An Unexpected Business-Booster …
By Chris Allsop

One of the things I appreciate most about my job is the freedom it’s given me to build my freelance business.

Let me explain with a story …

About three years ago, something caught my eye in AWAI’s Week in Review. Dan Kennedy was looking to hire six AWAI-trained copywriters to review and provide comments on a promotion he was working on. (This is why I encourage you to read AWAI’s emails every week. You never know what opportunities might come up!)

As it was, I didn’t meet the criteria to get a paid contract. But, I did have the background to work as a “copy critic” for free. And, of course, thanks to my job, I had the ability to do just that. So, I sent in my application letter, saying I would do the work without a fee. Not long after, I received a thick packet in the mail. It was a bound document of ideas and portions of copy for a new promotional campaign for a national client Dan was working on.

Wow! I not only got to work with Dan Kennedy, I also had an inner glimpse of the process he uses to develop copy for a major client.

Now, I should add that I have three teenage daughters. Two of them actually used the product. So, I knew it well. As I pored over Dan’s copy, I found points I didn’t agree with. But then, self-doubt crept in. How could I, a copywriting cub, critique the work of master copywriter Dan Kennedy?

Well, since I was working for free, I decided to “go for it.” After all, what did I have to lose? And because of that feeling of freedom, I was able to submit 12 pages of suggestions and comments.

A few weeks went by. I was now working on my new website, so I was collecting testimonials from the clients I had so far. Then, it occurred to me. Why not ask Dan Kennedy for a testimonial? Once again, I told myself, what do I have to lose?

So, off went my request. To my great delight, a few days later, I had Dan’s testimonial in my hands. And it’s still on my website homepage today.

This is one example of the opportunities I’ve been able to take advantage of, thanks to my job. All have helped me build my freelance business on my own terms and without any pressure. And the great news is you can do it, too. I’ll share more of these opportunities with you tomorrow.