From layoff to payoff — how this writer did it (and you can too)

[The Writer’ s Life]( May 16, 2019 Hi {NAME}, Greetings from our 2019 Copywriting Bootcamp and Job Fair! Today I will be moderating a "What Clients Want" panel, where I ask the questions all writers want to ask Copy Chiefs and Publishers who hire loads of copywriters. I moderate the panel every year, but this one impacts me in a personal way … You see, three out of the four clients on my panel are AWAI members! I had literally met each of them at a previous event when they were first starting their writing career. And now, here they are … all attending to hire our copywriters … and pay it forward to the next generation of AWAI success stories. It's so inspiring. Along with wanting to know tips for getting hired, many attendees also want to know their story … how they went from a newbie copywriter like them … to the success story they are today. Every year at Bootcamp, we also do something called Member Spotlights, where three AWAI members share key points about their journey to success. (All three of my panelists have done one, and I'll share them with you in future issues.) Our Case Studies are another way to see the journey of how a writer achieved success. The studies highlight some key turning points — where they started from, what challenges they faced, what learning made the biggest impact in their career, and where they are now. No matter what your circumstances, there's a very good chance AWAI has helped someone else overcome them to achieve success. I'm publishing one of our 51 (!!) Case Studies here for you today, so you can see an example of these powerful stories for yourself. Case studies are not only informative and inspirational to read, they're fun to write! They're short "before-and-after" stories … normally just two pages. They follow a basic formula, and they don't require any "selling." Expert Casey Hibbard has written over 1,000 case studies (including today's example) for a variety of industries. She's honed her storytelling skills to build a six-figure business. Casey has had so much fun (and success) with this specialty that she wants to teach you how to become a case study writer. Spend just 4 weeks working with her, and you'll walk away with the skills, polished sample, and confidence you need to [make a great living as a case study writer](. At the end of your 4-week training, you'll be able to get Certified as a Case Study Specialist. This Certification PROVES you have the skills to write winning case studies. Plus, you'll get hands-on experience with a live Spec Assignment. Send it in and you'll have a chance to be one of THREE writers we select to publish and pay $1,500. But you'll have to hurry, due to the personal feedback you'll get, this is a limited opportunity. [>> Go here now for all the details and to grab one of the remaining spots.]( To your success, Rebecca Matter President, AWAI Get Paid To Write "Good News" ($1,500 Per Story) For the first time EVER, AWAI has partnered with one of the most successful "good news" writers in the industry. Over the next 4 weeks, she'll guide you, mentor you, and give you her proven frameworks for writing this short, fun, and LUCRATIVE copy project. By the time you're done, you'll have the skills (and a shot at your first $1,500 check). Plus you'll be among the first group of writers to ever get Certified in this type of writing. Spots are extremely limited. [Click here to continue]( --------------------------------------------------------------- How to Fight Corporate Consolidation: Florida Exec Finds Winning Formula with B2B Copywriting By Casey Hibbard [The typed words Success Story on an old vintage typewriter] Sharlet Brennan For more than a decade, Sharlet Brennan's work took her to top destinations for free. She explored white-sand beaches … went snorkeling and sailing … sampled first-rate restaurants and spas … It was all part of her job as a team leader at a travel marketing agency. Sharlet turned her passion for travel into public relations programs that helped drive record growth for destinations and hotel companies. This created jobs for people who needed them. Working together, Sharlet and her clients racked up 14 industry awards. "Any way you looked at it, this was a great way to earn a living," Sharlet says. One day, the agency owner announced he had sold the business to a larger firm 1,244 miles away. And just like that, everything changed … The new owners went right to work, eliminating "redundancy." The process left Sharlet worried — and mad. Because of all the layoffs, she served a slew of new clients. But she didn't think people needed most of their products. Worst of all, the long hours in the office left little time to spend with her family. So after talking it over with her husband, Sharlet decided to make the leap. She would leave and start a PR consulting business of her own. "I needed to take back control of my work life," she explains. How Do I Keep Clients? Sharlet landed her first retainer client within four weeks. Another one followed soon after that. She was stepping into new territory now. Her clients were technology companies launching a string of exciting products. Sharlet loved running her own business. But at the end of her first year of consulting, BOTH clients were acquired by large companies. The clients told Sharlet they were delighted with the results of her campaigns. However, their new owners had longstanding relationships with global, full-service PR agencies. "Clearly, I needed a better plan," Sharlet says. "My business wouldn't thrive — or survive, for that matter — if I continued to offer only one service." Fortunately, one of the clients asked Sharlet to stay on and work with its content marketing team. "I told them 'Sure, I'd be happy to help!'" she recalls. But now she faced a new challenge … Her client produced sophisticated B2B content. And Sharlet didn't know much about content marketing. New Direction The timing was right when she received an email from American Writers & Artists Inc. (AWAI). It asked a simple question: "Can You Write a Letter Like This One?" Sharlet read the email three times. She had always loved to write but never realized there was a whole world of people out there making a very good living with this kind of writing. She purchased AWAI's Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting and dove into the training. After completing the course, she joined AWAI's Circle of Success (COS). This program provided unlimited, lifetime access to the AWAI Resource Library. "AWAI offered an online training program for every copywriting skill I needed," Sharlet explains. "The courses provided simple, step-by-step instructions with training on how to land and price projects. They gave me a blueprint for expanding my business." Sharlet poured herself into AWAI programs. Every night, she sat down at the kitchen table and studied the art and science of writing persuasive B2B content and copy. The next day, she applied what she learned to her client projects. On Track Soon Sharlet was putting best practices to work on a wide range of B2B writing assignments. She knew she was on track when she saw her content for her client trending regularly at the top of major industry websites. It wasn't long before sales and marketing directors throughout the company started contacting Sharlet about copywriting projects. "B2B companies have an ongoing need for persuasive writing," she says. "I was thrilled to be working in a market where business is booming. "Joining Circle of Success made all the difference for me," she continues. "I went for projects and recommended approaches I normally wouldn't have as a new copywriter. Why all the confidence? Because I knew I could base every project on proven formulas and insider tips from the top copywriters in the business." COS membership also gave Sharlet free admission to AWAI's annual FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp and Job Fair. After a year of home study, Bootcamp offered a chance to ask questions to leading copywriters in person. "Everyone was so friendly," Sharlet says about Bootcamp. "They offered valuable suggestions on expanding my business. I felt inspired to meet so many people succeeding in their versions of the writer's life." Reaping the Benefits Sharlet's business grew through higher retainers and referrals. Today, she serves as a B2B copywriter and provides consulting services on PR, messaging, and product launches. During her first year as a COS member, Sharlet replaced her income from her former full-time job. And she's on track for continued growth. But for Sharlet, the rewards run deeper. "I take on the clients I choose … do work that I love … and promote products that make a real difference," she explains. Best of all, her flexible workday means plenty of time to spend with her family. "If I want to break for a long afternoon walk with my husband … I do," she says. "When I want to visit my daughter who lives out of town by the beach … I do that too. What's more, my schedule leaves time for traveling to new places I always wanted to visit. Life is definitely better with yourself as the boss. "AWAI cut my learning curve by years," Sharlet concludes. "I never would have gotten here as soon — if at all — without the training and inspiration I received through Circle of Success." 4 Tips for Copywriters - Jump in. Once you master the basics of persuasive writing and can access the AWAI Resource Library, you have what you need to provide valuable services to clients. - Learn. When you start out in a new niche, your client's sales and marketing team will know their products and market much better than you. Listen and learn all you can. - Connect. Reach out to other AWAI and COS copywriters. They're an invaluable source of advice, referrals, and support. - Share ideas. You'll get paid back in spades, personally and professionally. Do you have any questions about getting started as a case study writer? Share with us [in the comments](. Editorial Note: Now that you've seen how simple the formula is for a case study, are you ready to learn how to get paid to write them? This is your chance to be mentored directly by expert Casey Hibbard! Join the full-immersion experience to help you master this special kind of copy, and in just four weeks, you'll have the knowledge and skills to become Certified as a Case Study Specialist. [Check out all the details, while you can still grab a spot.]( The Fastest Way to Become a Well-Paid Copywriter Join Katie, Rebecca and special guest experts for an in-depth, comprehensive webinar series where they'll walk you through one section of The Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting at a time, in extreme detail. You'll learn all the skills, secrets and techniques you need to become a successful copywriter – all in a matter of 10 highly-productive hours. [Learn about the special training series here.]( Last Chance! Save 67% on Barefoot Writer Club Membership If you sign up by tonight you can join the Barefoot Writer Club for just $49 for a full year! Join a community of supportive writers you can connect with … stay up-to-date on all the latest industry news and best writing opportunities … get roadmaps and resources with your next steps to getting paid for your writing … and so much more! [Get the membership details before this deal ends.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? [View in your browser, here](. For questions or requests: [contact us online](. --------------------------------------------------------------- ©2019 American Writers & Artists Inc. Do you know of someone who would benefit from reading The Writer's Life? Simply direct them [here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- American Writers & Artists Inc. 101 SE 6th Avenue, Suite A Delray Beach, FL 33483 (561) 278-5557 or (866) 879-2924 Ensure your subscription delivery. 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