Wall of Fame
AWAI Member Since: 2003
Age: 40
What's your current occupation?
Personal Development and Financial Copywriter
What's your former occupation?
In 2008 before copywriting, I owned my own Handyman Business. But, I have sold insurance, annuities, home improvement products and even knives. I have delivered pizza, newspapers and flyers. I have worked 3rd shift in a factory, waited tables and worked at a trade show display company just to name a few. And the good news is that as I move through my copywriting career, I believe all those experiences will pay huge dividends.
What was the first project you landed?
An advertorial for a local in-home water treatment company. It took me about 8 hours to write a one page ad that looked like a community newsletter. They paid me $800 for that one page.
Better yet, it was the most successful ad he'd ever used in 16 years in the business. I think he said he ended up closing nearly $100,000 in sales off of that one ad. So you can see, what we do as a copywriter is worth every penny we charge.
What are your current projects?
Currently, I am a full-time Freelance Copywriter for the personal development and financial niches. I also have a White Paper production company. I feel very fortunate to work along side some really great copywriters that teach me something new everyday.
What has been your proudest copywriting moment?
Being one of the winners of the 2008 Bootcamp Challenge (and again in 2010) was huge validation for me. It gave me the extra confidence to move forward very aggressively in my pursuit to become a full-time copywriter.
What's your favorite niche to write for?
Personal Development and Financial
What's your income goal for this year?
Mid Six Figures
What's your writing routine?
Im usually at my desk by 7 am and take care of mypersonaldevotions andjournal writing before I get into my main writing project for the day. I'll do that until around noon or 2pm before moving on to non-writingactivities.
I spend lots of time reading books from the masters of copywriting, sales, psychology and finance or whatever else might help me find a new idea for a promo and develop my skills.
I usually eat lunch at my desk and then try to wrap up around 3 or 4 and do whatever.
After dinner, I read/write some more. I find that for me, my mind needs the rest mid afternoon.
I also try to write for a few blogs and Im putting together a few niche info-publishing sites.
Please give us an example of how your life has changed since becoming a copywriter.
It's quite a switch from installing light fixtures, painting and all the handyman tasks I used to do.
I uprooted my entire family and moved 600 miles for the opportunity to work with the writers at Stansberry. Now we're back in knoxville and I live in a beautiful house on the 8th green of a private golf course.
I love the work and enjoy the challenge even though it is much more difficult than I imagined it would be.
Best of all my life is now focused on being a copywriter without all the distractions I had when I was trying to be a copywriter part-time.
What success tip would you like to share with your fellow writers?
Commitment. Nothing happens until youre willing to truly commit to being a great copywriter.
It was only 4 months from the time I made the promise to myself to become a full-time copywriter that I got the job at Stansberry. Now granted, I had laid some ground work up to that point. But had I not committed in October of 2008 to being a full-time copywriter by the end of 2009, I seriously doubt anything would have changed.
When did you realize you were living the copywriter's life?
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.
