7 opportunities for writers right now

You CAN thrive as a copywriter [The Writer’ s Life]( May 27, 2020 Hi {NAME}, I've got two big pieces of news to share before we jump into today's issue … First, our "7 Days of Savings" event is going on now! There are over 50 different programs you can snag at up to 90% off, including our most popular training, business building, and client-getting programs. [Go here now to check out the full list of programs on sale.]( Second, you're invited to join Katie for a very special LIVE Virtual Open House where you can learn about our Circle of Success, meet some of the instructors, and hear from a handful of AWAI members how they were able to parlay their membership and its resources into successful six-figure writing careers. It takes place tomorrow, Thursday, May 28th at 12 p.m. Eastern Time. [Since it's happening live, you'll be able to ask any questions you have.]( Register for this free event [here](. Now, let's move on to today's issue … There are loads of memes with quotes on how to handle "the things you cannot change" these days … Ranging from straight advice, to motivation, to margaritas. There's a lot we can't change or control right now. But as writers, we're luckier than most. We've got the power to change direction, adapt to what clients need, and enhance our skills. There are so many different ways to make money writing, you can adjust what you offer or even change clients to those who have greater needs right now. One of the biggest markets is Business-to-Business. With 30 million potential clients in the U.S. alone, businesses large and need your help. AWAI Success Tammy Powell is here today to share her recent client experiences in the COVID-19 era. Plus, she highlights seven project types marketers need help with right now. One of them might be the ideal place for you to start. Tammy wraps up her 18-month run as Reality Blogger for B2B Writing Success today … Congratulations and thank you for all your insights, Tammy, you did a great job! To your success, Rebecca Matter President, AWAI Thriving as a B2B Copywriter — Even Now! By Tammy Powell [Woman working on laptop at home with white shepherd dog leaning up onto desk next to her] If you're a little nervous about how the coronavirus pandemic — and its economic fallout — are going to affect your copywriting business, you're not alone. I recently struggled with that question myself … During social distancing, I lost two big copywriting clients — at least for the foreseeable future. Combined with my husband's pay cut, it's safe to say our household needed to find some more income, fast! Things did get better — and in my search for new opportunities, I discovered there are a lot of projects in demand right now for B2B copywriters … Finding Opportunities During Difficult Times Recently, I heard an interesting fact … I learned that some major companies — brands that are household names — got their start during, or shortly after, the 2008 recession. This includes brands like Uber, Airbnb, Square, and Groupon. They thrived, even during difficult circumstances. And today, in the midst of everything, some businesses are doing very well … In fact, just a short drive from my home in Arizona, the local Chewy.com plant is hiring — holding multiple days of open interviews because they need a lot of new employees to keep up with rising demands for their products. And on a more personal note: After my initial loss, two of my current clients sent me additional work … and one new client hired me! So, I know that opportunity is out there … I also know my attitude and actions helped me weather the COVID-19 storm fairly well — and to stay as busy as ever even after receiving my initial bad news. Here are the principles that helped me replace my losses with new opportunities … Be Adaptable As a copywriter, now's the time to be brave and try something new. For me, that included deeper dives into SEO strategy, and even working on a podcast script for a client — all new to me, but I was willing to educate myself and give it a try. Stay Positive It's easy to get overwhelmed by watching the news and listening to things like the unemployment rate or other scary statistics … So, in addition to limiting my news and social media time, I'm also doing my best to maintain a positive mindset. This serves two crucial functions … - Rather than worrying about what I can't control (such as losing clients), I focus my energy on searching for new opportunities. - When in a positive frame of mind, I have more energy and creativity. Over Deliver Two of my clients have recently given me new work, and they stated the reason is because they've been so happy with my previous projects. So, when you get a new client, I recommend going above and beyond — it's a good investment in future paid projects. Be Kind and Sensitive Now is the time to change your marketing messages. When talking to current or potential clients, use language that's sensitive to their current needs and emotional states (in my opinion, it's not the time to be overly 'sales-y' or speak purely about profits). My clients have appreciated kind communications — I've even checked in just to see how my clients are doing and whether they need to make any changes to our project schedule. Current Opportunities for B2B Copywriters I do a lot of B2B copywriting, so that's what I'd like to share with you today. Here are some great, timely opportunities … 1. Emails Emails are one of my favorite projects because they're a good value for your time: short, easy to learn, and with a fee range of $150-$1,000 per email (which are usually done in a series). They're also a great way to get your foot in the door, even during uncertain times (emails are very much in-demand right now). 2. E-newsletters Maybe you've noticed this recently, too … During social distancing, I suddenly got newsletters from businesses that never sent me a newsletter before. I think it's because these businesses recognize the need to keep in touch with customers virtually. And, this need will continue as things improve and businesses work to get back to a "normal" pace. E-newsletters provide consistent, predictable income, and they pay well ($250-$1,000 per newsletter, and $500-$2,000 for planning and setting up a format). 3. Press Releases You've probably seen a ton of COVID-19 announcements in your email inbox, from just about every company under the sun. And, these same companies will need releases as their doors open back up, to inform their customers of their opening hours, safety protocols, and any other changes. Writing press releases is a quick and simple skill to pick up (the writing is usually fact-based and straightforward), and they pay well ($250-$1,000). 4. Blog Posts and Articles Blog posts and articles are my most requested type of project in the pet and veterinary niche — and recent uncertain times were no exception. Many businesses budget for good quality content during booming and challenging economic times alike. Fee ranges are $150-$800 per article or post. 5. Lead Generation All companies need to acquire new customers — and lead generation is part of that process. This skill is in demand in the best of times, but it's also been very important recently because of the need to reach customers virtually with online copy. Lead generation can include lead magnets ($2,000+ for e-books or white papers), landing pages ($500-$2,000), emails, ad copy ($250-$500 for a campaign), social media management ($1,000-$2,000 per month), and more. 6. SEO and Site Audits Website optimization (which can include Site Audits, SEO strategy, and SEO copywriting) shows no signs of slowing down … In fact, since Google continually updates its search algorithms, businesses constantly need to add or update content in order to stay competitive. (The company that hired me during the middle of the pandemic? Yep, this is what they were looking for.) So, it's a strong, in-demand skill set to have no matter what's going on in the world. Fees can include $1,000-$2,500 for a Site Audit and report, $250-$500+ for keyword research, and $250-$1,000+ per web page for SEO copywriting. 7. Online Video Scripts Webinars, online meetings, online courses, livestream videos, and more are all the rage right now — they've been a great way for all of us to connect, communicate, share, and learn when we couldn't meet in person. However, the rise in video started well before COVID-19 … In fact, for a while, YouTube has been the number two most popular online search engine (second only to Google). That's probably why video scripts pay so well at $500-$3,000+. Plus, don't forget about all the associated copy: written transcripts … short descriptions of the content … and copy used for promotion (emails, social media posts, etc.). Bonus Tip … During these times, some clients may need timely content related to current events. If that's the case — and if you already have a lot on your plate, whether professionally or personally — it may be appropriate to ask for rush fees. Rush fees are fair for both of you — the client gets their copy faster, and you get compensated for moving your schedule around to accommodate them. Just be sure to explain why you're asking for the fee, and most clients will understand — one of my clients didn't mind the fee at all, and was super happy I could move the project up to an earlier time frame. This isn't an exhaustive list of B2B copywriting opportunities — but these are what I'm seeing the most of, in terms of both my own copywriting work and the marketing communications I'm receiving from businesses. Many B2B companies need all of these services now — and will likely continue to need them more and more as business gets back to normal. Get started by brushing up on your skills — then, reach out to current or potential clients one at a time. Online networking, such as LinkedIn, is still a great place to find clients. Have you discovered another type of project that's in demand right now? Please share with your fellow copywriters in the comments [here](! Editorial Note: Which B2B opportunities caught your eye? Whatever you're interested in, NOW is the time to get the training and business-building resources you need to get started. AWAI is having our "7 Days of Savings" of up to 90% off — the lowest prices offered all year — on over 50 programs. [Go here now to check out the full list]( — featuring over a dozen focused Business-to-Business (B2B) training programs plus Steve Slaunwhite's foundational Secrets of Writing High-Performance B2B Copy. Whatever B2B specialty you'd like to master, now's the time to grab the program and get started! [Start here.]( Up to 90% Off During Your "7 Days of Savings" During your "7 Days of Savings," you'll find almost every resource in our catalog on sale for up to 90% off! So whatever your next step is … Whether you need help landing clients … Want to learn to write a new type of project … Or you're ready to take your writing business to the next level …  … we've got you covered. [Claim your savings now!]( Get Started as a Paid Writer Here … - Set your own hours … - Take as many days off as you want … - Work from home or anywhere … - Hang out with your favorite people in the middle of the day … - Take "yoga" breaks … or walk breaks or "Happy Hour" breaks anytime … And have complete control of your own time and happiness … Is to join our Barefoot Writer Club … Where our community of friendly, positive writers is waiting to show you the way into your "encore" career as a paid writer right now. Last Chance: Membership is over 65% off until midnight tonight!! [Grab your discount and start right now here.]( FREE Virtual Open House:All Your Questions About Circle of Success Answered!LIVE: Thursday, May 28th at 12 p.m. ET Join AWAI’s Executive Director Katie Yeakle and some surprise guests as they lift the curtain on our industry’s most comprehensive and personalized level of copywriting training – Circle of Success. Discover the transformation that happens when you have top industry professionals setting you on a fast track to success… mentoring and guiding you every step of the way… teaching you the skills you need… giving you the feedback and direction you need to step into the “pro ranks” faster than you ever thought possible. It’s all happening LIVE, this Thursday at noon! Attendance is FREE, and there’s no obligation. DON’T MISS IT! [Go here now to reserve your spot!]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? [View in your browser, here](. 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