I’ve been a professional copywriter for more than 20 years, and I’ve had a lot of successes and worked with a lot of fantastic clients in that time. But part of what’s fueled that success has been learning from mistakes…and making sure I never make them again. Lucky for you, you don’t have to make all of them in the first place; you can learn from my mistakes, instead! And … [Read more...]
Why Your Copywriting Clients Need Your Guidance
As our students can attest, when you land your first few clients you feel elation followed very quickly by panic. (Which, by the way, does subside and occurs much less often as you land more and more clients.) The reason for this panic is that it’s now time to walk the walk as well as you talk the talk—to actually do the work you’ve been practicing and preparing for. And … [Read more...]
Will the Market Be Flooded with Copywriters?
A few nights ago, someone left a comment on one of our Facebook ads essentially saying, “Your training is all well and good, but when the market is flooded with copywriters no one will be able to find work and everyone will have to work for peanuts.” Well, that’s a pretty dire prediction. But as you’ve likely heard me say before: The people who know the least about a topic … [Read more...]
Recessions Are Huge Opportunities for Copywriters. Here’s Why.
The first time I made six figures as a copywriter was in 2008...right in the middle of the Great Recession...right after I left my full-time job to go freelance. Why then? Especially knowing that period was when, sadly, companies were laying off staff left and right. But here’s the key: **Companies still needed copy because copy drives business.** Remember, copywriting … [Read more...]
The Very Common Assumptions That Will Cut Your Copywriting Business in Half
There are a lot of tasks that require focus and persistence when you’re building your copywriting business. What we’re talking about today is not one of them. The process of compiling the companies that you’re going to pitch should be easy, light-hearted, and fun. This is one part of your business-building in which I’m going to actively encourage you to go down rabbit … [Read more...]
How NOT to Pitch Potential Copywriting Clients
You already know that pitching clients is the #1 way to affect and control your workload and your income. But I know…the idea of reaching out to people seems scary. It seems soooo much easier to just watch those job-bidding sites and respond when you see something posted. (Which is a great strategy for frustration and underpayment.) What you’re not aware of is how very, … [Read more...]
The Career Resolutions You Need to Make
Look, I know: New Year’s Resolutions get a bad rap. But it’s not the resolutions themselves that are the problem, it’s us not following through on them, right? Not achieving resolutions in the past isn’t a reason not to make them now—especially for something as important as our careers. Remember, we spend at least 40 hours per week (and often more) plus commuting time at … [Read more...]
Business Strategies for Copywriting Success in the New Year
Congratulations! You’re this close to making it through another year and starting a whole new one. Yippee! And, if you ask me, part of what makes this time of year so exciting is the potential for positive transformation in the new year. But guess what? True transformations don’t happen by accident. If you want an amazing 2023, you have to PLAN for an amazing 2023. … [Read more...]
Create Your Own Free 2025 Planner (and Hit Your New Year Goals)
If you’re anything like me, ‘tis this season for spending 45 bucks on some “must-have” planner, only to use it four or five times in January, feel guilty in February, and then finally recycle it in March. What if there were a better way? (I mean, come on, we know there is.) Instead of spending an excessive amount on a premade planner, pop into your local convenience … [Read more...]
Prepping for a Successful New Year: Looking Back to Move Forward
I love the idea of a fresh start and, as you might expect, I just love the coming of a whole new year. All of the possibilities!! But one important lesson I’ve learned is that if you want to improve the coming year, you need to reflect on the one that’s passing. So, while in the next few weeks we’ll go over key questions to help you plan a successful year ahead, today … [Read more...]