7 Copywriting Skills You Need in Your Repertoire

If you want to pursue a career as a freelance copywriter, there are certain copywriting skills you must have – or be willing to develop. But what are the most marketable abilities you need to build your resume and attract new clients? 

We’ve got the answers! In this post, we’ll take you through the essential skills you need to become a copywriter:

1. Good communication
2. Technical knowledge
3. Solid understanding of SEO 
4. Strong persuasive writing
5. Flexibility
6. Time management 
7. Proofreading
   

Keep reading to learn more about each of these skills – and discover how Knowadays can help you launch a new career as a freelance copywriter. 

7 Essential Skills for Copywriting

Copywriting is an in-demand industry, with the job market expected to increase by 7.6% between 2016 and 2026. If you’re interested in breaking into this booming sector, there are specific core skills you should develop:

1. Good Communication

All freelancers need strong communication skills, and copywriters are no exception. Being able to communicate clearly will allow you to effectively:

• Network and market your services
• Pitch your ideas to prospective clients
• Collaborate with clients (whether you’re discussing ideas or addressing feedback) 
• Build trust and lasting client relationships 

Do you feel like you need to work on your communication skills? Check out this blog post on 10 ways to improve your communication skills as a freelancer.

2. Technical Knowledge

While you don’t have to be a tech wizard to be a successful copywriter, it’s a good idea to develop basic computer skills and technical knowledge. It’s important to be familiar with popular word processing programs such as Google Docs and Microsoft Word, as well as presentation software like PowerPoint. 

If you’re a freelancer, creating your own website can help you showcase your portfolio and attract new clients. Don’t worry if you’re new to website creation – there are lots of portfolio hosting sites and website-building tools that can help you get started.

3. A Solid Understanding of SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of tailoring content to improve its visibility on search engines, primarily by appealing to algorithms that determine where a website ranks on results pages. 

SEO is a significant part of copywriting; it’s what gets your clients noticed and drives traffic to their websites. Improving SEO isn’t just good for your client – it can be great for your career too. SEO metrics provide concrete evidence of the impact of your content, which you can use to attract and impress new clients. Furthermore, copywriters with significant SEO expertise can command higher rates.

As a copywriter, you should know how to write SEO-friendly content. This means being familiar with best practices relating to:

• Using long-tail and short-tail keywords 
• Measuring keyword density (and avoiding keyword stuffing)
• Applying internal and external links 
• Using meta tags
• Structuring content (e.g., by using header tags) 

Take a look at our SEO archive to learn more about all of the above and more!

4. Strong Persuasive Writing

The main goal of copywriting is to convince the reader to take an action – known as a conversion – such as signing up for a free trial or making a purchase. With almost endless options for consumers, your copy needs to be persuasive to stand out from the competition. Developing your persuasive writing skills can help you create a compelling argument and achieve your (or your client’s) goals. 

Popular persuasive techniques include: 

• Applying psychological principles including scarcity, FOMO, and emotional triggers
• Implementing rhetorical techniques such as ethos, pathos, and logos 
• Using sensory language to appeal to the reader’s senses

5. Flexibility 

Another important copywriting skill is flexibility, especially the ability to adapt your writing style to fit different contexts. Freelancers often work with several clients at once, meaning you need to be prepared to switch between different tones, brand voices, and writing styles depending on the project. 

You also need to be flexible about the type of work you accept – one day, you might write a website landing page, and the next, a batch of product descriptions. 

6. Time Management

Time management is an important soft skill for copywriters since they often juggle multiple projects and clients. As a freelancer, you’re responsible for creating your own schedule and meeting deadlines. Effective time management allows you to stay organized and productive, no matter how busy you are. If you want to improve your time management skills, consider techniques such as:

• Keeping a daily planner and setting goals for each day
• Trying a time management method (e.g., the Pomodoro technique) to help you stay on track
• Figuring out your peak productivity hours 
• Giving yourself breaks throughout the day
• Using online time management tools to keep you accountable

7. Proofreading

Freelance copywriters should have strong proofreading skills, as they are often the only ones reviewing their writing before delivering it to the client. Mistakes in your copy, such as typos, grammatical errors, or misspellings, can be embarrassing and cause your client to doubt your work. Since it can be challenging to proofread your own writing, even for experienced writers, consider taking a proofreading course to refresh your skills.  

How to Improve Your Copywriting Skills

If you want to improve your copywriting skills, there are a few routes you can take:

• Join a freelance writing society – An organization such as the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors provides professional development resources like courses, training, and webinars for its members. 
• Monitor industry trends – Copywriting and marketing are constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay informed about new techniques and changes in consumer behavior. Read blogs, subscribe to newsletters, and network with other professionals to keep up with industry trends. 
• Take a writing course – Even if you’re not new to the writing field, taking a writing course can help you sharpen your skills and learn new techniques in areas such as SEO, research, and outlining content. 
• Get feedback – Share your work with colleagues or freelance mentors, and be open to constructive criticism to identify areas for improvement.
• Read first-rate copy –  Read successful marketing copy, such as ads, websites, and emails, to analyze what makes them effective. Pay particular attention to word choices, structure, brand voice, and tone.

Becoming A Copywriter

If you’re interested in website copywriting, check out our comprehensive Becoming A Copywriter course. It teaches you everything you need to know about this in-demand field and can help you turn your passion for writing into a successful career. Try for free today! 

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