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Copywriting
Copywriting is writing clear, persuasive material for businesses, such as website pages, adverts and emails. You can start by practising on sample briefs and approaching clients directly; the UK guides also suggest freelance marketplaces and LinkedIn for finding or promoting work (<a href="https://www.1stformations.co.uk/resources/how-to-start-freelance-writing-business/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">1st Formations</a>, <a href="https://www.businesspathfinder.co.uk/ideas/freelance-copywriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Business Pathfinder</a>).
Open the interactive guide (checklist, video, read-aloud) →In plain words
- Copywriting means writing words that help a business explain what it offers.
- You can write websites, adverts, product details or emails.
- Practise with sample jobs before looking for clients.
- Show your best samples in a simple portfolio.
- Agree the work, price and deadline before you begin.
Who it suits
Suits people who enjoy writing, noticing what makes a message clear, and adapting their tone for different audiences. It can suit beginners willing to practise, take feedback and build a small portfolio.
Businesses pay for writing that makes their offer clear and helps readers decide what to do next. Useful writing can save a client time and give their customers better information.
Step by step
- Choose one audience and one type of writing. Start with a subject you understand, such as local services, hospitality or online shops. Pick one format to practise, such as a homepage, product description or email, rather than trying to offer everything at once. About 30-60 minutes.
- Study examples from businesses in your chosen area. Look at a few websites or adverts aimed at the same kind of customer. Note who each piece is for, what it asks readers to do and which details make the message believable. About 1-2 hours.
- Write sample pieces for imaginary businesses. Create a sample for a made-up business, and label it clearly as a sample. Give each piece one audience and one purpose so a potential client can understand what you can do. About 1-2 hours per sample.
- Edit each sample for clarity, accuracy and tone. Read the copy aloud or listen with text-to-speech. Remove vague claims, check names and details, and make sure any promise could be supported by the client. About 30-60 minutes per sample.
- Put your best samples in a simple portfolio. Use a document or webpage with a short introduction, your samples and a way to contact you. Make it clear that practice pieces are samples, not paid client work. About 1-3 hours.
- Decide the work and price before you quote. Set out the format, length, research needed, number of revisions and delivery date. Put the agreed scope and price in writing so both of you know what is included. About 20-40 minutes per quote.
- Look for potential clients in suitable places. Try your own contacts, relevant business groups, LinkedIn or freelance marketplaces such as Upwork, Fiverr and PeoplePerHour. Check each platform's current terms before accepting work 1st Formations Business Pathfinder. About 1-2 hours a week.
- Send a short, tailored introduction. Mention one useful improvement you noticed and link to a relevant sample. Ask about the client's goal, and avoid sending the same generic message to everyone. About 15-30 minutes per message.
- Confirm each project in writing. Agree the brief, price, deadlines, payment arrangements and revision scope before starting. Keep copies of agreements, invoices and business expenses so you can find them later. About 20-30 minutes per project.
- Ask for feedback and review your process. After delivery, ask what was useful and whether you may show the work in your portfolio. Note what took the most time and adjust your approach for the next project. About 15-30 minutes per project.
Your first 15 minutes
Write one sample homepage for a local business, ask someone in your intended audience to review it, then revise it and add it to a simple portfolio.
The money
Price the job around the agreed deliverables, research, length, revisions and deadline, and allow for your working time and business costs. Put the scope and price in writing before you start; earnings vary and are not guaranteed.
Example only: In one week, £300 in fees − £20 in costs = £280 before tax. Separately, €300 in fees − €20 in costs = €280 before tax; these are examples in different currencies, not a conversion.
The rules
Copywriting is a lawful way to earn money in the UK and Ireland. Follow the tax rules that apply to you. Agree the work clearly with your client. Check data-protection requirements if you handle personal information. There is no general copywriting licence. Check platform terms and any rules that apply to your work.
UK and Northern Ireland
- Tax and Self Assessment. The first £1,000 a year of trading income is covered by the trading allowance. This is gross income before expenses. If your income is above £1,000, tell HMRC. If you need to register for Self Assessment, do so by 5 October after the end of the tax year. GOV.UK Tax Help for Hustles GOV.UK.
- VAT. You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover is over £90,000. Business.gov.uk.
- ICO data-protection fee. Use the ICO self-assessment tool to check if you need to pay a fee. The ICO says you need to pay a fee if you advertise or market another person's business, goods or services. You are likely to be exempt if you hold customer details only for your own accounts and transaction records. This does not apply to credit-reference information. ICO.
- Advertising disclosure. If you publish promotional or affiliate content on social media yourself, label it clearly. For example, use “Ad”. Advertising Standards Authority.
- Insurance. Think about suitable insurance for your work. There is no general requirement for a copywriting insurance policy.
Ireland
- Income tax and returns. If you work under PAYE, register for self-assessment using Form 11 if your taxable non-PAYE income is over €5,000 or your gross non-PAYE income is over €30,000. Below those limits, declare it on Form 12 through myAccount. Revenue. If you are self-employed, you pay income tax, PRSI (Class S) and USC under self-assessment. Preliminary tax is due by 31 October. Citizens Information.
- VAT. You must register for VAT if your turnover from services is over €42,500. Revenue.
- Business name. If you trade under a name other than your own, register the business name with the CRO. Online registration costs €20. CRO.
- Advertising disclosure. If you publish commercial content yourself, label it clearly, for example with “Ad”. If you are unsure, label it. CCPC.
- Insurance. Think about suitable insurance for your work. There is no general requirement for a copywriting insurance policy.
- Licence. There is no general copywriting licence. Check platform terms. If your situation is different or you are unsure, ask the relevant authority or a trusted adviser.
Checked against official sources: 22 October 2026. Not yet reviewed by a qualified tax or legal adviser. General guidance, not legal advice. Check the official link beside each point before you start.
Common mistakes
- Starting work before agreeing the deliverables, price and revision scope.
- Sending generic pitches that do not show you understand the client's business.
- Making claims that the client cannot support with accurate information.
- Offering too many formats or subjects before you have practised and built samples.
- Forgetting to keep written agreements, invoices and expense records.
AI-made demonstration: this module has a 20-second street-chat video in the interactive guide. The presenter and the people in it are computer-generated, not real people.