Build Your Copywriting Business

Whether you want to work as a copywriter on staff or as a freelancer, it’s always worth taking a look at job listings. (But remember: job postings are just a small fraction of the available opportunities!) The trouble is, many people get discouraged when they see the dreaded line: “Must have at least two years of experience”. One of the biggest mistakes people make when looking at job descriptions is taking everything as written in stone. But that is absolutely *not* the case! In fact, they’re really more of a wish list for the company. (And frankly, some are like that kid who writes to Santa Claus asking for the ability to fly!) In this episode, Nicki and Kate unpick some real LinkedIn copywriting job postings to show us why we shouldn’t say “no” to ourselves before someone else does. --------------- Mentioned on this Episode This Brand-New Copywriter Landed a Senior Copywriting Role Related Links Why Companies Requiring Experience for Copywriting Jobs is a Good ThingHow to Land Copywriting Work with an Ad AgencyToo Afraid to Pitch? Business Owners WANT Your Copywriting PitchesWhy Freelance Copywriters Should Still Apply to Full-Time JobsSupercharged Job-Hunting Tactics --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

There’s a reason Dolly Parton (and many others!) found success singing about why working the 9 to 5 sucks—for a lot of people, it just does. And when you’re neurodivergent like Comprehensive Copywriting Academy student and coach Cleo, it can almost feel impossible.  But since going freelance as a copywriter and being in control of nearly every aspect of her professional life, it has made it a lot easier for Cleo to thrive. Not only is she financially supporting herself as a single parent, she’s also working a heck of a lot less than 40 hours a week. In this episode, we hear all of the ways having a neurodivergent mind has been an asset for Cleo as a freelance copywriter and the wider impact it’s having on her personal life, too. Plus, we get to hear about a pretty mammoth win that puts her in a very exclusive club with the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald! --------------- Mentioned on this Episode 5 Books to Read Written by CopywritersView Cleo’s portfolioConnect with Cleo on LinkedIn Related Links Setting Boundaries as a CopywriterBuilding Your Career for Maximum FlexibilityTips for Neurodivergent Copywriters --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

As consumers, we are surrounded by discounts tempting us to make all kinds of purchases. So as a copywriter, it’s natural to ask yourself, “Should I offer discounts to customers?” Spoiler alert: Not a smart move. While discounts and sales might seem like a quick fix, they’re not a great way to start landing more clients. The good news is, there *are* ways to make yourself more marketable to potential clients. Listen in to find out the dangers of discounting your rates and how to effectively encourage potential clients to take action! --------------- Mentioned on this Episode How to Set Your Copywriting Rates Related Links Are Your Copywriting Prices Leaving Money on the Table?Why Most Advice About How to Price Your Services is Dead Wrong for YouCopywriting Is Only 1/3 Writing—Here’s Why That Affects How You ChargeSet Your Copywriting Business Up for Financial Success --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

It’s a question that pops into most aspiring—and even established—copywriters’ minds at some point: “What if I fail?” Our brains LOVE to catastrophize and fear the worst (just another great perk of being a human…). But if you notice yourself descending into a spiral of negative thoughts, the good news is that one simple method can combat all of your panic-inducing “what if” scenarios. If you’re the type of person who tends to give yourself a hard time over every little setback (yes, we’re looking at you, high achievers!), you’ll definitely want to listen in to today’s episode. Join Nicki and Kate as they unveil a powerful tactic to reboot your confidence and remind you that, yes, you *can* do this! --------------- Mentioned on this Episode Why Some Copywriters Fail Related Links Why People Tell You “Copywriting Is Hard to Get Into”Fight These 10 Fears with a Systematic ProcessWhy Setbacks and “Failures” Don’t Mean What You Think They Do --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

As the owner of a freelance business, you *want* to keep growing but it can be hard to know where to go next in a way that stays true to your vision. And most importantly, how do you get there without burning out? As the leader, you’re steering the ship of your business solo, and it can feel lonely without anyone to help you make sense of what’s next.  Instead of following someone else’s roadmap or throwing more shiny objects at the problem, it’s time to craft your own path to success. Meet Jessica Lackey, a strategy and operations advisor who combines her wealth of experience working within a huge range of businesses—from global brands to solopreneurs—with a human-centered approach, to help entrepreneurs grow and scale sustainable businesses. She joins Nicki and Kate to help you think more deeply about your business’s challenges, goals, and how to build a solid foundation from the roots up. --------------- Mentioned on this Episode Visit Jessica’s WebsiteFollow Jessica on LinkedInFollow Jessica on Instagram Related Links The Fastest Way to Grow Your Copywriting BusinessCareer Resolutions to Make Right NowYour Copywriting Business Plan for a Successful YearPreventing Burnout as a Copywriter5 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Copywriting Portfolio Site --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

Life has a funny way of coming full circle sometimes. But if you’d told ex-teacher Rebecca that, just ONE YEAR after signing up to the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy, she would be copywriting for the Filthy Rich Writer team…well, it’s safe to say she would have laughed in disbelief. In this episode, we find out the secret ingredient that set her pitch apart from the rest—and helped her land a client she *never* thought was possible. Listen in to hear more about how the CCA paved her escape route out of teaching, allowing her to enjoy more freedom and flexibility as a new mom. --------------- Mentioned on this Episode Rebecca’s PortfolioAre You Living in the Gap or the Gain? Related Links Transitioning Out of Teaching to Copywriting – George’s StoryHer Goal Was to Replace Her Teaching Income in 5 Months: She Did It in 6 WeeksGreat Summer Job for Teachers: CopywritingToo Afraid to Pitch? Business Owners WANT Your Copywriting Pitches --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

The arrival of a new year often sparks an enthusiasm that makes us set wildly ambitious resolutions. Shed 60 lbs? On it. Become fluent in French? Let’s go. And then would you believe it, a few weeks down the line, you’re done. One of the biggest reasons why resolutions are set up for failure is because we never stop to break it down into smaller steps. While we absolutely encourage you to have goals or resolutions (which, by the way, don’t have to start on January 1st!), we also need to make sure we take the *right* approach. In this episode, Nicki and Kate break down how to make our goals more effective, more fulfilling, and more fun! --------------- Mentioned on this Episode Fire a Copywriting Client—Without Burning Bridges Related Links Are You Living in the Gap or the Gain?Is Manifesting a Copywriting Career Bogus?Your Copywriting Business Plan for a Successful YearSet Your Future Self Up for Success Right Now --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

Whenever we embark on something new, it can be tempting to go out and buy allll the new accessories to help you get started. “But a shiny, new desk will make me *feel* professional…and THEN I can do the work, right?!” Well, we hate to break it to you but…a new desk is *not* going to magically boost your productivity.  In fact, the “urge to splurge” is often just resistance showing up and trying to distract us from doing the work we need to do. So in this episode, Nicki and Kate remind us of the absolute essentials to kickstart your copywriting career, as well as the “nice-to-haves” that might come further down the line (when you have regular income coming in!). --------------- Mentioned on this Episode Best Free Software for CopywritersDubSado (for client tracking and invoicing)Asana (for project management). Related Links What Software Do You Need to Run Your Copywriting Business?Home Office Essentials for a CopywriterWhat Does a Typical Copywriter Day Look Like? --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

You *know* LinkedIn is important for landing work but when it comes to building or updating your profile…well, taking a nap always seems like a better option. But LinkedIn can strongly impact your career and by taking the right steps to optimize your page, you could be attracting job leads and recruiter connections while you sleep! In this episode, Nicki and Kate are running through some of the most important changes that will zhuzh up your copywriter LinkedIn profile and make yourself irresistible to hiring managers, potential clients, and recruiters! --------------- Mentioned on this Episode What to Do Before Your Copywriting Interview  Related Links How to Optimize Your Copywriting LinkedIn PageYour Ideal Clients Want You to Pitch ThemBusiness Builder or Time Waster? --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

Have you ever scrolled past copywriting roles at big-name companies, feeling like they’re out of your league? “There’s no WAY they’d consider hiring someone like me!” Many of us have doubted whether those big, corporate giants would ever give us a shot. But today, we’re about to share a story that proves those internal doubts wrong… When Comprehensive Copywriting Academy student Shelby landed an interview at a big corporation, she certainly thought it was one of those “’too good to be true” scenarios. Little did she know, her unique approach would be key to standing out from the crowd and securing the position! Tune in to discover the two key ingredients that helped Shelby land the job of her dreams. --------------- Mentioned on this Episode View Shelby’s portfolio site Related Links Can Copywriting Be a Side Hustle?1 Year to a Senior Copywriter Promotion – Kelsey’s StoryWhy Freelance Copywriters Should Still Apply to Full-Time JobsHow To Prepare for a Copywriting InterviewAce These Copywriting Interview Questions to Land the Job --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

“Wait, my copy is going to be put to the test?! What?!” Anything that mentions the word “test” always sounds scary but don’t panic! When a client starts to talk to you about potentially running tests on your copy, this is something that you should not only embrace, but even be excited about. Testing your copy is a chance for you to better serve your client, allowing you to learn a lot about what resonates with a particular audience. In this episode, Nicki and Kate discuss how testing works, as well as different opportunities for testing copy that could help you deliver more value and drive better results. --------------- Mentioned on this Episode What is a Copywriting Test and Should You Do One? Related Links Know Your Copywriting NumbersCopywriting Metrics: What You Need to Know --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

We know by now that pitching clients is hands down the best way to control your workload and your income. But if you’re spending all your time pitching new clients, you could be missing a trick… Sometimes we forget that the easiest clients to pitch are the ones who already know you and love the work you’re doing. So today, Nicki and Kate are diving into the strategies for upselling past and current clients so that you can deliver more value, increase your income, and grow your business! --------------- Related Links Should You Package Your Copywriting Services?Too Afraid to Pitch? Business Owners WANT Your Copywriting Pitches --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

OK, it’s time to ‘fess up. Is some laziness starting to creep into your copywriting? If you find yourself hitting “send” without a second look, resorting to tired seasonal puns (PLEASE no more “fall for falling prices”), or skipping the strategy stage…it might be time for a wake-up call. Our clients rely on us for the highest quality work and, as tempting as it can be to cut corners sometimes, it’s a sure fire way to start producing mediocre work. Listen in to discover the lazy behaviors you want to steer clear of to achieve copywriting success. Plus, Nicki and Kate reveal the lazy habits they’ve been guilty of too—no one’s perfect after all 😉 --------------- Mentioned on this Episode Wendy’s Ranch Tooth commercialAre You Skipping This Essential Copywriting Task? Related Links Keep Your Copywriting Creative Review from Going off the RailsThe Creative Project ProcessSelf-Edit Your Copywriting: Why It’s a Must & How To Do It --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

Despite being born with a passion for writing, Comprehensive Copywriting Academy student just couldn’t seem to find a way to make it her full-time gig. But spending 20 years working in the bar and restaurant industry, living paycheck to paycheck, had started to take its toll physically and emotionally. Within a matter of months of starting the CCA course, Kelsey’s portfolio site was up and running and she landed the job of her dreams. Not only has she already bagged herself a promotion to senior copywriter (in under a year!), she also gets to work on some pretty exciting (ahem, KIM K!!) brand collaborations. Listen in to Kelsey’s story, which is a great testament to taking action, even when you have doubts. --------------- Mentioned on this Episode Kelsey’s portfolio Related Links Building a Copywriting Side Hustle With a Full-Time Job – Claire’s StoryBuild a Copywriting Business While Working 9 to 5Journalist Turned Copywriter – Dori’s Story --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

When you’re starting a new career in copywriting, you might run into some…less than helpful comments, shall we say. “Copywriting–is that actually a real career?” and “Is that even something you can make money from?” are some of the classics. But as Taylor Swift so wisely said: “The haters gonna hate (hate hate hate hate)” and you can’t live your life letting other people’s opinions hold you back from your goals. Whether they’re people from your inner circle or strangers online, listen in as Nicki and Kate dig into the best ways to handle anyone getting in the way of your copywriting success. --------------- Mentioned on this Episode Changing Careers to Become a Copywriter – Adele’s StoryWhy Some Copywriters Fail Related Links The Worst Advice for New Freelancers (And What to Do Instead)Why People Tell You “Copywriting Is Hard to Get Into”Which Work From Home Writing Jobs Are Real? --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

While it’s not necessary to build a successful copywriting career, adding complementary skills to your toolbox can be advantageous. And–despite its name–content strategy can actually make a great pairing with copywriting. Experienced content strategist Amanda Hand joins Nicki and Kate in this week’s episode to dig into this role further and what it takes to create high-performing content that drives business growth. For anyone interested in the dynamic field of content strategy and SEO, Amanda is a must-listen voice! (Content writing…content marketing…content strategy…we know how confusing all the content buzzwords can be. But don’t panic–all will be explained in the episode!) --------------- Mentioned on this Episode What’s the Difference Between Copy and Content?#1 Secret for Copywriting SuccessLinkedIn SEO Keyword strategy course – a basic introduction to SEO keywordsHere’s a basic course Amanda asks writers to take on her team. It’s less than 2 hours and it helps them think about keywords and how to use them to help understand the user when writing.Find out more about Amanda’s SEO agency  Related Links What is Content Strategy? And How Is It Different from Copywriting?What You Need to Know About Being an “SEO Copywriter” --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

We love recording the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast ... but sometimes we mess up. A lot. Luckily, we have the very best podcast editor, Julie, who makes us sound extra coherent. To celebrate her 3-year anniversary with the Nicki K Media team, we enlisted her husband Jay's help to put together this tribute to all the times we're caught saying "Sorry Julie" while recording. A project that started as a joke became a very serious reality. Enjoy this earworm of a song and show your appreciation for Julie's editing genius by leaving her a note in your review!

We can’t help but facepalm when a student tells us, “but I’ve heard you have to [insert terrible advice from a so-called copywriting ‘guru’]?” Despite its wealth of information, the internet has created an echo chamber of bad advice, especially for new copywriters. In this episode, Nicki and Kate roll up their sleeves and dig into some of the worst recommendations out there, from hand copying ads, to niches, and–dare we even mention–Upwork. You’ll also find out what *truly* works instead–well, at least for our 10,000+ copywriting students… --------------- Mentioned on this Episode 5 Ways to Improve Your CopywritingWhy Choosing a Copywriting Niche is Terrible AdviceWhat’s the Difference Between Copy and Content?Artificial Intelligence Copywriting: Do You Need to Worry?1 Copywriting Tactic You Should Avoid at All CostsWhat is a Copywriting Test and Should You Do One? Related Links How to Avoid the Copywriting Niche TrapWhat’s a Copy Test?Content or Copy: How to Tell the Difference and What Should You ChargeThe Real Math on Job Bidding Site “Success”Should I use job bidding sites like Upwork? --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

When it comes to landing copywriting roles, the proof really is in the pudding. If you can demonstrate that you can do great work, the opportunities are there for the taking–and some of them might even be right under your nose… In this episode, Nicki and Kate are joined by Comprehensive Copywriting Academy student Joe, who shares how proactively pitching an idea helped him transition out of a career in finance and into a brand new role as marketing content manager (created just for him!). Listen in to hear the importance of showcasing your value, the power of your current network, and why you don’t need to worry about “knowing it all”. --------------- Mentioned on this Episode Joseph’s Instagram pageJoseph’s portfolioLanding a Senior Copywriter Role with No Paid Experience Related Links The Three Steps to Career ChangeFrom Financial Professional to Copywriter—Chaundell’s StoryFind Copywriting Clients by Networking in the Right PlacesChanging Your Career to Copywriting While at Your Existing JobYour Goal Should Be to Love Your Career. Period. --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

Do your project costs only factor in time spent writing, editing, and in meetings? If so, you may be doing a lot of pro bono work for your clients–and we’re fairly certain you didn’t get into this business to work for free! As a freelancer, it’s easy to get caught up in our emotions, fear, and self-doubt. In this episode, Nicki and Kate encourage us to put on our CFO hats, look at our numbers, and make sure that we are getting paid for *all* of the work that we’re doing. --------------- Mentioned on this Episode The Right Way to Raise Copywriting RatesIncrease Your Copywriting Pricing Without Burning Bridges Related Links How to Set Your Copywriting RatesWhy Most Advice About How to Price Your Services is Dead Wrong for YouCopywriting Is Only 1/3 Writing—Here’s Why That Affects How You Charge --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here