Hey mama,
Imagine sitting in your cozy home office, sipping your favorite latte, writing compelling and heartfelt blogs while your little ones are peacefully playing or napping in the next room.
It’s the dream, isn't it? That's the picturesque scene that so many ads and influencer posts paint about freelance copywriting, especially for us moms.
Let me be crystal clear… while freelance copywriting can be a wonderful and flexible way to earn a living, it’s not always sunshine and pajamas.
I’ve walked this path myself, navigating client deadlines while trying to be present for my kids’ never-ending questions, playdates, and need for adventures. Sure, there have been times when it felt magical—like when they were peacefully working on homeschool tasks while I replied to clients. But there have also been days where I found myself anxious about a mounting to-do list, less than ideal income, and my son's words echoing in my head that I’m “always on the computer and never available for them anymore.”
That hurt. Deeply. It made me completely rethink my business (and how remote jobs are marketed to moms... hence is blog.)
When I started my business, I was homeschooling both kids full time, working PRN at the hospital, and managing the household. I won't ever tell you it was easy, because that would be a lie... but I will tell you it's been worth the effort.
My mission here is simple: I want to give you the full, unfiltered picture of what it’s like to be a freelance copywriting mom.
Not to discourage you—far from it. I want to level with you so you can make an informed decision.
I wholeheartedly believe in the opportunities and benefits that copywriting can provide. I also think it’s only fair, especially for moms who already shoulder so much, to know what you're really signing up for.
In this no-fluff overview, I’ll share the highs and lows of my journey, and offer you insights and advice. Because while copywriting can be an amazing career, it isn’t a magic or zero-work solution like so many flashy IG ads make it out to be.
So, grab your coffee, friend. Prepare to hear the best and worst parts of running a freelance copywriting business (as a mom).
Let’s start with the hard parts since that’s what most advertisements, affiliate marketing, and social accounts won’t tell you.
(You’ll hear me mention Write Your Way to Freedom (WYWTF) in this blog. It’s the course I took to launch my career, and I highly recommend it. The links are affiliate.)
The Most Challenging Parts of Being a Freelance Copywriter [Specifically for Moms]
Being a freelance copywriter comes with a unique set of challenges. For moms, these challenges often carry additional weight as we’re juggling the demands of our business with the needs of our families.
Here's the real, unfiltered truth about the challenges that come with becoming a copywriter:
Freelancing Can Come With Financial Uncertainty
Unpredictable Income
While freelancing can offer excellent income, it can also fluctuate drastically from month to month, especially when you're new. This inconsistency can be nerve-wracking if your family needs your income. Budgeting and working with higher-level clients allows you to level out these waves over time.
Self-Employment Taxes
Owning your own business means you’re responsible for your own taxes. It’s best to work with a professional to make sure it’s done right. Hiring a CPA is one of the best investments I’ve made. It takes the tax stress off my shoulders.
Chasing Late Payments
Occasionally, clients will pay late, or attempt to not pay. I haven’t dealt with this much, but I’ve heard some horror stories. Putting good systems in place, requiring at least 50% payment up front, and listening to your intuition when deciding to work with a client helps make this a non-issue. If someone seems slimy then send them elsewhere. Dealing with payment issues can cause a lot of anxiety, frustration, and is a massive waste of your time.
Paying for Your Own Healthcare Benefits
If you freelance full-time, you’re responsible for your healthcare, retirement plan, and other benefits, which can be expensive. There are many people in the WYWTF community who have quit their jobs and secured health insurance. I've seen the conversation about benefits repeatedly, and the general report is that it wasn't nearly as challenging or expensive as they thought it would be
Work-Life Balance as a Freelance Copywriter
Blurred Work-Life Boundaries:
Separating work from personal time is challenging when you work at home. It’s easy to open up your laptop for "one more thing." You're never done with work because there's always more that could be done. I recommend having a good "shut down routine" that establishes the end of your work day. Then make the conscious choice to not sneak back to work. It will help your health and your family.
Constant Interruptions
Whether it’s a sick child home from school or the endless cycle of household chores, the distractions often impact your ability to concentrate on work tasks. It sounds amazing to work from home with your kids... but the reality is much trickier than what social media shows. I recommend having a plan for some childcare. Your kids deserve focused attention and time instead of competing with work.
Pressure to Make Copywriting Work
Most of us feel a bit insecure when starting an online business. You want to make this work so you CAN have the flexibility and income that you so badly want, right? This pressure is typically self imposed and can lead you to run yourself into the ground if you’re not careful. A realistic look at your responsibilities, available time, goals, and income needs helps you maintain balance. Strong businesses take time to build — give yourself grace.
The Emotional and Mental Toll of Working From Home
Unrealistic Expectations to “Do It All”
There’s so much pressure on moms to do everything. Thankfully we’re moving away from the days of, “work like you don’t have kids and raise kids like you don’t work” mentality… because honestly, that’s garbage and we all know it. Juggling home responsibilities, your business, and client work can be tricky. (Delegation, automation, and outsourcing is the solution here!)
Isolation from Friends or Coworkers
Being a stay-at-home mom can be lonely. A supportive network and community is essential. When your “free time” is filled with business tasks on your laptop instead of grabbing coffee with a friend, you run the risk of becoming isolated. Intentionally maintaining in-person friendships and business relationships is essential. Joining a copywriting community and finding like-minded people that you can co-work with or bounce business ideas off of makes a massive difference.
Client and Project Management as a Copywriter
Client Dependence
Having only a few clients can be good and bad. It means they're paying you more each month, you have fewer admin tasks, and it reduces the mental load of jumping from project to project. But the downside is you’ll lose a big chunk of your income when a client stops working with you. It’s not easy, but having clients come and go is part of the process.
Scope Creep
Clients occasionally ask for more than was initially agreed upon. Most often they don't realize that what they're asking for isn't "just a tiny bit more" like they think it is. Setting clear expectations at the beginning of a project, having a contract, and reinforcing your boundaries helps. Often you’ll have to write a message or have a conversation and then the problem is resolved. (But it still feels scary to establish and maintain boundaries.)
Unpredictable Workload
The work can be feast or famine, leading to stressful busy times and slow periods. You can decrease this by saying no to last-minute projects and by booking projects out in advance. Women are natural helpers, so it’s hard to say no or tell people to wait a few months… but it gets easier with time. I promise.
It’s essential to remember that these challenges, while daunting, are part of the journey. They don't mean you're failing – they mean you're human, and you're not alone in this. Acknowledging these realities is the first step to finding solutions that work for you and your family.
Now… let’s move on to the wonderful parts of building a freelance copywriting business as a mom. There really ARE a lot of great aspects to this career, and I don’t want to feel discouraged by everything I shared above.
The Best Parts of Being a Freelance Copywriter [As a Mom]
Am I grateful that I took a chance, shelled out thousands for a course, and learned an entirely new skillset to build a remote, non-clinical copywriting business?
✅ Absolutely YES.
Juggling kids, work, and life is hard no matter what. However, I’m choosing this type of “hard” over working a traditional job because the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Here are the benefits of working from home with the kids and cat rattling around my office.
Flexible Schedule
Work When You're Most Productive
With freelance copywriting, nobody is telling you when to clock in or out. This means you can schedule work around your kids’ schedules, that Tuesday morning Spin class, or even take breaks 3 times a day to walk the dog. Some copywriters get up before their kids to work while others prefer to work in the solitude of the late night hours. You get to set, and change, the schedule to fit your needs.
Family Time Flexibility
Along these same lines, owning an online business allows you to work around your family’s needs, not the other way around. I know my kids need intentional 1:1 time first thing in the morning. Cooking breakfast and reading together before they start their day fills up their buckets and allows them to play pretty independently for hours. (Note: they’re in elementary school — don’t expect this from preschool kids!) School events, sick days, or simple weekday outings are priorities that I fit my schedule around.
Control Over Your Workload
Having the autonomy to decide your workload means that when life calls—whether that's a family need or a personal one—you can answer. You don’t have to pick up an extra shift or stay at work late — you’re the boss! I intentionally slow work down in August because it’s what works best for our family. We simply budget for the income dip.
Work from Anywhere as a Copywriter
Choose Your Office
Your office can be your cozy home, a buzzing coffee shop, or a tranquil beach (although you’ll get sand in your keyboard here). When we travel as a family, I often take some time to work while the kids are playing or watching a movie. I’ve set up all kinds of crazy work stations in hotels or VRBOs. I don’t work because I have to… it’s because I enjoy it and the change of scenery is inspiring.
Reduced Commute Time
The cherry on top? No commute, freeing up more time that you can spend with your family. We live 20 minutes from town, so this has been a huge perk for me. Plus, I can wear my comfy sweatpants instead of wasting time getting dressed up or managing my curly hair.
Copywriting is a Creative Outlet (That Pays the Bills)
Give Your Brain Stimulation with Copywriting
I love my kids… but sometimes I felt like my brain was turning to mush. I answered the same question 163 times, read the same dull books on repeat, and now all the kids want to talk about is Pokemon and Legend of Zelda. Thank goodness my work is interesting and challenges my creativity and problem solving! Copywriting is an art and a science. It’s fulfilling to craft marketing materials that tell a story and connect with the audience.
Copywriting Isn’t Boring
One week, you might be diving into tech and gadgets, and the next, health and wellness. This flexibility keeps the work interesting and creatively stimulating. You also get to choose who you write for, so if a topic isn’t interesting or doesn’t align with your values then you should pass it along to someone else.
Income and Earning Potential of Copywriting
A High Income Ceiling
Don’t confuse this with “get rich quick.” Building a business takes work and time. Initially you will work a lot of hours and won’t get paid a bunch… but as you grow, you’ll start booking higher-paying projects and earning more. There are writers who charge $200 for a sales page and some who charge $10,000 for a sales page. As you hone your craft, your income will increase.
Tax Benefits
Being self-employed means you’re eligible for various tax deductions. Working with a trusted tax professional, like I do, helps you navigate this, keeping your hard-earned income where it belongs—with you and your family. I’m not a CPA, but she’s the first person I hired as a business owner and she has been worth every penny.
Diversifying Your Online Business and Income
After you learn copywriting, you can diversify your income. You can start charging for strategy alongside your writing and provide audits, coaching, or consultations. You can also create digital courses or set up affiliate marketing to add to your base income as a copywriter. And you’ll use all the skills you learned from a course like WYWTF to expand your business (and income.)
Low Startup Costs
Minimal Initial Investment
Compared to the potential overheads of traditional businesses, copywriting is cheap. I stressed over the money I spent on Write Your Way to Freedom, my website, domain name, and computer. At the time, it felt like I was spending a million dollars because I wasn’t sure if this “thing” would work out in the end. But a friend was opening a business downtown at the same time, and knowing the business loans they were taking out really put things into perspective. Copywriting is a low-cost business opportunity.
Side Note related to start-up costs…
“Do I really need a copywriting course to get started?”
I hear this question a lot, and I asked this question before I launched my business as well. Technically, you don’t need to take any courses or do anything other than start calling yourself a copywriter. It’s a completely unregulated field, meaning anyone can be a copywriter if they choose to. However, you need to know what you’re doing if you want to be an effective copywriter. There’s a lot more to copywriting than just “being a good writer” — in fact many great writers struggle to transfer those skills to copywriting, which is a lot more about marketing and positioning than it is about writing. So invest in a course (like WYWTF) and set yourself up for success. It’s worth it.
Being Your Own Boss
Set Your Own Policies
When you’re the captain of your own ship, you make the rules. You get to set up the procedures, methods, and benchmarks for the business… because it’s yours! Maybe Fridays are part of the weekend, or maybe you choose to take December off and focus on Christmas. It’s your choice.
Choose Your Clients
This is hard at the beginning because you’ll want to say yes to everyone just to get money coming into your business. (The feeling is totally normal, and temporary.) However, if there's a client that doesn’t align with your values, you should refer them elsewhere instead of dealing with them. You also get to choose what projects you accept based on what you like to write.
Teaching Your Children as You Work
Your freelance work can serve as a practical teaching tool for your children. They can learn about entrepreneurship, work ethic, and writing, seeing firsthand what it means to run a business. My son was struggling with perfectionistic tendencies. (Gee, I wonder where he picked that up from? 🫣) I showed him my work after it came back from the editor, FILLED with feedback. It was FAR from perfect, which helped him see that mistakes are normal and part of the process of creating something new. Now we more easily embrace mistakes instead of attempting to avoid them.
My kids get to see me struggle, overcome, get frustrated, book big projects, NOT book projects that I wanted, and problem solve all sorts of things. It’s not always easy, but I think it’s good for them to see all the different aspects of running a business. (The good and the bad.)
Expanding Your Network & Horizons Through Copywriting
Connecting with Other Professionals
Freelancing often involves connecting with other professionals, which can open up further opportunities or collaborations. I never traveled for business prior to starting my freelance copywriting business. (And travel isn’t necessary, so don’t worry if you don’t want to travel.) Now I’ve traveled to conferences and masterminds and connected with people from all walks of life. I’ve also built a large network online and can connect people with specialists… all because of my business.
Building New Friendships
You may be surprised at the business connections and friends you will make during your freelance and business-building journey. I didn’t anticipate having “internet friends” when I started my business… and I was pretty skeptical at first. However, I’ve met some incredible humans and we’ve shared houses and hotel rooms at some of the conferences. I never saw THAT coming!
Skill Development and Growth
Continual Learning and Personal Growth
You constantly learn and adapt, enhancing your writing, marketing, and business skills. It feels good to learn new things, grow, and see your knowledge help other people experience greater success. Building a business is also a personal growth journey. You’ll be challenged in many ways that will ultimately help you become a better mom, friend, and advocate.
Copywriting Can be a Stepping Stone
Many people start as copywriters and then switch into other areas of online business, like digital courses, coaching programs, or sales and marketing positions with other companies. Copywriting lays the foundation for diverse career paths due to the valuable skills it helps you develop.
Before I started in WYWTF, I asked what the “success rate” was for students. I wanted to know the percentage of students who built successful copywriting businesses. Now I understand why this question was misguided. I’ve watched friends start their copywriting businesses and then spin off into other careers. They are successful… but they’re no longer copywriting. Copywriting was the step that started their new career. Taking the first step lets you see the options available down the road.
5 Things Every Mom Should Remember When Starting a Freelance Copywriting Business
1. Set Realistic Expectations
Understand your capabilities and limits. Set achievable goals for your work, business growth, and personal time. Don’t set yourself up for failure by expecting too much of yourself.
2. Create Your Workspace and Routine
Establish a designated workspace and a routine that suits your family’s needs. Be consistent with your routine but allow for flexibility as the seasons/stages change. I use a tiny corner of the house as my office. Having a space means I don’t have to pull my things out and put them away every time I want to get some work done. (And it reduces the clutter, which makes me a much better mom because clutter drives me crazy!)
3. Plan for Childcare Even When Working From Home
Even if your children are older, ensure you have arrangements for focused work time. This could involve working while your kids are sleeping, coordinating with your spouse or a family member to care for the children, or hiring help as needed. This step is critical to avoid burnout and maintain productivity. You can do SOME work while kids are at home... but it's my personal opinion as a mom and an occupational therapist that trying to raise children and work at the same time isn't a good idea.
4. Align with Your Goals and Values
Remember why you’re starting a freelance copywriting business. Whether it’s the flexibility, family time, or travel, don’t lose sight of these goals in a race to earn more. Prioritize your own well-being and family relationships over the constant hustle. Don’t compare with anyone else, especially influencers online — they only tell half the story.
5. Seek Out Personal & Professional Support
Invest in education and become a part of a community, like WYWTF. Find accountability partners, including other moms who understand your journey. Consider hiring support for household tasks, grocery shopping, or meal prep. Also, invest in business coaching as soon as you can.
Investing in support, both personal and professional, helps maintain balance and prevent burnout. It’s SO hard to justify the expense when you’re building a business, but you want to build a business that will last instead of one that will fizzle out.
Still Ready to Start a Freelance Copywriting Business? [As a Mom]
Embarking on a freelance copywriting career is exciting. I believe it’s vital for moms to understand the full picture, including the great parts and not-so-great parts before you make this choice.
Having realistic expectations sets you up for success and far less frustrations on your journey.
In the beginning, this path is tough. You’ll likely work more and earn less than you would in a traditional 9-5 job… but it’s important to remember that you’re building your own business instead of building someone else’s. It’s crucial to stay motivated during these tough times and remember why you started.
No matter what the advertisements say, your progress will likely be slower than people who don’t have kids. Kidless people can work for 12 hours uninterrupted, whereas you and I may get interrupted 12 times in a single hour. There’s absolutely no comparison IMO.
But building a freelance copywriting business as a mom CAN be done.
And, running your own business comes with loads of perks.
The flexibility is unmatched - you can work around your family’s schedule, allowing for precious time with your loved ones.
The potential for a rewarding income is there, and as you grow, the variety of projects can offer a fulfilling and creative outlet.
With a clear understanding of the challenges and a steadfast commitment to your goals, you can succeed in this field. It is absolutely possible to strike a balance that works for you and your family. As long as you enter this profession with your eyes wide open and a plan in place, the world of freelance copywriting can offer a wonderful, flexible, and rewarding career for moms looking for more than a traditional job.
Final Thoughts About Starting a Copywriting Business As a Mom
Thinking about starting a copywriting business can be both exciting and terrifying.
(You can read more about my journey into copywriting in THIS BLOG. I lost so much sleep and talked my husband’s ear off before finally joining WYWTF.)
I DO think it’s possible for moms to raise kids and start a business — I see it happening again and again in the WYWTF group.
But I want you to be totally and completely informed before you spend your hard-earned money to start your business. I’ve seen too many non-parents marketing to moms and telling them how easy it is, and I think it’s rubbish to tell only half the story.
I think it’s possible, and I also think the younger your kids are the harder it is to start and run a business. (Not impossible… just harder.) Your journey is your own and shouldn’t be compared to anyone else’s.
When you join a copywriting community and start your business, think of it as a long-term investment rather than a quick-fix and money-maker. It takes time.
Give yourself grace, mama. You are already doing a HUGE job by raising humans, don’t ever forget the importance of that job.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive copywriting course that has an incredibly supportive community, then Write Your Way to Freedom is your next step. This course/community is what brought me from dreaming about flexible, remote work to actually achieving it.
There’s also a space in the WYWTF community specifically for moms. It makes it super easy to connect with others in the same boat, and maybe even find your new accountability buddies and business besties.
For a full review of Write Your Way to Freedom, Read this Blog
And to understand more about the price of WYWTF, Read this One
In case you’re curious, there are no discount codes or sales for WYWTF. You’ll find the details HERE.