Or, how to convince people to pay you to type things they could technically do themselves — but let’s be real, shouldn’t.
Alright, let’s talk sales.
Because if you’re gonna do this copywriting thing — especially if you’re pairing it with AI tools (which, chef’s kiss, love that for you) — at some point, you’re gonna have to sell it.
Sell yourself. Sell your offer. Sell your skill. Sell your vibe.
And if your stomach just did a weird little flip at the word “sell” — hey, I get it.
For a lot of us (especially if you’re a writer, empath, recovering people-pleaser, or all three — hi 👋), selling can feel like trying to flirt while doing your taxes. Awkward. Cringey. Forced.
But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, selling can feel really freaking good when you do it the right way.
So today, we’re gonna walk through how to actually sell copywriting as a service — in a way that feels natural, ethical, human, and yes… profitable.
Let’s roll.
❓ First, What Are You Selling?
No, like actually. Have you asked yourself this?
Because “copywriting” is a big, fuzzy word. Most people outside of the marketing world don’t actually know what it means.
Try telling your uncle at Thanksgiving you’re a copywriter. He’ll either:
- Ask if that’s, like, “legal stuff” (nope, not copyright law)
- Say “Oh cool, like ads?” (closer!)
- Or just nod politely and change the subject (valid)
So if you’re out here trying to sell “copywriting”… to people who don’t understand what copywriting is… well, you see the problem.
🔑 The Real Thing You’re Selling
You’re not selling words.
You’re selling results.
More specifically:
- Emails that bring in sales on autopilot
- Websites that convert strangers into customers
- Landing pages that turn ad clicks into $$$
- Messaging that makes a brand sound irresistible
You’re not a typist. You’re a money-making, story-weaving, conversion-creating strategic partner.
And if you use AI tools well? You’re also lightning fast, wildly efficient, and can handle more projects without burning out — but we’ll get to that.
🤔 Who Actually Buys Copywriting?
Okay, real quick — a client isn’t someone who “needs words.” A client is someone who:
- Has a business or offer
- Wants to grow that business
- Is aware that writing is holding them back
- Has a budget (key point)
- Feels overwhelmed, out of time, or out of their depth
So, we’re talking about:
- Coaches who are tired of DIYing their email funnel
- Small biz owners with janky websites and zero brand voice
- SaaS startups who need onboarding emails that don’t sound like a robot married a thesaurus
- Agencies who need white label support from someone who “gets it”
- Creators who want help selling their course without sounding sleazy
These people are busy. They’re frustrated. They know their writing is meh. And they’d rather outsource it to someone who can swoop in like a caffeinated word wizard and fix it.
That someone is you.
(Yes, even if you’re still new. Especially if you’ve been quietly rewriting everyone’s website in your head for months now.)
🧠 The Psychology of a Yes
Let’s say you find a dream client. Maybe it’s a photographer who says:
“I hate writing about myself. I’ve been staring at this damn About page for a year.”
Boom. That’s your moment.
But instead of jumping in like “Cool, I’m a copywriter and I can write that for you,” pause.
Take a breath.
Ask them questions. Real ones.
- “What do you want people to feel when they land on your site?”
- “What’s been stopping you from writing it yourself?”
- “What’s one thing you wish your clients understood about you?”
Now you’re not selling. You’re listening. You’re creating emotional buy-in.
Because people don’t say yes to logic. They say yes to feeling seen.
If you can articulate their pain better than they can — they’ll trust you to solve it.
This is where selling becomes a service, not a performance.
💡 How to Position Yourself (Without Sounding Like a Bro Marketer on Caffeine)
Here’s a truth bomb:
You don’t need to “out-expert” anyone. You just need to show that you understand your clients better than they understand themselves — and that you can help.
Your position isn’t “I’m a copy expert with 9 years of experience and 10,000 hours logged in the Word Forest.”
Your position is “I help X people solve Y problem with Z results.”
So instead of:
“I’m a freelance copywriter who writes conversion-focused content for businesses and brands.”
Try:
“I help online coaches sell their offers with chill, no-pressure email sequences that don’t sound like they were written by a toaster.”
Specific > generic. Relatable > impressive. Real > robotic.
Also: if humor’s your thing, use it. If empathy’s your thing, lean in. The best marketing isn’t perfect — it’s personal.
🤖 Bonus: Selling Copywriting with AI in the Mix
Okay, quick sidebar, because I know a lot of you are using AI tools (like ChatGPT) to help write faster, brainstorm ideas, or clean up your first drafts. Love that.
But let’s address the awkward elephant in the room:
“Won’t people just use AI themselves instead of hiring me?”
Some will. Sure. But here’s the thing:
Tools don’t replace talent.
Everyone has a camera — doesn’t make them a photographer.
Everyone has Grammarly — doesn’t mean they can write sales pages.
Everyone has ChatGPT — doesn’t mean they know how to prompt it, shape it, and use it strategically.
The right clients won’t pay you to just “write” — they’ll pay you to:
- Craft a message that resonates
- Guide the strategy behind the words
- Edit with intention and emotional clarity
- Save them time, headaches, and Google rabbit holes
So when selling yourself, you can say:
“I use AI tools to speed up the process, but the magic is still mine — the strategy, the storytelling, the spark? That’s human.”
And honestly? Most clients will love that. It means faster delivery, lower cost, and no compromise on quality.
Win-win.
🎯 How to Actually Get People to Buy
You know what you’re selling. You know who needs it. Now let’s make the offer.
Here’s how:
1. Create a Clear Offer
No vague stuff like “I can write things.” Instead:
- 3-part welcome email sequence — $450
- Website copy (Home, About, Services) — $1,200
- Sales page audit + rewrite — $650
Use language like:
“You know what you want to say, but the words just aren’t clicking. I’ll help you write [thing] that actually connects — without sounding like ChatGPT wrote it drunk.”
Make it plain. Make it human.
2. Build Trust (Fast)
Nobody buys copy like they buy toothpaste. They need to trust you.
So:
- Show your face (Instagram stories, your site, video Looms)
- Share samples (or write mock samples if you’re new!)
- Get testimonials early, even from free or discounted work
- Show behind-the-scenes stuff (how you work, how you think)
People don’t want perfect. They want proof that you’re a real, thoughtful person who cares about their business.
3. Make It Easy to Say Yes
- Clear pricing
- Simple process
- A direct CTA (book a call, fill out a form, send you a DM)
Also? Follow up. Most “no’s” are really just “not yet.”
👂 Let’s Be Honest: Selling Feels Weird (At First)
Here’s the real talk part.
You will fumble your first few calls.
You’ll undercharge and immediately regret it.
You’ll get ghosted by that “super excited” lead.
You’ll stare at your laptop, wondering if you should just go back to whatever safe thing you left.
And then…
Someone will say yes.
And you’ll write the thing.
And they’ll send you a giddy email like “OMG, this is exactly what I wanted but couldn’t say!”
That moment? It’s gold. It’s what makes it worth it.
You’re not just selling copy. You’re helping people say the thing they’ve wanted to say — clearly, confidently, and compellingly.
That’s powerful stuff.
🚀 TL;DR (But Make It Feel Like a Hug)
- You’re not selling “copy” — you’re selling clarity, confidence, and conversion
- Talk like a human. Sell like a human. Write like a human.
- Know your niche, speak to their pain, and position your offer as the fix
- Use AI as a supertool, not a crutch — and don’t be weird about it
- Build trust, make it easy to buy, and don’t be afraid of being seen
You’ve got this.
Selling your services isn’t gross — it’s an invitation.
It’s you saying, “Hey, I can help you say what matters.”
And there are a lot of people who need that help.
So go on. Sell it. Loud, proud, and just human enough to be unforgettable.