9 steps to making money as a writer

Even if you're still working a day job... [The Writer’ s Life]( September 12, 2023 "Learn from the experts. Study successful men and women and do what they do and you'll be successful too." – Brian Tracy Hi {NAME}, Learning from people who have already done what you want to do is usually the fastest way forward … And one of the BEST things about the AWAI community is the willingness to share all the details of how writers found success … to help others reach it too. You're about to see what I mean in just a minute. 😉 [Liz Farr] Liz Farr Meet AWAI Success Liz Farr … The long hours and the stress of tax time are part of why Liz, a CPA with 16 years of experience, was looking for a new way to make money. But, like so many other aspiring writers, she needed a way to make a safe transition from working a job with a steady paycheck to becoming a freelance writer. Then Liz realized AWAI could help her break away from a career she was tired of, yet she couldn't make the leap right away. But, once she got started, it didn't take long for Liz to surpass her full-time income as a CPA. Now Liz is a VERY in-demand but happy full-time freelancer, writing blog posts, articles, newsletters, and web copy for accountants and bookkeepers around the world. She's even ghostwritten books for trailblazers in her industry! And today, Liz is here to outline the nine action steps that worked for her when she was building her freelance business, so you can follow them too. If you're not up and running yet as a professional writer, I want to help you launch once and for all … so you can start making great money as a writer taking on assignments like Liz does. [>> Go here and see how you can be up and running by next Friday.]( It's a whole lot of fun and GUARANTEED to work. To your success, Rebecca Matter President AWAI YOU, a Professional Writer in Just 5 Days! September is the PERFECT month to start your paid writing career It may still feel like summer … But marketers (aka the people who pay writers!) need you NOW to reach their end-of-year goals. And they're sitting on the remainder of their 2023 marketing budget — ready to spend it on copy. Our proven system speeds you past any roadblocks and gets you up and running as a writer … With the confidence, skills, and polish to take on your first clients and get paid … In just five days … GUARANTEED! [See How We'll Do It]( 9 Action Steps to Launching the Ideal Writer's Life (Even If You're Working Full-Time) By Liz Farr [freelancer writing on laptop at desk] I'm still pinching myself to make sure it's real. When I first made the decision to become a copywriter, I attended a conference in Atlanta sponsored by the New Zealand-based global accounting software company Xero. A friend brought me to the VIP party, where I met the U.S. President of Xero and the VP of Global Marketing. They were interested in working with me — after all, it's not every day that you meet a Business-to-Business (B2B) copywriter who's also a CPA. That's been the story time and again since I began working full-time as a B2B copywriter for the accounting industry. Within a year, I was on track to make more than I ever did in my 16 years working as an accountant. I'm living the dream. I work from home, where part of my daily routine is daily dog walks around the neighborhood. I'm free to travel with my husband, and I ditched the suits and heels and replaced them with sweats and sandals. So, how did I get here? Nine years ago, I was miserable. I hated my job as a CPA in a small public accounting firm in Albuquerque. Long hours, pressure to get mind-numbingly tedious work done quickly and accurately combined with office politics gave me an ulcer. Every time I thought about doing that work for the rest of my life, it was like looking down a dark tunnel with no exit. I had to get out. Then AWAI's [Accelerated Copywriting Program]( dropped into my lap. I had never considered writing as a career, even though I was known at the accounting firm as the one who could write the best persuasive letters to the IRS defending our clients. Yet, writing seemed like a perfect fit — I could work from home and have the flexibility to travel with my husband. And with my background as an accountant, surely I could leverage that somehow. And I did. But I also followed these nine action steps that helped me create my ideal writer's life … You need a powerful why, or it won't happen Why do you want to create your writer's life? If your reasons aren't powerful enough, you won't have the drive to make it happen. And you've got to enjoy what you're doing, or you'll just be replacing one misery with another. As I studied persuasive writing, marketing for accountants, and the ways technology is disrupting that industry, my why evolved. I've developed a passion for helping accountants build better businesses. I love uncovering what makes a firm unique among all others and creating marketing messages that demonstrate that uniqueness to the world. That means their best clients can find them online. I also write for software companies and industry trade journals. I get tremendous satisfaction from connecting accountants with the knowledge and software tools that help them serve their clients better. Your why could be family. Do you want to be home with your children to see them grow up? Or maybe you have health challenges that make it difficult to work full time? Perhaps you want to travel the world. Or maybe you just want to make a little extra money on the side. Starting a writing business while you're working full-time — as I did — is a big commitment. You won't have nearly as much free time. You might have to give up a few things — like binge-watching a couple of hours of shows every night, or sleeping in on weekends. But if your why is powerful enough, it won't feel like a sacrifice, or suffering, or struggle. Create a schedule and commit with an accountability partner When I started working my way through The Accelerated Program, I set weekly quotas of how much I wanted to complete. At first, I didn't stick to my schedule too well. I must have restarted that program three or four times before I finally got all the way through it. What really helped was when I reached out to a supportive friend and asked her to be my accountability partner. I didn't ask much of her — just that she be a supportive recipient of weekly emails to keep me on task. Every Sunday, I emailed her a list of my goals for the week, and the progress I'd made on my goals from the week before. In my weekly planner, I made notes of what I did every day to move my business forward. Just knowing that I had to report back to my friend weekly motivated me to find scraps of time at lunch, before work, evenings, and weekends to do something (more on that later). Today, with the many Facebook groups sponsored by AWAI, you can easily find another writer in search of an accountability partner. Or reach out to a supportive friend as I did. Choose a niche, and master it As a CPA, it seemed logical for me to specialize in the accounting industry. It was tough to get traction at first. There aren't many accountants who can write, so I had very few role models who had built successful businesses writing for accountants. But today, that's my secret weapon. Because there are very few with this combination of right and left-brain abilities, I stand out very clearly. If you have professional experience, leveraging that expertise can open up a gold mine of opportunities. You can really stand out if you're an AWAI-trained copywriter AND a professional. Mastering that niche meant I had to develop a two-pronged approach in my studies: mastery of persuasive writing and keeping on top of trends in accounting. Demanding, yes. But well worth it. Today, that mastery has paid off. People find me online and want my help. At accounting conferences, eyes pop open when they find out that I'm a CPA and a freelance writer. "Oh! I definitely need to talk to you!" Exploit scraps of time Working as a CPA means working long hours at certain times of the year. You might be in the same type of situation. But if you use those precious extra few moments of spare time, you'll move much quicker to reaching your writer's life goals. Where can you find those snippets of time? - I listened to podcasts in the mornings while I got ready for work, and then on my 40-minute drive to work. I split my focus between copywriting podcasts such as B2B Writers International, and accounting podcasts. - I took a flash drive with e-books and course materials with me to work so I could study at lunch. - After I got home from work, I checked my email to read my daily emails from AWAI and other newsletters I subscribed to. I also logged into LinkedIn and made comments on posts by possible prospects and thought leaders at least twice a week. - After dinner, I spent an hour or so studying — or doing simple tasks on client projects once I began getting clients. - On weekends, I got up early and worked on client projects for an hour or so before joining my husband for breakfast. Once I started getting more clients, the bulk of my weekends and time off from work was spent on writing. - To stay focused, I plan my days and use a timer to keep on task. I've found that the work will expand to fill the time I give it. Having little time — as I did when I was getting started — meant I had to be super focused when I was at work. Meet other writers Attending Bootcamp for the first time in 2014 was a game-changer for me. That year, I met many other fledgling first-timers like myself, and "A-listers" like Marcella Allison. Some of those first-timers like Jon Stoltzfus have achieved great success. One of the very first wannabe writers I met is in my mastermind group today (more about masterminds below). Before Bootcamp, I had no frame of reference, no connection to other writers. Being in a room full of writers and hearing some of the masters speak, and actually shaking hands with them (!!) gave me a boost of confidence that I could do this too! I met B2B masters Steve Slaunwhite and Ed Gandia at that first Bootcamp. And when I met Charlotte Hicks and discovered that she was a CPA too, I knew I had found my home. Join groups that support you in your goals So far, I've joined two key groups that have made a difference in my reaching my goals. One was Circle of Success. As a COS member, I have access to an incredible range of courses and expertise. Here's a small sample of what I've done: I've done all the B2B courses, which helped me understand the nuances of writing for decision makers in businesses. Nick Usborne's [The Digital Copywriter's Handbook]( has been a life changer for me by creating the context for writing on the Web. And [Ilise Benun's pricing course]( helped me figure out a framework and strategy for pricing and earning a living. Joining COS was the best investment I've ever made. Not just the coursework, but the support from AWAI, fellow COS members, and instructors has made it worth every penny. And if I ever think of some skill or mindset or tool I need, chances are AWAI has it. The second group is a mastermind. After my third Bootcamp, I joined a group of powerful women in a mastermind. Two members of that group were on the Success Panel at Bootcamp. This mastermind has really propelled me forward. Our weekly Zoom meeting is equal parts connection, encouragement, and peer review. We cheer each other's success and offer ideas to find clients, structure our days, and work with clients. We share pieces we're currently working on to make them better. Ask your boss for flexibility This option won't work for everyone, but when you can make it work, it's a huge help. Over a two-year period, I was able to transition from working full-time as a CPA and part-time as a writer to working full-time as a writer and part-time as a CPA. What made that possible is a huge talent shortage for accountants. Unemployment for accountants and bookkeepers ranges from 0.5% to about 2%, depending on the experience level and the type of work. So I left the firm where I'd spent 11 years and moved to a firm that offered more pay and a flexible, hourly schedule. They offered me a job with the full understanding that I might be gone in a year or two. I even wrote a newsletter for that firm until they merged into a bigger firm. During busy times, I worked four 10-hour days, then after the madness of tax season, I flexed down to three days a week, then to two, and finally to just one day a week. Splitting my week so that I worked Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday as a CPA and as a writer the rest of the week worked best for me. Attend local networking events Even if there isn't anyone in your niche at local events, you might meet someone who can refer you to a great prospect. The regular conversations I had with entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives at local networking events gave me confidence that I was on the right track. Talking about what I did — even before I had any clients — was the perfect opportunity to practice my elevator pitch. An early high point was introducing myself to the founder of a local marketing agency and hearing him say "great tagline" when I handed him the first iteration of my business card, which said "B2B Copywriting by a CPA." I still use that tagline. Keep moving forward Building a writing business while I was working a demanding job was challenging. But once I had all the ingredients assembled, it didn't feel like a sacrifice. I was creating something new for myself and my family. Now I work from home where I can watch a roadrunner make its rounds of our yard every morning. My husband and I can travel to see family and friends, and my clients have no idea when I'm not at home. Best of all, I have a new career I love. I'm even in my third year of ghostwriting books for accounting-industry trailblazers. My freelance career just keeps getting better all the time! (Note: If you want someone to lead you through the key steps to getting started, [go here]( for more details and discover how we help people get their writing career started in just five days.) What's Hot at AWAI … 🤯 [The September ADVANTAGE is REAL — check it out here!]( 💰 [Successful CPA sees big success as a ghostwriter by simply saying YES to an idea …]( 😱 → 😎 Expert insight: [5 steps to move past your fear.]( 👀 [Do this one thing every day to become a better copywriter.]( 👉 Need a confidence boost? [Check this out!]( 😄 We love seeing our members succeed! [Check out their success stories]( if you need a little inspiration to get started. 🤩 [Photographer trades camera lens for laptop: fits copywriting around her nomadic life.]( Taking the leap and living your dreams … [Social media post about an AWAI member successfully launching their full-time writing business and completing AWAI programs] Congratulations, Kenneth, on all of your successes! 🎉 You were able to ride life's ups and downs, take a chance on yourself, and start the journey towards living your writer's life. So excited you were able to join the [Launch Party](. We are proud of you and rooting for you every step of the way! Have your own story to share? Email us at mysuccess@awai.com, or [post it over in the Facebook group](, so we can celebrate your win too! Free Training on How to Make Money as a Copyeditor
 [AWAI Free Training on How to Make Money as a Copyeditor]Copyeditors enjoy the same benefits as copywriters — like very good pay, a flexible schedule, and loyal clients. Learn how to achieve those very same things in a low-stress role that's in huge demand. Tune in on Friday, September 15, at 12 p.m. ET [
Access the Training Here]( TODAY! Get all this for $1 … [PWA Product Spread] The Professional Writers' Alliance (PWA) takes the stress out of running your writing business. With ready-to-use business forms, templates, and checklists … VIP job board access … networking opportunities … and a mountain of tips, tactics, and "been there, done that" advice from working freelance writers … You'll minimize the "unbillable" hours you spend working on your business and maximize your time writing — and getting paid. [Claim Your $1 Access Here]( Featured Jobs You can find these jobs and thousands more on [WritersWanted.com](: --------------------------------------------------------------- Copywriter — Wantable Full-time, Milwaukee, WI This person will write copy for all elements of the digital experience: they'll be responsible for crafting messaging for paid advertisements, storytelling on landing pages, and writing copy through to a customer's purchase. --------------------------------------------------------------- Creative Copywriter — CyberArk Full-time, Newton, MA Write clear, concise, and persuasive copy for a wide range of communication formats, including websites, events, advertising, demand generation campaigns and landing pages, paid search, social media, video scripts, and more, that aligns with brand guidelines, tone of voice, and marketing objectives. --------------------------------------------------------------- Copywriter — Tangle Teezer Ltd Part-time, London, UK Liaise with the SEO agency, the Senior Ecommerce Manager and the Senior Social Media and Creative Project Manager to manage the editorial calendar for Tangle Teezer; deciding themes, writing copy, and reaching out to our experts and pro ambassadors for insights and interviews. --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? [View in your browser, here](. For questions or requests: [contact us online](. --------------------------------------------------------------- ©2023 American Writers & Artists Institute Do you know of someone who would benefit from reading The Writer's Life? Simply direct them [here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- American Writers & Artists Institute 220 George Bush Blvd, Suite D Delray Beach, FL 33444 Ensure your subscription delivery. AWAI Whitelisting info available [here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- You are subscribed to this newsletter as {EMAIL}. To unsubscribe from any future issues of The Writer's Life, please click here: [Unsubscribe from The Writer's Life](. To unsubscribe from all AWAI broadcasts click here. [I want to permanently unsubscribe from all AWAI emails](.