How to Know When You’re Good Enough
“I’m not ready …”
“My copy isn’t good enough …”
“How will clients know I’m good enough?”
Rebecca Matter here – dispelling some of the biggest myths in the copywriting industry. Ones that may be holding you back from having a very successful copywriting career.
Today’s myth is the one I hear used as an excuse on a weekly basis for not getting started …
Myth #1 – It takes years of experience to turn out good copy.
I’m going to be honest with you …
And it’s going to annoy a few successful copywriters who believe this myth to be true …
As long as you have a foundation in persuasive writing, your copy is probably good enough.
Sure, you’ll get better and better as time goes on and you gain more experience.
But that doesn’t mean you need to wait to start getting paid to write copy.
There are literally hundreds of thousands of companies who would gladly pay you to write their sales letters, video scripts, e-newsletters, landing pages, social media updates, website copy, white papers, case studies, online content, blog posts … the list is quite extensive.
When it comes down to it, you don’t have to be an expert to make a great living as a copywriter. You don’t have to know everything.
You just have to know more than your client.
If you study just one copywriting program, there’s a good chance you’ll already know way more about copywriting than your client. This means you’ll be able to talk intelligently about the subject to a prospect or a marketer.
And, if that one copywriting program is the Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting, you’re going to have powerful tools to help you deliver winning copy. Tools like the 4 U’s … which is, hands down, the SUREST way to guarantee a winning headline … to AWAI’s Peer Review System, which ensures your idea and lead are strong and engaging … to the highly effective CUBA system we use to evaluate all of our finished content before it gets published or broadcast.
And, if something comes up that you don’t know? Simply tell your client you’ll look into it and get back to them. And then, take advantage of the many resources available to you from AWAI to find the answer.
With each new question, request or task, you’ll find your knowledge snowballs, so eventually you’ll become an indispensable resource for your clients.
So, take heart, you don’t have to be an expert. And there’s more than enough copy that needs to be written. Which means plenty of opportunity for you to build a solid monthly income for yourself.
Ready to get started with your copywriting career? Or, are you already doing it and have information to share with your fellow writers? Whether you have comments or questions, I invite you to post them here.
Tomorrow, I’m going to tell you about the one thing most mediocre copywriters rely on … and what you should do instead, to be a step above the rest.
The AWAI Method™ for Becoming a Skilled, In-Demand Copywriter
The AWAI Method™ combines the most up-to-date strategies, insights, and teaching methods with the tried-and-true copywriting fundamentals so you can take on ANY project — not just sales letters. Learn More »
Thank you Rebecca. So well said.
No one is good the first time they try something new, yet improvements come with practice.
Remember, the average business owner has no clue of how the proven formula increase response.
Guest (Brad Lloyd) –
Wow! Yup, all of the above. I am trusting my gut to tell me when I know enough to actually stick my neck out and try for a paid writing assignment. But I've given myself until I finish the 'Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting' course and then I'll have run out of excuses. Then I'll have to dive in head first and go for the gold.
Heather M –
Good Day Rebecca, this has been a most informative experience for me thus far. I was thinking of the future when I might be a graduate of AWAI and land a paying job. I am leaning toward sales letters for I don't know who just yet. But, I want to know when I land a job can I have my assignment first draft be critiqued by you before it goes to the client? As always, I look forward to your response. Thank You.
Guest (Viola) –
Ages ago when I seriously considered a career in advertising, and I had some enviable connections in Chicago, where I Lived. ButI heard how uncertain the field is, how unpredictable the life of a copywriter, especially a newbie, can be. If you do a great job on the XYZ account and the firm loses the ABC account, you're fired and Joe, who worked on ABC, takes your place. Even now in NYC the word is that unemployment is high in advertising. "You want to be a copywriter? Good luck!"
Richard Lacey –
I've recently enrolled in the "Accelerated Program..." and I've begun the practice exercises. I feel like I'm jumping into the deep end of the pool without knowing how to swim well, but the sterling advice handed out at the start of the program: "just keep moving ahead." is, so far serving me well.
Dr. Ben
Guest (dr ben) –
comment on RL. Years ago, I figured out that whatever I see, experience or have in my life is the result of my error thinking. I believe that whatever is happening in my life is a direct result of my thinking. I believe that with some knowledge and people I can ask for advise I will be successful a copywriter.
question. How does one go about finding companies that are in need of a copy writer? Do you just go on-line and start asking the millions of companies in this world.
Guest (shaman) –
Katie, One of the myths is that you can't "just write" anything that actually makes you any money.
Another is that if you don't know a person in that company, they will not let you write anything, let alone pay you.
Just what I heard.
PatriciaPjrs –
This was a great post to help us hurdle some typical thought-barriers. Thanks Rebecca.
Fabian –
@Brad Lloyd - thank you! I appreciate the feedback, and the insights. You are so right! Rebecca
Rebecca Matter –
@Heather M - WOO HOO! I love how you've set yourself a deadline. Please keep us posted when you do land that paid assignment, and if you hit any roadblocks or have questions, let me know! I'm always happy to help you get unstuck. Good luck, Rebecca
Rebecca Matter –
@Viola - definitely start giving some though to who you want to write for (and what you want to write about). It will make landing your first assignment that much easier because you'll know who to target. It's hard to critique copy for product or service you're not familiar with - which is why we don't offer critiquing services at AWAI (unless you're writing for us in which case we know the product inside and out!). But we'll encourage you to form a peer review group (we go over it in the program) so that you can get some feedback from other copywriters. We use the system to review all of our copy in-house, and encourage copywriters to do the same when working for clients. Good luck! Rebecca
Rebecca Matter –
@Richard Lacey - I remember when I graduated from college everyone in advertising went the agency route. They were paid peanuts, worked their butts off, and often were treated the way you mentioned in your comment. If only they had been introduced to freelance copywriting back then! We have this awesome AWAI Member Rae Robinson (I think you know her from the Web Intensives), who found our course when she was still in school. She graduated, opened her freelance copywriting business full time, and is already booked solid. She'll never have to take a full-time job. It's crazy! :)
Rebecca Matter –
@Dr. Ben - glad to hear you're moving forward. And let us know if there's anything else we can do to help. We're here! Good luck, Rebecca
Rebecca Matter –
@ shaman - first decide what types of companies you want to work for and what you want to write about. For example, companies who sell health supplements for the 55+ market. Then search the internet by putting yourself in the shoes of the buyer - in this example, someone looking for a natural supplement to fix an ailment relevant to 55+ people. Maybe search: "health supplement arthritis." Look to see who is advertising for that phrase and what websites appear to have good copy and good marketing. It's counter-intutivive, but you clients who value their marketing! Then start contacting, letting them know that you specialize in writing copy for their market. It's a simple example, but I'm limited to 750 characters. Hope that helps! Rebecca
Rebecca Matter –
@TheLioness59 - I've not heard those myths, so thank you! The first one, that you can't write anything that will make you money is hilarious. Just search the web and you'll find loads of examples and fees you can expect to receive. Things like online articles ($200-$400), e-newsletters ($250-$1,000), promotional emails ($250-$1,000), video scripts ($200-$300 per screen minute), and landing pages ($450-$1,000). As for the second myth - that you have to know someone at the company - connections are always valuable! And if you do know someone it can help get your foot in the door. But most copywriters do not get jobs because they have a "friend on the inside." They get the job because they demonstrate their value. Good myths! Rebecca
Rebecca Matter –
@Fabian - you're welcome!
Rebecca Matter –
Rebecca, you wrote this just for me, right? Well, it seemed like it. I tend to be a perfectionist (which also means I tend to drag things out till they are perfect, or feel I have all the bases covered). This article is what I needed to hear to get me to where I want to be sooner than later. Thank you.
Wes Fahlenkamp –