Build Your Copywriting Business

When Ashley joined the CCA in May 2019, she struggled to take the steps she knew she needed to take to get her business off the ground. But come 2020, she came back at it determined to use her skills to make a difference for BIPOC businesses. In this episode, Ashley reflects on how copywriting changed her life, the hurdles she faced as a Black and Hispanic business owner, and inspiring insights she gained as she and her partner navigated her new-found career and ambition. Mentioned in This Episode Ashley’s PortfolioConnect with Ashley on LinkedIn Related Links How to Set Up Your Schedule When Working from HomeImposter Syndrome: What It Is and How to Keep it From Derailing Your Copywriting CareerOne Question That Can Literally Change Your LifeWhy Setbacks and “Failures” Don’t Mean What You Think They DoYour Goal Should Be to Love Your Career. Period. --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

You sent a pitch to a client and the client is interested. Now what?! Nicki and Kate walk through a typical project process, from the first call with your client all the way through sending your invoice, and every step in between. Even if if you're a copywriter who has been working for awhile, you'll want to listen to this episode to get tips for how you may be able to improve your project process. And, if you're newer to copywriting, this may help ease an anxiety you may have about working with your first clients. Mentioned on this episode What is Concepting? (Instagram Live) Related Links What Kind of People Do Copywriters Work With --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

If you're interested in copywriting or you've begun your business, you may be curious about how much you'll need to invest to get your business off the ground. Good news: you do not need to shell out a lot of money to start a copywriting career. In fact, there's only 1 thing you need as a copywriter: your website. On this episode, Nicki and Kate dig into all kinds of free tools available to copywriters and break down common software and services that copywriters think they need why you don't actually need to spend money on them. Remember: anything you invest in should pay for itself. Be careful of confusing making progress with making a purchase. Mentioned on This Episode: 5 Sites to Help You Build Your Online PortfolioNumber One Spec Ad MistakeMoo.com and Vistaprint.com Related Links: How Much Does it Cost to Set Up a Copywriting Business?3 Knock-Out Copywriter Portfolios and Why We Love Them4 Things Most Copywriters Get Wrong on Their Portfolio WebsitesWhy Every Copywriter Needs a Standalone Portfolio SiteHow Do You Build Your Portfolio? --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

Working with clients, we're in charge of managing tons of little requests coming in on calls, via email, on Slack, and any number of other platforms your clients may use for communication. It's crucial to your long-term success (and landing repeat work with clients!) that you have an effective system for managing all these requests. Nicki and Kate dig into tips and tricks they use to ensure nothing gets lost so you can provide the best service possible—and never make your clients question whether or not you're the right copywriter to work with.  Note: On this episode Nicki mentions the book "Get Stuff Done." The book she is referring to is "Getting Things Done" by David Allen. Mentioned on this episode Todoist.comGetting Things Done Related Links The Surefire Way to Get Repeat Copywriting WorkThe System Copywriters Need to Efficiently Get Work DoneWhy You Should Consider Ultra-Scheduling for Productivity6 Habits of Successful Copywriters --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

When Kate Kosydar first discovered copywriting, she had been working full time in the faith-based nonprofit world for more than a decade and was ready for a change. She talks about why she continued to pursue copywriting, even after taking another copywriting course she didn't find valuable, and how she realized her original definition of copywriting (being "salesy" or selling out her values) was not at all what it actually ended up being for her copywriting career.  You can make a difference as a copywriter working with businesses you believe in and honoring your values. Spoiler: she has nearly doubled her former full-time salary—working part time, and she and her husband have managed to pay off their student loans. Kate also touches on living in a more rural area and the benefits of being able to work remote with her clients. Note: We mention "Pitchapalooza" on this episode, which is an annual four-week event for Comprehensive Copywriting Academy students that gets everyone writing and sending their first pitches.  Mentioned on this episode: Kate's PortfolioGlennon Doyle Wants you to Abandon Identity Related Links: How Do I Know If I’m Ready to Pitch Copywriting Clients?Copywriting Q&A: The Three Steps to Career Change --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

In this episode, three CCA students each sit down with Nicki and Kate to ask their most pressing questions. These 10-minute laser coaching sessions are designed to help students overcome their biggest roadblock so they can continue making progress on their goals. First, Nicki and Kate talk with Abigail about pricing and the feast or famine cycle. Then, Lindsey asks about the best way to approach a Discovery Call. Finally, Debbie wants to figure out how she can get more bites on her pitches, so Nicki and Kate talk about effective subject lines and making sure you find the right email for the pitch. Even though it’s not you in the hot seat, there’s plenty you can takeaway and apply to your own copywriting business!  Related Links: 5 Ways to Vastly Improve Your Pitches to Would-Be Copywriting ClientsHow to Mess Up a Call with a Prospective ClientThe System Copywriters Need to Efficiently Get Work Done --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

The reason why some copywriters fail isn't because of any inherent characteristic. Usually copywriters who "fail" fall into one of two camps: they don't have training or a system for landing clients, or they have training, but are afraid of failure. If you fall into the first camp, you'll want to first get training. If you fall into the second camp, you'll want to listen to today's episode. Nicki and Kate walk through what you can do to move past "fear of failure" as a roadblock. First step? Knowing "failure" is a bit of a misnomer. There is quitting, but as long as you're continuing to take action, then there's no such thing as "failure." --------------- Related Links Why People Tell You Copywriting is Hard to Get IntoFight These 10 Fears with a Systematic Process --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here.

Whereas copy is designed to get your audience to take action, content is designed to entertain, inspire, or educate. Of course, many copywriters also write content for their clients.  If you're a copywriter looking to add content, or a content writer who is learning to write copy, this episode is for you. Find out why copywriting makes you a far more effective content writer, why you can charge your copywriting rates for content, and where to include content within your portfolio (especially if you don't want to be marked as a novice).  --------------- Mentioned in This Episode What’s the Difference Between Content and Copy? Related Links How To Reign Supreme with ContentWhere Content Belongs on Your Copywriting Portfolio Site --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here.

Grace Nelson, and her business partner Charlotte, have spent the last 4 years working with women globally in corporate to start and grow businesses. Their unique model, Think.Create.Initiate, provides an accelerated pathway by taking away the overwhelm of what appears with a simple Google search: "how to start an online business." This method helps business owners hit their first 1K month before going on to 10X their income using a personalized rinse and repeat system. On this episode, Grace joins the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast to talk about this method, as well as tips and tricks for building and scaling your business while working a 9-to-5 job. (Don't miss the 23 Ways to Get Clients cheat sheet!) --------------- 23 Ways to Get Clients Cheat Sheet: https://bit.ly/23WaysToGetMoreClients --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here.

When Dorothy became disable by a chronic illness, she not only had to learn to manage her symptoms, but she had to leave her job. That upheaval lead her to copywriting and creating the job she needed for herself.  When Nicki first talked with Dorothy, it was early 2020 when she was just starting to pitch. You'll hear that conversation first where she shares what led her to copywriting, how she takes action even when she doesn't feel ready, and the importance of making small, reachable goals.  Then, you'll hear Nicki, Dorothy, and Kate in spring of 2021. Dorothy catches us up on where she is now and why all copywriters, healthy or not, really need to pay attention to their emotional, physical, and mental energy. Listen in for Dorothy's tips on how to be intentional when structuring your copywriting businesses for long-term success. Find Dorothy on Instagram @dorothycopy and check out her portfolio at www.DorothyCopy.com --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here: https://filthyrichwriter.com/free-video-training