How to Build Recurring Income as a Copywriter

Do not index

Freelance copywriting can be rewarding, but constantly chasing new clients can leave you feeling exhausted and financially unstable. Instead of relying solely on one-off projects, smart copywriters are shifting to recurring revenue models that provide predictable, scalable income.

If you want to turn your copywriting skills into a business that pays you every month, this guide will walk you through retainers, memberships, and online courses—plus, how platforms like Skool can help you launch your own thriving copywriting community.

The Downsides of Always Chasing New Clients

Traditional freelance copywriting comes with unpredictable income cycles. One month, you’re fully booked. The next? You’re scrambling to find new projects. This feast-or-famine cycle makes it hard to scale and adds unnecessary stress.

Common Problems with One-Off Projects:

Inconsistent income: No guarantee of work next month.

Client acquisition struggles: Constantly marketing yourself instead of writing.

Time limitations: Trading hours for dollars means you cap your earning potential.

Recurring revenue solves these problems by ensuring that you get paid regularly for your expertise.

Recurring Income Strategies for Copywriters

1. Retainers: The Easiest Way to Get Paid Monthly

With a retainer model, clients pay you a set amount every month for ongoing services. This could include:

Monthly blog posts

Email sequences

Sales page optimizations

Social media content

How to Land Retainer Clients:

Offer a discount for ongoing work instead of one-time projects.

Bundle services to create higher-value packages.

Position yourself as a long-term partner, not just a one-off writer.

2. Memberships: Create a Copywriting Community for Recurring Revenue

If you have copywriting knowledge to share, why not monetize it through a paid membership community?

Platforms like Skool allow you to create a copywriting hub where members pay monthly for exclusive content, coaching, and networking. Instead of relying on unpredictable freelance work, you build a consistent revenue stream.

What to Offer in Your Copywriting Membership:

Weekly live Q&A sessions

Exclusive templates and swipe files

Private community discussions

Guest expert interviews

Example: A copywriter who helps business owners craft compelling sales pages could build a Skool community where members get step-by-step training, direct feedback, and access to a library of proven copy frameworks.

Want to see how this works? Join Patrice’s Copywriting Community on Skool to learn how she turned her skills into a thriving business.

3. Online Courses: Productize Your Knowledge

Instead of writing copy for clients, why not teach them how to write their own? Online courses are one of the best ways to scale your income beyond trading time for money.

Course Ideas for Copywriters:

Email Copywriting Mastery – Teach business owners how to write high-converting emails.

Sales Page Formula – A deep dive into persuasive sales copy techniques.

Freelance Copywriting Bootcamp – Help aspiring writers launch their business.

By creating a course once, you can sell it over and over with minimal upkeep.

Pro Tip: Use Skool to host your course and bundle it with a membership community for even greater value.

How to Launch Your Own Membership Community in Under 30 Days

If you’re ready to stop trading time for money, launching a membership-based community is the fastest way to generate predictable income. Here’s how to do it in under 30 days:

Step 1: Define Your Niche & Audience

Who do you want to help? (Freelancers, SaaS founders, coaches?)

What problem does your community solve? (More clients? Better copy?)

Step 2: Choose a Platform (Hint: Skool!)

Skool is perfect for copywriters because it combines courses, memberships, and community engagement in one platform.

Step 3: Pre-Sell Your Membership

Before building, test demand by offering a limited founding member discount.

Step 4: Create Exclusive Content

Offer weekly lessons, templates, and access to your expertise.

Step 5: Promote & Scale

Leverage LinkedIn, Twitter, and email marketing to grow your membership base.

Example: Instead of writing copy for clients, imagine getting 100 members paying $49/month for your expertise. That’s $4,900/month—without constantly chasing new gigs.

Final Thoughts: Recurring Revenue Is the Future of Copywriting

One-off projects may pay the bills, but they won’t build long-term wealth. By shifting toward retainers, memberships, and online courses, you can create a sustainable, scalable business that pays you every month.

Want to start your own community-driven copywriting business? Join Patrice’s Copywriting Community on Skool and learn step-by-step how to turn your skills into a recurring income machine.