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So you want to be a Copywriter?
First, you need to learn the tools of the trade and the secrets of the professionals.
- You like writing but you aren’t earning money from it?
- You’re unsure how to find great clients?
- You want to know how the professionals do it?
If so, you’re at the right place. This Diploma course shows you how to write great copy, how to win clients, and how to maximise your earnings.
You can study the course online at home, and there’s a printed edition that comes to your door. There’s no pressure – and we give you lots of support.
So, what exactly do copywriters do?
Copywriters write the words for web pages, press ads and brochures. They also write direct mail, newsletters and TV commercials. In fact, wherever a company wants to sell something, you’ll find a copywriter producing words for it.
The pace of change is accelerating. Consumers want more information. And businesses are constantly launching new products.
That means organisations are having to create new brochures, write sales letters, and add more web pages.
All this adds up to more opportunities for copywriters.
QLS Level 4 Award
At the end of this course successful learners receive a Certificate of Achievement and a Learner Unit Summary.
Copywriters are special
Copywriters are a special breed of people. They’re skilled writers. They have an excellent standard of living. Their work is intellectually demanding. And they inhabit a glamorous world.
Their work appears in glossy advertisements, in TV jingles and in beautifully produced brochures.
(OK, we also produce a lot of ordinary stuff, as well. But we don’t tell anyone that).
Most copywriters work unseen; and few people know about them.
You could be part of that world.
Student Success Story
“Although I’m already a very motivated person, the course gave me the confidence to ‘go it alone’. Three years down the line and I’m still working as a full-time, freelance copywriter. I have a good range of customers and projects. I really enjoy my work and would certainly recommend the Diploma in Copywriting to people looking to pursue this type of career.”
Can you write?
Copywriters need to condense a client’s vague ideas into crisp copy. It’s a skill we can nurture in you.
You also have to find a way to position a product – to highlight its advantages. That, too, we can teach you.
If you can write (or you’re prepared to learn), you can be a copywriter.
And once you’ve learnt the secrets, you can write any kind of publicity material.
Having a client approve your first piece of copy is a real thrill. And that’s surpassed only by the thrill of receiving their payment. Imagine getting paid for doing what you enjoy.
Who knows where it could lead? Perhaps a top award at the glitzy awards ceremony at Monte Carlo or New York? Perhaps a phone call from a top advertising agency boss, offering you a job?
Student Success Story
“I think the best thing is the voluntarily assignments and I do encourage all students to do them. I have built great relationships with the clients that have come to me via this service, which has lead to me submitting marketing materials for them and then leading on to other things.
For example, press releases, direct mail, pitches and concentrating on an overall brand image for an online fashion boutique, has now lead to me reporting at London Fashion Week for another Fashion company.”
Is there much competition?
Unlike the world of book writing, there’s little competition – because there are few copywriters.
A few people work for big city advertising agencies; but most of us work freelance.
We tend to do the smaller jobs that the big ad agencies don’t want to tackle. They’d charge too much. And they can’t respond quickly enough. That’s when a freelance copywriter is needed.
Many client companies are too small to justify hiring a big agency (because most firms employ fewer than ten people). But they need someone to write press releases or direct mail letters. You can provide that service.
And in provincial cities and towns, many advertising agencies rely heavily on freelance copywriters. They don’t have enough work to pay specialists full-time, but they need lots of different writers.
Student Testimonial
“I have been so impressed with the course. It has been very comprehensive and will certainly stand me in good stead running my own business.”
Student Success Story
“Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that business has gone really well since I went freelance and I’m so thankful for the support you gave me during my studies. I really did need that confidence boost before daring to go for it.
I’m already earning more now than I did in my previous permanent role (much sooner than expected) and although things were a little slow to begin with, I’ve had a constant flow of work coming in since Christmas, which is just amazing.
I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for your words of wisdom and honestly couldn’t be happier. Thanks so much.”
How busy do you want to be?
Some copywriters like to have just one or two clients. Others like to work all hours of the day and night. As a copywriter, you can earn $130,000 (£80,000), and many earn a lot more. The sky’s the limit. But many of the learners we talk to just want the freedom of working from home.
Some copywriters enjoy being around their children. And they get a kick out of being their own boss. We also like working with words. Does that include you? So it doesn’t really feel like work.
There are very few costs. You need access to a computer, internet connection, and a phone. And that’s really all you need. Some copywriters rarely even see clients – the work comes down the telephone or over the net. Virtually every penny you earn is profit.
Student Success Story
“I’ve recently been offered a full time position as an in house copywriter for a building society and am over the moon.
It wouldn’t have been possible without all your help and support whilst doing my Diploma so I wanted to say thank you again.”
More than just a course. It’s a whole new experience.
Register on the course and you get a massive experience, from videos to quizzes, and from
challenges to fun assignments. You’ll have a course advisor, and when you finish the course, there’s a host of supporting activity to get you started as a certified professional copywriter.
Bonuses
For a limited time, we’re offering these benefits (totalling £1,091) when you register on the course. They all help you become a copywriter.
Bonus 1. Fully-customisable Marketing and Stationery Kit (value £275).
This ten-piece kit gives you ready-made advertisements, posters, leaflets and even your business stationery. Just add your own contact details, and print them.Click here for details of the kit.
Bonus 2. The Diary of a Professional Copywriter (value £35)
Follow the highs and lows of a professional copywriter’s life, as our freelance copywriter reports each week on his experiences in the field.
You’ll get insights into his day, and learn from his successes and failures. The Diary is available exclusively to our learners.
Bonus 3. Business Blueprints (value £17)
This 47-page eBook contains complete step-by-step checklists for starting a successful business.
Click here to learn more about Business Blueprints.
Bonus 4. Roadmap (Value £14)
Our Roadmap (right) shows you step-by-step how to become a copywriter.
It comes with instructions for use. The Roadmap is not available anywhere else. “It made everything clear and simple.”
Student Testimonial
“I absolutely loved this course and would advise anyone interested in copywriting to enrol.”
The course is carefully designed to show you how to become a professional copywriter. It’s structured to give you the right information when you need it. There is comprehensive documentation and specialist support material.
The ‘Diploma in Copywriting’ course is a complete learning package. It is crammed full of information, tips and exercises. Everything is beautifully packaged to provide you with your own permanent reference library which you can consult long after completing the course.
Constructed by copywriting experts, the course distills years of experience, covering every kind of market and all types of publicity. And it incorporates the most common questions and comments made by our students. By taking this course, your success as a copywriter is almost certain.
The course is personal to you
We provide advice that you can’t get anywhere else, and we give you the encouragement that you need to succeed.
The courses are based on the real world. By the end of the course, you’ll have met all the main problems that a copywriter encounters. So you won’t have any surprises when you face a client.
You also have two advantages over copywriters who have learnt ‘on the job’. They have rarely been taught the craft in a systematic way (so they’re less professional); and they rarely know the full extent of copywriting (such as how to create brand names).
One of the most important things about the course is giving you the confidence to pitch yourself as a copywriter. Also, to realise that copywriting involves lots of different skills, some of which you have to master outside the course, like social skills, marketing, telephone manner etc.
From starting as a copywriter and writing some web copy I was asked to do web design, which is now a secondary stream of work. For copywriting I have one or two good clients for whom I do most of my ‘mainstream’ copywriting. I also do design work, like logos and posters, typesetting (including novels), typing (which I sub-contract). In short, never say no to anything you think you could do. And keep your clients happy! Your confidence enables them to be confident in tackling different projects.
In short, put energy and enthusiasm into your business and you’ll get rewards. It’s a different life to the 9-to 5 (I often work evenings and weekends but have more opportunities for leisure during the week). You’ll soon find out that freelancing and self-employment is a better way to work!
You get exclusive information
The course gives you an invaluable insight into the copywriting world. You can’t find these trade secrets disclosed anywhere else. The course is distilled from actual experience, to give you the answers to questions like:
- What sort of organisations need copywriting?
- What should I write: web copy, press releases or direct mail?
- Where do I find customers?
- How do I learn about the client’s product?
- How much do I charge?
- What paperwork do I need?
- How do I write a radio commercial?
There’s a students’ virtual common room
When you enrol on the course, you’ll get access to our student portal.
Here you’ll find advice, useful articles about copywriting, and the current versions of the course materials (we regularly update the course materials). You’ll also be able to seek advice from a course advisor.
About our students’ success
One student was asked to produce two short paragraphs on twelve different kitchen and bathroom ranges. He received £55 (US $90) per range, which meant earning £660 (US $1,077) in just one evening.
Another learner now provides a monthly press release service for a local firm of lawyers. Every month she receives £750 (US $1,224) for work that takes her less than two days.
These are typical of the amazing rewards our students get from copywriting.
Click here to read more comments from students.
Just look at the course benefits
- Unlike other organisations, we provide complete coverage of the subject, covering all types of copywriting.
- You get a free copywriter’s manual, available nowhere else.
- You can contact your course advisor at the Blackford Centre by phone or by email.
- You get to work on case study based assignments, which will add material to your portfolio.
- You’re busy? create a study plan that works around your other commitments.
- And if you aren’t delighted with the course we offer a 60-day no-quibble refund.
I now have regular clients, some of which pay me on a monthly retainer, and my business has grown considerably over the past two years, with my turnover set to double in year two.
How long does the course take?
You can complete the course in around six months, depending on your other commitments. Some students do it faster, while others take longer. That’s one advantage of distance learning. You can learn at your own speed, not at your teacher’s.
Your certification
Students who satisfactorily complete the course are awarded the Diploma in Copywriting. They also receive the Blackford Centre’s Diploma certificate.
When you complete the course
Once you complete the course, you’ll receive your Diploma, which is a recognition of your skills and knowledge.
We also send information about your success to your local newspapers. That’s a good way of telling potential clients about your availability.
And you can get free logos (like the one on the left) to put on your website and your letterhead.
Who enrols on the course?
All kinds of people decide to become copywriters. But typically they are:
- Writers seeking to put their writing skills to good use. They know that copywriting will always be in demand: a computer can’t write advertisements and press releases.
- People in advertising agencies, PR consultancies and client companies who want to know more about the subject. They include copywriters, secretaries, and even accountants.
- People who want to supplement their income by working from home. Many need to fit their work around other commitments.
What you’ll learn from the course
By the end of the course, you’ll have acquired the following skills:
- You’ll have learnt the skills of the copywriter’s art.
- You’ll know how to create copy for all types of publicity.
- You’ll know how to win business for yourself.
What happens when you finish the course?
Even when the course ends, we can still continue to help you. On completing your final assignment, we’ll give you details of how you can get advice and guidance from the Blackford Centre. When you go to see a client, or you have a query, we’ll be no further than your phone or email.
The right course for you?
This is the only worthwhile home-study copywriting course in the world. Let’s look at two other courses you could buy.
College A has a well-known course. Their course is a sales letter course in disguise. If you want to learn only about direct mail, that’s fine. But we also teach you how to write web pages, press releases, brochures, and newsletters. That dramatically extends your scope for earning money. College A thinks that copywriting is about ‘hard-sell’. They teach you to ‘sell, sell, sell’. But if you’re marketing a retirement property to an elderly couple, you need a gentle, reassuring sell. Similarly, many young people are suspicious of the ‘hard sell’. Copywriting has many ‘tones of voice’.
College B offers only five modules. And it doesn’t tell you how to set up your own business. The marking is done by academics. This isn’t surprising because the course is run by college lecturers. Our advisers include real-life copywriters who earn their living from writing copy. And we have in-depth advice on setting and marketing your business. For their sake, it’s a shame so many people enrol on other courses. But at least you’ve come to the right place :-).
It’s time to get started
Having read this far, you’ve got what it takes – motivation. Fill out the enrolment form now, because this is where the adventure and rewards begin. It’s easy to start:
- Register online by clicking here If you need help or information, write or phone the Blackford Centre.
- We’ll send you the full course materials within five days – anywhere in the world.
- When you get the course, read the first module. It’s laid out in an easy-to-follow format. Then do the first assignment. It asks you simply to describe your life, your interests and your aims. Subit this on the course portal for reveiw by a course advisor.
- Continue to work through the modules, until you reach the end of the course. By then, you’ll probably be earning good money as a copywriter.
We look forward to helping you succeed.
Read more: About our fees and registration
Student comments
I’ve helped a friend with some copy for two brochures for their holiday lets in France, and a small advert for the same in Cycling Weekly.
I enjoy the long copy. It’s far easier in my mind, but trying to squeeze the same value into 30 words is fun.
I’m now struggling with a flyer for a building friend of mine. This really is a struggle as I realise that this is a totally different gig. I probably need to defer this one until much further into the course, which I am enjoying immensely.
