One of my favorite sayings isn’t appropriate to print here, so I’ll paraphrase: Opinions are like [unpleasant but necessary body part]; everybody’s got one. Advice is similar—everybody’s got some. Unfortunately, though, a lot of people who want to give advice have bad advice to offer. That's especially true if you're becoming a copywriter or even if you've been running … [Read more...]
The Big Question You Need to Answer to Be a Successful Copywriter
It’s not easy starting a new career, much less building a successful one. Building a copywriting career is a big goal, and big goals are almost always challenging. Think about it. Running a marathon, raising a healthy and happy child, writing a book, and losing 100 pounds are big goals are all difficult. It can feel scary and cause you to doubt yourself more than anything … [Read more...]
How Do You Find the Confidence to Get Started in Copywriting?
Even when you want something very badly—a new career, for example—it’s not always enough to get you to take the steps to begin. Here we look at how to find the confidence to get started in copywriting. I wish I could tell you that there was some magical incantation or elixir that would instantly give you confidence. There just isn’t. But there are two things that, when … [Read more...]
Looking Back at 2016 and Planning for 2017
As we’re wrapping up the new year, I thought I’d share a year-end ritual that preps me for success in the new year. First, I start by looking back at the year that’s ending and asking myself a few questions. The key, of course, is to be gentle with myself and what’s over, but also be ruthlessly honest in my evaluation. What went well with my career this year? What were my … [Read more...]
What Does It Mean to Be a Filthy Rich Writer?
When I first started writing copy, there were no resources on how to become a copywriter. The one book I read talked about getting a fax machine (yeah...super useful...). So, when I was putting together resources on how to write copy and how to build a copywriting career and business, I could have named this website “Copywriting Training Resources” or something like … [Read more...]
How To Avoid a Copywriting Career Rut
It can be easy enough to coast along at a job for a few months—or even a few years. But the damage that coasting can do to your career might take a long time to repair. Here are two super easy steps to avoid falling into a copywriting career rut. Your Career Is Your Priority, No One Else's One of the first things you have to learn about your career is that no one else is … [Read more...]
The Three Steps to Career Change
There’s a good chance that you’re not going to stay in one career for the rest of your life. But once you identify what direction you want to go, the steps you take will make the difference between success and failure. And guess what? Most people take the wrong ones. This is one of my favorite topics. First, it’s a great topic because there are few changes you can make … [Read more...]
What Do the Best Copywriter Resumes Include?
Many new copywriters want to know what the best copywriter resumes look like. And I’ll certainly answer that question, but there’s actually and even bigger consideration that entirely outweighs the resume. Must-Haves on Your Copywriter Resume 1. Benefit to Consumer There’s one simple swap that will make your copywriting resume stand out above all others. In fact, this … [Read more...]
5 Things Clients and Product Managers Wish Copywriters Knew
The people who request your copywriting work—clients or product managers—are crucial partners in the project. But just because you’re working on the same thing doesn’t mean you’re speaking the same language. Here are five things you don’t know that they wish you did. Most clients and product managers have absolutely no experience being on the other side of the table—that is, … [Read more...]
Why People Tell You “Copywriting Is Hard to Get Into”
“Oh, copywriting is really hard to get into.” That’s one of the most popular things for people to say when they hear you’re interested in the field. But why? And what is that based on? So, let me start out with a little story. Practically anytime I’m at party or event and I meet someone new, we do the standard “What do you do?” exchange and I tell them I’m a copywriter. And … [Read more...]