Have you heard of product description writing jobs or seen job ads for them online? We’re digging into everything you need to know!
Shopping online has been popular since e-commerce stores were first introduced. However, e-commerce shopping is growing steadily, with total online retail sales increasing by 8.6% in just the first quarter of this year.
With more eyes on online products and stores, the demand for compelling product descriptions has never been higher. For freelance writers, this growing need can serve as a valuable opportunity to pick up more work or even launch a sustainable career from home.
Unfortunately, there has been some misinformation surrounding writing product descriptions, so it’s important to avoid fake opportunities and extremely low-paying work. If you’re interested in adding ‘product descriptions’ to your list of writing services, here are some essential tips to help you get started, as well as what to watch out for.
What Are Product Description Writing Jobs?
Simply put, product description writing involves creating written content that describes a product. Depending on the product and business needs, these descriptions can range from a few sentences to several paragraphs. As an essential part of an e-commerce website, companies often outsource this task for unique content to freelance writers and copywriters.
The Role of Product Descriptions
Product descriptions are more than just a list of features and specifications; they are powerful sales tools. When written effectively, they can highlight a product’s benefits, address potential customer concerns, and ultimately drive buyers to purchase and increase the conversion rate.
Not to mention, well-crafted product descriptions can boost sales among online shoppers, which is vital to keep businesses afloat.
SEO Benefits
Product descriptions also contribute to a website’s search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. By naturally incorporating relevant keywords and phrases, writers can help improve a product’s visibility on search engines. This increased visibility can lead to higher organic traffic and, yes, more sales.
How to Become a Product Description Writer (Skills You Need)
As with any writing job, product description writers need to have excellent writing skills and a solid understanding of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Start by visiting product pages for your favorite online stores.
See how detailed the product descriptions are and that the description is clear and answers common questions. Also, make a note of any descriptions you see that are vague or don’t do a good job of selling the product features, and note why that is.
Beyond that, here are some essential skills for success in this role:
- Copywriting: The ability to write persuasive and engaging content is crucial for driving sales.
- Research and storytelling: Effective product descriptions require research on the product’s features, benefits, and target audience. Storytelling techniques can also help make the description more compelling.
- SEO knowledge: To increase a product’s visibility, description writers should be familiar with SEO best practices and keyword research and usage.
- Attention to detail: Proofreading and editing are essential for producing error-free, high-quality descriptions.
- Time management: Freelance writers often juggle multiple projects with tight deadlines, so the ability to manage time efficiently is crucial.
How Much Does Writing Product Descriptions Pay?
The pay rate for product description writing jobs can vary significantly. Some companies offer a flat fee per project, while others may pay per word or per hour. On average, writers can expect to earn anywhere from $10-$50 per hour for these opportunities. Experienced and skilled writers may be able to negotiate higher rates, but ZipRecruiter lists the average pay for product description writing around $38 per hour.
Who Hires Product Description Writers?
One of the best places to find product description writing jobs is through freelance job marketplaces such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.
On Upwork, people seem to be hiring product description writers for $10 to $12 per hour on average. With Fiverr, though, you can set your own rates, and many sellers charge $50 to $100 to complete tasks such as:
- Writing Shopify and Amazon product listings
- Optimizing listings for SEO
- Niche product descriptions
Private companies tend to hire copywriters to handle product descriptions and other writing tasks for marketing purposes. These roles are often remote or hybrid, and you can set up a job alert on LinkedIn and other job search sites to find new jobs in this area.
Another option is to consider content writing services that hire freelance team members to write for their clients. This is often a flexible work-from-home opportunity where you can apply to join the company’s network of freelancers.
In turn, they will provide consistent work opportunities and handle all the client interactions so you don’t have to search for work or spend time marketing your services. Some of the best options for content writing services to join if you’re looking for experience include:
- Compose.ly – Pays $0.10 – $015 per word
- Scripted – Pays around $0.05 – $0.10 per word
- Verbilo – Pay starts at $11.50 per 300 words
Are Product Description Writing Jobs Legit?
The short answer is yes; product description writing jobs are legitimate. However, like any work opportunity, it all depends on who is advertising the position and whether the requirements and compensation seem legitimate and fair.
Scams are unfortunately prevalent, and recognizing the warning signs is crucial for any freelancer. Some common red flags include:
- Upfront payment requirements: Legitimate clients typically do not ask for money before offering work. If you’re freelancing, you can also ask the client to pay 50% of your fee upfront to avoid a scam. Secure platforms like Fiverr and Upwork can safely vet clients and ensure you get paid.
- Unrealistic promises: Be wary of job postings that guarantee extraordinarily high pay for minimal effort. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Lack of contact information: Legitimate clients usually provide detailed contact information and are willing to communicate via email or phone. Also, check to see that the company has a listing on the BBB and third-party reviews from sites like Glassdoor and TrustPilot.
- Poorly constructed job postings: Scammers often use generic or poorly written job descriptions.
Tips For Maximizing Your Income
Take a Copywriting Course
Copywriting is a specialized skill that focuses on writing persuasive and compelling content. Taking a course or attending workshops can improve your copywriting skills, making you more valuable to clients and potentially increasing your income.
As a copywriter, you can offer services such as writing engaging headlines, drafting email and marketing campaigns, and writing SEO-friendly product descriptions.
Join LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a valuable tool for freelance product description writers to connect with potential clients. Use the platform to showcase your skills, experience, and portfolio and reach out to companies or individuals who may be in need of good product descriptions.
Offer Additional Services
Consider expanding your services beyond just product description writing. You can offer add-ons like SEO optimization, product photography, and even in-depth sales copy. For example, if you write product descriptions for someone’s Shopify store, you can also see if they’d be interested in hiring you to write the sales copy for their new digital product or course as well.
Negotiate With Clients
Don’t be afraid to negotiate rates with clients, especially if you have a strong portfolio and track record of delivering high-quality work. Research industry standards regularly since they may change over time, and stay on top of trends and best practices in your field. If you work on a project that does exceptionally well, be sure to save that positive feedback and even ask the client if they can be a reference in the future.
Final Words About Product Description Jobs
Product description writing jobs can be a unique way for writers to get paid for content creation while working from home. You don’t need years of experience or a special degree to get started. Instead, you just need a willingness to learn how to write a detailed description and explain a product’s key features.
Whether you’re looking for remote work in the copywriting field or some freelance assignments that you can do flexibly, writing short product descriptions could become a regular opportunity, given how many e-commerce stores and businesses there are that need this service.