As a freelance copywriter, your business depends on getting work—whether it’s from existing or new clients. But managing multiple clients (and clients-to-be) with different needs, deadlines, and expectations can get a little hectic. So how can you protect your time, energy, and creativity without compromising on your quality of communication (or your own sanity)? In this … [Read more...]
Learning to Effectively Communicate as a Copywriter
We talk all the time, but how often do we evaluate how effective we are at communicating? (And how often do we say we write copy, we don't speak it?) Our Book Pick In It's the Way You Say It: Second Edition: Becoming Articulate, Well-Spoken, and Clear, Carol A. Fleming shares how you can not only become aware of how you communicate but how you can more effectively … [Read more...]
Ep. 51: Working at an Agency & Collaborating with Other Copywriters – Jen’s and Julie’s Story
If you think other copywriters are your competition, think again! Working with other copywriters is not only a great way to bounce ideas off another creative, it's also bound to happen, especially if you work at an agency like Comprehensive Copywriting Academy students Jen and Julie. In today's episode of the Build Your Copywriting Broadcast, Nicki and Kate sit down with these … [Read more...]
Using Improv to Improve Your Copywriting
In many areas of our lives, we're improvising without even knowing it. Even the most careful planners know that it's extremely rare for any event to go exactly as intended. Despite thinking we know what someone is going to say or how someone is going to react, the outcomes of conversations or events may surprise us. As Patricia Ryan Madson, author of Improv Wisdom: Don't … [Read more...]
Laser Copy Coaching: Getting Information From Clients, When to Price Your Services, and Boosting Confidence
In this episode, three CCA students each sit down with Nicki and Kate to ask their most pressing questions. These 10-minute laser coaching sessions are designed to help students overcome their biggest roadblock so they can continue making progress on their goals. Jack asks for tips on working through mental roadblocks, Blessilda talks about some of her first pitches and … [Read more...]
How To Prevent Ego From Derailing Your Copywriting Success
As copywriters, we're often typing away on our computers, writing copy to deliver to our clients. So, it can sometimes come as a shock when we interact with our client and the feedback is...less than stellar. As Brandon Black and Shayne Hughes explore, humans have a significant preoccupation with self-worth, which causes us to react to various situations with less-than-ideal … [Read more...]
The (Surprisingly Easy) Art of Negotiation for Copywriters
If the idea of quoting prices for their work already makes most new and would-be copywriters nervous, well then, the idea of negotiating those rates can bring up some serious nerves. But here’s the good news: It’s really not that hard at all. In fact, as you’ll see in a moment, the hardest part…is not talking. Here we offer some ways to negotiate as a copywriter. Don't … [Read more...]
Copywriting Revision Rounds: How Many Rounds Do You Offer?
I get this question a lot—"how many revisions do I need for copywriting?" or "how many rounds is fair?"—and I understand the thinking behind it. People are worried that clients are going to “take advantage” of them and request round after round after round of revisions until it’s perfect. But here’s the thing: Our copy is supposed to be perfect. (Or, at least, as close to … [Read more...]
Why Your Copywriting Clients Need Your Guidance
As our students can attest, when you land your first few clients you feel elation followed very quickly by panic. (Which, by the way, does subside and occurs much less often as you land more and more clients.) The reason for this panic is that it’s now time to walk the walk as well as you talk the talk—to actually do the work you’ve been practicing and preparing for. And … [Read more...]
Why Copywriters Absolutely Must Have a Network of Designers
Let me be clear: I am NOT a team player. Well, not naturally. I mean, I can be if a need to be…but I’d almost always rather just do things myself. So, if you hear my advice that you need to reach out to designers and create a network of contacts and you think, “Oh, I’d rather not…” I get you. I do. But here’s why you’ve still got to do it. First, you NEED … [Read more...]