Freelance vs. Community Copywriting: Which One Pays More?

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As the demand for high-quality content grows, copywriters have more opportunities than ever to monetize their skills. But what’s the best way to earn? Should you go the traditional freelance route or embrace community-based copywriting on platforms like Skool? Let’s explore both paths to determine which one offers the most lucrative and sustainable income.

What Is Freelance Copywriting?

Freelance copywriting involves working independently with businesses, agencies, or entrepreneurs on a project-by-project basis. Typically, freelance copywriters:

Find clients through job boards, LinkedIn, cold outreach, or referrals.

Work on one-off projects like sales pages, emails, and website copy.

Set their rates but often compete with other freelancers for jobs.

Face inconsistent income due to fluctuating client demand.

How Much Do Freelance Copywriters Earn?

Earnings vary widely based on experience and niche. Here’s a rough breakdown:

Beginner Copywriters: $25–$50 per hour

Mid-Level Copywriters: $75–$150 per hour

Experienced Copywriters: $200+ per hour

While freelancers can land high-paying projects, they also deal with client acquisition struggles and gaps between projects, leading to inconsistent income.

What Is Community-Based Copywriting?

Community-based copywriting leverages platforms like Skool to build authority, attract inbound leads, and generate consistent income. Instead of constantly hunting for clients, copywriters grow an engaged audience, positioning themselves as experts in their field.

How Does It Work?

Build a Niche Community: Create a Skool group around copywriting or a related topic.

Monetize With Subscriptions & Courses: Offer memberships, courses, or coaching to an engaged audience.

Attract High-Paying Clients: Instead of cold outreach, clients come to you through your reputation and content.

Earn Recurring Revenue: Unlike one-time freelance projects, communities offer ongoing income through memberships.

Freelance vs. Community Copywriting: Earnings Potential

Metric	Freelance Copywriting	Community-Based Copywriting
Income Model	One-time projects	Recurring revenue & product sales
Client Acquisition	Manual outreach & job boards	Inbound leads from audience
Income Stability	Inconsistent	Predictable & scalable
Time Investment	Trading hours for pay	Building assets that generate long-term income

While freelancers may see higher upfront payments, community copywriters benefit from long-term, scalable revenue streams.

Case Study: Patrice’s Journey from Freelancer to Community Leader

Patrice decided to become freelance copywriter, securing clients through networking and cold outreach on Skool. While she earned decent money, she was still limited by client acquisition struggles that many freelancers experience.

That’s when she decided to leverage Skool and build a thriving copywriting community. By sharing insights, offering coaching, and creating exclusive courses, she turned her one-time gigs into a scalable business. Today, she:

Generates predictable, recurring revenue through her Skool membership.

No longer relies on chasing clients—they come to her!

Has more financial stability compared to her early freelance days.

Her transition to community-based copywriting allowed her to scale beyond trading time for money, proving that this model can lead to higher, long-term earnings.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re looking for quick income and short-term projects, freelancing is a great way to start. But if you want to build a sustainable, scalable copywriting business, community-based copywriting through Skool offers more stability and income potential.

Want to learn how to transition from freelancing to a profitable copywriting community? Join Patrice’s Copywriting Community on Skool and gain access to exclusive insights and strategies.