Okay, the bad news is that your mind doesn’t want you to be happy. (There's good news coming too, but bear with me for a moment.) The oldest part of your brain, the lizard brain, doesn’t care if you’re happy as long as you’re safe. And that means it’s going to use aaaaaall kinds of sneaky tactics to keep you in your comfort zone—even if the rest of you wants out of … [Read more...]
Copywriting Resources to Add to Your Tool Box
At some point in everyone's career (not just copywriters), you'll hit some resistance. That's what happens when we start to get outside our comfort zones. It's also just part of being human! More often than not, we'll face obstacles of our own making. Think: "I'm not going to send this email to this potential client because what if they already have a copywriter and don't … [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...]
Will the Market Be Flooded with Copywriters?
A few nights ago, someone left a comment on one of our Facebook ads essentially saying, “Your training is all well and good, but when the market is flooded with copywriters no one will be able to find work and everyone will have to work for peanuts.” Well, that’s a pretty dire prediction. But as you’ve likely heard me say before: The people who know the least about a topic … [Read more...]
Recessions Are Huge Opportunities for Copywriters. Here’s Why.
The first time I made six figures as a copywriter was in 2008...right in the middle of the Great Recession...right after I left my full-time job to go freelance. Why then? Especially knowing that period was when, sadly, companies were laying off staff left and right. But here’s the key: **Companies still needed copy because copy drives business.** Remember, copywriting … [Read more...]
If I Make So Much Money Writing Copy, Why Am I Teaching Copywriting?
Usually, I get this question via a Facebook comment on an ad. And, I’d venture to say that it’s not asked in the most, oh, constructive manner. (Which tends to be the way with most Facebook ad comments that come through in the middle of the night…) But it’s come up often enough—and maybe you’ve even wondered it yourself— that I want to be sure to address it now. The question … [Read more...]
8 Must-Listen Podcasts to Amp Up Your Digital Marketing Knowledge
If you want to stay on top of your game, you can never stop learning. And thank goodness, right? How boring would life (and our careers) be if we never had to learn anything new? Well, good news. As copywriters, we’re in the world of digital marketing and that world is always changing and developing. With new sites, programs, and even means of communication (hello, … [Read more...]
Amp Up Your Copywriting Productivity With Ultra Scheduling
It’s 9:05 on Thursday morning, which means I’m five 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...]
Business Strategies for Copywriting Success in the New Year
Congratulations! You’re this close to making it through another year and starting a whole new one. Yippee! And, if you ask me, part of what makes this time of year so exciting is the potential for positive transformation in the new year. But guess what? True transformations don’t happen by accident. If you want an amazing 2023, you have to PLAN for an amazing 2023. … [Read more...]
Learn How To Stay Focused Year-Round With Help From These Books
I used to think that bouncing around from project to project (or activity) every few minutes was the key to my productivity. “I need variety!” I thought. Wrong! What I was actually doing was burning up attention and willpower each and every time I switched tasks. I wondered why I was so exhausted only halfway through the day and why I’d gotten so little done at the end of … [Read more...]