Ah, the joys and challenges of working from home. All that freedom and flexibility! And, also, EEK! All that freedom and flexibility. As anyone who has been in charge of creating their own schedule can tell you, it’s a lot harder than it looks. It’s much easier to stay on task when there’s a risk of a coworker or boss walking past your desk at any moment. And exactly when … [Read more...]
How to Plan for Copywriting Revision Rounds
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...]
Amp Up Your Copywriting Productivity with Ultra Scheduling
It’s 9:05 on Thursday morning, which means I’m 5 minutes into my “write FRW post” one-hour block on my schedule. And this is exactly where I’ll be every Thursday at 9:05, barring emergencies or vacations. I know: For a lot of people who are interested in becoming freelancers, a big part of the appeal is the “free” part. No schedule, work from anywhere, manage your own … [Read more...]
Create Your Own Free Planner (And Hit Your New Year Goals)
If you’re anything like me, ‘tis this season for spending 45 bucks on some “must-have” planner, only to use it four or five times in January, feel guilty in February, and then finally recycle it in March. What if there were a better way? (I mean, come on, we know there is.) Instead of spending an excessive amount on a premade planner, pop into your local convenience … [Read more...]
What Software Do You Need to Run Your Copywriting Business?
I have a very firm rule when it comes to purchasing software for copywriters (and things for your business in general) … (And this probably traces back to when I started mine decades ago and bought a phone I never used, a business line I never used, letterhead I never used, and a desk and chair that were so much less conducive to work than my sofa.) My rule is this: You … [Read more...]
What Does a Typical Copywriter Schedule Look Like?
It’s one thing to want to make money through your writing talents, and another thing entirely to actually do it. You might be able to imagine writing copy for a living—making a good, quite possibly really good living from your writing—but you might get a little fuzzy when it comes to the details. As in, you can imagine yourself sitting at a computer and typing, or maybe … [Read more...]
How to Book Up Your Copywriting Business for the Next Few Months
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…for Your Business Whether you like it or not that it’s only October 1st and the stores will begin stocking Christmas and Hanukah decorations soon, there’s one key takeaway for you as a copywriter… Businesses are starting to think about holiday promotions... Which means you could be writing those promotions for them. That’s right: Now … [Read more...]
Top Free and Affordable Project Management Tools for Copywriters
Most copywriters don’t have the luxury of working on just one project at a time, so they have to be able to juggle multiple assignments at the same time. This is difficult for even the most seasoned writers, but a project management tool can make a huge difference in a copywriter’s organization, time management, and content output. Benefits of project management for … [Read more...]
Copywriting Q&A: How to Flu-Proof Your Copywriting Business
No one can tell the future, but sometimes we can make some educated guesses. For example, it doesn’t take a psychic to know that it’s likely that you’ll get a touch sick at some point this winter. But getting sick may mean not working, and not working may mean missing deadlines — and that’s a problem. Here’s what you can do to prepare…. Today’s question comes from Sandra L., … [Read more...]
Copywriting Q&A: How to Find the Time to Learn Copywriting
One of the biggest obstacles to making a significant change in your life is finding the time to do it. Today, we’re going to break down exactly how to learn copywriting and build your copywriting career. Today’s question comes from May G., who asks, “I really want to learn copywriting. I think it could be a great career for me. But I work full-time, I’m raising two kids, and I … [Read more...]