A copywriter writes unique and engaging content, typically for the internet, but often for other mediums such as magazines, editorials, books or newspapers. Many copywriters work under a pseudonym but some choose to use their own professional name as well. For most copywriters, the job can be performed just about anywhere either at home or in an office making this a flexible career choice. Copywriting jobs typically pay per word but many pay by the job. The average salary of a copywriter in the US is $58,000 but this salary can vary greatly based on the type of copywriting that is being completed, the level of skill the writer has and also the medium in which the copywriting is published (ie. online, in a print magazine, a newspaper, etc). When a copywriter is paid on a per word basis, the average starting salary per word of content is about three cents but many experienced copywriters make an average of twenty cents or more per word. Copywriting has the potential to be a very profitable career. There are no specific job requirements to become a copywriter, but a college education, especially an educational background in journalism or a similar field can be very beneficial. Many copywriters choose to write only about topics that they are familiar with, while others research and write about topics that they are less familiar with. Often times, copywriters pick up a position writing about their current career field, hobby or a similar interest because writing about topics that are familiar comes more naturally than writing about topics that they are not familiar with or have little interest in. Anyone interested in becoming a copywriter has multiple options available to find opportunities to work. Many copywriters start out as freelance writers who set their own hours and schedule, working on a contractual basis for their clients. Larger companies often hire in house copywriters to handle day to day writing tasks, but most will prefer to see a portfolio of completed writing before making a hiring decision which is why most copywriters begin their careers as freelance writers. Regardless of how an individual starts out in a career as a copywriter, the opportunities are virtually endless as content, both online and offline, is king!