How to Make Money with Email Copywriting from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Email copywriting is a powerful skill that can generate a steady income for freelancers and business owners. With businesses relying heavily on email marketing, there is a growing demand for skilled email copywriters who can create high-converting email campaigns. If you are just starting out, this guide will walk you through every step of becoming a professional email copywriter.
We will explore the fundamentals of email copywriting, the essential skills you need, where to find clients, how to price your services, and how to scale up to maximise your earnings. Whether you are a beginner or an aspiring professional, this guide provides practical insights to help you succeed.
What Is Email Copywriting and Why Is It a Profitable Niche?
Email copywriting is the art of writing persuasive emails that encourage recipients to take specific actions, such as making a purchase, signing up for a webinar, or clicking on a link. Unlike regular content writing, email copywriting focuses on short, impactful messages that drive conversions.
The demand for skilled email copywriters is rising because email marketing remains one of the most cost-effective digital marketing channels. According to recent studies, businesses earn an average of $42 for every $1 spent on email marketing, making it one of the highest-ROI marketing strategies.
Additionally, email copywriting is a skill that businesses cannot automate entirely. While AI tools can help with email drafting, human expertise is required to create personalised, engaging, and emotion-driven emails that connect with audiences. This creates a lucrative opportunity for freelance copywriters to establish a sustainable income stream.
Essential Skills You Need to Get Started
To become a successful email copywriter, you need to develop a specific set of skills. First and foremost, persuasive writing is crucial. Emails must be engaging, concise, and structured to guide readers toward taking action.
Understanding consumer psychology and behavioural triggers can also enhance the effectiveness of your emails. For instance, knowing how to create urgency using phrases like “limited-time offer” or “only a few spots left” can boost conversion rates significantly.
Additionally, familiarity with email marketing tools like Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, and ConvertKit is a plus. Clients often prefer working with copywriters who can seamlessly integrate copy with email automation tools. Learning about A/B testing and email performance analytics will also help you refine your skills and improve your campaigns over time.
Where to Find Your First Clients: Freelance Platforms, Marketplaces, and Direct Clients
Finding clients is one of the biggest challenges for beginners, but there are multiple ways to secure your first paid projects. One of the easiest ways is to join freelance platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour. These sites connect freelancers with businesses looking for email copywriters.
Another great option is cold emailing potential clients. Many small businesses and startups need email marketing but lack the expertise to create effective campaigns. Reaching out with a personalised email offering your services can open up unexpected opportunities.
Networking on platforms like LinkedIn is also valuable. Engaging with content from business owners, sharing insights about email marketing, and directly messaging potential clients can help you build connections and land projects.
Building a Portfolio and Crafting a Strong Pitch
Having a solid portfolio significantly increases your chances of landing high-paying clients. If you are just starting, you can create sample email sequences for fictional brands or offer free trials to initial clients in exchange for testimonials.
When crafting a pitch, make sure it focuses on client benefits. Instead of saying, “I write email copy,” explain how your emails will help increase their sales, engagement, or customer retention.
For example, a strong pitch might be: “I specialise in crafting high-converting email sequences that help e-commerce brands recover abandoned carts and boost revenue by 30%. Let’s discuss how I can help your business grow.”
How to Set Your Pricing and Increase Your Earnings
Pricing your services correctly is essential for building a sustainable career in email copywriting. Beginners often start with lower rates to gain experience, but it’s important to gradually increase prices as you build your portfolio.
There are several pricing models to consider:
- Per-email pricing – Charging a flat fee per email (e.g., $50-$150 per email, depending on complexity).
- Per-project pricing – Offering package deals (e.g., $300 for a 5-email welcome sequence).
- Hourly rates – Charging based on the time spent working on a project (common rates range from $25 to $100 per hour).
As you gain experience, you can start charging premium rates by offering value-added services such as email strategy consulting, automation setup, and segmentation strategies.
Scaling Up: Transitioning from Freelancer to Business Owner
Once you have a steady stream of clients, you can start scaling your email copywriting business. One approach is to offer retainers, where clients pay a fixed monthly fee for ongoing email campaigns.
Another option is to outsource some tasks by hiring junior writers or virtual assistants. This allows you to take on more projects while focusing on high-value tasks such as strategy and client management.
Additionally, you can diversify your income by creating an online course, launching a membership program, or offering coaching sessions for aspiring email copywriters. This will help you generate passive income while building authority in the industry.