I want to start writing for a living. I'll start low with regular niche content creation. Then I want to eventually start writing sales copy. Do you think sales copy is too hard? Are their too many people doing it? I've been studying more and more about persuasion, sales copy, and effective writing. Plus, I've always been a great writer. I'm still in school so I'm always learning more about English and writing. And I've been in affiliate marketing long enough to know a lot about internet marketing. Do you think I have a chance?
Content writing and sales copywriting are two different beasts. I think you need to start by figuring out your abilities, and then figure out your needs financially. Then, when you know what you need to earn (so you can figure out what you have to charge) think about what kind of market you want to target. Will that market and your abilities actually earn you what you need to make to get by? If so, then you can dig into it deeper. Start looking at competitors with that same specialty. What are they charging? What types of clients are they getting? How do you see them marketing their services? etc. We can't really tell you if something as general as "sales copy" is too saturated - it's too broad. What kind of sales copy? For what kind of client base? The same with content writing - what niche(s)? At what rates? With what credentials? For what types of clients? There's a lot more to it than just being able to write. Start by thinking about some of those questions.
Jhmattern made some good points. It isn't Saturated for the writers with good [Self]marketing skills and writing skills [And a little luck], who will always survive and prosper.
+1 Understand this though: a great "regular" writer does NOT equal a great ad copy writer. I could line up every NY Times writer here in my office and ask them to write me a sales letter for product X. I'd bet your left shoe that most would fail miserably. I know people who can write newsletters and articles very well, but can't write a killer sales letter no matter what. And I know people who can write amazing sales letters, but couldn't write an article fit for Mad Magazine. I don't know exactly what you're wanting to do, but my advice is to pick something and get good at it, then expand your skill set.
Then again, there are those who do both well or atleast decently Though maybe not as good as specialists.
Yes, I know someone like that. However, I was speaking to the norm. They are two different disciplines. My main point was that people seem to confuse the two (as did the OP). Just because you can write an article, poem or whatever, doesn't mean you can automatically write sales copy that converts (and vise versa). Anyway, you certainly can do both. Personally, if I had to choose one, it would be ad copy.
I, too, would choose ad/sales copy as a preference. It isn't easy to learn on your own. Sales letter writers often take on a copy cub. You do some grunt work but you learn the process. It gets harsh sometimes since the high paying clients aren't always easy to reach. I learned at an agency and it was painful at times for sure. But I happen to love it so that's what made me stick to it.
I really like this reply. What she just said was the key I believe, to your question. If you have a strong affinity for the sales copy writing profession, than it's your deal. You play your own hand and deal your own cards. There is no amount of competition that can or will stop you from doing what you are PASSIONATE about pursuing. Like webgal said, it can be difficult, but if you love it, it will also be a very rewarding process. It's not a question any of us here can give a straight answer on for you.
Anyone can have a "chance" at something. You just have to work for it. The rewards in the end are great, especially if you love what you do.