How Losing 25 lbs. Helped This Former AWAI Staff Copywriter Discover the “Magic Bullet” to Copywriting Success
By Guillermo Rubio

Making it as a copywriter doesn’t have to be hard.

In fact, it can be downright simple.

The problem is, too many of us make it harder than it really is. But stick with me, and I’ll show you exactly what it takes to succeed … along with what I think is the fastest way to go from inexperienced copywriter to well-paid pro.

As Stuart Wilde, a favorite author of mine puts it … when you struggle unnecessarily, it’s like you’re “trying to push a peanut up Mt. Everest with your nose.”

Success at copywriting — or anything else for that matter — doesn’t have to be, and truly isn’t, that complicated.

Yes, it might require some effort and persistence. But it’s in no way a hard, complex struggle.

This is something I’ve only realized very recently. And in just a second, I’m going to outline what I feel is the quickest way ANYONE can get up-and-running as a copywriter — regardless of experience. In fact, it’s exactly what I would do if I were starting over.

But first let me tell you a quick story, to better illustrate what I’m talking about.

I’ve always struggled with being a little overweight. Ever since I was a kid.

When I was eight, my parents even took me to a nutritionist. My cholesterol screen came back way too high due to my eating habits and the extra weight I carried.

Because of this, I’ve always read every book under the sun on dieting … hoping it was the solution I was looking for that would make me lose weight. And, I struggled.

Well, just last November I got my body fat tested. I came in at a whopping 27%!

I decided it was time to make a change. So I did. As I’m writing this, I’m down to 18% body fat (a loss of 25 lbs.).

My secret?

It’s not complicated …

Eat less. Move more.

It really has been that simple. And here’s the kicker. It’s always been that simple.

The problem is, even though I’ve known that for years, it just seemed too easy. I swore there had to be a more complex way, because after all, I had tried every fad diet under the sun with miserable results.

Which brings me to copywriting.

To succeed as a copywriter, there is no complex formula that’s out there, or a magic bullet that’s going to get you to where you want to go.

I’ve been in those shoes. Devouring program after program, hoping it would contain the one nugget of information that would make all the difference in the world … and launch my career.

And in the process, I struggled. Not because I kept hitting my head against a brick wall. But because I was making succeeding as a copywriter harder than it had to be.

I drove myself crazy wanting the “Writer’s Life” and then spinning my wheels in circles ferreting out the information I thought I needed … thinking I needed to perfect my skills before I could approach a single client … and thinking I needed to know everything there is, was, and ever will be written about succeeding as a copywriter.

Here’s what I’ve found. There is no magic pill, no magic bullet.

The magic, ironically, is within you. It always has been. Always will be.

Want to know the real secret to succeeding in copywriting?

Less thought. More action.

Yes, it’s that simple. Certainly not sexy. It does require effort. But, it’s easy … it’s not complicated. And, it’s something you can get started with right away — like as soon as you finish reading this article!

I could’ve given you a more detailed look at the plan I made for myself to lose weight. But, I think I can better serve you by giving you a plan for copywriting success instead. As I mentioned earlier, this plan is what I feel is the easiest way to get started earning a decent income as a copywriter.

My challenge to you (assuming you’ve been struggling to get your copywriting career off the ground) is to follow it to a ‘T.’ And, most importantly, don’t think too much about it. Just get yourself to take action and actually do it.

If you do, success will find you.

Your Copywriting Success Plan:

1. Decide you’re going to succeed. Without the proper mindset you can’t succeed. Think of the life you’ll lead if you just stick this out, and get it done once and for all. Truly decide to change your financial future.
2. Get web copy skills. If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you already have a basic knowledge of copywriting and how to write a sales letter. At this point, it’s about getting you some money in the door fast. The most effective way to do that is with web copywriting, simply due to the sheer number of potential clients. If you haven’t already, get a copy of AWAI’s Web Copy Specialist In-Home Training Program. It’s the quickest way to get your web copy skills up to speed. Study the hell out of it. A better web copywriting education can’t be found anywhere else.
3. Create a list of prospective web copywriting clients. How you do this is up to you, but here’s a few starter ideas. I’d start off with reading every issue of Inside AWAI. They have job listings from clients who need copywriters ASAP. Also, directresponsejobs.com. Aside from that, you can go to the directory of major mailers, put out by Target Marketing, Inc. (although it does have a hefty price tag). Get creative. Sit down and make a list of ways to find potential clients. Drive around the industrial parks in your area. Look in the Yellow Pages. Whose website did you look at recently and think, “I could do better than that” or “This is a terrible website, they need more information”? I don’t care how you do it, but get your list together as quickly as possible. Also, make sure to get contact info — if possible, including the name of the marketing director (hint: Just searching Google can give you a wealth of useful information).
4. Let your list of prospective clients know you exist. Call them. Email them. Send them a 1-2 page promo. A singing telegram. Send them to your website. ANYTHING to let them know you can help their website achieve better results (i.e., more sales, more conversions, more opt-ins, more leads, etc.). Go down your potential client list and commit to contacting at least one or two a day. DO it for the next 30 days and I’ll be supremely shocked if you don’t land at least one paying client. (One more thing. Don’t get too hung up on what to say. Simply follow the same tried-and-true copywriting principles you’re now learning. How will you benefit them? Either way, don’t fret the details. They will take care of themselves once you get to that point. But, that’s the catch … you have to get there, first. And that’s done through action!)
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4.

So, there you have it. Success at copywriting isn’t meant to be a struggle. Will there be challenges along the way? Sure. But just remember, it’s really as simple as getting yourself to take action. So please, if you’re on the sidelines hoping for a better life … one that you know copywriting can bring you … realize it’s not that complicated at all.

It just comes down to taking action on a few simple things. Move more. And, if you follow the plan I’ve laid out here, success will find you. Don’t think for a second that it takes some special talent or unique unheard of formula to make it as a copywriter … and especially don’t let that kind of thinking rob you of your dreams.

And, just so you know … I’m taking my own advice. I’m getting ready to drive out to Las Vegas for AWAI’s Web Copy Intensive.

Not only will I be sharpening my web copy skills (so I can meet my goal of increasing my income in the next few months), but I’ll also be your roving reporter. I’ll pick out what I think is incredibly useful for any aspiring web writer … and then spill the beans and let you in on the great tips each presenter gives.

So, stay tuned.

If you haven’t already, sign up here to make sure you get “live” updates straight from the Web Intensive.

Hey, just because it’s Vegas doesn’t mean all that great web copywriting info has to stay there. I’ll make sure it doesn’t!