I’m not a big advocate for paid courses. But I’m not against them, either.
Not everyone interested in copywriting can afford copywriting courses. Let’s be honest. The job is no longer reserved for meagre arts grads who can do nothing else. Copywriting is a sexy job nowadays—hat tip to all the MBAs who’re (unwillingly or not) writing copy. And so, it’s not exactly, er, affordable.
Good copywriting courses are designed to inform and educate potential copywriters on some of the skill sets they need to master before getting a job. I say some because most of the essential skills a copywriter should have come from learning on the job. What’s more, they also vary based on the industry (or niche, if you like jargon) and the seniority of the role.
So, yes.
You can learn copywriting for free.
Get a job or an internship in an organisation that already employs high-quality copywriters. You’ll learn so much from them, even if you don’t think you do. You don’t want your first real-world experience to be in a workplace where you are the first—or worse, the only—copywriter.
Copywriting isn’t like being a lawyer or doctor—you can’t memorise a textbook and pat yourself on the back on a job well done. Like law and medicine, you need to constantly learn and hone your abilities. However, unlike law and medicine, copywriting is also about breaking the rules consciously.
Courses will show you how other successful writers have broken the rules. But not a single course will tell you how to break the rules like an artist. That insight comes only when you observe others’ writing and keep writing yourself.
Reading and writing are the two greatest teachers a copywriter can have. They’re also free.
The Opinionated Copywriter 