How to Get Started in Copywriting (With No Experience)

DYK… You don’t need a writing degree, a marketing job, or even a portfolio to get started in copywriting. What you do need is a clear strategy and a willingness to learn as you go. The good news? Copywriting is a skill—one that can be developed faster than most people realize. When I started, I came from a creative nonfiction and journalism background. Had zero idea how to get started in copywriting, or even what it was. But it’s something you can learn, no matter where you are today.

If you’ve been thinking, I love writing, but I don’t know how to turn that into income, this post is for you.

Let’s walk through the exact steps I’d take to break into copywriting with no experience. No fluff, no hype—just the truth about starting from the ground up.

Step 1: Understand What Copywriting Actually Is

Copywriting is writing that drives action. It’s not about sounding clever or literary; it’s about helping businesses connect with their audience in a way that converts. It’s also about understanding and meeting the needs of that audience.

That could mean:

• Writing website copy that turns visitors into customers
• Crafting emails that sell a product or service
• Creating ads that stop the scroll and drive clicks
• Optimizing landing pages for conversions

Copywriting is different from content writing, which is typically more informative or educational. Think: blog posts, articles, newsletters. Many writers (myself included) do both—but when you’re hired as a copywriter, you’re brought in to help sell, persuade, or prompt action.

Step 2: Build Your Skills

You don’t need to go back to school—but you do need to study. You’ll need an understanding of consumer behavior, writing for different content formats, and the methods behind the madness in the marketing world.

Here’s how to build your base:

• Read great copy: Study websites, emails, and ads. Save what catches your attention.
• Learn the frameworks: AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action), PAS (Problem, Agitation, Solution), and 4P (Promise, Picture, Proof, Push) are classics.
• Use trusted resources:
  • The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joseph Sugarman (here are 10 copywriting books you’ll find on most successful copywriters’ bookshelves)
  • Copyhackers (website + courses)
  • Live Write Publish’s upcoming Freelancing Blueprint course (👀 shameless plug)

And then? Start practicing. Rewrite product pages from your favorite brands. Try writing a Facebook ad for a local nonprofit or business. You learn copywriting by writing copy—not just consuming content.

Step 3: Create a Starter Portfolio Without Clients

You do not need paid experience to build a portfolio. You just need to show you understand the assignment and can deliver.

Create 2–3 pieces that showcase your ability to solve real business problems. Here are a few ways to start:

• Write a sample email welcome sequence for a fictional skincare brand
• Rework a poorly written homepage for a local business you admire (anonymize it!)
• Create an ad + landing page combo for an imaginary product launch

Position your samples like you would for a real client: include a short brief, your approach, and the copy itself. Use a free portfolio site like Notion, Canva, or Carrd to host your work if you’re not ready for a website yet.

Step 4: Land Your First Clients (Without a Big Network)

No agency connections? No problem. Welcome to the club. I didn’t start with any agency connections, either. Here’s how most new writers get those first gigs:

• Freelance job boards: Solid options include Contra and even Upwork (if you treat it like a stepping stone). The goal here is landing a couple of first projects and delivering pieces you can use in your portfolio. It helps to get a few good testimonials, too!
• Pitch small businesses: Reach out to local businesses with a short, kind email offering a single service—like rewriting a landing page. This one takes a soft touch, you don’t want to insult the business owners or suggest they don’t know what they’re doing! A good framing is to let them know you’re starting out and would love to use your skills to help their business.
• Referrals from your existing network: Everyone has contacts, whether it’s through old jobs, school, family connections, or friends. Let people know you’re now offering copywriting. (You’d be surprised who’s been looking for someone like you.)

Keep your outreach simple. The goal isn’t to land a $5K retainer right away—it’s to get experience, build confidence, and start creating momentum. (Oh, how copywriters love momentum.)

Step 5: Level Up and Build Credibility

Once you’ve got a few projects under your belt—paid or unpaid—leverage them:

• Ask for testimonials and publish them on your website
• Share small wins and lessons on social media
• Create a case study showing your process and results

When you’re ready, formalize your service offerings and increase your rates. Focus on repeat clients, monthly retainers, or packages that solve business problems—like launching a product, not just “writing a few emails.”

The way you’ll build a sustainable business is by solving people’s problems. Most businesses aren’t looking for “a copywriter.” They’re looking for someone to create that landing page they’ve been talking about for a year. They need an email welcome sequence that boosts retention. (And no, AI will not take all our jobs any time soon.)

The Fastest Way to Learn Copywriting? Start.

You don’t need a fancy setup or years of experience to get started. You just need a commitment to learning, practicing, and putting your work out into the world.

And if you want help building your copywriting skills from the ground up, Live Write Publish has free and paid resources to help you grow. Start with our free 7-Day Freelance Writing Challenge to narrow your niche and learn how to pitch. Or join the LWP Substack for weekly tips you can actually use.

Would you like a downloadable PDF of “3 Sample Projects to Start Your Copywriting Portfolio”? Consider joining our Substack! It’s one of the bonuses available to paid members.