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How to Make Big Bucks as a Content Writer

Today’s question is:

“I am a very proud! Copy School and Brain Camp alumni. My copywriting has been enhanced very considerably by both courses. Yay. I was such a newbie copywriter when I did both. So I have my copywriting chops, but here’s the catch. My clients almost exclusively want me to write content. I have a very specific niche and the meeting point between my writing skills and understanding the industry I write about seems to be underserved.

I thought I’d be a website copywriter, but I’m four years into freelancing and I’m still firmly in written content creation territory. I’m good at content writing. I like it. I obviously apply copywriting principles to content writing. Content strategy comes easily to me, but I’m not making the money I want to be through content writing mostly because I’m stuck at an hourly rate.

My revenue depends on me putting out volumes. I charge £400 a day, and lots of what I do is social media/blog/newsletter content. My clients are pretty big cheeses in their industry with revenue in the high six figures and usually into the seven figure range.I think clients get quite a lot of output for my day rate. Yet it seems like there’s always a wrangle about what I cost.

I like doing content and I’m good at it, but is it a dead end street in terms of what I can make financially? And my ability to scale? Is it broadly undervalued or am I not being firm enough about what I bring to the table? And I suppose, do you think there is a market for great content writing in the way there is for great copywriting?

Finally, I know I’ve asked a lot of questions here, but I’d LOVE your thoughts on the topic in general, any thoughts would be so welcome, even if they aren’t specific answers to the questions.”

In this week’s episode, we help a listener who has found herself pigeon-holed in the world of content writing. She offers a unique point of view and has a unique skill set to fill a niche, but is finding that, although she enjoys the work, she isn’t able to make the kind of money she wants to. So she asks us, is it even possible? Short answer? Yes. And the long answer is coming to you in this episode.

In this episode:

  • The value of content marketing. 2.40
  • Educating the marketplace. 4.10
  • For many businesses, content is just a box to tick. 5.10
  • Demonstrate your value. 6.15
  • Talk to your clients about solid business principles. 7.50
  • Budget is not always a fixed thing. 9.15
  • Differentiate yourself. 10.40
  • Move up to a better class of clients. 13.10
  • It’s possible to earn big bucks in content marketing. 15.25
  • Why good quality content is important for business. 18.00

Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

References:

Where to find Amy:

Where to find Kirsty:

Where to submit your questions (anonymous or not!)

About Business Badassery

Amy’s a conversion copywriter, business coach and serial business owner who’s been reading advice columns since she was nine. With decades of business experience, she’s gotten very good at quickly reading situations and coming up with solutions – especially on the fly. You can find her at amyposner.com

Kirsty’s a launch copywriter and ex-psychotherapist, who’s smack bang in the middle of scaling her business with online courses. She’s good at making sense of human tendencies, selling things with words, and only following the work that feels good. You can find her at kirstyfanton.com

“Amy and Kirsty are wonderful, wise and witty!

I already push myself hard enough so I'm not interested in working with coaches that are going to "crack the whip" and "kick my arse".

Kirsty and Amy both have a gently challenging coaching style. I always left sessions feeling validated, smart and capable but with a clear idea of how to make things even betterer.”

Anna Rogan
Creative Copywriter

“Kirsty seems to have this ability to see things that aren't being said. And then she brings them to light in such a nurturing way. 

Amy is direct AND caring all at the same time. It makes it easier for me to get to the point cause I know you'll get to the point when you ask about the things you need more info on.

Together — I love that neither of them hold back when their opinion/suggestion/perspective differs from the other's. It just makes it all so much more valuable. 

Also, they’re both so genuine, warm, smart and hilarious. Those 'good' traits just compound when you put the two of them together, ya know?

Miish Grixti
Conversion Copywriter

“All I'd ever heard about Amy was that she's a great coach. Welp, she's a great coach. Knows the right questions to ask to get through the bullshit and get to the root issue.

And my sweet, sweet Kirsty. Using all of her best therapy tricks to keep us moving forward. And making us feel loved :)

Together? Stop. So good. I have never felt so supported. 

I think the value in coaching is having someone hold a bigger vision for you than you can see yourself. So having TWO of you hold that for me was extremely motivating.”

Megan Baird
Email Copywriter