How Can I Learn Copywriting If I Can’t Afford Classes or Coaching?

Hi Susan,

I want to learn how to become a copywriter. But I have no financing to enroll in a copywriting program or hire a coach. What other way can I gain the knowledge and experience I need? Can you help me please?

Liam

Hi Liam,

Your question is a bit maddening because we both know what you’re really saying is, “Susan, can you train me to be a copywriter for free?” Sorry, but that’s not how life works.

Let’s say you’re in a store, and you see a shirt you like. You want to buy it but it costs more money than you have. Do you call over a salesperson and explain your dilemma – that you want a shirt but can’t afford it? Do you expect the salesperson to say, “Oh okay, if you don’t have enough money, then just take the shirt for free.”?

If you can’t afford something you really want, get resourceful. Find a different way to achieve your goal.

You know that’s never going to happen. At that point you can walk away without the shirt and mope about your situation. Or you can get resourceful. What might some resourceful alternatives be?

• You can go to a second-hand shop or look online and find a shirt you can afford.
• You can get a job and use your salary to buy the shirt.
• You can go on YouTube and learn how to make your own shirt for much less.
• You can sell one of your possessions and then use the proceeds to buy the shirt.
• You can even borrow money from a friend.

You’ll notice that none of those solutions involves the salesperson saying, “Just take the shirt for free.”

Similarly, I cannot train you in copywriting for free. I’m busy serving my paying clients and making my own living. What makes you think I want to set aside many hours of my time for you with nothing in return?

What’s my incentive? Why should I say ‘yes’? I can clearly see how my coaching you for free would help you, but what is the benefit to me? None. In fact, I’m providing training to someone who one day soon may be my competitor.

So when you say to me, “Susan, I can’t afford a writing class or coaching, so can you just train me for free?” The answer is no, obviously.

YouTube has loads of videos about copywriting and marketing. Take advantage of this free resource.

If you don’t have money, then you have to be resourceful and find another way to get smart. Do self-learning. My own blog has literally hundreds of articles about copywriting that you can read for free. And of course, there are plenty of articles by others online. Read them and then practice writing. Or go on YouTube and watch the myriad of videos on copywriting and then apply what you learn.

Why is it so important that you have a copywriting course or personalized coaching? We both know the real reason why: You are hoping a course will spoon-feed you the information. You’re procrastinating because you of course know that self-learning and self-practice is an option. It’s just harder. It requires more effort and self-discipline.

You can be a successful copywriter, learning as you go, without any writing courses or coaching.

Another obvious option is for you to get a job doing something you know how to do and then use your salary to pay for a writing course. I don’t think I’m telling you anything you don’t already know.

Get resourceful. Be diligent. Go for what you really want and work hard to achieve it. If that doesn’t sound appealing, then get a job doing something you’re capable of. Work a low-end job in a factory, a store or a restaurant where you’ll be expected to do what you’re told; no resourcefulness or self-discipline required. 

Liam, there’s no magic pill that will suddenly make you a success. I hold no amazing secret that can help you shortcut your journey to riches. Hard work is the key. So stop wasting time asking people to do things for you for free. Make the effort to become a self-taught student, at least initially, and you’ll be on the path to a better future. Anything short of that is the lazy way out and unlikely to result in you achieving your goal of becoming a copywriter.

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