If you really want to learn how to create compelling copy, you’re gonna want to enrol in a comprehensive copywriting course.
Sure, great copywriting books are good to get you started. And proper copywriting exercises are key to honing what you’ve learned.
But to quickly elevate yourself to the A-tier, you’re gonna want the direct instruction of someone who’s already done what you’re trying to achieve.
Why?
Cause copywriting is one of the few subjects you don’t get much (if any) training in at school or in university.
For people like us, you’ve got to fall back on online training to grow a better copywriting business.
The good news is, there are plenty of copywriting course options you can choose from (FYI – some of the links to these programs are affiliate links meaning I get a small referral fee for recommending them).
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The best pure copywriting courses
This section is dedicated to pure copywriting courses.
We’re talking the kind of stuff that focuses on the nuts and bolts of creating copy that actually persuades and generates the kind of action you’re shooting for.
#1) CopyBlogger Pro (multiple copywriting course offerings)
CopyBlogger used to be the go-to site for writers in the 00s. Along with ProBlogger (which I’m not even going to include in this list), CopyBlogger lost a lot of its oomph in the last 10 years.
But, I’m including it in the list because their pro plan includes monthly workshops and seminars with a few recognizable names in the marketing space, like Brennan Dunn.
The reason CopyBlogger is a little lower on the list is because “a lot of information” doesn’t necessarily lead to career growth.
Their Pro plan offers you access to a lot of information, but I’m not quite sure about the guidance you get.
They do offer “coaching” via a regular Ask Me Anything (AMA) sort of thing, but I’ve never been in there and can’t guarantee that every question gets answered or that you really get deep feedback.
This copywriting course is perfect for: Newer copywriters just getting started.
Price: $495 per year
#2) AWAI – The Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting Course
The American Writers & Artists Institute (AWAI) is one of the most well-known resources for writer training.
They’re a little bit like CopyBlogger, in my opinion, in the sense they’ve been around a long time and have developed a solid name for themselves.
The only issue I have with AWAI is in their marketing. There’s no doubt they have a lot of good content and copywriting courses, but I’m not a big fan of the way they sell these programs.
AWAI does a lot of “selling the dream”, like the idea of earning six-figures while sipping cocktails on a beach somewhere.
Everyone does a little bit of this, I guess, but AWAI is pretty aggressive about it.
All that said, if you head over to their site, you’ll find dozens and dozens of courses on becoming a better copywriter.
Their flagship course is The Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting, but you can also find more niche training like Get Clients in 30 Days Challenge and Speech Writing Success.
Check out their courses and see what you think. Just don’t get too enamored by the dreamy promises of a lifestyle business!
This copywriting course is perfect for: General, new writers who want to learn about copywriting
Price: $497 for The Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting
#3) Talking Shrimp – The Copy Cure
Laura Belgray has one of the most engaging writing styles online. It’s not for everyone, but the people who like it, love it.
A lot of her branding and voice feels like it’s aimed at other women, but that shouldn’t turn you off if you’re a guy.
I think she’s one of only a handful of copywriters who are actually funny. If you’re looking to add some style to your own writing, Laura is a great person to follow closely.
On Talking Shrimp, Laura has built up a suite of bite-sized copywriting courses like:
- 60-minute makeovers,
- About Page and Professional Bio Builder
- Inbox Hero, her email copywriting course
In 2020, she added a “big” flagship course, The Copy Cure. This is one of several collaborations with Marie Forleo.
The course only opens up once a year, so head on over to the site to sign up for the waitlist if you’re interested in getting more info. I don’t know much about the course itself, but I’m including it on this list because of how much I trust Laura’s work.
Lastly, I just want to mention one freebie that Laura gives away on her site – The 5 Secrets to Non-Sucky Copy. It’s honestly one of the best quick hit ebooks on writing style. Like I said, it’s free and it’ll change the way you think about your writing voice.
The problem we’ve got here is that there are no details on her copywriting courses until they open. So I can’t tell you prices or who would benefit from them.
Still, check out Laura, she’s awesome.
This copywriting course is perfect for: ???
Price: ???
#4) CopyHackers – Copy School
I’m a big fan of Joanna Wiebe.
Not only do I think she’s one of the best copywriters in the business, she’s also a very good teacher.
Here’s a not-so-secret secret → Joanna has trained many of the people who are currently the big copywriter names online.
I’ve also taken a couple of her copywriting courses in the past and vouch for pretty much everything she does with CopyHackers (I’ve always earned way more by using what she teaches than I paid for the programs).
Like CXL, Joanna has a whole suite of courses that’ll help copywriters at various stages of their careers. That’s why I’m recommending you check out their entire set of offers instead of recommending just one single course.
If you’re looking for a general shape up, check out:
- The 10X Freelance Copywriter
- 10X Web Copy
If you’re after something more specific, you can get:
- 10X Emails
- 10X Landing Pages
Or if you want the whole shebang, you can sign up for Copy School, which includes the entire 10X series and more.
This copywriting course is perfect for: Writers and marketers who want to improve their copy skills and strategies.
Price: Copy School ($2997)
10X Series ($1,000-2,000 depending on the course)
#5) Copywriting Course
Neville Medhora is the guy behind Copywriting Course (formerly known as Kopywriting Kourse), and he’s also the real deal.
Copywriting Course is broken down into ~20 video courses, weekly video group coaching, and a members’ forum where Neville and a couple of professional copywriters edit/rewrite students’ copy.
This isn’t really a copywriting course for beginners just getting started either as copywriters or as freelance business owners.
But it’s a great course for established business owners and freelancers with stable careers. This is the place you’d go to grow an existing business.
This copywriting course is perfect for: Business owners who want to improve existing assets and sell more.
Price: $1,164 or $97/month
#6) Copy Chief
Kevin Rogers is a former stand up comic turned copywriter. He’s a great storyteller and he’s built a strong community of copywriters and business owners.
Copy Chief is probably closest to Copywriting Course, in the sense that they’re both heavily community focused and emphasize practical feedback for real businesses.
There’s a job board, live coaching, a collection of mini-courses, workshops, and a vault of video courses.
Like Copywriting Course, Copy Chief is probably best for business owners and solo copywriters who actually treat their freelancing like a business.
You’ll learn about copy, you’ll improve specific assets like a landing page on your website, but you won’t necessarily learn a ton about your own process, like a sales system.
This copywriting course is perfect for: Both business owners and freelancers.
Price: $149/month or $5910 for lifetime access
#7) Tiny Little Businesses
Andre Chaperon is one of the best email marketers in the game. If you’re specifically looking to improve your email marketing game, I’d point you straight to his AutoResponder Madness course. This course is all about building stories via automated email campaigns, which Andre is really, really good at.
That said, he’s also got 3 more courses that are well worth exploring. In addition to the email course, Andre has courses on building authority, traffic, and business growth.
- AutoResponder Madness
- The Traffic Engine
- Sphere of Influence
- Lean Business for Creators
So while I’m suggesting that AutoResponder Madness is where copywriters will get the most value, the other 3 courses are really strong too. Learning to handle traffic, authority, and growth strategy will set you up to be a valued expert for your clients.
Andre never seems to get the same attention that a few of the other names on this list do, but his material is high quality.
This copywriting course is perfect for: Copywriters who want to get really, really good at storytelling (especially via email).
Price: $495 per course
#8) Digital Marketer Become a Certified Direct-Response Copywriter Course
This course is a joint project between the Digital Marketer team and AWAI. In it, Pam Foster walks the student through 42 video lessons – it’s extensive.
Like several other courses on this list, it comes with a certification badge you can drop onto your website and/or LinkedIn profile.
One thing I like about this copywriting course is the fact that there’s a quiz at the end of every module. Since there’s no direct coaching, the quizzes help give the DIY course a bit of extra accountability and oomph.
At the end of the course, you’ve got to take a test to actually get the certification. Again, I like this extra challenge here. This makes the certification actually count for something and should also get you to study a little harder than you probably would for the average online course.
Keep in mind, this is a course on direct response copywriting. If that’s what you want to learn, then this course is great – you’re basically getting Digital Marketer and AWAI baked into one resource.
That said, it’s more about skills than it is about building a business. You’ll get plenty of theory and writing strategies but not much about landing clients or running your business.
There’s no real coaching or extra guidance – it’s all up to you to apply what you learn from the course.
This copywriting course is perfect for: People looking to become direct response copywriters.
Price: $495
#10) The No Pants Project
The No Pants Project is Mike Shreeve’s homebase for a collection of courses.
I’m a little torn on this one, to be honest.
In terms of strategy and content, I think the No Pants Project is really, really good. You get training on everything from email campaigns to client outreach and sales. Mike’s copywriting courses will force you to send more pitch emails than you’ve ever done before.
As a copywriter and businessman, again, I think Mike Shreeve is top tier. He’s worked with all sorts of really big names in marketing, like Russell Brunson of ClickFunnels.
But all that said, I’ve got to take some points away for a few things:
- The organization of the course(s) isn’t great. There’s a ton of solid info in there, but it’s actually a little bit overwhelming and difficult to navigate. When you’ve got multiple courses where certain modules refer to modules in other courses….it can be tough to follow.
- In addition to the poor organization, there’s not much in the way of coaching. You can upgrade to get personal coaching from Mike, but that’s separate from the courses.
- The marketing is…aggressive. I know it’s not directly connected to the course content, but it’s created a ton of haters online. The problem is, do you want to be connected to a brand that people love….and hate? That sort of divisiveness is a good way to create sales – maybe not so great for trust and reputation.
This copywriting course is perfect for: People who want access to a lot of info on copywriting skills and business strategies.
Price: $97 – $2997 (depending on the product or course)
#11) John Carlton’s Simple Writing System
If you’re a direct response copywriter, you’ll recognize John Carlton’s name.
The Simple Writing System (SWS) is a copywriting course that a lot of the top copywriters have taken – just take a look at their homepage and you’ll recognize a bunch of the names in the large section of testimonials.
One thing I like about it is that you get sent a bunch of free content when you sign up, including a pretty strong ebook that outlines Carlton’s 3 steps to better sales page copy.
In terms of the actual SWS course, If you opt for the higher priced package, you’ll get access to a coach who’ll work with you 1-on-1.
To me, that’s a great addition for copywriters who want to specialize and get proper guidance.
If you’re a brand new freelancer and you’re not sure what you’re doing or where to start – this isn’t the right place to turn to.
But, if you know that you need better direct response skills and want to get good at sales pages, this could be a great choice for you.
This copywriting course is perfect for: Direct response copywriters who want to write great sales pages.
Price: $477 or $1997
#12) Stefan Georgi’s RMBC Method
Stefan Georgi is probably the #1 direct response copywriter out there today.
His course, the RMBC Method, teaches people how to write sales pages that convert. You’ll learn fundamentals you can apply to all sorts of copy, from advertorials to FB ads….but the reason you’d take this course is for Georgi’s sales letter training.
RMCB stands for Research, Mechanism, Brief, and Copy, and the course itself is broken down into 10 modules that hit on classic concepts (like “Fascinations”), but with a very current take.
One of the reasons I’ve included him on this list is because the copywriting world often pays a little too much attention to the old school names.
Don’t get me wrong, you can learn a lot from the old hands, but it’s also really important to learn from people who are getting results right now.
So if you’re looking for a modern take on sales pages, Stefan’s your guy. He’s sold millions of dollars worth of ClickFunnels and ecommerce products….and RMCB lays out his process.
I’m also going to throw in a second training here.
See, Stefan regularly partners with another big name in marketing – Justin Goff.
Together, they run the Copy Accelerator, where they coach direct response copywriters. According to Justin’s newsletter, the students in the Copy Accelerator are creating some great results.
If you’re getting into the direct response world and want modern, technical copywriting training – I would seriously consider one or both of these options.
This copywriting course is perfect for: Intermediate/advanced copywriters looking to learn direct response copywriter with an emphasis on sales pages.
Price: $997 (The RMBC Method)
$30,000 or $2950/month over 12 months (The Copy Accelerator)
#13) CXL Institute
OK this is more like an entire resource, not just one course. But trust me, it’s worth it.
CXL Institute is probably the most respected name in technical marketing training online.
Whether you’re making a major career change and need to overhaul your education or simply fill in a few gaps as you improve your copywriting, CXL will have courses for you.
You’ve got the choice of signing up for one of their seven mini-degrees or taking individual courses (there are >50 to choose from).
For copywriters, the most relevant copywriting courses are:
- Content Marketing Research
- Positioning
- Sales Copywriting & Product Messaging
- Voice of Customer Data
- Email Marketing: from basics to best-in-class
This copywriting course is perfect for: Intermediate/advanced copywriters looking for more technical training
Price: $1,299/year or $249/month
#14 – Eddie Shleyner’s VeryGoodCopy+
In my opinion, Eddie Shleyner is one of the best copywriters working today.
Everything I’ve seen him publish – be it his free content, social posts, or various courses, has been absolutely top notch.
I’ve been through a number of his free courses and I’m honestly amazed that he lets out content like that for free.
I’ve paid for programs that have less value.
If you want to become a better copywriter, Eddie’s resources are definitely something you should be checking out.
There’s a strong focus on the persuasion principles behind effective copywriting.
Eddie’s not teaching you which word goes where or a basic AIDA framework you’ve seen 100 times before.
He’s teaching you WHY something works. Which is far more valuable as it gives you the tools to apply it across different industries and deliverables.
Very Good Copy is a very good resource.
But to say that the courses Eddie puts together are “very good” would be doing them a disservice. They’re better than very good.
Price $10 / month
General marketing courses
A good copywriting course will help you perfect the words on the page.
But, for the best results, you’re also gonna need to know how to direct people to the copy you’re writing.
This is what the below marketing courses will help you do. They’ll help get your high-converting copy in front of the right people so you can sell more of your product and/or service.
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#1) Hubspot Academy
Hubspot is an incredible resource.
I’ve written about how I use Hubspot’s CRM system to land clients, but they’ve also got an entire library of free courses (over 300!!).
If you’re looking to break into the marketing world and get some primers, Hubspot Academy is a great starting point.
If you’re an experienced copywriter who’s looking to step up their game with a complementary skill, Hubspot Academy probably has something for you.
These days, online business and marketing are both changing all the time. If you’re a serious copywriter, you’ve got to constantly make sure that you’re on top of the latest tools, tech, and strategies.
And that’s where Hubspot Academy comes in. If you need a refresher about SEO, Content, or CRO….go check out what they have to offer.
I also love the fact that you can get certifications for taking certain courses. If you’re looking for something basic to stick on your portfolio, website, and LinkedIn profile, it doesn’t hurt to show that you’re certified by a name that everyone in the business recognizes and respects!
Just note that these courses are more like quick hits that’ll definitely help…but they’re not standalone training that’ll take you from zero to hero.
Use them to test the water, patch up your skills, and explore areas/services to potentially specialize in!
This marketing course is perfect for: New freelancers looking for a general start or more experienced freelancers looking to patch up some knowledge gaps.
Price: Free
#2) Unbounce Landing Page Course
I love it when SaaS companies create and publish genuinely useful content.
That’s what Unbounce did with their Landing Page Course.
It’s a 7-module course that walks you through all the basics of building a landing page, from the basics to lead capture to some pretty advanced design concepts.
One of the modules is specifically dedicated to copywriting for landing pages. That means you end up learning an approach to
It’s great value – not just because it’s free – it’s just straight up strong training from a really, really respected name in the marketing world (Oli Gardner, the founder of Unbounce).
This marketing course is perfect for: Any copywriter who deals with landing pages. Seriously, check it out.
Price: Free
#3) Leadpages Landing Page and Email Copywriting course with Joanna Wiebe and Ry Schwartz
Much like Unbounce, Leadpages have put together copywriting courses for both landing pages and email nurture sequences.
As a company who specialises in landing pages, their advice on optimisation and copywriting should be listened to.
However, the real value they’re offering is a free webinar email copywriting course with Joanna Wiebe of Copyhackers and Ry Schwartz 9who created a lot of the Copyhackers email copywriting courses).
Leadpages is a great service, and, as far as free courses go, these are both incredible primers on how to improve your copywriting.
Check them out as you’ve got nothing to lose.
You can grab LeadPages’ free landing page guide here
And their email copywriting guide here.
Price: Free
#4) Backlinko’s SEO Training for More Traffic and Sales
Brian Dean is one of the top names in the SEO game.
In my opinion, he’s probably the guy to listen to these days in terms of SEO strategy.
If you’re a copywriter, you need to know enough about SEO to hold a conversation. If you really want to grow your career, I highly suggest actually looking for serious training.
The aim is not to try and switch careers and chase after a career as a technical SEO.
Instead, you’ll arm yourself with the skills that most of your peers lack.
Whether you’re focused on content, conversions, or something else – SEO skills can elevate you into more effective copy and more valuable consulting.
This marketing course is perfect for: A copywriter who *sorta* knows their way around SEO but really wants to become a technical expert.
Price: $2997
#5) Moz Academy
Moz was the leading SEO brand for most of the 2010s. It might just be me, but I feel like it’s dropped off a little since Rand Fishkin left.
In any case, they’re still relevant and they offer a wide range of courses instead of one *big* course.
With Moz, you can get their flagship course (SEO Essentials Certification) or opt for smaller, more focused courses.
Just like with Hubspot Academy, it’s nice to have options when it comes to your training. While I think Brian Dean’s Backlinko course is the better course, sometimes you just need some gaps filled or a toe-in-the-water approach first. For that, Moz wins.
This marketing course is perfect for: Copywriters who want a wider choice of slightly cheaper SEO training options.
Price: Free – $595
#6) SEMRush Academy
SEMRush Academy is a criminally underrated resource.
It’s free, it’s directly connected to the best SEO tool out there (SEMRush), it’s well-organized, and it’s really, really extensive.
If you’d like to get a handle on SEO and how it ties into different types of marketing, this is where I think you should start.
The courses are organized into 6 learning paths or specializations. You can also get certifications for the courses you take.
This is a great way to level up your skills and show off some proof of technical SEO skills on your LinkedIn profile and website.
This marketing course is perfect for: Anyone wanting to get a better understanding of SEO. It should be the starting point.
Price: Free
The best freelance business courses
Again, being able to craft incredible copy isn’t enough to grow a successful business.
The more important and profitable skill is understanding how to scale and grow your business.
These freelance growth courses are all about getting your perfect pitch in front of the right people, negotiating higher fees, and basically running a better business.
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#1) The Freelance Business Blueprint
Yes, I’m sticking my own course here at #1.
Cocky? Perhaps.
But frankly I think it’s #1 for people who want to specialize as freelance copywriters.
CXL and a few of the other platforms on here may offer individual courses that might have me beat on technical topics like Google Analytics, UX, or something similar.
But in terms of a single, cohesive course that’ll teach you to build a freelance copywriting business, I suggest checking out my flagship course, the Freelance Business Blueprint.
This isn’t a copywriting course that’s gonna teach you how to write superb copy (there are elements of that in there, but it’s not the focus).
The FBB will teach you the systems-based approach I’ve used to grow my own business to the six-figure level several times.
If you’re after business skills for freelancers, I genuinely believe this is the best course for writers like you.
This copywriting course is perfect for: Freelancers who want to develop business systems to sell more and grow a healthy career.
Price: $2000
#2) Double Your Freelancing Rate
Double Your Freelancing Rate (DYFR) is a really well-known course for freelancers. Its creator, Brennan Dunn, has built several successful SaaS companies and has an impressive track record as a solo consultant.
There’s very little in the course that’s directly about copywriting, but you should still consider joining. That’s because DYFR is one of the absolute best courses on figuring out your freelancing strategy.
By that, I mean DYFR does a great job at forcing you to nail your marketing and positioning as a consultant. This covers everything from targeting the right clients, building a service, and improving your pricing.
The idea here is that you’ll go from a loosey goosey freelancer scrambling from job to job….to a serious consultant with a serious business. As the name suggests, the goal is to double your freelancing 🙂 !
The course is built on 4 modules with a total of 24 lessons. It’s no joke – the course takes on a lot of the practical business questions that many people ignore. Things like how to handle pushback from clients and how to raise rates on existing clients.
If you take a look at some of Brennan’s testimonials for DYFR, you’ll see that it’s produced a lot of big hitters in the online consulting world. I highly recommend it!
(Here’s the kicker – it’s one of the most affordable programs on this list!).
This freelancing course is perfect for: Intermediate freelancers who want to seriously up their game.
Price: $297 or $597 (if you opt for a 1-on-1 session with Brennan)
#3) Outreach Mastery
This is a course by Kai Davis (incidentally, he’s one of Brennan Dunn’s DYFR students).
Like several people on this list, Kai has two businesses you can learn a lot from.
One is his client service, doubleyourecommerce.com and the other is kaidavis.com, where he trains consultants to grow their businesses without spending more on their marketing.
Kai has a lot of great content (including a lot of free material, from ebooks to podcasts).
Outreach Mastery, though, takes it to the next level.
It’s a video course that basically shows the viewer how Kai runs his mostly-automated business systems, from list building to email outreach.
Like DYFR, Outreach Mastery is for freelancers who have managed to piece together a business but might still be stuck in feast-or-famine cycles. It’ll show you how to create a system so that you can start selling your services more consistently (and profitably).
There’s no direct coaching – but for the price, Outreach Master is packed with value.
This freelancing course is perfect for: Freelancers who want to improve their sales systems and stabilize their businesses.
Price: $200
More Copywriting Course Resources
If these 21 courses aren’t enough, it’s always worth looking for courses on more general learning platforms.
Here’s a list of platforms I take a look at from time to time:
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#1) Udemy Copywriting Courses
Great for cheaper courses from $10 – 200. These aren’t really going to make you a millionaire copywriter. However, as entry copywriting courses go they could help you get a better handle on the basics.
Check out Udemy’s Copywriting Courses here
#2) Skillshare Copywriting Course
You can get access to some courses with a free account or pay $19/month to get access to 20,000+ courses, including plenty of copywriting and marketing options.
Check out SkillShare’s best Copywriting Course here
#3) LinkedIn Learning Copywriting Courses
LinkedIn Learning was once known as Lynda. LinkedIn bought the education platform and rebranded it to their own property that focuses on professional education. There are a few copywriting courses there which might be a good start for some. However, they’re unlikely to have the specialist knowledge you’d need and get from a specific copywriting course.
Check out LinkedIn Learning Copywriting Courses here
#4) Fiverr Learn’s Copywriting Courses
Fiverr’s a great place to dip your toes into the freelancing world, but it’s not where you should be going to get high-level clients or high-level training. That being said they do have a number of very low-cost entry courses that could help you if you’re at the start of your freelancing career.
Check out Fiverr Education’s copy courses here
#5) Masterclass Writing Courses
$15/month for access to classes taught by industry experts. I’m including this specifically for the writing classes taught by Neil Gaiman, David Sedaris, and Malcolm Gladwell. Not exactly technical copywriting, but well worth checking out to improve your writing!
Check out Masterclass’s Writing Courses here
#6) Coursera Copywriting Courses
Like Skillshare, there are paid plans that give you access to a lot of courses. If you stick with the free plan, though, you can still get your hands on several copywriting and content marketing courses.
Check out Coursera copy courses here
That’s our complete list of the good, the bad, and the ugly copywriting courses you could take in 2022 to improve your ability to craft persuasive copy.
Oh, and if you’re looking for a free guide, check out our process to get you to 6-figure freelancing – it’s completely free.