Why Copywriting Is the Ultimate Side Hustle No One Talks About
The complete blueprint to starting a copywriting business with zero experience and a broken laptop
I started copywriting with just $50 in my pocket and a laptop that barely worked.
Today, I make more from my side gig than my day job.
Here’s the real deal about copywriting — no fluff, no theory, just what actually works in 2025.
The Truth About Copywriting Nobody Tells You
Most people think copywriting is just writing ads.
Wrong.
It’s about solving problems with words.
Every business needs someone who can turn their message into money.
That’s where you come in.
My first client was a local pizza shop.
They needed better menu descriptions.
I wrote stuff like “Our secret family sauce recipe, passed down three generations” instead of just “tomato sauce.”
Their sales went up 23% that month.
They paid me $200 for an hour of work.
Why Copywriting Beats Other Side Hustles
1. No boss breathing down your neck.
I write from my couch, sometimes in my PJs.
A friend drives Uber 30 hours a week for extra cash.
I make the same money writing emails for 10 hours.
2. Zero startup costs.
You don’t need fancy software or certificates.
If you can type on your phone, you can start today.
I used Google Docs for my first year.
3. Crazy high hourly rates.
Most beginners charge $50–75 per hour.
Good copywriters make $150–300 per hour.
One sales page I wrote took 4 hours and earned me $800.
The Skills You Actually Need (Not What Courses Tell You)
Forget fancy writing techniques.
Here’s what really matters:
1. Finding pain points:
A gym owner told me people felt intimidated by fitness ads.
So I wrote, “From couch potato to feeling great — no judgment, just support.”
The gym got 18 new members that week.
2. Speaking like real people:
Nobody says “utilizing innovative solutions.”
They say “fixing problems.”
Write like you talk.
3. Being curious:
I spend more time learning about my clients’ businesses than actually writing.
Understanding their customers is the secret sauce.
Getting Your First Clients Without Experience
These worked for me and every beginner I’ve helped:
1. Start local.
Small businesses need good writing but can’t afford agencies.
I found my first three clients just by eating at local restaurants and offering to improve their menus.
2. Join Facebook groups where your target customers hang out.
Don’t pitch — help people for free first.
I spent 15 minutes helping someone with their Instagram bio.
They hired me for $500 worth of work later.
3. Use your day job skills.
I worked in a dental office.
Now I write for dental practices because I know their lingo.
The Money Part (Real Numbers)
My first month: $400 from two clients
Third month: $1,200 from four clients
Sixth month: $2,500 from regular work
Now: $4,000–6,000 monthly on the side
Projects that pay well:
Email sequences: $150–1,000
Website copy: $500–2,000
Sales pages: $750–3,000
Social media content: $400–800 monthly per client
I have also noticed huge success on Medium lately — my views grew surprisingly fast using a specific posting strategy.
I made over $3,000 in just 4 months from a brand-new Medium account.
I’ve compiled everything I’ve learned into a Medium Growth Checklist.
It’s the exact blueprint I wish I had when I started — no fluff, just pure, actionable strategies that have helped me gain over 18000 followers in the first 130 days.
Tools That Actually Help
Hemingway App: Makes your writing clear and simple. Free version works fine.
Answer The Public: Shows you what people are asking about any topic. The free plan is enough to start.
Google Docs: All you need for writing and sharing work with clients.
Common Problems and Real Solutions
Problem: “I’m not a good writer”
Solution: If you can write a text message that makes someone laugh or take action, you can write copy. Good copy is just clear communication.
Problem: “I don’t know where to find clients”
Solution: Start with who you know. My cousin’s bakery became my first client. Their friend’s flower shop became my second. Word spreads fast when you do good work.
Problem: “I don’t know what to charge”
Solution: Start at $35/hour and raise your rates $10 every two clients. Stop raising when people start saying no.
The Real Day-to-Day Work
A typical week for me:
Monday: Write emails for an online store (2 hours)
Wednesday: Update website copy for a real estate agent (3 hours)
Friday: Write social media posts for a local gym (2 hours)
Sunday: Plan next week’s work (1 hour)
That’s about $1,000 for 8 hours of work.
Getting Better at Copywriting
Read these instead of taking expensive courses:
Old sales letters on Swiped.co
Emails from companies you buy from
Local business ads (especially the bad ones — think how to improve them)
The Hard Parts Nobody Mentions
Some clients will ghost you. Keep your day job until you have steady work.
First drafts usually need changes. Budget time for revisions.
You’ll sometimes doubt yourself. Keep samples of your work that got good results.
Next Steps
Pick one type of business you understand well.
Find three local companies in that field.
Study their current writing.
Make notes on how to improve it.
Reach out with specific suggestions.
Remember: Good copy isn’t about fancy words. It’s about understanding what people want and explaining how they can get it.
Questions? Feel free to email me. I answer every message from new writers.
Work With Me — Get High-Performing Content
I help writers, creators, and businesses grow with content that attracts readers, builds authority, and drives results.
Need content that sounds like you (but better)? Let’s work together.
I offer ghostwriting for Blogs, Newsletters, LinkedIn, and Medium.
📌 Limited spots available — Check out my services here: Link
📌 Or email me at: contact.thehumanproject@gmail.com
This was GOLD
Spot on, battle-tested copywriting skills. I am a sales writer too. Thank you for all this.