Taking the leap
On the first day of school, 5-year-old me sat watching a hysterical girl scream out the window for her mother. I sipped my juice box thinking, “Well, that’s a bit much”.
Snarky adolescent memories aside, there’s no question, the first day of school can be hard. It affects everyone in a different way. And no matter how many ‘first days’ you have, emotion can get in the way.
So, rest assured, whether you’re somewhere on the road between petrified and excited, it’s still pretty normal.
Embarking on a new career is no different. Research on stressful life events puts starting a new career just below the death of a close friend. So yeah, taking the leap out of your comfort zone can be nerve-wracking to say the least.
Similarly, the concept of starting a career in writing might sound truly intimidating. It did to me. But learning how to make money writing might be the best decision you ever make.
I always loved writing but thought you had to be a successful author to make money writing online.
I was wrong.
Why it took me so long to figure out that it was possible, I can’t say. But as luck would have it, I came across an intriguing website with an eBook that answered all my questions. And that’s when everything changed.
So, if you’re like me and love working with words or think online writing jobs are where your future lies, keep reading. I’ll tell you my story and explain how you can easily make a career in copywriting a reality.
I’ll even point you to the course, school and community I chose that made all the difference in my success.
And it can do the same for you.
Ch-ch-ch-changes
It wasn’t long ago that I decided to become a copywriter. But before I tell you how I got there let me tell you where I was.
To be blunt, I was burnt out. Fried from running my own business and working a soul-sucking part-time job. I loved the company I had built, but it had run its course. They both had to go.
I needed a change. And, like a lot of people, didn’t even know where to start.
My thoughts turned to what I liked to do and wondering what I was even good at any more. The question ultimately came down to, what would I love doing that would also make me happy?
Giving up ideas like ‘professional pizza eater’ or ‘tropical vacation tester’ wasn’t as easy as you might think. But when it was time to get serious, to my surprise, writing kept popping to the top.
The age of enlightenment
Browsing my inbox one morning, an email caught my eye. “Make money writing online as a copywriter,” it said. “Work from anywhere in the world.”
Well, yeah. Why not? Who am I to say no to such things?
Out of curiosity, I looked into it. And with that little bit of research, a whole new world of possibilities opened up.
Somehow, copywriting, that stealthy minx, had flown completely under my radar. Even after writing ads, emails and social media posts for my business.
What a knucklehead.
Anyway, as you may already be aware, there’s all kinds of free information out there about how to make money writing as a copywriter. Some good ones, like Copyblogger. Some not. I scoured and read everything I could find but remained sceptical.
One tantalising constant was that copywriters can make really good money. “Earn six figures, seven figures, eight, nine…” and so on. I still took it with a grain of salt.
Then one day, I came across a site that gripped me right from the get-go. It was so different compared to everything else I had come across. Such unique character and tone. The words dripped with personality and at the same time spoke directly to me. Or so it felt.
What was this magical website?
Why, The Creative Copywriter, of course.
After a couple of pages, I seriously felt like founder and CEO Konrad Sanders and I were old buddies with a pint or two under our belts. Ah, but to dream…
I downloaded and devoured the 25 Customer-Converting Secrets to Copywriting eBook. As well as their Brand Strategy eBook. Afterwards, I moved on to their blog, where we currently find ourselves.
A strange feeling of genuine excitement rushed over me. A feeling of what I hoped copywriting was supposed to be like. I even remember turning to my wife and saying, “I could totally see myself working for a place like this.” True story.
I admit being slightly disappointed to find there were no courses offered. Thankfully, it wasn’t long before an email arrived, announcing their plans to put one together which would be available soon.
Back to school…again
While I impatiently waited for the release, I tried a couple of other courses. They weren’t a good fit. So, when the email announcing that The Freelance Copywriter Kickstarter Course was available, I was over the moon. Giddy as my six-year-old self picking out a Star Wars pencil case at a back-to-school sale.
I loved that they weren’t promising an unrealistic windfall but solid, usable skills.
Things like:
- Advanced conversion copywriting techniques
- Powerful sales psychology, SEO copywriting and storytelling
- Fundamentals of branding and marketing
After reading the full course description, I was an easy sale and signed up right away.
You want me to do WHAT?
The day had finally come. I didn’t scream out the window but couldn’t believe I was actually nervous to start a digital course. That was something I would have to get over.
As well as the idea of posting tasks and assignments to the community chat (voluntarily, of course) for everyone to see…
And critique. (Gulp!)
This terrified me. Like finding yourself ‘naked in a crowded grocery store filled with angry bees’ terrified.
But I guess sometimes you gotta run commando through the produce section to get to where you’re going.
And what did I find?
Eat your heart out Hogwarts
To my amazement, I found an incredible, supportive community. Like-minded souls striving to succeed as copywriters with skills to make money writing online. People I would have never met became fast friends that I talk with and learn from almost every day.
Did I mention the expertise and encouragement of the instructors and staff? Office-hour chats, tips and critiques. All in an effort to make students succeed at the highest level. Simply, mind-blowing.
Safer than Quidditch
One of my favourite things about The Creative Copywriter Academy is definitely the writing competitions. My two pence? Compete. Get in there whether you think you’re ready or not.
The competitions push you to get comfortable with your skills and hitting deadlines. A super valuable opportunity you don’t want to miss out on with no rogue bludgers to worry about.
And knowing you’re up against other students drives you to do your best work…
…without the fear or repercussions of tanking an expensive, real-life marketing campaign.
When you do the work, you’ll begin to see how easy it is to get lost in your writing. You may be surprised by how naturally what you’ve learnt starts to flow from those talented fingertips.
Time to stretch my wings
Nearing the final lessons, I leaned heavily on my training and reached out for work. Even with tons of online writing jobs available, I decided to test the waters with something familiar – a former customer.
Using my new skills, I pitched the job. And before I knew what happened, I got it! It felt amazing.
Soon after, I got work on some blog posts, web pages, emails and social posts, all from different clients. The cheques are rolling in and I’m only getting started.
Before class gets out…
If you’re thinking about a career as a copywriter, you honestly couldn’t pick a better place to start.
The academy is run by experts working in the industry, whose goal is to help you succeed.
The course is set up so you engage with the lessons that load you up with strong practical skills. The assignments and competitions give you the practice and confidence you need to get good. Because, let’s face it, you can’t be a writer if you don’t write.
And the community? Well, let’s just say you’ll have trouble finding a better one.
So if you decide to take the leap, The Creative Copywriter Academy will be there to help you land on your feet.
If you found this useful, please go ahead and spread the love. Share it with co-workers, friends or anyone you think could benefit from this information.
Your copywriting is very interesting, which of course, is why you were employed!
Keep up the good job, it obviously does suit your personality.
I too like copywriting and have done a fair bit in my time, but not as directly as you, as I don’t usually have the I.T. Facility and most of my advertising and marketing has been created by hand and typeset and printed from/by, out- sourced companies or I.T. Contractors. I am not complaining about that though, as some of the best advertising is put together by hand with its copy and some vague drawing requiring and artist to make a better job of it to call it real artwork and obviously the checking and editing as many times as possible before any print run deadlines.
Then if you haven’t got the time and space through budgeting for these long interesting blogs and have to start working in the small cells known as column centimetres, then you’re lucky if you can can get an advertorial on a quarter or half page or prime position. You could almost have read my mind when I was thinking about being excited about marketing or demographics or segmentation, I be never explored the marketing potential of the internet, save for a couple of strategically placed partnership ads. Probably due to the professional restrictions and the nature of the businesses. I wish you all the best with your venture.