Susan Nickerson

AWAI Member Since: 2004
Age: 51

What’s your current occupation?

Copywriter

What’s your former occupation?

Chiropractor and Physical Therapist

What was the first project you landed?

I submitted 2 spec assignments from Bootcamp 2005 and got clients from both of them (alternative health field). They’re still my major clients today.

What are your current projects?

I’m heading up a copywriting team in charge of copy for a major alternative health website. I also write for an alternative health newsletter and a few other assorted projects.

What has been your proudest copywriting moment?

Getting an unexpected $15,000 bonus!

What’s your favorite niche to write for?

Alternative health and self-help, but would like to do some fundraising. I also work on my own info products, too.

What is your income goal for this year?

$120,000-150,000 (my second full year as a copywriter)

What’s your writing routine?

It took me awhile to realize that I needed to schedule writing time. (It is work, you know.) So now I head upstairs after breakfast and do my most demanding, creative work before lunch. Later in the day I do little stuff, like correspondence or research. I like to maintain some flexibility, however.

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

No need to drive many miles to go to a J-O-B. I enjoy sitting at my desk watching the snow fall while I work. No huge overhead like with my professional practice. I’m finally getting serious about socking away money for retirement. Plus, I’m traveling more.

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

Just keep writing, keep reading and do spec assignments. Don’t worry about the money at first – it will come if you’re persistent.

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

When I got stares from the mail carrier for answering the door in my pajamas (my occasional work clothes) in the middle of the day.