Closing Article in Series

Article 5 of 5 for series "Setting Your Goal of Becoming a Copywriter"

In closing ...

This is just a minute step into the world of copywriting. Hopefully, it's helped you decide whether or not going for a career in copywriting is right for you.

Your attitude towards copywriting and your goals will help determine how successful you are.

Writing is often a wonderful profession. You get to explore so many topics, learn so much about the world and the people in it, often helping others better their lives through knowledge of a product or service.

But that doesn't mean that it's easy. You have to be willing to make mistakes and to learn from them. Mike Masterson calls this 'accelerated failures'. Every copywriter out there will try different things and will experience both successes and failures. You must be bold enough to push through the failures, find out what went wrong and make the steps to do better next time.

As a freelancer, you often work in solitude. If you're an introvert who prefers to be by yourself, this won't be so bad. But for some it can be darn nerve wracking. You need to understand this will happen and pattern your work habits to minimize this possible stress. Schedule time for a luncheon date a few times a week. Make sure you visit your gym regularly or take long walks. Make time for your family. Don't feel as if you must isolate yourself from the world in order to do your job.

People don't understand that you can make a living at writing. So, before you do make it, they are likely to suggest you try something more conventional, like McDonalds. It's up to you to keep your goals in sight and to learn positive thinking.

If you have a supportive spouse who believes in what you're trying to achieve and supports you, great. That's definitely a keeper! Nurture your relationship with your family members. You need their support, whether they understand the potential of freelance writing or not. My mother is one of those who believes you need to work for someone and then hold on to that job no matter what. But she's also one of my biggest supporters. Of course, I get more latitude with her because I have a husband who works to make the bills while I quit my job for copywriting (wonderful man) and she's old-fashioned, so it's okay for me to play because I'm the woman. But still... she is great about her support.

Soon, you're really making your paycheck at the writing, working a flexible schedule that allows you to take time off when you need family or personal time, and able to afford it. Then, people will believe in your writing career, and you may find a few curious enough to explore copywriting and decide to try it too.

If you're sure you want to be a copywriter, then you need to adopt the B.I.G. attitude.

B - believe in yourself.
I - invest in yourself.
G - go for it!

Have fun!


Starter List of Resources



These copywriters put out good products, posts, and newsletters about copywriting and marketing:

Clayton Makepeace - http://www.totalmakepeacepackage.com
Bob Bly - http://www.bly.com
Ryan Healy - http://www.ryanhealy.com
John Carlton - http://www.john-carlton.com/
Carline Anglade-Cole - http://www.carlinecole.com/
Armand Morin - http://www.armandmorin.com/ (internet marketer)
Michael Stelzner - http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/ (White papers, but goes into other areas too and provides good leads to other sources.)
Michael Masterson - http://www.michaelmasterson.net/

Those are just a few, but they will give you plenty of fuel to get started with.

My suggested source for copywriting courses is AWAI at http://www.awaionline.com
Also look at professional copywriters. Many have taken the role of mentoring seriously and offer their own courses or events throughout the year.

Sign up for Early To Rise's newsletter at http://www.earlytorise.com Loads of valuable information.

Good selection for starting your library:
The Copywriter's Handbook by Bob Bly
Ready, Fire, Aim! by Michael Masterson
Zig Ziglar's Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar
Secrets of A Freelance Writer by Bob Bly
Selling Your Services by Bob Bly

Get your free copy of Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins at http://www.scientificadvertising.com/

See what you'll be writing as a copywriter at http://www.hardtofindads.com - this site has plenty of copywriting examples to study and learn from.

Starting out can be scary. Just remember, adopt a B.I.G. attitude and you'll get there.



"I'm so optimistic, I'd go after Moby Dick in a row boat and take the tartar sauce with me."
Taken from Zig Ziglar's Little PDF of Big Quotes ( http://www.ziglar.com/index.php )