| When self-doubt is loud, it’s hard to tell whether discomfort is fear or intuition. That’s why learning to tell the difference is so important—in life … and, in this case, copywriting. So, Kate and I figured it was time to share our best tiny-but-effective tips for building trust in your gut. We’re talking about how to trust your instincts both when you’re writing copy and when you’re deciding to take on a client. The line between resistance and gut instinct can be tricky. So, let’s make sure you have a path for recognizing the difference. |
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A Sneak Peek at the Episode
[01:00] Trusting your gut as a copywriter, This isn’t just “listen to your intuition,” but a real breakdown of why gut instinct matters and when not to mistake fear or resistance for your true instincts.
[02:26] Trusting your gut starts with trusting your own skills and training. Doubt naturally pops up, which is why we have to build systems and habits that help us stay grounded in what we know.
[03:45] A real client example where the client edited a phrase a very minimal edits, but something in me hesitated. I could just accept this edit and we could keep moving on, but I suggested a stronger alternative. It’s a small example of trusting that instinctive nudge that says something can be better.
[06:00] We all have predictable moments where our self-confidence dips so instead of bulldozing through them, we can build tiny habits that support us. Self-awareness becomes a professional advantage.
[07:08] We connect the dots between doubt and gut instinct. When self-doubt is loud, it’s hard to tell whether discomfort is fear or intuition. Naming that difference helps you hear the real instinct underneath.
[09:35] When you say, “I was kind of thinking that” after receiving feedback, that’s the gut speaking before anyone else does. The more advanced you get, the more important it is to listen to that inner nudge and fix things before sending work to your clients.
[10:54] When a clever line feels too good to delete even if it isn’t right for the brief. My solution is keeping a “phrase bank” so I can let it go without losing it. Once I remove the emotional attachment, I can focus on hitting the goal of the piece.
[13:41] Include strategic reasoning when presenting alternative headline directions. Our job is to curate not overwhelm clients with five versions and no rationale. Thoughtful options supported by strategy show expertise.
[16:08] I’ve had clients who feel scattered, evasive, and inconsistent. My gut has said the project would turn into a giant time-suck. Later, that instinct proved right. Even when clients circle back, the early red flags usually tell you everything you need to know.
[21:03] Gather real information before making a decision because clarity only comes from talking to people. You can’t trust your gut on incomplete data. Your gut needs something to react to.
[26:25] You don’t wanna end up in a situation where your gut said, don’t take this project. You don’t have time. And you took it anyway. Sometimes a project is easier than expected but more often, ignoring your internal warning leads to stress, rushed work, or missed deadlines.
[27:27] It’s common to feel nervous about quoting a project, but that discomfort is not your gut, it’s resistance. Your true gut already knows the right number.
[35:36] Gut instinct grows the more you use it. At first, it feels quiet and awkward, but as you validate it, it becomes stronger and more reliable. Sometimes you’ll override it intentionally and that’s okay, as long as you own the choice.
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:
“Your gut and your fear are not the same thing and resistance is VERY good at pretending it is.” – Nicki
“Trusting your gut really starts with trusting your training. You know more than you think you do.” – Kate
“Clients don’t want a pile of ideas, they want a point of view.” – Nicki
“If the number makes you nervous, that’s a sign you’re finally charging what the work is worth.” – Kate
Mentioned in the Episode
- Ep. BONUS – Laser Coaching: How to (Respectfully) Disagree with a Copywriting Client
- How to Price Copywriting Services: By the Minute? The Hour? The Word?
- Ep. 163: Are Your Copywriting Prices Leaving Money on the Table?
- Ep. 76: Red Flags Copywriters Need to Look for in Clients
Related Links
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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.
