Carol Parks

AWAI Member Since: 2003
Age: 56

What's your current occupation?

Health Copywriter

What's your former occupation?

Piano instructor for 26 years while raising my five children and home-educating them. Also sold real estate and life insurance at various points, organized programs at a tennis club, but mostly was my childrens' primary teacher, coach, and counselor..

What was the first project you landed?

My first project was with a major online alternative health company -- a direct result of completing a Bootcamp spec assignment for them. The day I was ready to throw in the towel on a career in copywriting was the same day I heard back from them with the invitation to join them. That was in February, 2007.

Note: Like many, I first joined AWAI in 2003, but the course sat on my bookshelf for three years. I didn't study the course or attend Bootcamp until 2006. The reason I registered for Bootcamp that year was to give myself a mandatory deadline for completing the course.

What are your current projects?

I'm still on retainer with Mercola which keeps me very busy, as well as writing for other smaller clients. In addition, I'm currently working through the Marlow Marketing Method program with Chris Marlow, getting my web site written and up, writing all my collateral materials, and working on an information product.

What has been your proudest copywriting moment?

I don't know that I can pick just one moment. A few come to mind … Getting a control … Working on retainer with Mercola.com …Receiving a compliment on work I've done especially if the client is hard to please … Being asked by a client for input on marketing strategy (and then learning they followed through on the input) …

What's your favorite niche to write for?

Alternative Health, Fitness, and Tennis

What's your income goal for this year?

$100,000

What's your writing routine?

I generally get up around 5:30 and exercise (treadmill/eliptical) while reading either a promo, marketing book, or Dan Kennedy newsletter. Then I grab coffee and some breakfast, shower, and get down to serious writing. I work till about noon, barely taking any break … eat lunch with my remaining at-home daughter, take her to her classes at community college, when I 'transfer' my office to a nearby coffee shop or some quiet location on her campus. I always work while she's in class, trying to do the less-intense work in the afternoon when I'm not in my home office, though it doesn't always work out that way. Depending on the day, I may return to my home office for a couple hours more work, or knock off about 4 or 5. Usually I re-check emails, do light editing, or other less-demanding projects for an hour or two after 8pm. And yes, I do work at least part of most every weekend … It's rare for me to take an entire weekend off but that's a habit I need to break.

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

I have a bit of wanderlust in me. I've even been accused of being part gypsy. So one of the things I wanted more than anything was the ability to pack up my laptop and work from wherever. My children are scattered from Washington, DC to Honolulu, and now I can go see them, my business in tow. With my piano studio and the other jobs I had, I was so tied to one location that if I traveled, I didn't make any money.

Secondly, I knew a long time ago that I would make a terrible employee. I was burnt out on teaching young kids, had read a whole bookshelf of marketing books through the years. I was anxious to make a change to a career path that was a better fit for me, and copywriting fit the bill.

Thirdly -- living in a state with an economy that's been in a slump for seven years -- I was absolutely delighted to start getting paid outside of Michigan. While no job anywhere is secure these days, Michigan has been particularly hard-hit, and for several years now there have been rumors that the Big Three would take down every auto supplier with them. My husband's job was therefore very insecure. Fortunately my husband and the company he works for has survived. But my copywriting income has definitely increased our peace of mind in a very uncertain economy.

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

Prepare, practice, and promote yourself. Always work on your skills even if you don't have a paying assignment. It sounds trite, but everything worthwhile takes time. If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it. To everything there is a learning curve …

Also, set written goals for yourself. If you aim at 'nothing', you'll hit it every time. Writing your goals cements them in your mind and heart. AWAI offers so much training. You could make one of your goals be to complete a new course this year.

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

When I got my first major check from an out-of-state client, I knew my copywriting career was kicking into gear, and I was thrilled. I thought about framing the check for posterity but more practical considerations led me to do otherwise.

Now, every time I travel and work at the same time, I realize again how blessed I am to have a career in copywriting. This business gives me the flexibility to meet the needs of my family while still running a business.