Are you struggling to break into the copywriting industry? Feeling like your applications are disappearing into the void? Trust me, I’ve been exactly where you are.
Back in 2007, I was staring at my English literature degree wondering how on earth I was going to turn it into a paycheck. The traditional job application approach wasn’t cutting it, and my bank account was quickly dwindling to dangerous levels.
But I discovered a method that changed everything – one that landed me multiple interviews and my first professional copywriting position within weeks. And I’m going to share exactly how I did it so you can do the same.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a proven strategy to stand out from the crowd of applicants, get noticed by employers, and land your first copywriting job – even if you have zero professional experience.
The Hard Truth About Breaking Into Copywriting
Let’s be honest about something: traditional job applications are designed to make you blend in, not stand out.
When I first started looking for copywriting jobs, I was doing what everyone else was doing:
- Browsing job boards like Monster, Indeed, and Craigslist
- Sending the same generic cover letter to dozens of companies
- Attaching a resume that looked like everyone else’s
- Hoping someone would notice me among hundreds of applicants
And guess what? No one did.
My applications were met with deafening silence. After weeks of this approach, I had zero interviews and growing anxiety about how I would pay my bills.
That’s when I realized something that completely changed my approach.
The Epiphany That Changed Everything
It hit me one night while scrolling through yet another job listing. I was applying for copywriting positions – jobs where companies were looking for someone who could write persuasively and drive action.
Yet I was using bland, forgettable application materials that demonstrated none of those skills!
If I wanted to be hired as a copywriter, I needed to actually demonstrate my copywriting abilities in the application itself.
This seems obvious in retrospect, but it was a revelation at the time. I wasn’t selling myself; I was just submitting paperwork.
The Sales Letter Strategy That Got Me Hired
Instead of sending traditional cover letters, I decided to create a direct response sales letter – with me as the product.
Here’s exactly how I structured it:
1. The Attention-Grabbing Headline
I customized a headline for each position that addressed the company’s specific needs. For example, for the law firm that eventually hired me, I used:
“How a Dedicated Content Specialist Can Help [Law Firm Name] Stand Out in Dallas’s Competitive Legal Market and Attract More High-Value Clients”
This immediately positioned me as someone who understood their specific challenges and could provide solutions.
2. The Pain Point Acknowledgment
I researched each company thoroughly and identified their potential marketing challenges. For the law firm, I addressed:
- The difficulty of standing out in a saturated personal injury market
- The changing landscape of legal marketing moving online
- The need for content that both ranked well and converted visitors
This demonstrated that I understood their industry and specific challenges.
3. The Solution (Me)
Rather than just listing my qualifications, I explained specifically how my skills would solve their problems:
- How my understanding of SEO would improve their organic rankings
- How my copywriting abilities would increase their conversion rates
- How my content strategy would position them as authorities in their field
4. Proof and Credibility
Even though I didn’t have professional copywriting experience, I included:
- Writing samples that demonstrated my abilities
- Case studies of successful copywriting campaigns I’d analyzed
- Evidence of my self-education (books, courses, forums I was active in)
5. The Call to Action
I ended with a clear, confident call to action requesting an interview and suggesting specific times I was available.
The Results Speak for Themselves
Within three weeks of implementing this strategy, I had:
- Responses from 3 different companies
- 2 interviews scheduled
- 1 job offer from a personal injury law firm in Dallas
The firm owner later told me that my application stood out immediately because it was the only one that actually demonstrated the skills they were looking for. While other candidates told him they could write persuasive copy, I was the only one who actually showed it in action.
I spent almost two years at that law firm, gaining invaluable experience in SEO, content marketing, Facebook ads, Google ads, and various analytics tools – all while getting paid to learn.
This position became the foundation for my freelance career and eventually led to the business I run today.
How to Create Your Own Copywriting Sales Letter
Ready to create your own job-landing sales letter? Here’s a step-by-step process:
Step 1: Research the Company Thoroughly
Before writing a single word, learn everything you can about:
- The company’s products or services
- Their target market
- Their competitors
- Their current marketing approach
- Any challenges they might be facing
This research is non-negotiable. Your sales letter needs to speak directly to their specific situation.
Step 2: Identify Their Pain Points
Based on your research, identify 3-5 specific marketing challenges the company might be facing. These could include:
- Struggling to stand out in a crowded market
- Low conversion rates on their website
- Poor engagement on social media
- Lack of consistent messaging across platforms
- Difficulty explaining complex products/services simply
Step 3: Position Yourself as the Solution
For each pain point, explain specifically how your skills address it. Be concrete and specific. Don’t just say you’re a “good writer” – explain how your understanding of persuasive psychology can increase their email open rates by crafting more compelling subject lines.
Step 4: Gather Your Evidence
Even if you have no professional experience, you can showcase:
- Personal projects that demonstrate your skills
- Before/after examples of copy you’ve improved
- Results from volunteer work you’ve done
- Knowledge gained from studying industry leaders
- Relevant courses or books you’ve completed
Step 5: Craft Your Sales Letter
Now put it all together in a 2-3 page document with these sections:
- Attention-grabbing headline customized to the company
- Opening that acknowledges their specific challenges
- Body that presents you as the solution to these challenges
- Evidence that supports your claims
- Call to action that makes the next steps clear
Step 6: Customize for Each Application
While you can create a template, make sure to customize significant portions for each job application. This isn’t about mass mailings – it’s about creating highly targeted pitches.
Common Questions About This Approach
“Isn’t this too aggressive for a job application?”
Not at all. Remember, companies hiring copywriters want someone who understands how to sell. By using this approach, you’re demonstrating that you understand the fundamental principles of persuasive writing.
“What if I have zero experience or samples?”
Create them! Write sample copy for existing brands (clearly labeled as unofficial). Create a mock campaign. Rewrite existing ads that you think could be improved. What matters is demonstrating your ability, not where the samples came from.
“Will this work for agency positions?”
Absolutely. In fact, agencies are often more appreciative of creative approaches to job applications. They’re looking for people who think differently and aren’t afraid to stand out.
The Mindset Shift That Makes All the Difference
Beyond the tactical approach, there’s an important mindset shift here:
Stop thinking of yourself as an applicant and start thinking of yourself as a solution provider.
Companies don’t hire copywriters because they want to give someone a job. They hire copywriters because they have problems that need solving – whether that’s poor conversion rates, unclear messaging, or content that doesn’t engage.
When you position yourself as the solution to specific problems rather than just another applicant, you immediately differentiate yourself from 99% of other candidates.
Your Next Steps
If you’re serious about landing your first copywriting job, here’s what to do next:
- Choose 5-10 companies you’d genuinely like to work for
- Research each one thoroughly
- Create a customized sales letter for each using the framework above
- Follow up after sending your application (another place to demonstrate your persuasive abilities!)
- Track your results and refine your approach based on the feedback you receive
This strategy takes more work than mass-applying to dozens of positions, but the results speak for themselves. Quality over quantity wins every time in the job search game.
Final Thoughts: The Meta-Lesson
There’s a meta-lesson in this story that applies to all of copywriting: the medium is the message.
By using copywriting principles in your job application, you’re not just telling potential employers you can write persuasive copy – you’re showing them. This “show, don’t tell” principle is at the heart of all effective communication.
So if you’re struggling to break into copywriting, stop doing what everyone else is doing. Use the very skills you’re trying to get hired for to land the job in the first place.
That’s what worked for me in 2007, and it’s what still works today.
What creative approaches have you tried in your job search? Have you used copywriting principles to land clients or jobs? Share your experiences in the comments below!