“I’m genuinely living the life I envisioned. I am working with clients I love and sustaining myself through freelance work. It felt far away at first, but step by step, I built the reality I dreamed about.”
That’s just a snippet of what Tammy shares in this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast.
If you’ve been a long-time BYCB podcast listener, you know we’ve talked with Tammy before.
Last time, she was navigating being laid off from an agency she loved (you can catch that episode here). Spoiler: right before we released that episode, Tammy had landed a new job.
But that was all more than TWO years ago.
Now?
She’s transitioned from a full-time job to full-time freelance and has plans to travel the world in 2026.
The tiny steps we take now? Those are the actions that don’t seem like anything now. But will have us looking back a year from now thinking, “Wow!”
Hit play and let Tammy’s step-by-step approach inspire you to take action on your biggest goals, one step at a time.
TUNE IN: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Looking for closed captioning or a transcript? Watch the episode on YouTube!
A Sneak Peek at the Episode
[02:48] I actually landed a new job. A proof that taking action works. I updated my materials and started actively pitching again. A LinkedIn connection from a CCA student led me to a new freelance gig that turned into a long-term, stable client.
[05:22] I’ve now been with this client almost two years and also take overflow work from an agency. I didn’t expect to become fully freelance so quickly, but the opportunities aligned at the perfect time.
[07:59] I’ve always believed in at least trying. My mindset has been: “Let me put myself out there, even if it’s scary. My first pitch email terrified me, but doing it repeatedly made the fear fade.
[10:25] In reality, 99.9% of responses are neutral or kind and most don’t respond at all. The worst I’ve gotten is, “Please take me off your list,” which is not a big deal.
[13:49] I’m genuinely living the life I envisioned. I am working with clients I love and sustaining myself through freelance work. It felt far away at first, but step by step, I built the reality I dreamed about.
[20:13] The overlapping freelance and full-time work lasted only about six weeks, and the full-time job had great work-life balance, making it manageable. I spent evenings learning the new client’s voice and onboarding. I celebrated my first major client by taking myself shopping and I’m glad I did.
[23:01] I want to write for cat brands, beauty companies, and food and beverage companies. They seem fun and creative. I’ve also unexpectedly enjoyed cybersecurity and winery clients because digging into their world is fascinating.
[26:08] I’ve worked on brochures, direct mail, billboards, magazines, and more things I never expected. Seeing my words printed feels magical and reminds me that copywriting reaches real people.
[29:20] Our lease is ending, and my boyfriend and I plan to live abroad next year. France is first on the list. Remote work makes this dream possible, and timing feels perfect. If not now, when? I finally have the freedom to live and work anywhere and I’m taking it.
[34:46] Keep going. Take the next small step. You don’t have to know everything or do everything at once. Small steps build momentum, and momentum builds confidence. Trust that the process works if you take consistent 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 never know what will happen when you just reach out. Sometimes it opens the exact door you needed.” – Tammy
“Pitching gets easier every single time you do it.” – Tammy
“A ‘no’ is never personal, it’s just a step toward your next ‘yes.’” – Tammy
“Every time you step outside your comfort zone, you should celebrate the heck out of yourself.” – Nicki
“Copywriting teaches you things you never expected to care about but end up loving.” – Tammy
“Print is absolutely not dead; many clients still rely on it.” – Kate
Mentioned in the Episode
- Ep. 144: Navigating Ups and Downs in a Copywriting Career – Tammy’s Story
- 7 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Portfolio Site
- Changing Your Career to Copywriting While at Your Existing Job
Related Links
- Changing Your Career to Copywriting While at Your Existing Job
- BONUS Laser Coaching: Transitioning to Freelance
- How to Make Time for Freelance Work
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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.
