Wall of Fame
AWAI Member Since: 2003
Age: 38
What's your current occupation?
Financial Copywriter
What's your former occupation?
Most recently, 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 writer at Stansberry & Associates, an affiliate of Agora. I feel very fortunate to work along side some really great copywriters that teach me something new everyday.
I also still have a few old freelance clients call me from time to time in other niches.
What has been your proudest copywriting moment?
Being one of the winners of the 2008 Bootcamp Challenge 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?
What's your income goal for this year?
$75,000
What's your writing routine?
I’m usually at the office by 6 or 7 am and read current promos. I then work out for an hour before settling in to write/research on my current project.
I'll also 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.
I usually eat lunch at my desk and then try to wrap up around 3 or 4.
Then I head home and relax with the family. 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 I’m 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 moved 600 miles for the opportunity to work with the writers at Stansberry.
I love the company where I 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 you’re willing to truly commit to being a great copywriter.
It was only 4 ½ 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.
