Confession Time - Which Fear is Stopping You?
Yesterday, I mentioned I bought AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting a few years ago, but it wasn’t until this year I made money as a freelance copywriter.
The reason is my mind was filled with negative thoughts.
AWAI put me on the exact path to be successful as soon as I ordered the program, but I just didn’t see it. I doubted my ability and experience … I pretty much doubted everything.
Looking back, I’m disappointed in myself.
Sure, I started down the path … all the way until I had to take real action. But I stopped just before getting clients. I even held off on putting up my website because I was afraid a client would find me. I was terrified.
But I finally got sick of being afraid. I became frustrated with seeing all the success of other copywriters while I yearned to join them. And I was tired of studying when I knew I already had all the knowledge I needed.
I decided to make a change. And the first thing I did was watch a movie … you can read about that in my article “How to Think Yourself into Success as a Copywriter.”
Then I read a lot. I read as many success stories as I could get my hands on.
I read about Rachel Karl, who said she realized she was living the writer's life “about five months ago when I had landed several retainer clients, and I wasn't chasing after clients anymore.”
And I was green with envy when I heard about Janet Grosshandler, who wrote a spec assignment for Precious Moments Inc. and landed the job. (Congratulations, Janet!)
She said she realizes she’s living the writer's life because: “For me, a day where I can write a bunch, take a run at the beach, spend time with my family, and get a very nice check in the mail – well, it doesn't get any better than that. I count my blessings every day and look forward to many more years of living this writer's life!”
And I marveled at Sean McCool, who said, “I'm still amazed every morning that I can work for a multi-million dollar company and contribute directly to the bottom line even though I am a college drop-out. In fact, I even failed English class in 10th grade … so there is hope for everyone.”
And this success tip from Sean really speaks to me:
“Commitment. Nothing happens until you’re willing to truly commit to being a great copywriter.”
When I first read these stories, I realized that all these people were now professional copywriters. They proved the writer’s life is possible – and amazing. I was still just playing around.
As I read their stories, I began to realize if they could do it, so could I. They didn’t start with all the answers. None of them found a magic key. If they could become successful, so could I. And I didn’t have to wait any longer.
If you have fears holding you back, you first need to identify these fears (that’s the third step to believing that success is possible). Feel free to share your fears with me by posting a comment below. Then check out this article I wrote about the most common fears beginning copywriters have and what you can do about them: “How to Overcome the 5 Most Common Freelance Fears.”
And be sure to read up on the stories of successful writers, including those on the AWAI Wall of Fame I mentioned above.
AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting
Turn the ability to write a simple sales letter into a successful freelance career. Find out how you can make a six-figure income working from anywhere you want as a direct response copywriter. Learn More »
“That first paycheck told me I could do this. Recent paychecks and referrals are confirming that I’m on my way to living the dream.”
If yes, you could be in big demand, earning big money, writing just a few hours a day from anywhere in the world you choose to be.
Get Nick Usborne’s step-by-step system for creating money-making information websites.
In just 6 hours and 35 minutes, you can be in business earning $60 – $150 an hour writing simple resumes.
Learn the secrets behind succeeding in this in-demand career.
The work is plentiful … the pay scales are generous and the competition is scarce!
Get the answers to the hundreds of questions and concerns commonly asked in specific, step-by-step details.
Use this eight-step plan to make the leap from aspiring copywriter to professional copywriter this year.
Let your fellow AWAI members show you firsthand the easiest, most powerful way to land your first client … BEFORE you finish the program.
Writing for the web is a huge opportunity for copywriters. Let web expert Nick Usborne show you how to write blockbuster web copy in record time … even if you're a complete internet “rookie”!
It’s an opportunity to make $50,000, $75,000, $100,000 a year or more … working just a few hours a day.
A once complicated profession is now something you can do on a standard computer – even if you have little or no “artistic” ability.
It’s one thing to have a website. But if your website can’t be found by the search engines, it may as well not exist.
The Internet creates new income possibilities every day. The biggest among them: online video marketing.
Get the very techniques top-performing copywriters use to rattle off one groundbreaking control after another.
In his new book, Michael Masterson teaches you his very own formula for powerful persuasion and how to apply it to direct mail sales letters as well as online promotions.
Again another great article! I purchased the AWAI copywriting program and use it in my "regular" job. But I never finished my final assignment. I was afraid it wouldn't be as good as other "real" copywriters. But today I realized that I've been using the secrets in all of my other writing for my "regular" job that I need to just do it and submit the final assignment.
Screenquest – September 14, 2011 at 9:37 am
Is the word "concerns" one way to euphemize the word "f.e.a.r.s?"
I mean, just a cursory gander around the Internet finds sufficient testimony to support the posit that "copywriting isn't amateur's night" (as Bruce Williams used to say about vending business wannabes).
In other words, how, without a degree - the credential that represents as the apparent minimum nowadays - is someone like me (unrelated Associate's degree) going to attract, impress, and retain clients (too many people with related degrees who are complaining about un- and under-employment)?
Guest (benignbullet) – September 14, 2011 at 9:46 am
Yes, I'm doubting my "sticktuitiveness" and my daily "organizability" to get the job learned and carry on with it. I was an Office Manager for 30 years, so I know I have these two abilities. I know I can do it, but do have doubts about the road to get there.
Guest (DONNAINMONTANA ) – September 14, 2011 at 10:16 am
The biggest fear I think stopping me is the fear of actual success. If I get to live the "writer's life" what makes me special enough to do so? Of course it balloons out to who will be my friend just for the money? and how many people will start contacting me asking me for monetary help? How much more shallow will my life become if I'm making more than I need?
Alison – September 14, 2011 at 1:11 pm
I read somewhere that the opportunities for work as a copywriter are not nearly as plentiful as presented in the program - so much competition, I guess - this causes me to hesitate out of a fear of wasting my time and effort. I also fear that I am not technically (internet, websites, etc.) advanced enough to compete.
Guest (Dale) – September 14, 2011 at 9:02 pm
I bought Barefoot Copywriter a few days ago and have already read most of the initial downloadable content. First impression is that I have bought a long advertisement with very little training available in actual copywriting. It is obvious I am being steered towards the '6 Figure Copywriting Course' but I cannot afford it. Apart from this my main fear is that I will get into the 'chicken and egg' position of 'get no work because have no experience and have no experience because no work done.'
joe90 – September 15, 2011 at 5:36 am
Hey Christina. Thanks for the great articles. It is very true that you need motivation and a positive attitude to be successful in the freelance market. My father was a successful freelance cartoonist in the "barefoot" lifestyle, but he still got about 5-10 rejections a day... but just kept chugging along.
By the way, everyone here keeps talking about how they flunked English, dropped out etc. You are starting to make those of us with good grades and degrees feel bad! COPYWRITERSSSS!
Guest (Adam) – September 15, 2011 at 10:26 am
My fear is succeeding, and getting comfortable with the success, then losing it all. It's happened before, just by bad luck or "wrong place, wrong time" sort of thing. I did have a peek into the Accelerated Copywriter program, but I am skeptical to purchase and not get anything out of it.
Nita – September 15, 2011 at 3:00 pm
To Screenquest: We always tend to underestimate ourselves. I'm sure your writing is very good, especially because you've been using it in your "regular" job! You can be a "real" copywriter as soon as you say you are!!
To benignbullet: I've found that most clients don't ask - or care - if you have a degree, they just want results. Luckily, no matter which path you choose, AWAI will show you how to get results so you can find clients.
Christina Gillick – September 19, 2011 at 8:33 pm
To DonnaInMontana: I spent a lot of time changing my road/path and thinking I could do it better than the writers who have come before me.
Finally, I just gave in and did it their way - that did the trick. :)
My advice is to pick a path that has been successful for someone else and follow that as closely as possible. Good luck!
Christina Gillick – September 19, 2011 at 8:33 pm
To Alison: This fear has held me back many times. Finally, I decided to just pretend it didn't exist. :) It wasn't easy at first, but now I barely remember feeling that way.
If your fear is thinking you're not special enough to live the writer's life, that just isn't true. If you put in the time and effort, you are certainly special enough!
Also, you don't have to make a ton of money or become shallow. The writer's life is great because you can work as much - or as little - as you want.
Christina Gillick – September 19, 2011 at 8:38 pm
To Dale: I haven't found that to be true, but it's possible the niche I've chosen (personal development) isn't as full as others.
However, I honestly believe if you really want to live the writer's life, there are plenty of opportunities (no matter which niche you choose) - and there are more created every day.
Christina Gillick – September 19, 2011 at 8:39 pm
To joe90: That is a common fear. But, surprisingly, I've learned many clients don't need to see a ton of experience to give a copywriter a chance.
If you do the course and complete the spec assignments, you'll have more than enough to build a nice portfolio.
I know this probably isn't what you want to hear, but if you're serious about copywriting, the 6 figure course is the way to go.
Christina Gillick – September 19, 2011 at 8:40 pm
To Adam: Thank you for your input!
Sometimes it's hard to deal with rejection, but, like you pointed out, it's important to realize that even the best, most experienced, professional writers do get rejections. It's just part of writing. Once writers learn that, everything gets so much easier.
And, I didn't realize we were making you feel bad -- I'll try to keep quiet about how you don't have to get a degree to succeed as a writer. ;)
Christina Gillick – September 19, 2011 at 8:41 pm
To Nita: I'm sorry that happened to you! I can certainly understand why you'd be afraid to try again. I think the old saying, "Lightning never strikes the same place twice," might apply here.
I wish you the best of luck in dusting yourself off and giving it another go - You can do this!!
Christina Gillick – September 19, 2011 at 8:42 pm
my biggest fear - that no matter what, I'm still just a bus drivers kid
Guest (Deadlyd) – October 7, 2011 at 3:20 pm