From Our Partner

Editor’s Note: The following content is provided to Writer's Digest by a writing community partner. This content is sponsored by AWAI.

—By Rebecca Matter, Writer and Co-Managing Partner, American Writers & Artists Inc.

As a writer, you are in a unique position to make a great living as a copywriter — even if it’s just part-time — so you’re able to spend more time focusing on your true writing passion.

The challenge, however, is deciphering what’s “real” when it comes to the opportunity.

So today, I want to dispel three myths that may be keeping you from a well-paid writing career as a freelance copywriter.

Myth #1 — Copywriters only write hype-filled “junk mail.”

Probably the most common misconception is that copywriters only write sales letters full of hype, over-the-top infomercials, and in-your-face promotions.

And while it’s true copywriters do write those things — and get paid a ridiculous amount of money for them — that’s only a small percentage of the opportunities copywriters have to make money writing.

Take a look at some of the other opportunities and the fees companies are paying …

And, that’s just a taste of the copywriting projects available. There are also social media updates, website copy, white papers, case studies, online content, blog posts … the list is quite extensive.

Myth #2 — Copywriters prey on people’s emotions of fear and greed.

As a copywriter — or any type of writer really — your job is to connect with people on a personal level, and make an emotional connection.

If you only appeal to fear and greed, you’ll only connect with a handful of prospects. From curiosity and love, to pride and vanity, there are literally dozens of emotions a copywriter can choose to stimulate to reach more people, and on a much deeper level. Good copywriters know this, and employ more nuance to get the job done.

Myth #3 — Copywriting is a closed profession for “Madison Avenue” writers only.

When American Writers & Artists Inc. (AWAI) first launched its copywriting course in 1997, the industry had a strong negative reaction to what we were doing. They told us we were way out of line for presuming we could teach people who weren’t pros how to write persuasive copy.

You see, they treated copywriting like a closed profession … that it was meant for only a select few oddball geniuses with years and years of experience.

Of course, we were worried … what if they were right?

Fortunately, our doubts didn’t last long. Within just months of launching the Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting, we started hearing from our earliest members that they were getting paid assignments. And, we’ve helped thousands of members launch writing careers since then.

If you want to make a living as a writer, copywriting is definitely worth looking into. Along with giving you more time, freedom, and control over your life, it will allow you to spend your days writing, and help you start living the writer’s life of your dreams.