Are you toying with the idea of being a copywriter? Thinking about starting writing on the side while working your day job? Or are you ready to leave your job and branch out full time on your own?
Let me be honest with you: writing full time isn’t for someone who wants to make a half-hearted attempt at freelance work. It requires real commitment.
And a thick skin. Because not everyone is going to want to hire you. And not everyone is going to like your writing style or think you are the best fit.
That said, you can make a LOT of money as a copywriter. Unfortunately, many people are afraid to make the leap because they are hooked on the full time paycheck and afraid of the unknown.
Personally, I’m a big fan of starting slowly and easing into it while working full time. On the other hand, there’s nothing quite as motivating as knowing that you are 100% dependent on your writing to pay the bills. <wink>
If you are ready to let go of your fear and make the leap into the copywriting business, let me share with you three steps that other writers have taken in order to achieve success in this industry.
- Make time and be prepared to sacrifice.
When people are launching their writing career on the side, a lot of them complain that they struggle to find the time. But what ARE you making time for? TV?
Going out with your friends?
I’m not suggesting that you don’t have any kind of work life balance, but what I AM saying is that if you want to make a writing career work you WILL have to be committed…even if it involves sacrifice. Or making yourself uncomfortable.
Ask yourself what you could sacrifice to have more time for your writing? How much time do you spend in front of the television? How much time do you spend at the movies? Out at the bar?
What could you be doing with that time that could further your career?
You can even think in terms of 15 minute increments. I’m willing to bet that you could accomplish a lot in 15 minutes… and how many spare 15 minute increments could you squeeze in throughout the day?
- Stop waiting.
Are you waiting until the timing is right? Or maybe until your website is perfect? Or until after you take that one class that will help you feel better prepared?
If you’re always waiting for the timing to be right or for some other condition to be met you will never actually get your business off the ground.
It’s time to stop waiting and start taking action.
Work on your website as you go. Grab some business cards and attend networking events with them in hand. Follow up religiously.
- Don’t under-value your ability.
It’s really easy, when you’re just getting started, to under-value your own work. You look around at all the other writers in the industry and think “their writing is better” or “I don’t have enough experience” or “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Let me tell you something though, there are a lot of terrible writers at there. More than that, there are a lot of HIGHLY PAID writers out there who are TERRIBLE.
The reality is that mediocrity is the norm when it comes to writing for marketing so there are lots of opportunities for great writers.
Your career will THRIVE if you just commit to constantly trying to improve your writing (which, by the way, you can do by studying other writers’ work and by doing more writing yourself).
Remember: the only person you have to compete with is yourself.
Are you ready?
If you’re ready to make the leap and start your own copywriting business, even on the side, you should check out my free e-book, Top 5 Success Strategies for Finding Copywriting Clients. And no, none of the strategies involve sending direct mail or cold calling. <wink>
I hope you enjoy!
Sheena White is a social media strategist and copywriter who helps busy entrepreneurs who struggle with selling their products and filling their events to rock their sales copy and social media so they can triple conversions. She helps clients define their ideal client and then, through a combination of savvy social media strategy and killer sales copy, helps them to warm up cold leads and turn them from browsers into buyers. While the road to success hasn’t been easy, it is her enthusiasm, sincerity, and commitment to the success of her clients that has won her loyal fans. In addition to two degrees in English, Sheena has completed John Carlton’s Simple Writing System as well as the Customer Acquisition Specialist Certification and Social Media Manager Certification from Digital Marketer. She has been featured on the podcast Design 101 – Designing your Best Life and is a regular contributor for Social Quant and Business.com.
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