What happens when a pandemic hits and you're furloughed from your job? For Stuart Tarn it meant taking advantage of his additional time and learning an entirely new skill. Stuart has been in his current job in the airline industry for nearly 17 years. In this episode, he shares why he pursued copywriting, the ways his past experiences help his copywriting, and some of the … [Read more...]
Ep. 23: The Illusion of Safety: Freelance vs. Full-Time Copywriting (a.k.a. the Illusion of Safety Episode)
Deciding to go freelance instead of working a traditional 9–5 can be incredibly anxiety inducing. But gigging may be your golden ticket to career freedom. In this episode, Nicki and Kate discuss how job safety is an illusion and the only way to truly be "safe" is to be in control of your career yourself. Freelancing allows for control over practically every aspect of your … [Read more...]
Ep. 20: Changing Careers to Become a Copywriter – Adele’s Story
Adele joined the CCA in July 2020 when she decided to make a career change after burning out in her job. Nicki originally talked with Adele in the Fall of 2020 to hear about her journey to copywriting. But, like many CCA students, work started to snowball fast. So, Nicki and Kate caught up with Adele again in early 2021 to talk about how things are going. You'll also hear … [Read more...]
Freelancer Self-Care: 5 Tips for Avoiding Burnout
Whether you're tackling work for clients, learning how to become a copywriter, or any other task that takes up a significant amount of your time, energy, and focus, you need to plan breaks. And I'm not just talking taking the weekend off (though definitely plan in days off, whether it's Saturday and Sunday, or other days of your choosing!) or getting enough sleep (though … [Read more...]
Freelance Copywriter Business FAQs
Note: We are not legal experts or tax preparation professionals, so always consult an accountant, tax prep professional, or attorney if you have concerns. This information is aimed at copywriters in the United States. Copywriters in other locations may find this information useful for determining what questions they need to ask and answer based on their city, country, or … [Read more...]
Ep. 11: Tax and Bookkeeping Tips for Freelance Copywriters
Taxes: if reading that word makes you internally scream, "Ahhhhhh!!!", or if the mere thought of freelance taxes is preventing you from taking action, then this episode is for you. Rachel LaMantia, founder of Masterpiece Bookkeeping, joins Nicki and Kate for this episode. Rachel and her team take the stress, hassle, and guesswork out of bookkeeping for their clients. They … [Read more...]
Ep. 9: Why Freelancing in a Recession is Wildly Effective
The first time Nicki made six figures as a copywriter was in 2008…right in the middle of the Great Recession…right after she left her full-time job to go freelance. Why was she able to do so well then and why are copywriters doing alright now, even though many companies are being forced to lay off staff left and right? Here’s the key: companies still need copywriters because … [Read more...]
Ep. 7: Freelance Job Sites Are Bad News
Freelance job bidding sites like Upwork and Fiverr may seem like a great, easy way to get into copywriting. But, as you'll hear in this episode, they're actually a surefire way to undersell your services (not to mention waste your valuable time that you could be using to pitch clients directly)! Nicki and Kate tackle the pitfalls of freelance work sites, why they're not the … [Read more...]
Ep. 4: Meet Our Head Copy Coach, Kate
We're switching things up on this episode and getting to know Kate, Filthy Rich Writer's Head Copy Coach. Kate has more than 10 years of experience writing for clients including Microsoft, Zipcar, TripAdvisor, Babson College, Continental Airlines, and many more. In this episode, she shares how she got started, tips for working as a freelancer abroad, and common … [Read more...]
Ep. 1: What is Copywriting?
Some people argue that copywriting has been around since ancient times—back when people were writing compelling copy for "Wanted" posters. I'm not here to enter into that debate, because what matters to you and me is copywriting in the 21st century. But, if anything, that argument proves the staying power of effective copywriting—and the need for trained copywriters. Think … [Read more...]