After seeing a Facebook ad for the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy, our guest Melissa decided to pursue her desire to work freelance and joined the CCA.
Within three months of beginning to pitch clients, she was able to replace her income. Within the first year, Melissa made 50% more than she would have at her previous job…all while working between 20 and 25 hours per week.
Listen to her inspirational story!
TUNE IN: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Looking for closed captioning or a transcript? Watch the episode on YouTube!
A Sneak Peek at the Episode
[1:45] After seeing a Facebook ad for the CCA and viewing the free training video, Melissa decided to make the jump into copywriting. She was looking for a change and considering freelancing and copywriting fit the bill!
[3:20] Melissa had a background in social services and working within the housing and immigration areas. Due to a few factors and some health issues Melissa decided to make a change and become her own boss.
[8:00] Melissa found that many skills from her previous job have served her very well as a copywriter.
[11:25] Starting the journey felt slow, but now looking back Melissa can see how far she’s come and the new skills she’s developed. In that year she has transitioned to 100% freelance and is working 20-25 hours per week.
[13:43] Everyone’s journey is unique. And while that sounds cliche it is important to remember.
[15:30] Melissa was able to replace her income in three months, and in 2022 ended up earning 50% more than she would have brought home from her previous job.
[19:30] Melissa deals with a health condition that causes increased exhaustion and fatigue. Being her own boss as a freelance copywriter allows her to rest when needed and keep her own well being in the forefront.
[23:00] The method of pitching that is taught in the CCA sets up freelancers like Melissa to avoid income and work gaps. The copywriter is in control and always have the ability to bring in clients.
[25:30] Melissa encourages new copywriters to take risks, but be calculated in what risks you take to avoid putting too much on the line.
[30:30] Nicki encourages Melissa and all the listeners to examine what we consider “hard;” perhaps it’s maybe just uncomfortable but not hard.
“I think back to this time last year when I was first getting started on LinkedIn and I was going, ‘But if I post this what will people think? People will judge me! Someone I know might read this and that would be terrible!’ Whereas now I’m just not thinking on that level anymore. I’m going ‘Is this going to be useful to people? Is this going to achieve the goals that I have for it?’ And just putting it out there.” – Melissa
“It does get easier, specifically putting yourself out there. It can feel really personal at first, when you pitch someone and you don’t get a reply. That can feel like a steep rejection. And it just isn’t.” – Melissa
“You set a goal, you set a milestone and then you get there and you just kind of forget to stop and celebrate it because you’re already thinking about the next thing. You’re already thinking, ‘OK, what’s my next project? What’s my next goal? Who’s my next client going to be?’ Remembering, having the discipline to sit down and go, ‘Oh, I’ve achieved the thing. I’m going to give myself a pat on the back and tell my mom and just generally appreciate this is how far I’ve come.” – Melissa
“Just even the concept of a year. ‘Oh a year is so long.’ But you know the thing is, a year is going to pass anyway. So at the end of the year, you can either still be in that full-time job going ‘ugh, why am I still doing this? I need to find something else!’ Or you can start moving toward that new career and at the end of the year have made progress. It’s going to pass no matter what—we get to choose how we spend that time.” – Nicki
“Every time that you’re reaching beyond your usual comfort zone, those same feelings are the ones that are coming up again … those uncomfortable feelings you get when you’re first doing something. You’re a brand new copywriter going ‘Can I actually charge someone for me to write for them?’ But then when you meet the next challenge, on the face of it, it’s a much bigger thing, it’s a much bigger achievement you may be looking at … but it’s exactly the same feelings. So as you’re going through those smaller steps, you’re training yourself to know how to manage those feelings.” – Melissa
Mentioned on this Episode:
- Melissa’s Portfolio: Reallygoodcopy.com
- Melissa’s LinkedIn
- Ep. 32: Starting a Copywriting Business with a Chronic Illness – Dorothy’s Story
Get an *Exclusive* Bonus Recording!
Tell us what you love about the podcast and what you hope to hear next! When you do, you can get access to an exclusive bonus recording featuring five wildly successful entrepreneurs who share what they do (and don’t!) look for when hiring copywriters. You do not want to miss it!
Get all the details on how to get your recording here »
About the Build Your Business Podcast
Ready to turn your love of writing into a successful copywriting career?
Join professional copywriters Nicki Krawczyk and Kate Sitarz to get the tips, tools, and training to help you become a copywriter and build a thriving business of your own. Nicki and Kate have 20+ and 10+ years of experience, respectively, writing copy for multi-billion-dollar companies, solopreneurs, and every size business in between.
Whether you want to land an on-staff job, freelance full-time and work from wherever you want, or make extra money with a side hustle, the best place to start learning is right here.
See Previous Episode
Ep. 122: 3 Steps to Taking Time Off as a Freelancer
Last Updated on December 13, 2023
