Side Hustles for Copywriters in 2024: How AI Is Changing the Game

Side Hustles for Copywriters Using AI Writing Tools

You're a copywriter looking for some side hustle ideas to supplement your income in 2024. The copywriting game is changing fast with AI tools popping up everywhere, so you need to get creative. Don't panic though - there are still plenty of ways for talented human copywriters like yourself to make extra cash. In this article, we'll explore seven unique side hustles you can try that go beyond cranking out blog posts for pennies. From becoming a chatbot dialogue writer to offering paid feedback on AI-generated copy, you'll find fresh gigs that leverage your skills while avoiding direct competition with the machines. With a little effort, you can have multiple income streams that take advantage of the AI shift rather than just succumb to it. Time to hustle smart!

How AI Is Transforming Copywriting Side Gigs

Content Creation

With AI writing assistants getting more advanced, copywriters can easily generate content for blogs, landing pages, and email newsletters. Use a tool like CopyAI or Rytr to quickly produce drafts you can then edit to match your client's voice. Charge by the word or project to make some extra cash.

SEO Optimization

Optimizing content for search engines is a valuable skill. As a side hustle, offer SEO audit and optimization services to website owners and content creators. Analyze their existing pages and make recommendations for improving keyword usage, page titles, image alt text, internal linking, and more. Many business owners don't have the time or expertise to focus on technical SEO, so your skills would be in high demand.

Social Media Management

For companies active on social media, managing profiles and posting content can be time-consuming. As a side gig, you could handle social scheduling, engagement, and monitoring for businesses. Use tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Sprout Social to efficiently manage multiple clients and build an ongoing retainer relationship.

With AI enabling copywriters to work more efficiently, side hustles are a great way to generate extra income. Whether you focus on content creation, SEO, social media, or a combination, there are many opportunities to leverage your writing and digital marketing skills as a freelancer. And as AI continues to advance, the ability to strategically apply and optimize these technologies will only become more valuable.

Top 5 Side Hustles for Copywriters in 2024

More data, better insights

AI has given copywriters access to huge amounts of data that can provide deep insights into customer preferences and behavior. By analyzing trends in social media, search, and ecommerce, you can gain a strong understanding of what types of content and messaging will resonate most with your target audiences.

Automated research

AI tools can quickly gather information from across the web on any given topic. Need to write about the latest trends in influencer marketing or voice technology? AI research assistants can compile relevant articles, statistics, examples, and quotes to get you up to speed in minutes. This automation frees you up to focus on the creative elements of copywriting.

AI-generated content

Some AI systems can generate short-form content like social media posts, blog snippets, and ad copy. While AI-generated copy may lack heart, you can use it as a starting point and then edit and improve the content. AI is also getting better at producing long-form content, so copywriters may find opportunities to edit and strengthen AI-written blog posts, white papers, and even ebooks. Working with AI to co-create content could become an essential copywriting skill.

Personalization at scale

AI enables hyper-personalization of content by tapping into customer data to determine interests and preferences. Copywriters can then customize messaging for different audiences. While crafting highly targeted content for many different segments would be nearly impossible manually, AI systems make personalization at large scale a reality.

The future of copywriting is AI-human collaboration. Embracing AI tools and learning to work alongside algorithms will open up new opportunities for copywriters to provide value to clients in 2024 and beyond. The human touch will always be needed to make content truly compelling, so copywriters who adapt to the AI revolution can thrive.

Side Hustle Ideas for Beginner Copywriters

1. AI Copywriting Coach

As AI writing tools become more advanced, human copywriters will still be in demand to help coach and supervise AI systems. Copywriters can offer their services to help optimize AI writing for clients, review AI-generated content, and provide feedback to improve the AI. Demand for AI copywriting coaches will increase as more businesses adopt AI writing software.

2. Personal Branding Consultant

Copywriters are skilled at creating persuasive messaging and content. Many copywriters have built their own personal brands and grown their own audiences. They can leverage this experience to help other professionals develop and strengthen their personal brands through consulting services. As social media and influencer marketing grow, personal branding consultants will be in high demand.

3. Online Course Creator

If you have expertise in copywriting, content creation, or marketing, you can create your own online course to teach others. Online courses are a popular way for people to learn new skills on their own time. As more people freelance and work remotely, the demand for high-quality online courses will increase. Copywriters have the skills to create effective course content and market the course to potential students.

4. SEO Copywriting

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an important part of most marketing strategies. Copywriters who specialize in SEO copywriting help businesses optimize their content for search engines like Google. SEO copywriters focus on using target keywords, internal linking, meta descriptions, and more to improve search rankings and increase traffic. Demand for SEO copywriting will remain strong as content marketing and SEO continue to grow.

5. Social Media Management

Many copywriters manage social media profiles as part of their services. For those focused on it, social media management itself can be a viable side hustle. Duties include creating social media content, engaging with followers, monitoring profiles, and optimizing social media marketing strategies. As more businesses ramp up their social media marketing efforts, social media managers and consultants will be in demand. Copywriters have the writing and communication skills to be effective social media managers.

Advanced Side Hustles for Expert Copywriters

As an entry-level copywriter, you’re still learning the ropes and building your portfolio. Starting a side hustle is a great way to gain valuable experience, expand your skills, and earn some extra money. Here are a few side hustle ideas to get you started:

Write for Blogs

Blogs are always looking for new content. Pitch some blog post ideas to sites in industries you’re interested in, like tech, health, or personal finance. You can write posts for a flat fee or revenue share where you earn a percentage of ad revenue from your posts. Build your online portfolio and make industry connections.

Do Freelance Work

Websites like Upwork and Fiverr are filled with small freelance writing jobs. Bid on projects that match your interests and experience level. Freelance work is flexible, allowing you to gain experience around your full-time job. As you get good reviews, you can charge higher rates.

Start Your Own Blog

Launch your own blog to establish yourself as an expert in a niche topic. Come up with a content strategy and start publishing posts. Promote your blog on social media to drive traffic. Once you have a solid following, you can make money through ads, sponsorships, affiliate links, and online courses. Running your own blog is challenging but rewarding.

Write Ebooks

Self-publishing ebooks is an easy side hustle for copywriters. Research topics your target audience needs help with and write a short ebook to address them. Price your ebook between $10 to $50 and sell it on platforms like Amazon Kindle and Gumroad. You keep 70% of the royalties. Ebooks are a source of passive income since you do the work upfront but continue earning money from each sale.

Starting a side hustle as a copywriter takes time but the rewards of gaining experience, building your reputation, and earning extra money make the effort worthwhile. With so many options, you can choose side hustles that match your interests and long term goals. Get out there and start writing! The opportunities are endless.

Creating Passive Income Streams With Copywriting Side Hustles

As an expert copywriter, you have a wealth of experience and skills that open up lucrative side hustle opportunities. Here are a few advanced options to consider:

Consult for Tech Companies

Tech startups always need help explaining their products and services in a clear, compelling way. Offer your services as a copywriting consultant to help craft website content, email campaigns, case studies, and other marketing materials. With your expertise, you can charge $100 to $200 per hour. Build up a few tech clients and this gig can generate $1,000 to $3,000 per month or more.

Teach an Online Course

Share your copywriting knowledge through an online video course. You can teach things like persuasion techniques, email marketing, sales page optimization, or another specialty. Promote your course on your own website and email list, as well as on platforms like Udemy or Teachable. Price your course between $199 to $499. If you get a few dozen students per month, this side hustle can generate $3,000 to $10,000 per month or more in mostly passive income.

Write a Book

If you have expertise in a specific copywriting niche, consider writing an ebook or print book to establish yourself as an authority. Books on persuasive writing, email marketing, landing page optimization, and other sales copy topics are always in demand. Self-publish through Amazon or another platform. You can charge between $9.99 to $29.99 for an ebook, earning you $3 to $10 per sale as royalties. At 100 to 1,000 sales per month, book writing can generate $300 to $10,000 per month in extra income.

Mentor Other Copywriters

Take your experience to the next level by mentoring up-and-coming copywriters. Offer group or one-on-one coaching programs to help copywriters improve their skills and increase their income. Charge at least $500 to $1,000 per month for group coaching and $2,000 to $5,000 per month for one-on-one mentorship. Mentor just a few dedicated students and you can earn an extra $6,000 to $20,000 per month helping others achieve success.

With hard work and persistence, these advanced side hustles for expert copywriters can generate meaningful extra income each month. The opportunities are limitless for skilled freelancers looking to leverage their expertise. Choose an area you enjoy and start building your side gig today!

Best Online Platforms for Copywriting Side Hustles

Sell Reusable Content

As a copywriter, you likely have a trove of content you’ve written for clients that could be reused and repurposed. Turn blog posts, email sequences, and landing pages into ebooks, online courses, or video trainings. Bundle related content into a paid product and sell it on your own website or third-party platforms. Your existing content is already evergreen, so this method requires minimal additional work but can generate ongoing passive income.

Build an Online Course

If you have expertise in a particular area of copywriting, consider creating an online video course to teach others. Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Thinkific make it easy to build and sell online courses. You can charge between $50 to $500 per course depending on the topic and depth. Promote your course to your email list, on social media, and through podcast or webinar appearances. Happy students will help spread the word about your course through word-of-mouth and reviews.

Sell Copywriting Templates and Swipes

Many new copywriters struggle with writing effective copy from scratch and would benefit from templates, examples, and swipes to model their own work after. Offer collections of email sequences, landing page templates, sales page outlines, or other resources to help bootstrap their copywriting. You can sell template bundles on your own site, Etsy, or copywriting resource marketplaces. The work required upfront to create templates is high but the potential for passive income over time is substantial.

Build a Copywriting Membership Site

A monthly membership site is an excellent way to build recurring revenue. For copywriters, a membership might include video trainings, live Q&A calls, copywriting resources, and a community forum. Come up with a catchy name, determine your pricing—typically $20 to $100 per month—and promote your membership to attract copywriters looking to improve their skills. A successful membership site can generate thousands per month in passive income.

With a few strategic side hustles, copywriters can create meaningful passive income streams. By repurposing existing content, creating online courses, selling templates, or building a paid membership site, you can generate revenue that continues to flow in month after month, reducing your dependence on active client work. The upfront effort to build these assets will be substantial but worth it for the long-term payoff.

Pricing Your Copywriting Side Hustles

Upwork

Upwork is one of the largest freelance marketplaces, with over 12 million registered freelancers and 5 million clients. As a copywriter, Upwork is an ideal platform to find side hustles. You can apply for copywriting jobs in a variety of industries like technology, healthcare, finance, and ecommerce. Upwork allows you to build your profile, set your rates, provide samples of your work, and communicate directly with clients. Many copywriters are able to find consistent work and build lasting client relationships on Upwork.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a popular freelance marketplace for copywriters to sell specific services, called “gigs,” starting at $5. As a copywriter, you can offer gigs for things like blog posts, email newsletters, social media posts, product descriptions, and more. Fiverr allows you to be very specific in the types of copywriting services you want to provide as side hustles. You set the scope and rates for your gigs. Fiverr does take a 20% commission on all sales, so you need to price your gigs accordingly. Many copywriters are able to build a steady stream of side hustle income from Fiverr by offering a range of copywriting gigs.

Flexjobs

Flexjobs is a job site specifically for people looking for flexible, remote, and freelance work. They post copywriting jobs from companies looking to hire freelance copywriters on a project or part-time basis. You can browse listings and apply to ones that match your experience and interests. Flexjobs does charge a subscription fee for job seekers, so you need to weigh the fee versus your potential to land side hustles. Some of the industries that commonly hire copywriters on Flexjobs include marketing agencies, website design and SEO companies, and online education brands. Flexjobs can be an excellent resource for high-quality, vetted copywriting side hustles.

With many options for finding online copywriting work, the side hustles are there if you look for them. Building a profile, setting your rates, providing strong samples, and developing a specialty can help you land the perfect copywriting side hustle. The key is being proactive, persistent, and patient in your search.

Side Hustle FAQs: Common Questions About Copywriting Gigs

As an independent copywriter, you have the freedom to set your own rates. But how much should you charge for your side hustle gigs? A good rule of thumb is to consider your level of experience and expertise, the current rates in your area of copywriting, and the specifics of each project.

If you're just getting started, don't price yourself out of the market. Do some research on sites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and The Creative Group to determine average rates for your level of experience in your location. You may need to start on the lower end of the range, around $30 to $50 per hour, to build up your portfolio and client base. But don't sell yourself short — make sure your rates are still fair and sustainable for you.

As you gain more experience, you can start raising your prices. For example, if you develop a specialty, such as email marketing or social media copy, you can charge on the higher end of the range or above average rates. Don't be afraid to increase your prices for new clients as your experience grows. Long-time clients will usually understand if you need to make moderate price adjustments to keep up with the market.

The specifics of each project also determine how much you charge. Factors like the complexity of the copy, the amount of research required, tight deadlines, and usage rights can all impact your rates. You may charge hourly, by the project, or in some cases ask for revenue sharing or royalties. Be open to negotiating based on a client's budget and needs.

Building a successful side hustle as a copywriter requires finding the right balance in what you charge. Start with fair, market-based rates for your experience, but don't be afraid to increase over time as your expertise grows. Consider each new project independently, and be willing to negotiate to land the work. With the right mix of persistence and pricing, you can turn your copywriting passion into a lucrative side gig.