly good description. Now before you reel back in horror at that word 'sales', let me reassure you:

You don't need to be a good sales person to be a good copywriter.

Many of the great copywriters couldn't sell a glass of water to a man dying of thirst... in a face to face situation! But give them a clean sheet of paper, time to think, and a knowledge of the basic principles - and they'll turn out great copy which sells... and sells.. and then sells some more.

That's the goal of copywriting... to create sales. It might be through a newspaper advert, a direct mail piece (sometimes unfairly called junk mail) a product brochure, a T.V/Radio commercial, a press release or whatever.

The common thread which runs through all copywriting work is this objective: to have a positive effect - and to sell!

Why is copywriting such a lucrative field?

Copywriting as a skill is rarely taught properly... if at all.

As a result, competent copywriters are in short supply, and really good ones, either impossible to find or prohibitively expensive. Yet the demand is massive and growing.

Markets have never been more competitive. Every company needs to sell its products and services and will always be on the lookout for that all important 'edge'. They all need and can benefit from effective copywriting to enhance their advertisements, sales letters, brochures, commercials and press releases.

For the most part, this task falls to internal staff who have no idea what they're doing, or why. Alternatively, an advertising agency is given the job, who promptly pass all but the most prestigious work on to a junior member of staff.

The result? Well you've probably seen for yourself.

The standard of a great deal of the advertisements, brochures, and sales letters we're exposed to is pitiful. They simply don't do the job... a complete waste of time and money.

Perhaps you haven't noticed? Believe me, just a few days into the course you will.

In fact you'll be aching to get on the phone and tell them what they're doing wrong! In short, you'll know that they need you - and they need you badly!

So copywriting pays well for three reasons:

Could you become a highly paid freelance copywriter?

With very few exceptions, the answer has to be yes. Anyone can be a copywriter irrespective of age, sex or education. In fact some of the most successful copywriters had very unsuccessful educational records. The reason is this...

Copywriting is like no other form of writing. You can throw all your standard English grammar and parts of speech right out of the window. They just don't matter.

What really matters is communication: Copywriting is more like spoken English than written English. Simple sentences. Simple words. Easy to read and understand. That's much more important than 'correct' grammar. And practically anyone can achieve it, given the right guidance.

It doesn't matter who you are, what you look like, or where you work from.

Your audience won't know and your customer won't care. All that matters is your ability to write copy that sells... and we'll show you how to do that.

Copywriting is a skill which can be learned comparatively quickly... which means of course that you can start earning from your new found knowledge without delay.

There’s no shortage of business

It's all around you. Any company or organisation that communicates with their customers or the public with the aim of selling something (this can be a product, a service or even an idea) is a potential customer for your copywriting service.

Some companies and organisations already make use of good copywriting, but they are very much in the minority. Standards, on the whole, are incredibly low.

The one thing you will not be short of when you embark on your new business, is potential customers.

It’s great fun

Copywriting is far from boring. Unlike other forms of writing, where you might be tied to a single project for weeks or months, copywriting is far more varied.

One day you might find yourself writing an advertisement for a new car dealership, and the next crafting an appeals letter for an environmental charity!

You set your own agenda. If you want to specialise in a particular field, you can do it. If you want to be a 'generalist' you can do that too. The choice is entirely yours. You're your own boss, managing your own time.

It’s a prestigious business

Although it's not the most important thing, we all want to be proud of what we do for a living... don't you agree? There's no doubt that the advertising industry carries with it a certain amount of kudos and glamour.

While the reality may be somewhat more mundane, being able to state your occupation as Advertising Copywriter certainly won't do your image any harm.

You get paid too!

Many talented writers beaver away for years for little or no reward. Copywriting isn't like that at all. Before you put pen to paper, you'll know exactly what you're going to be paid for your work.

A fairly average copywriter can expect to earn around £20,000 a year, and a good one around £50,000.

For those who discover they have a real flair, the sky's the limit. Ted Nicholas is probably the world’s highest paid writer, word for word. He charges a minimum of £10,000 to copywrite a sales letter/brochure... and demands five per cent of all resulting sales on top.

What's more, he has a queue of companies eager to use his services. He turns down more work than he accepts. As a result of this approach he can make as much as £350,000 for writing a single 1,000 word advertisement.

For most of us, the earnings will remain a little more conservative, but if you have it in you, we'll bring it out.

What the course includes

The course takes you step by step through all types of copywriting work, showing with real life examples how to tackle any assignment you're set. Equally importantly, it gives you precise instructions on how to market your services to the thousands of companies and organisations you can help.

You'll be taken through sections on writing for the press, magazines, direct mail, brochures, posters, the Yellow Pages, press releases, radio, sales presentations, newsletters, classified advertisements and leaflets.

At the end you'll be able to confidently tackle any assignment you're given. And the lesson on marketing your own copywriting business will ensure that you're given plenty!

Here's just a taster of what you'll learn:

Please note: You don’t have to become a freelance copywriter to benefit from the course.

The course isn't just for aspiring freelance copywriters. Any company employee responsible for creating sales literature for example, would benefit greatly from the course.

If you have your own business the course is a must.

It could transform the way you market your business and supercharge your profits. Effective copywriting can transform a loss making enterprise into a profit maker, and a profit making enterprise into a fortune maker!

You might even decide to combine the two... carry out freelance copywriting for others, while using your skills and knowledge to build your own separate business.

Many freelance copywriters decide to go it alone and set up their own business when they see the tremendous impact their efforts are having on other people’s businesses. You might not aspire to this at all, but the option is always there.

About your course tutors

The course is written and monitored by a team of three experienced copywriters who between them are responsible for selling several million pounds worth of products and services every year. And this is all done through the power of the written word.

If you have a problem with any part of the course, or a query on any aspect of copywriting, one of our tutors will be on hand to provide a written answer.

How the course is organised

The course is split into 10 easily managed 'bite-sized' sections. As you progress through each section and the optional test exercises, you'll gradually build up your copywriting skills and knowledge. By the end, you'll be ready to tackle any assignment.

Duration of the course

The course is designed to last for 10 months, with course parts being despatched on a monthly basis. However, we appreciate that some people have more time available to study, or would like to work at a faster pace. In that case, it's possible to obtain the whole course in one package, giving you the freedom to tackle it at your own pace.

What you get

Naturally you will receive your 10 copywriting lessons. To keep these neat and tidy you'll also receive a handsome four ring binder.

You'll also get a series of self test exercises to be performed throughout the course, complete with model answers where appropriate. (There are no 'right' answers in copywriting... only the results can tell you whether you really got it right!)

Throughout the course you will have unlimited written access to our course tutors. Although they can't write the copy for you, they are on hand to assist with any difficulties you experience along the way.

At the end of the course, you will receive a written examination. This is completely optional.

If you decide to complete the examination, you can do so in your own time, and it will be marked and returned by one of our course tutors, giving you a valuable insight into your progress.

There are no official qualifications in copywriting. As we've tried to emphasise, the customer is the final arbiter. If you create a sale, you've passed!

However, you will be issued with a certificate marking your period of study at the end of the course, irrespective of whether you decide to take the final examination or not.

The next step...

Our School of Copywriting Home Study Course is a solid investment in your future. Whether you want to become a professional freelance copywriter, or you want to use the course to produce great advertisements and mail shots for your own business, you're certain to benefit.

We look forward to welcoming you onto the course, and helping you achieve your goals.

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