Lessons from a Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant who actually does the work:
So you’ve got the client work. You’re doing the admin, the scheduling, the inboxes, the social posts. You’re a solid, dependable virtual assistant.
But you’re ready for more.
Not more hours (because hello, you’re already maxed out).
More value. More money. More creative, strategic work that actually lights you up.
Let me tell you a little secret that changed the game for me and hundreds of other unicorns:
Copywriting is the most lucrative next step for a working virtual assistant.
And no — you don’t need to be a poet or have an English degree to do it well.
So copywriting should definitely be on your radar as a virtual assistant, and I want to share some insider’s tips to help you dig in!
*This blog may contain affiliate links for programs, tools, and courses that I recommend. If you purchase these programs, I could receive a small commission. Thank you! I only recommend vetted programs and tools I use myself! Please check out my tool & resources guide here.
Why Copywriting?
Because copy is everywhere in online business. And once you understand the basics, you’ll see it:
- In the launch emails you format
- In the sales pages you load into Kajabi
- In the social media captions you post
- In the lead magnets and course descriptions
Someone has to write that. And smart clients will pay $50/hour or more (often project rates) for someone who can write copy that converts.
Especially if that person already knows the brand, the customer, the strategy… and can make things happen without a ton of hand-holding.
(Hi, that’s you.)
You’re Already Closer Than You Think
If you’ve been formatting client newsletters in ConvertKit, building out sales pages in Leadpages, or even writing blog posts from outlines… you’re already in the copy-adjacent zone.
Here’s the truth: everyone wants a full-stack marketer right now.
Clients aren’t just hiring for someone who can click buttons. They want someone who understands messaging, copy, and positioning — someone who can help them stand out, speak clearly to their audience, and actually move the needle on sales.
- Messaging is about knowing what to say and how to say it. It’s the heart of a brand — the core beliefs, tone of voice, and unique value that helps a business connect with its people.
- Copy is how that messaging shows up on the page — in emails, sales pages, websites, and ads. It’s words with a job: to inform, inspire, and convert.
- Positioning is about where your client fits in the market — what makes their offer different, better, or exactly right for their dream customer.
Understanding these three pillars makes you insanely valuable. You become more than a task-doer — you become someone who can help clients show up, sell, and scale.
If you’ve been formatting client newsletters in ConvertKit, building out sales pages in Leadpages, or even writing blog posts from outlines… you’re already in the copy-adjacent zone.
What most unicorns need is:
- The language of copy (how to talk about it)
- The confidence to charge for it
- A few strategic frameworks (like PAS or features vs. benefits)
It’s less about being a “creative genius” and more about understanding messaging, writing persuasively, and helping clients sell.
And spoiler: clients want to pay for that. They need someone who gets their voice and makes their offers shine. They want full-stack marketers – aka unicorns.
Copywriter Marilee Hayes of 5H Copywriting is a successful graduate of my Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School. She began working online as a unicorn digital marketing virtual assistant. But quickly realized she could tap into her love of writing to niche down into copywriting.
Speaking about her work in copywriting, she says, “My income has increased drastically as has my enjoyment of my work…I have flexibility that allows me to do work I love while maintaining the work/life balance I need!”
Read more of Marilee’s journey to digital marketing success as a busy mom and former teacher/author in her blog posts HERE and HERE. Or listen to our podcast episode together!
How do you get started with copywriting as a virtual assistant?
If you’ve read this far, I’m assuming you’ve already started working in the online space as a VA or digital media marketing assistant. (And if that’s not the case, make sure you head over HERE to check out a post I wrote just for those of you who are just getting started.)
And if you’re still fairly new to the world of digital marketing, it’s normal to begin by slowly helping your client with smaller writing tasks that are a part of the big marketing picture. You will probably find yourself writing headlines, creating call-to-action prompts (CTAs), sprucing up landing pages, revising emails, or just generally repurposing and tweaking content across platforms.
Soon, though, you may find yourself ready to tackle more serious writing tasks. Things like writing original content, creating blog posts, and beginning new email campaigns from scratch. But even if it’s exciting, it can be very intimidating.
That’s why it’s so important to have tools that help you work smarter, not harder. If you’re spending hours perfecting every sentence, it’s tough to scale your services and raise your rates. AI Copywriter in a Box changes that—it’s a fully customized AI writing tool that helps you create content in your client’s voice, so you can work faster, earn more, and deliver high-quality content that clients love. I use it in my business, and it’s been a total game-changer for writing high-converting content in minutes—without endless revisions.
When you deliver content faster and with better quality, you become the premium service provider clients can’t live without. Grab AI Copywriter in a Box for $50 off with the code UNICORN, and you can use it for up to four different clients.
So keep reading for my insider copywriting tips for getting started as a copywriter virtual assistant. Plus, some ideas for leveling up the copywriting services you may already offer as a unicorn digital media marketing assistant.
Start Learning & Practicing Copywriting:
Here are the basic tips every virtual assistant should know if they want to get into copywriting:
- Understand CTAs (your “call to actions”) – why they’re important and how to maximize their impact
- Get familiar with the different purposes of copy – you’re going to write differently if you want a direct response from your audience, vs a sales landing page
- Start slow and be patient
- Practice, practice, practice!
- Get to know your client’s voice so you can channel it into your writing – watch their FB lives or listen to their podcast and make note of their frequent phrases, greetings, etc
- Get ongoing and honest feedback from your client (but don’t take it personally!)
If you’re already doing these things and want to take it to the next level, consider making a “brand voice guide” for your client. You can note their target audience and really dig into their individual personalities.
Incorporate it into your client intake form. Ask them about their favorite tv shows, movies, hobbies, etc. How do they bring their personal story into their business life? Are they a Target junkie? Is their faith a major part of their daily life? Are they huge fans of The Office? (Or is that just me?!?)
These are the little details that can really personalize your copy into an authentic and effective tool for your clients. And you’ll be able to charge a premium to offer it! Once you start writing from scratch for your client, your rates should reflect it.
Copywriting Resources
Here’s what I recommend:
🎓 Take Nicki Krawczyk’s Free Training Video: How to Get Started in Copywriting*
Join professional copywriter, Nicki Krawczyk, to learn how to turn your writing talent into regular income!
📕Book Recommendation: Ray Edwards How to Write Copy That Sells*
🎧 Dive into my Spotify Copywriting Playlist Grab your earbuds and start learning the foundations of copywriting while you fold laundry or drive carpool. These episodes will help you:
- Spot good copy (and bad copy)
- Learn what clients actually need
- Feel more confident offering writing services
✍️ 5 Must-Knows About Copywriting (Especially for VAs Ready to Uplevel)
1. Copywriting is not creative writing.
It’s not about sounding fancy — it’s about being clear, persuasive, and focused on results. Great copy doesn’t just read well; it converts.
2. You need to understand the customer more than the product.
Copy that sells speaks to real pains, desires, and objections. The more you understand the audience, the better your copy performs.
3. Structure beats inspiration.
Frameworks like PAS (Problem-Agitate-Solution), AIDA, and features vs. benefits aren’t fluff — they’re money-making shortcuts. Learn them and you’ll write faster, better, and more confidently.
4. You’re allowed to use templates and swipe files.
Every copy pro has a stash. What matters is knowing how to adapt them to fit the client’s voice, goals, and offer. That’s the unicorn skill.
5. Clients want conversion, not poetry.
The best copywriters aren’t the most “talented” writers — they’re the best communicators. If you can help your client sell, grow, or launch successfully? They’ll hire you again and again.
📋 I’ve written a couple articles to help you too:
- How to Use the 9-Word Email Strategy for Conversions
- 5 Proven Sales Funnel Optimization Techniques That Boost Conversions
Not Ready to Go Full Copywriter? You can hybrid!
You don’t have to make a full pivot. You can:
- Start offering VIP Days for website copy or email rewrites
- Add a “copy polish” upgrade to your OBM or VA packages
- Charge project rates for sales page builds and the writing, positioning yourself as the done-for-you unicorn they’ve been looking for
- Mix implementation with strategy — set up the funnel, and write the words that convert
- Start with content writing and practice your way up
- Make edits on existing copy
This is how you go from task-ticker to revenue-generator.
One of my Workgroup unicorns made the leap and now charges $1,500+ for funnel builds with copy included. Another turned her blog-writing VA work into a retainer where she’s leading strategy and writing emails for a 7-figure client.
Ready to Dip Your Toe In?
If you’re intrigued and ready to jump into the world of copywriting, start with your existing clients as a virtual assistant. And spend some time with some of these amazing resources I’ve shared for copywriters…
👯♀️ Join the Digital Marketer’s Workgroup This is where my unicorns land their first paid copywriting gigs. Clients come here looking for someone who can write their emails, sales pages, social posts — someone like you, who already understands digital marketing.
More Copywriting Career Advice Resources
> Article: 5 Things I Wish I Knew About Copywriting Services
> Article: Pricing and the Value of Creativity as a Freelancer
> Article: How To Effortlessly Master Your Client’s Voice In Their Copy
> Free Webinar: The Complete, Step-by-Step Blueprint for Building a Six-Figure Copywriting Career*
Start with AI Copywriting
⚡My podcast with The Laurens – How to leverage AI tools and create Custom GPTs to help with copywriting⚡
If you want to speed up your workflow and get paid for your ideas instead of just your typing speed, try The Laurens’ AI Copywriter in a Box. Use code UNICORN for $50 off and start writing smarter today.
The Takeaway: Learning and practicing copywriting skills as a virtual assistant or marketing assistant is a lucrative way to niche down and raise your rates.
Just remember the 3 P’s: patience, practice, and personalization. Those are the keys to success as a copywriter.
Your clients are eager for this type of help. And if you’re a smart go-getter, you can be there for them and build the premium rate packages to demonstrate it.
If this type of advanced training is right up your alley and you want more clients, apply for our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup, where you’ll have insider access to digital marketing pros and plenty of networking and job opportunities.
You don’t need to rebrand yourself as a full-time copywriter to start making better money. You just need to:
- Learn the language
- Take on some starter projects
- And OWN the fact that your marketing brain is valuable
Copywriting is the next smart step for so many of my unicorns. It opens doors to bigger clients, better projects, and the kind of freelance work that gives you time freedom and income freedom.
Want help getting started?
You got this. And I’ve got you.
-Emily, Digital Marketing Consultant and Implementer
Emily Reagan is a mom of four, board game pro, freelance digital marketer and Marketing Assistant Mentor who has helped over 450 go-getters, including military spouses, stay-at-home moms, and professional women learn in-demand skills and find flexible remote work as digital marketing assistants and specialists. She’s shared 3,000+ job leads with her freelancer community The Digital Marketer’s Workgroup.
Ask her any questions over on IG @emilyreaganpr
“I help smart women learn the in-demand digital marketing strategies and profitable tech skills to get hired as a unicorn digital marketing assistant.“
3 ways we can work together:
1. Join the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School. My signature course on digital marketing implementation will give you the confidence and teach you HOW to do the work that’s in demand and highly marketable. This is the secret weapon to getting booked out. Start learning digital marketing services and building your digital service business right now.
2. Already doing marketing work and have a few clients? Want a stronger referral network? Apply for our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup—a tight-knit community of freelancers just like you. Inside, you’ll get behind-the-scenes support, advanced trainings, and troubleshooting that every solo marketer needs. Plus, I’ve shared over 3,000 job opportunities with this group—exclusive leads you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re ready to grow your business and connect with a supportive network, join us here!
3. Looking to hire a Digital Marketing Assistant? If you want to expand your team & grow your business, submit your job opportunity here. I’ll share it with the skilled unicorn marketing assistants inside my workgroup totally free.
Further Reading:
What is a social seller VA?
How to find online jobs and get hired as a VA!
How to identify & find your ideal client
Read this & rock your next discovery call!
Not a course. A collective for marketers already doing the work.
Our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup is a vetted peer community where marketing specialists get real business support and talk shop with people who actually get it. Applications are open now ⬇️
