The Most Important Two Hours of Your Copywriting Career This Year
By John Wood, AWAI Staff Writer

Despite all the technological advances in the way we communicate with each other, there’s no better way to start a relationship than with a firm handshake and a friendly smile.

It’s also the best way to make a sale.

Because if you believe in your product or service and you convey its benefits with passion – odds are you’ll walk away with a smile on your face.

And nowhere is that more true than when it comes to selling your copywriting services.

Which is why, for aspiring copywriters and those looking to expand their client base, the two hours you spend this year at AWAI’s Job Fair (part of AWAI’s annual FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp) could easily be the most important two hours of your entire career.

And when I say “the most important two hours,” I don’t say that lightly.

I was at Job Fair last year.

I witnessed the handshakes and greetings being exchanged … the aspirations and opportunities being discussed … and the relationships being formed.

It was a beautiful thing.

I met Conrad Hall, who, because of Job Fair, landed a job writing for Bob Bly.

I met AWAI “Wall of Fame” member Pam Foster there as well, who later would be asked to write content for a company’s website, thanks to a contact she made at Job Fair.

Last year’s Job Fair was where Laura McNeil landed an assignment with Mercola.com – a major player in the alternative health market.

And because they were at last year’s Job Fair, Pat Flannigan and AWAI “Wall of Fame” member Bruce Midgett began long-term relationships with new clients … Pat with Healthier You and Bruce with the American Physicians Institute.

And I’ve barely even scratched the surface here.

Mindy Tyson-McHorse had this to say about her experience last year …

“Prior to Bootcamp, I’d never actually met any client face-to-face who hires copywriters. At Job Fair I got to meet many individuals who told me they were eager (sometimes desperate) for copywriters.”

Mindy really hits the nail on the head. Job Fair is packed with people who are eager for you to write copy for them. They’re hoping they’ve found – in you – their next “go to” copywriter.

I can’t think of any place else on earth where you can walk up to your dream client, introduce yourself, pick up a spec assignment, talk a little about it, make future follow-up plans … and then walk a few feet to the right and do the whole thing over again with another dream client.

And don’t let the word “spec” in “spec assignment” discount their power. A spec assignment is the way many of today’s most established copywriters got their start.

Cheryl M. from Mercer Island, WA, says …

“I owe 100% of my present copywriting opportunities to Job Fair and the spec assignments … they have given me tremendous writing experience.”

“Wall of Fame” member Krista Jones adds …

“My career began with a spec assignment from Bootcamp. I got a lot of work from there through word of mouth … so it was very important.”

The big advantage a Job Fair spec assignment has over mailing a prospect samples of your work or emailing them a website link to examples of your writing is that … you’re 100% guaranteed your Job Fair spec will be read by the person who actually hands out the checks for their company’s copywriting assignments.

In other words, if you do a good job, you’ll be rewarded for it …

With a check and a relationship that could potentially bring you tens of thousands of dollars in income in the months and years to come.

Plus, not only are spec assignments a great way to show a company you know how to write good copy … they’re also a great way to quickly build up your writing portfolio – especially if you’re relatively new to copywriting.

And don’t forget … this year promises to be AWAI’s biggest and best Job Fair yet!

Because with each year, more and more heavyweights in the direct-marketing industry recognize that AWAI’s Job Fair is the place to find copywriters who know how to write quality copy.

For example, Randy Coon, VP of Marketing for the popular financial site “The Motley Fool” says …

“The AWAI-trained copywriters are the best in the business! I have been nothing short of impressed with the quality of the work, and use copywriters who have an affiliation with AWAI on a regular basis.”

Sandy Franks, Executive Publisher of the Taipan Group, adds …

“What I like about the AWAI Job Fair is that it’s a great place to find raw copywriting talent. I’ve attended for the past three years, and each time I find a copywriter who I can rely on to complete copywriting assignments. Plus, you get to meet them in person, and the spec assignment allows you to ‘pre-screen’ the candidates.”

All this translates into more opportunities to form lasting lucrative relationships than ever before.

The names of the direct-marketing companies who will be participating are just starting to roll in. Here is sneak peek at who you can expect to see this year …

• Advanced Bodycare
• Advanced Financial Services
• Agora Travel
• Americorps VISTA
• Dr. Sears
• Early To Rise
• Golf Dreams
• Healthier You
• James DiGeorgia & Associates
• National Association of Hobby Farmers
• Newsmax
• Nightingale-Conant
• NPE
• Schaeffer’s Investment Research
• Stansberry & Associates Investment Research
• The Motley Fool
• The Oxford Club
• Wellington – The Magazine

And if you’d like to write copy for AWAI or AWAI Travel Division, they’ll also have booths set up with Katie Yeakle, Lori Alan, Rebecca Matter, Guillermo Rubio and other AWAI staff members waiting to meet and talk with you.

In fact, Katie recently announced that she’s looking to hire not only freelancers, but also a copywriting “Dream Team” to work side-by-side with her, Paul Hollingshead, Don Mahoney, and the rest of the editorial and marketing team in their Florida office.

As mentioned, this is just a partial list of companies who will be there to meet you at Job Fair in November. In total, AWAI expects over 40 copy-hungry marketers to be in attendance. They’ll keep you posted as more marketers join the list.

I said earlier, the two hours you’ll spend this year at Job Fair could very well be the most important two hours of your copywriting career. Coming to Bootcamp is a great way to ensure that 2009 will be your best copywriting year yet!

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