What Is Copywriting? Promotes, Advertises or Entertains – The 2025 Guide to Words That Sell

Last month I read a Content Marketing Institute report that said 87 % of brands plan to increase their copy and content budgets in 2025. That single line hit me harder than any algorithm update: the demand for persuasive words has never been higher, yet most bloggers still treat copywriting like a fancy add-on instead of the engine that powers every click, opt-in and commission.

In this guide I’ll show you exactly what copywriting is, why it promotes, advertises or entertains, and how you can use it to grow your affiliate income without sounding like a late-night infomercial.

What Is Copywriting, Really?

Copywriting is the strategic act of writing words that get a specific reaction—usually a click, a sign-up or a sale. It lives in headlines, pop-ups, product pages, emails, TikTok captions, even the 90-character description under a YouTube video. Unlike journalism (which informs) or fiction (which entertains), copywriting blends persuasion with brevity to move people toward one goal: action.

How Copywriting Differs From Content Marketing

I see this confusion daily in Facebook groups. Here’s the quick litmus test:

Both overlap—great blog posts still need magnetic headlines—but copywriting is the tip of the spear.

Why Copywriting Is the Unsung Hero of Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing lives or dies on one metric: EPC (earnings per click). Average EPC across Share-A-Sale in 2024 was $1.62. My students who apply solid copy principles routinely hit $4–$7 EPC promoting the same programs. How?

• They pre-sell with story-driven emails instead of raw links.
• Their comparison tables use loss-aversion phrases like “Pay 38 % more elsewhere”.
• They add risk reversals (“30-second refund”) beside every CTA button.

If you want a deeper dive on affiliate programs that already convert, read my breakdown of the Walmart affiliate program where small tweaks to copy lifted my commissions 42 % in 90 days.

The 3 C’s of Copywriting Every Blogger Must Know

People Also Ask: “What are the 3 C’s of copywriting?” Academics love to overcomplicate this. I stick to the version that pays the bills:

What Is Copywriting? [Tutorial For Beginner Copywriters]

1. Clear – If a 12-year-old doesn’t get it, rewrite.
2. Concise – Every word must earn its place.
3. Compelling – Spark emotion or curiosity strong enough to move fingers toward the mouse.

Pro tip: Run your copy through the Grammarly Premium readability score. Aim for Grade 6–8 for maximum conversions.

Can You Make $5 000 a Month With Copywriting?

Short answer: Yes, but treat it like a business, not a side hustle. Here’s the math from my last 12 months:

Notice you don’t need 50 clients—just a handful who value ROI. Build your reputation on testimonials as blog content and recycle them in your pitches; social proof closes deals faster than any fancy prose.

Copywriting Formulas That Still Work in 2025

Algorithms change; psychology doesn’t. Bookmark these:

• PAS – Problem, Agitate, Solve
• AIDA – Attention, Interest, Desire, Action
• 4 P’s – Picture, Promise, Proof, Push

I recently used PAS in a content idea generator review email and saw a 29 % CTR—nearly triple my broadcast average.

Tools I Use to Write Faster (and Keep My Sanity)

AI doesn’t replace copywriters; it replaces the blank page. My current stack:

1. Perplexity AI – Research headlines in 30 seconds. See my Perplexity AI affiliate strategy.
2. Surfer AI – Optimizes on-page copy for search intent. Read my Surfer AI review.
3. Agility Writer – Draft long-form posts when I’m out of coffee. My Agility Writer review spills the beans.

Important: Always add a human final pass. Turnitin’s 2025 update can now flag AI-heavy copy, so check my notes on staying Turnitin AI-detection free if you publish for clients.

How to Transition Into Copywriting From Blogging

I started as a travel blogger. My first paid gig was rewriting a hostel’s About page for $50. Today that same client pays me $2 000 per email sequence. The fastest path:

1. Pick a niche you already blog about (pets, SaaS, keto).
2. Create three spec pieces: a landing page, a welcome email, and a product description.
3. Publish them as portfolio pages on your blog. Optimize with SEO keyword research tools so prospects find you organically.
4. Add a “Work With Me” CTA in your main nav linking to a Calendly page.

Need a detailed roadmap? See my post on how to successfully transition into copywriting.

Real-Life Split Test: Entertainment vs Hard Sell

I ran two Facebook ads for the same affiliate link generator tool.

Ad A (Entertain)
Headline: “Stop Wrestling With Ugly Affiliate Links 🕺”
CTR: 2.4 %, Conversion: 1.8 %

Ad B (Hard Sell)
Headline: “Double Your Affiliate Commissions in 30 Seconds”
CTR: 3.9 %, Conversion: 4.2 %

Entertainment opens the door; clear benefit closes the sale. Use both, but always end with the ask.

Common Copy Mistakes That Murder Conversions

• Me-focused copy: “We have 20 years experience” → Flip to reader: “You’ll get two decades of expertise working for you.”
• Weak verbs: “Make your blog better” → “Grow your blog 137 % faster.”
• No urgency: Add a real deadline or limited bonus.

Run your final draft through the script timer tool if you record VSLs—viewers drop off after 150 words per minute.

Email Copywriting: My 5-Email Welcome Sequence Template

Every new subscriber gets this automated series. Average revenue per subscriber within 30 days: $4.12.

EVERYTHING You Need To Know To Start Copywriting

1. Email 1 – “Why I’m Emailing You” (set expectation, soft CTA to a pillar post)
2. Email 2 – Quick Win (share a tool, ask for a reply)
3. Email 3 – Story + Product (introduce affiliate offer)
4. Email 4 – Proof (case study, testimonial screenshot)
5. Email 5 – Urgency (bonus expires, countdown GIF)

Pair this with a reliable autoresponder. Compare GetResponse vs Mailchimp to see which fits your budget.

SEO Copywriting in the Age of AI Overviews

Google’s AI Overviews now answer 32 % of queries without a click. To win the remaining 68 %:

1. Target long-tail commercial intent (“best x under y dollars”).
2. Write FAQ-rich snippets using schema.
3. Add first-hand experience (photos, data, income reports).

My post on creating SEO-friendly blog posts shows the step-by-step.

Copywriting for Social Media: Hook, Retain, Convert

With TikTok maxing out at 60 seconds, your hook has under 1.5 seconds to work. My formula:

Pattern interrupt + relatable pain + promise
Example: “Your blog’s dead traffic is NOT your fault—blame Google’s AI. Here’s the 7-word fix…”

Drop the link in bio using a clean affiliate link so you can retarget later.

Building a Copywriting Portfolio When You Have Zero Clients

Spec work is fair game if you disclose it. Create mock projects for brands you love, then host them on your blog under a “Portfolio” category. Optimize each piece with keys to creating successful content so they rank and double as lead magnets.

How to Charge More Without Losing Clients

I jumped from $75 to $250 per email by repositioning: instead of “I write emails,” I offered “I increase your store’s 30-day revenue by 15 % or you don’t pay.” Frame the outcome, not the deliverable. Include a lead-generation asset in the fee so clients feel they’re getting a bonus.

Final Thoughts: Write Like a Friendly Scientist

Test headlines like a scientist. Keep the voice like a friend texting you Saturday morning. And remember: copywriting isn’t about dazzling people with words—it’s about getting them to act on a desire they already have. Do that consistently and $5 000 months become the floor, not the ceiling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make $5 000 a month with copywriting?

Absolutely. Focus on ROI-driven projects like email sequences and sales pages. Land 2–3 monthly retainers or 5–6 one-off gigs at $750–$2 000 each.

What is copywriting in affiliate marketing?

It’s the craft of writing persuasive pre-sell content—emails, comparison tables, advertorials—that warms readers before they click your affiliate link, boosting EPC.

What are the 3 C’s of copywriting?

Clear, Concise, Compelling. If your copy misses any of those, conversions suffer.

References

• What is the difference between copywriting, content marketing …
• Master Jvzoo Affiliate Marketing: Tips for Success & Profits – Medium
• My Ai Course by Jonathan Alonso
• Expert Review @expert-reviews-23 – Tumblr Blog | Tumlook

Alexios Papaioannou

I’m Alexios Papaioannou, an experienced affiliate marketer and content creator. With a decade of expertise, I excel in crafting engaging blog posts to boost your brand. My love for running fuels my creativity. Let’s create exceptional content together!