Mark Kwasny
AWAI Member Since: 2000
Age: 41
What’s your current occupation?
Direct-Response Copywriter
What’s your former occupation?
Stay-at-Home Dad
What was the first project you landed?
My first paying project was shortly after I completed AWAI’s six-figure program. I was paid $2,000 to write a direct-mail letter for a magazine called The New American.
What are your current projects?
I’m currently a copywriter with The Motley Fool. I write email, web, and ad copy … and everything in between.
What has been your proudest copywriting moment?
Writing a liftnote for an existing email promo that brought in an additional $425,000.
What’s your favorite niche to write for?
What is your income goal for this year?
$100,000
What’s your writing routine?
Since I work for The Motley Fool, I don’t have the luxury of a routine! I get into work, check the financial headlines for the day, then start writing for the projects at hand. And on the days I have trouble getting started, I’ll copy a direct-mail piece by typing it into my word processor to get the juices flowing.
Please give us an example of how your life has changed since becoming a copywriter.
More than anything else, I have gained confidence in my writing and my ability to carry through on the projects I start. This confidence carries over into everything I tackle in life. Persistence and perseverance win the day.
What success tip would you like to share with your fellow writers?
As simple as it may sound, here it is … don’t quit! If you decide you want to be a copywriter, then be one. That means doing, not quitting. There’s no such thing as a quitter who became a copywriter.
When did you realize you were living the copywriter’s life?
When AWAI contacted me to be on their “Wall of Fame”!
