One-on-One Intensive: How to be a Successful CopyWriter

When I started my business, I had nothing but a handful of books, blogs and websites to guide me. Eventually, I made it – my business grew, I love what I do and I’m able to support my family – but it took me longer than it should have. It would have been so much easier if I’d had what I really wanted: a kind person to literally propel me through the process, hold me accountable and steer me in the right direction.

This One-on-One Intensive will help you build your solid, thriving writing business. As the mentor that I was looking for once upon a time, I will be asking you questions and supporting you in finding your answers & taking purposeful action towards your goal. And, I’ll be giving you personalized feedback. Essentially, I will walk you through the process of making your business active and successful via email with weekly homework assignments and phone consultations -  at your own pace and with my close attention.

Can I refuse to write this glowing testimonial, on the grounds that I just don’t want to share Julie? Actually, that would go against everything she’s taught me about the power of social media, and paying it forward. So here goes:

Even more than her stunning depth of knowledge (shared oh-so-willingly), Julie’s contagious enthusiam for cultivating YOU is what sets her apart as a mentor and coach. Having her in my corner as I transitioned from SAHM to freelance writer has been essential: to my professional development, to my confidence and to my spirit. She is a rare find. – Lea

Here’s how it works:

1. You will receive weekly intensives from me via email for 10 weeks.
2. Each week will feature a ‘lecture’ and homework that includes specific questions and exercises to help you define and create your business and the tools you need to make it happen.
3. After your homework is completed and returned to me, I will review it and reply, providing comments, insights and suggestions for moving forward – just for you.
4. You can go at your own pace – if you need an extra week, just take it, your next lesson is sent when you send me your previous week’s homework.
5. This is not a group activity, but one between you and me – so you can start whenever you’re ready - you don’t have to wait for class times or class schedules.
6. Because sometimes you just need to talk things through, I’ve included 60 one-on-one phone minutes for us (that’s one hour) – you can split these up, use them in one fell swoop or save them for months down the road. Then, for 6 months after you sign-up, you have the option to hire me for extended consulting for a 15% ‘student’ discount, or  $85/hour. My regular consulting fee for Writers-to-be is $100/hour. (Of course you could opt to work with me entirely on the phone, one-on-one as well, just ask!)
7. This 10 week One-on-One Intensive costs $750 for the paid-in-full option, and $800 for the pay-by-installment-plan option ($80/week).

The best thing about working with Julie? The dependably exhilerating headiness that comes from running your fingers through new ideas with an incredibly agile, upbeat mind!  I recommend her without qualification! - Sarah

The topics:

• What’s your bread and butter? How will you make a GOOD living as a writer?
• How much should you charge for your services? What are you worth?
• What lights you up? How can you harness that passion to strengthen your work? Boost your career?
• Why do you want to write?
• What do you want to write?
• Can you be your own boss?
• What resources do you have? What do you need?
• What’s your niche? Who are you?
• How will your niche build your business?
• Who is in your niche and how can that help you?
• What is your voice? How does it sound?
• Who do you want to write for? How do you find them and secure them as clients?
• Creating your portfolio & Portfolio assignments
• How will you market and promote yourself?
• Using Social media and blogs as marketing tools
• The importance of Networking and how to do it.
• What does the business side of this look like?

I can’t wait to work with you. Please contact me if you have any questions. If you would like to get started right away, simply click below.

Talk soon,

Julie

Filed under Blogging, Critical Copywriting, How To, Marketing, Myth or Reality, Networking, News, Politics, Social Media, The Business | Tags: consulting, copywriting, eclass, freelance writer, help writing, how to be a freelance copywriter, how to become a freelance copywriter, how to write, Julie Roads, private consulting, starting a business, Writing Roads | Comments (2)

how to become a freelance copywriter: FIND YOUR NICHE

A woman contacted me because she wanted to know how to become a freelance writer. She was caught off guard when I started quizzing her about her background and her passions. She was a trained dancer, steeped in the academic theater/dance world. So I told her to contact dance and theater schools, programs and camps, theaters, dance studios, dance and acting teachers, agents and coaches, costume shops, make-up artists…and on and on. When you look at it this way, a whole world of people that need marketing and copywriting opens up and there is an immediate bond, or trust, that is formed because of your common backgrounds, interest, skill, language.

In the big, wide world of copywriting and marketing, there is something to be said for finding a niche:

1. It will help you stand out from the crowd. And the crowd is big.

2. It will instantly endear you to an industry and/or community. People like people who understand them and share their passions. Birds of a feather…

3. It builds on your strengths and a language that you already know. You’re starting something new – why wouldn’t you want to start at the top of the content-familiar learning curve? When you do the job well, you’ve secured a reference, portfolio content and, hopefully, some word of mouth referrals.

4. It lends credibility when you’re self-promoting. They want to work with someone who they won’t have to teach or train 100%. So, if you don’t have a ton of professional writing experience (or a big portfolio), this can pretty much negate that handicap.

5. It instantly creates your first ‘audience’ for your marketing efforts. For instance, if you’re doing direct mail or cold calling, some of that blind date feel is removed.

6. When your focus is something you love and feel comfortable with, it will show in your work. If someone asked me to write a texbook about physics, I’d cry. It wouldn’t be fun and the work wouldn’t be as good as if you asked me to write an essay on, say, the delights of butter. I’ve managed to attract projects that are interesting to me and letter-worthy (in my mind, anyway) by showcasing who I am and my personality through my website, blog, other marketing materials and my interactions with clients who give referrals.

7. You may already have contacts who will be thrilled to hear from you. When you call your old dance teacher and tell her that you’ve started a business to help promote the importance of dance for kids, she’ll hire you in a second. Or, she may have some solid connections and be thrilled to make some calls and/or provide a testimonial.

What’s your niche???

Filed under How To, Marketing, Networking, The Business | Tags: brainstorming, collaboration, copywriter, copywriting, creative team, find your niche, freelance copywriting, how to be a freelance copywriter, Julie Roads, network, Networking, niche, Social Media, social networking, Writing, Writing Roads | Comment (1)

how could i forget!

Ahhhhh! I forgot a biggie on the list of how to become a freelance copywriter:

Network: Joining one or more groups like BNI, your local Chamber of Commerce or online support and networking groups is critical. They provide you with the opportunity to get out there and meet people, learn how to network and build a referral team. And don’t forget to be an active participant on Web 2.0

Filed under Networking | Tags: brainstorming, collaboration, copywriter, copywriting, creative team, freelance copywriting, how to be a freelance copywriter, Julie Roads, network, Networking, Social Media, social networking, Writing, Writing Roads | Comment (0)

good friends, good colleagues, good ideas

I just had a fantastic meeting with two colleagues/friends, and it was incredibly successful. I can’t tell you what it was about…yet (that is so obnoxious!) But, I will tell you soon. What I can tell you is that when you are working creatively or devising big, blue sky ideas, collecting a small trusted group of smart, resourceful, inspired people is a great idea.

As the energy gets rolling:

1. Ideas build on each other.

2. For freelancer-types, it’s great to be around other people.

3.  Additional ears are the testing ground for thoughts.

4. The energy is sustained.

5. Accountability comes with the territory – you’ll keep each other on task during the meeting.

6. When everyone has unique skill sets, you can cover a lot of ground.

7. Everyone also brings their own weaknesses and these can be supported and filed down.

8. Plans are made going forward – including project deadlines and goals.

…ah collaboration. Does it work for you or do you prefer to work alone?  

Filed under The Business | Tags: brainstorming, collaboration, copywriter, copywriting, creative team, freelance copywriting, how to be a freelance copywriter, Julie Roads, Writing, Writing Roads | Comment (0)