Starting a career in copywriting doesn’t have to mean spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on training. Today, there are high-quality, free courses available online that can teach you the fundamentals of persuasive writing, marketing psychology, and digital communication—all from the comfort of your home.
If you’re a beginner looking to build a strong foundation and create your first portfolio pieces, this guide is for you. Below, you’ll find a curated list of the best free copywriting courses for beginners, along with what you can expect to learn from each one.
Why Free Courses Are a Great Starting Point
Free courses offer several advantages, especially when you’re just starting out:
- Low-risk learning: No financial commitment required
- Self-paced: Learn on your own schedule
- Practical: Many courses include exercises and real-world examples
- Foundational: Perfect for building core knowledge before investing in advanced training
Best of all, these resources are offered by industry experts, respected brands, and successful marketers—so you’re learning from the best without spending a dime.
1. HubSpot Academy – Content Marketing Certification
HubSpot is a global leader in digital marketing, and their Content Marketing Certification is an excellent introduction to persuasive content creation.
What You’ll Learn:
- The role of storytelling in content
- How to structure blog posts and web content
- Strategies for writing engaging and SEO-friendly content
- Content promotion and measurement techniques
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
This course blends copywriting fundamentals with a strong focus on content strategy. It’s beginner-friendly, full of examples, and includes quizzes after each module.
- Length: ~6 hours
- Certificate: Yes
- Website: academy.hubspot.com
2. Copyhackers – Copywriting 101
Joanna Wiebe, founder of Copyhackers, is a copywriting legend. While Copyhackers has paid programs, they also offer a Copywriting 101 free course perfect for newbies.
What You’ll Learn:
- Understanding the role of copy in sales
- The difference between features and benefits
- The psychology behind persuasion
- Structuring landing pages and emails
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Joanna’s teaching style is direct, practical, and based on years of experience writing high-converting copy for major brands.
- Length: Self-paced video modules
- Certificate: No
- Website: copyhackers.com
3. Google Digital Garage – Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
While not a pure copywriting course, this certification covers digital strategy, advertising principles, and content writing in a way that’s highly relevant to copywriters.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to create an online presence
- Writing for web and mobile
- Building and measuring ad campaigns
- Intro to SEO and analytics
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
You’ll understand the broader context of digital marketing, which is critical for writing effective copy.
- Length: ~40 hours
- Certificate: Yes
- Website: learndigital.withgoogle.com
4. Skillshare – Free Classes for New Writers
Skillshare offers a wide variety of copywriting-related courses, and many of them are free with a trial account. Top instructors like Jesse Forrest and Neil Patel offer beginner-friendly sessions.
What You’ll Learn:
- Basics of persuasive writing
- Email marketing copy
- Writing product descriptions
- Crafting powerful calls to action
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
The format is video-based, easy to follow, and often project-based, so you learn by doing.
- Length: Varies (typically 1–2 hours per class)
- Certificate: No
- Website: skillshare.com
Tip: Use the free trial strategically to take 3–4 courses in one month.
5. Copywriting Course by Neville Medhora – Free Crash Course
Neville Medhora, founder of Kopywriting Kourse, offers a free crash course for those who sign up for his email list.
What You’ll Learn:
- What makes good vs. bad copy
- How to write compelling headlines
- Email subject lines that convert
- Psychological triggers that drive action
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Neville uses humor and real-life examples to explain core concepts. It’s ideal if you prefer an informal, engaging teaching style.
- Length: Short email lessons
- Certificate: No
- Website: kopywritingkourse.com
6. Coursera – Introduction to Marketing (Wharton, UPenn)
This course offers insight into consumer behavior, branding, and marketing channels—all of which help copywriters craft better messages.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to appeal to your target market
- Psychological principles behind marketing
- Techniques for testing and measuring performance
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Even though it’s a marketing course, the lessons on messaging and customer behavior are directly useful for copywriters.
- Length: ~10 hours
- Certificate: Free (audit mode), paid for full version
- Website: coursera.org
7. Talia Wolf’s Email Copywriting Bootcamp (Free Mini-Series)
Talia Wolf is a conversion optimization expert. Her free email copywriting mini-course teaches how to write emails that convert.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to build an emotional connection with readers
- Structuring sales emails
- Personalization and segmentation
- Using data to improve email copy
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
If you’re planning to work with email marketing clients, this is an invaluable short course to take early on.
- Length: ~3 short video lessons
- Certificate: No
- Website: getuplift.co
8. Moz – Beginner’s Guide to SEO
Understanding SEO is essential for blog copywriting and website content creation. This guide is comprehensive and 100% free.
What You’ll Learn:
- Keyword research
- On-page SEO and meta descriptions
- Structuring content for search engines
- Writing optimized content without keyword stuffing
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
You’ll learn how to write content that not only reads well but also ranks on Google, a crucial skill for modern copywriters.
- Length: 8 chapters (read at your own pace)
- Certificate: No
- Website: moz.com
9. Semrush Academy – SEO & Content Marketing Basics
Semrush is a trusted platform in the digital marketing space. Their academy offers free courses taught by professionals in content marketing.
What You’ll Learn:
- Basics of keyword research
- How to create effective content strategies
- Tips for writing copy that ranks and converts
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
It combines SEO, content structure, and copywriting principles into one user-friendly course.
- Length: ~1–2 hours
- Certificate: Yes
- Website: semrush.com/academy
How to Make the Most of Free Courses
Taking a free course is just the beginning. To truly learn, follow these tips:
- Take notes: Use a digital notebook or Google Doc to track what you learn
- Practice immediately: Apply what you learn with daily writing exercises
- Build a mini-portfolio: Use course assignments to create portfolio samples
- Revisit lessons: Don’t just complete—review and improve over time
- Stay consistent: 30 minutes per day of study can lead to significant growth
Final Thoughts: Free Doesn’t Mean Low Quality
There’s a common belief that free resources aren’t as valuable as paid ones. That’s not true—many experts create free content as a way to build trust and authority. These resources can be just as educational and actionable as premium options.
With the courses above, you have everything you need to take your first steps into the world of copywriting—without spending a single dollar.