Jesse Forrest is so white, golf plays him. If tighty whities were a person, that person is Jesse. What’s this tall glass of skim milk trying to sell you?
Copywriting courses.
Under his Start Copywriting brand, he peddles programs like How to Create a Copywriting Portfolio for $27, Copy Academy for $47/mo, Freelance Writer Blueprint for $350, 1-on-1 Zoom coaching for $600/hr, and more.
But what makes him qualified to teach?
Hold my coffee; I got this.
Read on for Start Copywriting reviews.
Turns out, Mr. “I take my probiotics daily” is plenty qualified.
- Jesse’s been a freelance copywriter since 2004.
- In 2010, he founded Copywriting Crew, a global agency with 20+ writers that’s still thriving today.
- They’ve written for hundreds of clients across nearly every niche imaginable, from Japanese toothbrushes to self-help seminars and everything in between.
- Big brands like Chanel, Disney, and Sony have hired Jesse to share his writing wisdom with them.
- And since 2016, Jesse’s mentored 35,000+ students through his online courses, seminars, and workshops.
Okay, fine. I’ll leave the real-life Ned Flanders alone – before he bludgeons me to death with his MacBook Pro.
You have to respect the resume. Guy’s probably got a big, dripping hog to go along with it.
Jesse says anyone can become a freelance writer. Hell, he’s got mild dyslexia, almost failed English in high school, has no college degree, and obviously had no experience when he started. And look at him.
All’s it takes is six simple steps.
Step 1: Pick a niche you can crush it in.
Sticking to one niche instead of writing about anything under the sun makes your life easier and your wallet fatter.
Choose something you’re already into or know about. It’ll feel less like work.
Specializing also means less competition, happier clients, and higher rates as compared to general copywriters.
Step 2: Build a portfolio – even if you don’t have any clients yet.
Almost all clients will ask to see your portfolio before hiring you. It’s your chance to demonstrate your writing style, tone, and ability to write about specific topics.
No clients? No problem.
Showcase your skills by writing about products or services in your niche and just label it as “spec work,” Jesse says.
Step 3: Build a freelance website that sells.
Having your own professional website makes you look more legit, it increases your chances of being seen (like if you rank in Google), and you keep 100% of the money without Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.com taking as much as 20% off the top.
Step 4: Set your writing rates.
According to Zip Recruiter, the average freelance copywriter in the U.S. earns about $69,000 per year.
Hourly rates range from $20 to $150 per hour, depending on location, experience level, niche, and project.
The top ghostwriters and white paper writers are on the upper end of this.
So do what you gotta do in the beginning, gain experience, gather testimonials, and increase rates as you go.
Step 5: Find and land high-paying clients.
How? Where?
Jesse suggests hitting up your warm market (yuck), cold emailing, job boards, online communities like Facebook Groups, and in-person networking events.
All of the above makes me wanna slip into my jammies and go beddy-bye.
But if you can power through the discomfort and secure that sweet, glorious first payment from a client? Then all that’s left is…
Step 6: Wow them with your copy.
You’re a blacksmith hammering out a fine sword on the anvil when you write. Now dip that bitch in water and watch it steam. Y’know?
Also, don’t be flaky, weird, or harder to track down than a prisoner on the run.
But yeah, nail these six steps and you’ll be working from beaches in no time, Jesse promises.
And whenever you hit a roadblock, Start Copywriting’s there to help you through.
Q&A
Q: Jesse Forrest net worth?
A: Whoa, whoa, whoa – down, boy. Jesse doesn’t need you sniffing his crotch and jumping up with your muddy paws all over his nice clothes. But if you must know, it’s $7.3 gorillion.
Q: What type of writing services does Jesse’s agency provide?
A: They do:
- SEO blog posts
- Website content
- Email campaigns
- Facebook ads
- Landing pages
- Video scripts
- Professional bios
- Product descriptions
- And more
Q: Won’t artificial intelligence replace copywriters?
A: No, Jesse says. You can breathe a sigh of relief. AI writing tools are just that: tools. They still need people to operate them. People that know what they’re doing. People who understand research, brand voice, and editing. You know, like copywriters. Have you seen the shit ChatGPT puts out? About as riveting as a brochure on buttholes. It can’t replace human creativity, Jesse argues. Plus, it messes up grammar, facts, and reasoning on occasion. Impressive? Sure. Read to take your job? Not even close.
Q: Start Copywriting Alternatives?
A: Yep, I got you:
- Copy Elite
- Copy MBA
- Fired Up Freelance
- Copy Millions Blueprint
- Fiction Profits Academy
- Write Your Way To Freedom
- Premium Ghostwriting Academy
Q: What if I just wanna write stuff and make money without clients telling me when to jump and how high?
A: Totally doable. Here’s a short video that’ll show you how.