I love this quote so much I have to repeat it: “I can’t ask for permission. I just need to do it.”
That’s what Holly said when she decided to draft a proposal for a copywriting position and present it to her boss …
… even though she was working a full-time customer success position.
… even though she was well aware she had bills to pay and this was a “risk.”
That proposal? It was rejected.
But you’ll want to listen to this one to hear the full story and—spoiler!—happy ending.
TUNE IN: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Looking for closed captioning or a transcript? Watch the episode on YouTube!
A Sneak Peek at the Episode
[02:06] I was a marketing major in college. The beginning of my career was actually spent in human resources. I had experience cold calling, and employer branding. During Covid, I actually was laid off due to a bankruptcy, and I found the best job in 2020. I actually was in customer success but I was there for about three years.
[05:18] I did get the course that was end of 2023. And it was great. I had a goal to finish it by the end of the year, and I did.
[07:04] I did something, towards that goal. And I was setting short term goals. I was doing a little bit at night, a little bit in the morning, what I could over lunch. And the website to me was number one, getting that portfolio and working through the action sheets.
[08:50] I pitched my boss, who’s the CEO of the company. I started to take on more marketing projects and copywriting projects. I was able to still be in my full-time job, get the experience and work towards my goal, which was full-time freelancing. Eventually he let go the marketing agency that was running his social. And it became mine.
[10:32] After a couple months of these long hours and the balancing between the two, that’s not productive. I drafted up a proposal for essentially a marketing/copywriting position for the company. But they didn’t accept my initial proposal. They took only a fraction of it.
[11:30] I was also pitching and my first pitch I ever sent out turned into a four figure project. And all through the fall I was just busy and I got a huge website project.
[16:00] As of January, I’m actually doing content for them. but I am truly a freelancer now with a quote and I send my retainer invoice every month. I’ve just had, other clients, here and there with project based work. So I’ve gotten a lot of really great exposure to some really fun projects.
[17:15] I’ve worked on a website, a full website rewrite, social, additional blog writing, which I know is content, a few emails, and email sequences. Being able to offer that full service to your client. And so I’ve really been open to doing all of that.
[19:20] I’m a very big day planner person, so I write down what I’m doing that day. But I usually try to get started around like 9/ 9:30. AI has been vey helpful. It’s truly an assistant and I get so much done because I’m not sitting there worrying about it all. The robot is just telling me what need to do.
[23:40] I think it was last month, I was just like, I don’t know if this is for me. but you guys did a podcast on what to do when you’re feeling down about your business. It makes you feel less alone and what you’re feeling is normal.
[28:10] I remember the one time I wrote my pitch and I couldn’t hit send. So I schedule sent it for like 8:30 the next day. I think they actually replied like, why didn’t I do this sooner? Just go for it. Just do it.
[29:30] All the success stories of the students, they all have different stories. Some it’s income. Some it’s complete career change. But they all took action. And some it was super drastic and some they inched their way up and took baby steps, but they all took action.
Must-Hear Takeaways
As with every episode, we highly encourage you to listen to the entire conversation! But here are a few of the highlights:
“You’re seven times more likely to succeed at whatever it is you wanna do. If you’re doing it with a community element, if there’s support.” – Kate
“Do something every day, something to move that needle.” – Holly
“I could not imagine trying to do this on my own without having all that mindset coaching, because that was half the battle.” – Holly
“Move the needle as much or as little as what you need to do. But if you’re just gonna sit there and like, Well! I don’t know, that’s not fun. You joined this course for a reason.” – Holly
“I never would’ve had the confidence to get where I am now if I hadn’t done this course.” – Holly
Mentioned in the Episode
- Hollyseybertcopy.com
- Ep. 117: Best Free Software for Copywriters
- Ep. 211: How to Weather the Ups and Downs of Business
- BONUS Laser Coaching: Top Tips for Wildly Effective Pitching
Related Links
- Ep. 218: Copywriting Opens Doors to Career Opportunities – Sunny’s Story
- BONUS Laser Coaching: Finding Confidence Learning Something New
- BONUS Laser Coaching: Build Confidence & Overcome Imposter Syndrome as a Copywriter
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.
