For many copywriters, the transition to becoming a copywriter is filled with the fears that come with any major life change: inadequacy, uncertainty, being judged, and, the overall fear of failure. In the The Bravest You: 5 Steps to Fight Your Biggest Fears, Find Your Passion, and Unlock Your Extraordinary Life, author Adam Kirk Smith breaks down these common fears and six … [Read more...]
Ep. 25: How Much Can a Copywriter Earn?
How much can a copywriter really earn? Nicki and Kate are asked this question all. the. time. "Writing jobs don't pay well" is something nearly everyone has heard whether they have been interested in the field or not. Nicki and Kate break down the myths about writing careers when it comes to freelance copywriting and, with a little quick math, show that it is far from … [Read more...]
Laser Copy Coaching: Value-Based Pitches, English-Language Nuances, and About Pages
In this episode, three CCA students each sit down with Nicki and Kate to ask their most pressing questions. These 10-minute laser coaching sessions are designed to help students overcome their biggest roadblock so they can continue making progress on their goals. Cleoniki asks for feedback on some of her pitch emails, Angela talks about English-language nuances, and Jenn asks … [Read more...]
Ep. 24: Freelancing During the Covid-19 Pandemic – Stuart’s Story
What happens when a pandemic hits and you're furloughed from your job? For Stuart Tarn it meant taking advantage of his additional time and learning an entirely new skill. Stuart has been in his current job in the airline industry for nearly 17 years. In this episode, he shares why he pursued copywriting, the ways his past experiences help his copywriting, and some of the … [Read more...]
Laser Copy Coaching: Refining Pitches, Finding Focus, and Adding Companies to Your Pitch List
In this episode, three CCA students each sit down with Nicki and Kate to ask their most pressing questions. These 10-minute laser coaching sessions are designed to help students overcome their biggest roadblock so they can continue making progress on their goals. Terry asks for feedback on pitch and follow-up emails; Jessica, who just moved, asks about pitching companies when … [Read more...]
Create Your Own Professional Development Goals
It’s easy to compare ourselves to others in our field, as well as those outside of it: copywriters with beautiful websites, social media influencers who look like their life is out of a photoshoot (hint: what you're looking at is a photoshoot), and that not-really-friend from high school who failed at math, but appears to be making big dollars working for an investment … [Read more...]
Ep. 23: The Illusion of Safety: Freelance vs. Full-Time Copywriting (a.k.a. the Illusion of Safety Episode)
Deciding to go freelance instead of working a traditional 9–5 can be incredibly anxiety inducing. But gigging may be your golden ticket to career freedom. In this episode, Nicki and Kate discuss how job safety is an illusion and the only way to truly be "safe" is to be in control of your career yourself. Freelancing allows for control over practically every aspect of your … [Read more...]
How To Prevent Ego From Derailing Your Copywriting Success
As copywriters, we're often typing away on our computers, writing copy to deliver to our clients. So, it can sometimes come as a shock when we interact with our client and the feedback is...less than stellar. As Brandon Black and Shayne Hughes explore, humans have a significant preoccupation with self-worth, which causes us to react to various situations with less-than-ideal … [Read more...]
Ep. 20: Changing Careers to Become a Copywriter – Adele’s Story
Adele joined the CCA in July 2020 when she decided to make a career change after burning out in her job. Nicki originally talked with Adele in the Fall of 2020 to hear about her journey to copywriting. But, like many CCA students, work started to snowball fast. So, Nicki and Kate caught up with Adele again in early 2021 to talk about how things are going. You'll also hear … [Read more...]
Ep. 21: How Copywriters and Designers Work Together with Yoav Broum
Innovation starts with collaboration. In this episode, Nicki and Kate talk with their long-time friend and designer colleague Yoav Broum about all things design. He gives insight on what it's like to collaborate with copywriters, likes and dislikes about the process, and how being virtual has changed the way he works. If you want to produce stellar products for your clients, … [Read more...]