Best Side Hustles for Freelance Copywriting
Freelance copywriting is one of the most lucrative and flexible side hustles for creative individuals in Canada.
Whether you're crafting persuasive sales pages, engaging social media ads, or compelling email campaigns, businesses are willing to pay a premium for your wordsmithing skills. Below, we’ll explore the best freelance copywriting side hustles in Canada, including their descriptions, income potential, essential tools, and where to find opportunities.
1. Website Copywriting
Description
Website copywriting involves creating persuasive and engaging content for business websites. Your goal is to inform, captivate, and convert website visitors into customers. This could include homepage content, service descriptions, and About Us pages.
Income Potential
- Beginner: $30–$60 per hour
- Experienced: $80–$200 per hour or $500–$2,500 per project
Tools and Resources
- Grammarly (for grammar and style checks)
- Hemingway App (for clarity and readability)
- Yoast SEO (to optimize content for search engines)
Where to Find Opportunities
2. Email Marketing Copywriting
Description
Email marketing copywriters create content that drives engagement, boosts open rates, and increases click-through rates. This side hustle is ideal for writers who understand consumer behavior and can craft compelling calls-to-action.
Income Potential
- Per Email: $50–$500
- Email Campaign: $300–$3,000
Tools and Resources
- Mailchimp (for email automation)
- ConvertKit (for advanced email campaigns)
- Canva (to design email templates)
Where to Find Opportunities
3. Social Media Ad Copywriting
Description
This side hustle involves creating short, engaging copy for social media ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Successful ad copywriters know how to write headlines that grab attention and body text that drives action.
Income Potential
- Per Ad: $50–$500
- Ad Campaign: $500–$5,000
Tools and Resources
- AdEspresso (for ad optimization)
- Buffer (for scheduling and managing ads)
- Facebook Ads Library (to research successful ads)
Where to Find Opportunities
4. Sales Page Copywriting
Description
Sales page copywriters specialize in creating high-converting landing pages that encourage visitors to take specific actions, such as purchasing a product, signing up for a webinar, or downloading a lead magnet.
Income Potential
- Per Page: $500–$5,000
- Full Funnel: $2,000–$15,000
Tools and Resources
- ClickFunnels (for creating sales pages)
- Leadpages (for high-converting templates)
- A/B Testing Tools (e.g., Google Optimize)
Where to Find Opportunities
5. Product Description Copywriting
Description
If you have a knack for describing products in ways that resonate with target audiences, this could be a great side hustle. You'll craft engaging descriptions that highlight product benefits and features for e-commerce sites.
Income Potential
- Per Description: $10–$50
- Bulk Projects: $300–$2,000
Tools and Resources
- Shopify (for hosting product descriptions)
- Jasper AI (to speed up content creation)
- Trello (for managing multiple projects)
Where to Find Opportunities
6. SEO Copywriting
Description
SEO copywriting involves creating content that ranks well on search engines. By using strategic keywords, headlines, and meta descriptions, you'll help businesses drive organic traffic to their websites.
Income Potential
- Per Blog Post: $100–$1,000
- Monthly Retainer: $500–$5,000
Tools and Resources
- Ahrefs (for keyword research)
- SEMrush (for content analysis)
- Surfer SEO (for on-page SEO optimization)
Where to Find Opportunities
7. Brand Storytelling
Description
Brand storytelling focuses on creating narratives that connect emotionally with audiences. This includes brand mission statements, vision content, and compelling About Us pages.
Income Potential
- Per Story: $500–$2,000
- Long-Term Project: $5,000–$10,000
Tools and Resources
- StoryBrand Framework (for storytelling techniques)
- Canva (to create visuals for stories)
- Google Docs (for collaboration with clients)
Where to Find Opportunities
Tips for Success
- Build a Portfolio: Showcase your skills with samples or completed projects, even if you create them as mock-ups.
- Network: Join copywriting and freelancing groups on LinkedIn or Facebook to connect with potential clients.
- Invest in Learning: Consider courses like Copyhackers, The Copywriting Club, or Udemy for advanced skills.
- Use Contracts: Always protect yourself and define project scope clearly using tools like HelloSign.
Freelance copywriting in Canada offers immense potential, whether you’re looking to supplement your income or transition to a full-time career. By honing your skills, leveraging the right tools, and targeting high-paying niches, you can build a thriving side hustle that pays well and offers unparalleled flexibility.