Case Study: Big Risk Pays Off for Nebraska Copywriter

[The Writer’ s Life]( February 27, 2018 Hi {NAME}, 3 months and 3 days. That's the time frame from when Roy Furr attended his first [Bootcamp]( and when he was able to quit his job and become a full-time freelance writer. Although I shouldn't say "full time," because Roy has been able to meet all of his financial goals while only working part time as a copywriter. He spends the rest of his time doing what he loves — mainly enjoying time with his family. In the case study below, Roy shares more about his story, as well as his best advice for getting started as a well-paid copywriter. To your success, Rebecca Matter President, AWAI --------------------------------------------------------------- Big Risk Pays Off for Nebraska Copywriter By Casey Hibbard [Desk with laptop and blocks spelling the words Case Study] In February 2010, Roy Furr had a wife, mortgage, and newborn son all counting on his income. Most would say it's certainly not the time to take big chances in your career. But Roy isn't like most people. At the time, he led marketing at a small publishing company. When his boss arrived the morning of February 1, Roy asked him to join him in the conference room. With shaking hands, he said he was quitting to pursue his freelance copywriting career. Roy was leaving the security of a job he'd held for five years, a position with good pay and benefits for the unknown of freelancing. Yet Roy was ready. He had the skills, game plan, and most importantly, a few clients already. "I had set a date for when I wanted to launch my business, but the freelance opportunities were coming so fast that I quit my job even sooner than I planned," he said. Copywriting CAN Pay the Bills Roy had written all his life. As an English minor in college, he'd even self-published a book of poetry. But when he had considered a writing career, he couldn't see how it would pay the bills. "I thought there was no such thing as making a living as a writer unless you're one of the big shots," he said. "I was resigned to finding whatever work I could." After a stint in customer service at his local gas company, he fortuitously landed the marketing job, despite having no experience. He convinced his boss that he would work harder than anyone else. During that marketing job, he voraciously consumed books on marketing, business, and copywriting. That knowledge helped him grow the publishing company where he was employed and prepare him for what he saw as an eventual career in copywriting. It's through American Writers & Artists Inc. (AWAI) that Roy found inspiration, in-demand copywriting skills, and his first clients. AWAI offered training for the type of in-demand copywriting that can bring in a very healthy income to sustain him and his family. He began with AWAI's Masters Program for Six-Figure Copywriting, where he learned direct-response copywriting and marketing knowledge to take on the bigger, higher-paying projects. "[The Masters Program for Six-Figure Copywriting]( definitely had the biggest impact on my copywriting. The high-level strategies covered in that program are what separate the wheat from the chaff of the copywriting world. "These are Mark Ford's, Bill Bonner's, Clayton Makepeace's, and their friends' and associates' deepest, most powerful secrets learned from building one of the largest direct-response publishing businesses in the world. "If you're serious about making a good living from becoming a direct-response copywriter, the knowledge you'll gain from The Masters Program is essential." The Bootcamp Transformation Then he attended AWAI's legendary annual event, the FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp and Job Fair, aka [Bootcamp](. Bootcamp was the spark Roy needed. There, he picked up copywriting tips from some of the biggest names in the industry, including a career-changing direct-response tactic from Mark Ford and a 20-point outline for writing sales letters from Clayton Makepeace — which he still uses today. "AWAI Bootcamps have been hugely transformational for me," Roy said. "The quality of these resources and how they've changed my thinking has been a source of nonstop inspiration and growth in my career. I have not found any group of teachers that both know what they're doing and are as dedicated to student success as the people at AWAI. Everyone exists to see you succeed in copywriting. When you win, they win." Taking Chances and Landing Clients When it was time to get his freelance career off the ground, Roy took chances. He landed his first client by approaching the prospect with an offer he couldn't refuse. "I said, 'I'd like to beat your control,'" Roy said. "'Only pay me if you like it, think it's worth testing, and it actually performs.' I made it impossible to say no, and as a result, I got my first client. We've stayed in touch over the years and tomorrow we have a call together with a potential client for joint work." Through AWAI, Roy connected with several well-known clients. "Bootcamps are also an incredible opportunity to connect with new clients," he said. "Three months after I went to my first Bootcamp, I had enough clients to leave my full-time job." He wrote a successful promotion for the first seminar put on by noted entrepreneur and public speaker, Brian Tracy. He approached the information products publisher, Nightingale-Conant, with a simple question about who was in charge of direct response and landed their business. And he wrote an e-book for Bob Bly, one of America's best known and most successful copywriters. Roy even won AWAI's 2010 $10K Challenge, an annual competition where writers submit Spec Assignments for the chance to win $10,000 worth of project work from AWAI. In-Demand, Direct-Response Writer Today, Roy is a sought-after direct-response copywriter who primarily works with private, growth-oriented businesses with revenues of $5 million and up. Many of his private clients are publishers and information marketers — though the strategies and principles he uses can and have been adapted and applied in any business. "I've learned to write direct-response copy that gets conversions," he said. "My skills can be moved from one industry to another, so when the opportunity is right, I'll write for any business I believe in. Having the skills and marketing know-how has opened a ton of doors." He also wrote the promotion for what was considered the biggest direct-response event of the decade, "The Titans of Direct Response" Seminar for Brian Kurtz at Boardroom, Inc. VIP spots sold out in 21 days and regular registrations filled faster than most seminars in the industry. A Healthy Income, Working Part Time When Roy quit his job in 2010, he was motivated. He and his wife had set a date a few months in the future to move back to their hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska after she had completed her Ph.D. program in Oregon. From the start, he maintained a livable income with copywriting. While his income dipped temporarily, it soon matched his old income and then grew to six-figures annually. Now Roy takes on the projects he wants while balancing family life. He and his wife, both self-employed, work part-time schedules so they can share care for their three children, with a little help from family. With adept balancing of work and childcare, he also has the time to spend several hours every week working on his hobby, electronic music. "There absolutely are real people who are making a living — a good living — with copywriting," Roy said. "I've been working essentially part time since 2010, and it has done more than paid the bills. I have a lot of fun and a lot of flexibility." Roy's Top Three Tips for Aspiring Copywriters - Throw yourself in — You can wait until you think you know everything there is to know, or you can learn while getting paid as Roy did in that first marketing job and with copywriting projects. "A big secret of my success is to get a job and then figure out how to complete it," he said. "I don't climb ladders very well. I jump to the top of them." - Be bold — Feel the fear and do it anyway. "You just have to go out and start developing client relationships. It's as easy as approaching people and saying, 'How can I serve you?' - Go to AWAI Bootcamp — Roy found both knowledge and clients at Bootcamps. "When you go to your first Bootcamp, you think, 'Are there really people making a living at this?' There absolutely are real people who are making a living — a good living — with copywriting." Editorial Note: Until midnight tonight, you can save 75% on Roy's top recommendation, The Masters Program. It helps you advance into the ranks of "A-level" copywriters with secrets taught directly from the copywriting legends themselves. The program goes far beyond basic copywriting skills — it reveals much deeper, more sophisticated writing techniques. It will help you double your copywriting income or put you on your way to earning six-figures within two years. A big promise, for sure. If you're ready to earn the big fees the "A-listers" bank, this is the program you need. [Go here to check out the details.]( Do you have any questions about getting started as a copywriter? Share with us in the comments [here](. TODAY ONLY: 75% OFF AWAI's Masters Program Transform your copy into A-level quality with AWAI's Masters Program for Six-Figure Copywriting. Learn the secrets that countless master copywriters use to produce winning sales copy and techniques that will increase the fees you command for every project you take on. More than any pure writing program we offer, it has the power to transform pedestrian copy into blockbuster controls. It's a "must-have" for any writer who's serious about elevating their skills to the next level. [Grab Your Copy Now at the Lowest Price You'll Ever See.]( Test Drive AWAI's Copywriting Program for Only $29 If you've ever been curious about copywriting, now is your chance to test drive our flagship program, AWAI's Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting for just $29. When you master persuasive writing with our industry leading training, you'll be in big demand in this 2.3 trillion-dollar industry. You can make a good living, choose your own hours, and work from anywhere in the world. But hurry, this "test-drive" will be closing soon! [Get all the details here.]( Until Feb 28th: Register for Bootcamp 2018 for Only $224 If you're serious about taking your copywriting success to the next level – AWAI's FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp and Job Fair is the one event you need to attend to give your copywriting career the kick-start you've been looking for. And for a limited time, you can save $700 off the registration fee and lock in your spot for only $224. [Warning: Bootcamp sells out every year.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? [View in your browser, here](. For questions or requests: [contact us online](. --------------------------------------------------------------- ©2018 American Writers & Artists Inc. Do you know of someone who would benefit from reading The Writer's Life? 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