If you’re feeling fear about the prospect of getting into a new career or even doubting your copywriting, that’s a good thing. Believe it or not, it’s a very good thing.
Good Copywriting Self Doubt vs. Bad Self Doubt
First, before we get too far along, let’s be clear. There are two kinds of fear: There’s the fear you feel when you’re walking down a dark alley and suddenly realize that someone seems to be following you. This is your lizard brain, fight-or-flight, straight-up survival fear. This is a good fear. If you fear that you’re going to be in danger, get the hell out of there!
Second, there’s the other kind of fear. It’s the kind of fear that rears its nasty little head before you have to give a speech in front of dozens of people or before you call that cute special somebody up for a first date or before you tell your boss you’re quitting. This is the fear of self-doubt and out friend imposter syndrome. This is the really crappy voice inside of you that says, “Who do you think you are? You’ll never succeed at this! You’re going to fail and make a fool out of yourself!”
What a jerk.
But, believe it or not, that fear can be good, too. That fear only pops up when you’re about to do something outside of your comfort zone. And all of the best things in life come from stepping outside of your comfort zone. This fear wants to keep you small and unchallenged and, well, bored—so it’s a signal that you’re heading in the direction of growth and change and excitement.
How to Work Through Self Doubt as a Copywriter
The best thing to do when you feel this fear as you work through the steps you need to take to build your copywriting business is to literally work through it. Lean into it and start walking in the direction it’s telling you not to go.
When you’re practicing copy, remind yourself that getting feedback on a messy first draft in a group of your copywriting peers (like in the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy‘s student-only Facebook group), you’re not in danger of anything. It’s why having a supportive community when you’re learning (and even as you scale your business!) is so, so important.
Know that even the best, most successful copywriters feel this fear! No one reaches the top of their respective field without working through feeling of self doubt and imposter syndrome. There are always new elements of copywriting to learn (chat bots weren’t a thing 10 years ago!), and with anything new, there comes new self doubt.
The only way to stop facing self doubt is to plateau and stop learning and growing as a human. But that’s not you! The fact that you’re exploring a new field like copywriting means you’re curious and ambitious. Lean into those feelings.
And remember to give yourself grace. It’s not often that we learn something new as adults. That can really kick up feelings of resistance (and one of the top ways resistance rears its ugly head is, you guessed it, self doubt). Messy first drafts (and sometimes second drafts!) are part of learning!
Oh, and when self-doubt starts telling you that you’re going to fail, tell it to step off. Really, say it out loud! We have the power to break up with our copywriting self doubt and embrace our copywriting curiosity, ambition, and growth.
What is your fear and copywriting self doubt telling you? And how are you going to use it to guide your next steps? Let us know in the comments!
Last Updated on July 4, 2023
My fear is that I’m too old to begin again in copywriting. I actually started and stopped about 15 years ago, but then took a few unsuccessful detours. Now I’m back where I started 15 years ago. There are good and bad days. Now that I found your website, my bad day is transforming into a good day.
Hi Tim,
I’m glad you’re finding our site useful! Here’s the thing about copywriting: I know it can seem like a “young person’s game” but the fact of the matter is that your skill is what really counts. A creative director doesn’t care how old you are if you can write in their brand voice, create copy that connects with their target audience, wield the tools of copywriting well and work well with the other members of the creative and project management teams. Your writing skill and your professionalism are what really count.
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki & the Filthy Rich Writer team
So I’m sitting here, employed in customer service for an online company. I’ve got a degree, some experience in writing small news stories and have some education in marketing and advertising. I love the idea of writing something that affects others’ behaviour. It’s like applied psychology. I’m 54, with an adult daughter who lives on her own. It’s me, my wife and some bills (not too many). I have a feeling I’m just too comfortable with my miserable CSR job, where I speak with people who are usually quite upset over their order from my employer. My area is known for poor employment stats, however copywriting can be done through the Internet. How do I get my name out there? Where do I start? What strategy should I use to find clients? I have used oDesk before. Maybe I should go back to it? Which question should I answer first?
Hi Gordon,
I know – when you feel like it’s time to change your career, it can be really hard to know where to start. If you haven’t yet, I’d suggest signing up for our newsletter. We give you access to an ebook and a video training that I think you’ll find very helpful (the video especially).
It’s true that copywriting can be done online, but there are very few companies that don’t need copywriters (and be that on-staff, as freelancers or as contractors). The three basic steps to making any career change are 1) to get training, 2) to get experience and 3) to get work. I know those sound very simple (so bear with me for a moment!) but most people aren’t successful in changing careers because they try to skip step 1, step 2 or both steps 1 and 2. Copywriting, just like any other career, requires training and you will always, always be more likely to get work/jobs if you have it. After all, if two people apply for a copywriting job and one person has training but the second doesn’t, the first person is more likely to get it, right?
The right training, too, will give you the tools and steps to get experience and then to get work. Check out our video and let me know what you think — it should answer some of the big questions. 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Hey Nikki,
Man I can’t tell you how helpful this site has been in every sense of the word. I’ve only recently discovered copywriting, but the second I fully understood what it entailed was the second I knew what I was going to do for the rest of my life. However, I’m still such a novice, and I doubt that what I’ve taught myself isn’t half enough to cut it in the real world of advertising. I have the chance to move out of state, which means looking for a new job. I doubt whether I should apply as a copywriter, or stick to the field I’m in. But I know that’s playing it safe. I like the expression “lean into” that fear. That’s such a helpful thought.
Thanks so much for all your hard work, incredibly useful info, and encouragement!
Collette
Hi Collette,
I’m glad you’re finding the site useful! If you haven’t yet, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. We have a free ebook and free video training that I think you’ll find especially helpful.
So, here’s the thing about applying for jobs. I agree with you that it’s good to “lean into” fear. That said, though, if you’re going to be successful getting copywriting work, you’re going to be much better off applying once you get more training. After all, if two people apply for a job and one person doesn’t have training but the other does, the second is probably going to get it, right? 🙂 The good thing is that the speed at which you learn is really in your hands. If you have the time and dedication to devote to learning, you can get moving pretty quickly.
Thanks!
Nicki
My greatest fear is feeling like I’m not good enough. I’ve become so caught up in getting my degree that I haven’t taken the time to really work on my skills. I can feel them suffering. I feel like I’m a decent writer and fairly creative, but I still don’t feel like I’m good enough. Copywriting sounds like such a fun and exciting career, but I’m afraid that I don’t have what it takes. I’ve dabbled in marketing a little and don’t really like it. I do, however, enjoy creating things: posters, flyers, I even designed a student academic journal. What advice would you give for a writer who feels inadequate?
Hi Haley,
Oh, *such* a good question! Here’s the big secret: We all feel “not good enough” from time to time. And especially when you start something new, that feeling is going to hit you hard. But thing thing is, every single copywriter — including the most big deal, famous copywriters — started out in the same place: not knowing anything about copywriting. No one is born with the skills; everyone has to learn them. And, really, it’s that learning that helps you overcome feelings of inadequacy. I mean, if I handed you a scalpel and said, “Perform open heart surgery on this guy” you’d feel inadequate for the task, right? But I bet you’d feel very different after seven years of medical school and years of practice. 🙂 (Not that it will take you that long to learn to write copy — you know what I’m saying.)
“What it takes” at this point is for you to accept that you’re new to it, give yourself a little gentle support and then commit to getting some training and experience. I can’t make any promises about you making millions as a copywriter, but I can tell you that if you’re a decent writer and you’re willing to put in some time for learning and practicing, and then you’re willing to put yourself out there to get work, you have just a good a chance of career success as anyone. If you’re willing to do that, you’re good enough. I promise. 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki