A client hires you for a “VIP day.”
Suddenly, you’re tasked with:
- Kicking off the project
- Writing a creative brief
- Coming up with a strong concept
- Outlining the copy Writing the copy (for how many deliverables is another question …)
- Getting feedback on that copy
- Incorporating that feedback
- Getting final sign off
… all in the span of 8 hours.
And let’s be real: no one has 8 good hours of work in them every day.
On this Build Your Copywriting Business podcast episode, Kate and I are digging into why VIP days make 0 sense—for you and especially for your clients!
Just the thought of this task list stresses me out. And, I know some copywriting “gurus” tout the benefit of VIP days, but these days are reputation ruiners, my friend. Here’s why…
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Looking for closed captioning or a transcript? Watch the episode on YouTube!
A Sneak Peek at the Episode
[02:19] We define a VIP Day as a dedicated session where a client buys your full time and attention, expecting final deliverables by the end of that single day. While the promise of a “big chunk of change” all at once is appealing, it’s a red flag when the model is designed primarily for the writer’s benefit over the client’s.
[04:14] In theory, the math sounds amazing, earning thousands for eight hours of work but it actually forces you into an exhausting cycle of constant client outreach. You would need to land several new VIP clients every single month, whereas a standard freelance career only requires a few long-term, repeat partners.
[06:11] A one-day turnaround is incredibly stressful for the client and often unrealistic because they may not have all the necessary materials ready for a total rewrite. Furthermore, most high-quality clients recognize that one day is simply not enough time to produce a strategic, top-tier product that actually works.
[09:01] We believe that writing final copy in a day is a disservice because it robs the project of the strategic thinking and “marination” time required for excellence. If you are rushing to meet an eight-hour deadline, there is a very solid chance you are delivering subpar work compared to what you could produce in two weeks.
[11:44] Kate shares an example of a client wanting a “basic page” quickly, but she pushed back because “throwing something up” can actually damage a brand’s reputation. VIP Days turn you into a mere “order-taker” who churns out content, which is a role that could easily be replaced by AI.
[14:41] Not every day is a “good writing day,” and having a high-pressure VIP Day when your brain won’t cooperate is a recipe for disaster. Beyond brain fog, life happens, sick kids, internet outages, or simple fatigue can completely derail a project that has zero room for a flexible timeline.
[19:35] While you might take a last-minute project for a premium rush fee once in a blue moon, you shouldn’t build your entire career on that level of intensity. If a project is “easy” enough to finish in a day, clients won’t want to pay much; if you want the big checks, you need to provide the time for high-level strategy.
[23:38] Ultimately, we recommend nixing VIP Days because delivering better work over a reasonable timeframe is what builds a strong, long-term reputation in the creative community. You want clients to tell their peers how thorough and strategic you were, not that they paid for a rushed day and didn’t even use the final result.
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:
“It usually ends up being so much more trouble than it’s worth… that’s the most stressful idea ever.” – Nicki
“There’s no such thing as a copy emergency… we’re not in an ER room. We’re not saving lives.” – Nicki
“You’re becoming an order taker instead of a partner… AI could do that.” – Kate
“You want to have a reputation for being a strategic thinker and collaborating with your clients, not just being… again, you don’t want to be replaced by AI.” – Kate
Mentioned in the Episode
- Copywriting Is Only 1/3 Writing—Here’s Why That Affects How You Charge
- Copywriting Rush Fees: When and How to Charge Them
- What Do You Bill For? (And What Don’t You?)
- The Case for Slowing Down: Fast Copywriting Doesn’t Equal Better Copywriting
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 15+ 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.
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