Annette Elton

AWAI Member Since: 2005
Age: 36

What’s your current occupation?

Freelance Copywriter

What’s your former occupation?

Office Manager for Physical Therapy Practice

What was the first project you landed?

Using the skills and tools I’d learned from AWAI’s copywriting program, I landed my first paying client before I’d finished my third installment. A software manufacturer needed an overhaul of their auto-responder/email campaign.

What are your current projects?

Currently I’m working on creating landing pages for several vertical markets for a software buyer’s guide. I’m also working with a consultant to create a book out of some of his writings, and I just finished an email campaign for an information marketer.

What has been your proudest copywriting moment?

My proudest moment was landing a client that told me he just finished working on a project with Bob Bly. I never imagined that I’d share a client with my mentor and one of the greatest copywriters ever!

What’s your favorite niche to write for?

Information marketing

What is your income goal for this year?

$100,000

What’s your writing routine?

I’m a morning person, so I usually get started around 7:00 a.m., after a healthy cup (or three) of coffee. I generally take a break around 2:00 to get outside and exercise. If the muse still has a hold of me, I go back to work. If not, I call it a day and spend the rest of the afternoon planning or visiting with friends.

Please give us an example of how your life has changed since becoming a copywriter.

I’m a single mother with two children. Prior to working as a copywriter, I was living a good life, but it wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be. Now I can go on field trips with my children, I can afford to buy them the things they need, and I don’t have to worry day-to-day where the time or money is going to come from. My quality of life – and my family’s quality of life – has significantly improved.

What success tip would you like to share with your fellow writers?

I’d like to advise writers to leave their ego at the door. Too many clients have complained about other writers they’ve worked with. Many clients prefer to have a consultative and collaborative relationship, and if you bring your ego with you, you’re risking the quality of the project and your future with your client.

When did you realize you were living the copywriter’s life?

I knew I was going to make it as a copywriter, and live the life I wanted to, when I was able to quit my job and pursue writing full-time – actually only five months after I began AWAI’s program!