You see an ad on Instagram. It has three lines of text. You think, “I could write that in five minutes.”
Next thing you know, you are Googling “how to make money online,” and every guru is shouting the same thing: Copywriting is the easiest path to earn money online in 6 figures.
But here is the truth.
Is copywriting easy?
No, it isn’t.
Technically, typing words on a laptop is easy. But solving business problems using only words? That is a challenge.
Most beginners fail because they confuse “writing” with “selling“. They treat it like a creative writing contest instead of a psychological puzzle.
I want to save you from the “get rich quick” trap. I am going to walk you through exactly why this industry is tough, how I failed miserably at first, and the specific roadmap you need to actually survive.
First, let’s look at where I started.
My First Job in Copywriting
Everyone loves a success story. But my start? It was a disaster.
Copywriting Seemed Like “Easy Money” to Me
Like many of you, I saw the surface. No boss breathing down your neck (supposedly), working from a café, and getting paid to be creative.
It looked like the perfect job for me.
I thought all I needed was good grammar and a bit of flair. I didn’t realise that copywriting is less about English and more about empathy.
My First Attempt and the Reality
Let me take you back to 11th September 2022.
I joined a marketing agency as a copywriter for the first time. This was my big break. My first actual copywriting job, after I transitioned from content writing.
I walked into the office, and the vibe was incredible. Everything was colourful—seats, computers, mousepads, even the cafeteria area. It felt cool. But inside? I was shaking.
I was so nervous that I couldn’t focus on the decor. I was just waiting for my first project.
Then, I got it.
On the first day itself, my senior handed me a task: Write copy for a big real estate company in Gurugram.
I opened the brief and was completely shocked.
Even though the brief was written in English, I couldn’t understand anything. It was filled with marketing and copywriting jargon—”CTA,” “Value Prop,” “Target Demographics,” and “2-way Marketing.” Everything went straight over my head like the brief was in an alien language.
I spent the entire first day just reading and re-reading that document. I did research, but nothing made sense. I just wanted to go home and take a breath. Everything felt so hectic.
Finally, I somehow survived that day and left the office around 6 PM.
I shared everything with my family. They calmed me down and told me it was just first-day nerves.
That night, the office WhatsApp group chat kept buzzing until 11 PM. I remember thinking, “Don’t these people have an off? They’re working at night, too?”
Then came Day 2 – the worst.
Chat notifications started pinging from 8 AM. Someone asked for copy, someone else wanted graphics, and someone was talking about deadlines. I was back in panic mode before I even brushed my teeth.
I gathered some courage and went to the office. The vibe was the same. Colourful office but grey mood.
I tried to work. Again, the brief looked like an alien language.
I went to HR. He was helpful. He arranged a meeting with a senior. Actually, two seniors sat down to explain it to me because I looked so lost.
Even after the second meeting, nothing made sense.
My brain had just given up.
By 4 PM, the stress was unbearable. I walked up to HR and said:
“I quit.”
HR talked to the CEO. She just said, “It’s okay, let him go.”
I went home and cried a lot. It took me almost a month to recover from that incident.
What Nobody Tells You About Starting as a Copywriter
My story isn’t unique. It happens because we enter the field with the wrong expectations.
If you are wondering what copywriting is, you need to know it isn’t just writing sentences.
Here is a quote that changed my life later on:
“Copy isn’t written; it’s assembled.” – Eugene Schwartz.
This is the secret. Beginners think they need to be creative geniuses. You don’t. You need to be a researcher.
In the age of AI, this is even more critical. ChatGPT can write a sentence. But it cannot interview a customer, feel their pain points, and assemble a strategy that hits them in the heart.
Is copywriting easy now that we have AI? No. It’s actually harder to stand out because mediocre copy is now free.
And Let Me Tell You Why “Mastery in Copywriting” is a Myth
The market is getting crowded.
Check out these stats:
- The number of self-proclaimed copywriters globally increased by 215% from 2020 to 2024, reaching an estimated 1.2 million.
- But job postings only increased by 35% in the same period.
What does this mean for you?
Competition is fierce. The “easy money” days of 2020 are gone. You have to be better than the average.
Here’s How You Can Stand Out as a Copywriter
After my “I quit” moment, I realised something important. I wasn’t dumb. I just lacked a system.
I stopped trying to “write” and started trying to “think”.
Becoming a writer isn’t difficult… thinking is. And only a good thinker becomes a good copywriter.
I adopted a Self-Taught Syllabus. Since I couldn’t afford expensive courses (and honestly, most just tell you what’s already on YouTube), I created my own feedback loop:
- Consume: Read one classic ad.
- Copy: Hand-write it word for word.
- Analyse: Ask “Why did they use this specific word here?”
This is where many beginners fail—they never test their skills. They just write and assume it’s good.
You try it. It worked for me. It will definitely work for you, too.
What I Have Observed About Being a Copywriter
I realised that every copywriter becomes one accidentally. No one becomes a copywriter by studying it or earning a degree in it. Everyone gains the skill during the process of becoming a copywriter.
Process is progress.
If you’re thinking, “Let me finish this course once and then I’ll start working…” — that’s not how it works. You have to get your hands dirty.
“Worth It” Things are Never Easy
You might be asking, “If copywriting is easy, or can it become a good career?”
Yes. Once you overcome the feeling of being trapped and hopeless, the view is stunning.
There is a unique satisfaction when you write an email for a client, they send it out, and sales start rolling in. You realise you just printed money using your brain.
But How Much Money Can You Really Make in Copywriting?
Let’s talk money, because that’s why we are here.
Despite the competition, skilled writers in India earn well.
- The average annual salary for a copywriter in India generally ranges from ₹2 L to over ₹10 L per annum.
However, be warned:
- The average salary for copywriters has reportedly decreased by 12% since 2021 due to inflation and saturation.
- Freelance per-word rates have dropped by 25%.
The Lesson: You cannot compete on price. You must compete on strategy and how well you can generate ideas.
Practical Steps to Start Your Copywriting Journey
Forget the scattered advice on Reddit. Here is a curated roadmap to get you from “Confused” to “Competent Copywriter.” Everything from my personal experience.
Resources for Learning Copywriting: Books, Courses, and Blogs
Do not start by buying a ₹50,000 course. Start here:
- Read: The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joseph Sugarman.
- Learn From: YouTube, MarketingExamples.com, and TheCreativeMarketer.net.
- Follow: Blogs like Copyblogger.com or Backlinko are my favourites for learning SEO, Copywriting, Strategies, and much more.
Practice Exercises for Beginners: Hands-On Learning
This is your “Feedback Framework”:
- Hand Copying: Spend 15 minutes a day handwriting famous ads (like Zomato or The Wall Street Journal letter). It wires your brain to the rhythm of good copy.
- The “So What?” Test: Write a headline. Then ask, “So what?” If you can’t answer why the reader should care, rewrite it.
- AI Editing: Write a piece of copy. Then ask ChatGPT to critique it from the perspective of a doubtful customer. Use AI as a coach.
Finding Your First Copywriting Clients: Entry-Level Opportunities
Don’t pitch Nike on day one.
- Local Businesses: Your gym, your favourite cafe. Their websites usually have terrible copy. Offer to fix one page for free in exchange for a testimonial.
- LinkedIn: Optimise your profile. Do innovative comments on posts by founders. Don’t say “Great post!” Say something that adds value.
Final Answer: Is it Easy? No. Is it Possible? Absolutely.
Is copywriting easy?
No.
If it were easy, everyone would be doing it successfully. But most people quit.
They quit when the brief doesn’t make sense. They quit when the feedback is harsh. They quit when the client says “no.”
But you? You know better now.
Even if a random copywriter having 25 years of experience would not call himself a pro copywriter. We are all students.
At last, don’t wait for the “perfect time”. Don’t wait until you feel ready.
- Open a Google Doc.
- Pick a product you love.
- Write an ad for it.
That is how you start.
Thanks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is copywriting hard for beginners?
Yes, initially. The writing part is simple, but understanding sales psychology and research takes effort. It requires a mindset shift from “creative writing” to “persuasive assembly.”
Q. Can I learn copywriting in 3 months?
You can learn the fundamentals in 3 months, yes. You can understand the basics of headlines, hooks, and CTAs. But mastery? That takes years of practice and real-world feedback.
Q. Which type of copywriting is the easiest?
Social media copywriting (Instagram captions, LinkedIn posts) is often the easiest entry point because the format is short and conversational. Long-form sales pages are the hardest.
Q. Do copywriters get paid well?
Skilled copywriters get paid very well. While entry-level salaries in India start around ₹2-3 Lakhs, senior copywriters and successful freelancers can earn ₹10 Lakhs+. The key is proving you can generate revenue.
What is the 80/20 rule in copywriting?
The rule suggests that 80% of your results come from 20% of your work. In copywriting, this usually means 80% of the ad’s success comes from the Headline. If your headline fails, the body copy doesn’t matter. Spend 80% of your time on your headline and research.
