Rediscovering my greatest love at Bootcamp

[The Writer’ s Life] December 28, 2016 Hi {NAME}, Yesterday, we listened in as AWAI Co-Founder Mark Ford interviewed Jon Stoltzfus, the 2016 Bootcamp $10K Challenge Winner. (Click [here] to read the essay and get the link.) Today, we're going to hear another newer copywriter tell us of a discovery she made at the same Bootcamp. And while she'll tell you she learned plenty of copywriting secrets and strategies, this discovery wasn't one of them. Or maybe it's one of the most important secrets … Yours for a successful copywriting career, [Signed] Will Newman --------------------------------------------------------------- How I Rediscovered One of My Greatest Loves at Copywriting Bootcamp By Candice Lazar Candice Lazar I've met plenty of readers who don't like writing. But I don't know any writers who don't love to read. As the little sister, I was eager to read because my big sister was already doing it — never mind that I was only four. I flew through my lessons (thank you, Dad, for those treasured memories) and within a couple of years, I was borrowing her Sweet Valley High books … though I couldn't quite comprehend them. When my father would ask what I was reading about, I'd tell him, "It's hard to explain." Thirty-plus years later, I still love to read. Yet I freely admit I hadn't been doing it justice these days. I view it as a luxury, so I'd often save it for late at night — and fall asleep doing it. Or I'd get online, go through Google news and social media, and that constituted what I think of as my "elective" reading for the day. That changed recently when I became aware of what a disservice I've been doing to myself. At AWAI's FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp and Job Fair, Brian Kurtz gave a presentation about six legendary copywriters. If you don't know that name, Brian was the Executive Vice President of Boardroom Inc., and helped create tens of millions of dollars in revenue by selling newsletter subscriptions and consumer books. Though some of legends wrote 100 years ago, their lessons endure. The art of persuasion hasn't changed. We can all learn much by reading their works. I learned something else at Bootcamp. A panel of direct-response marketers told me the most important thing for a copywriter to bring to the table is a strong Big Idea. And as we know, Big Ideas come from doing research … and research involves reading. I suddenly, urgently realized from these lectures that I needed to be reading more. Truly reading. Not quick news hits, Buzzfeed articles, or other people's anecdotes. I need reading materials that will help me be a better copywriter. Things like: - The works of the copywriting legends. I'll be revisiting some and reading others for the first time. - AWAI materials. As a member of Circle of Success, I have unlimited options available to me. I typically use the AWAI resources as an on-demand library, accessing what I need when I need it. But now, I'm going to read through programs a little at a time, even if they're not immediately relevant. - Curated news stories. Daily emails from websites like Nextdraft and Daily Pnut have stories that are a little more thoughtful than the ones on the big news websites. They encourage me to see things differently. - Quality fiction. No more saving it for a late night "treat." I'll be reading it during wakeful hours without guilt, because good writing is good writing, regardless of the subject. (By the way, several of our AWAI instructors recommend reading Young Adult fiction. These books are great examples of the clear writing copywriters should aspire to.) I'm currently figuring out how to organize this reading. Though I haven't settled on a routine yet, I'm having fun experimenting — and I'm grateful that copywriting has led me to rediscover one of my greatest loves. --------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE FROM WILL: Candice discovered at this past Bootcamp that she didn't have to put her love of reading on hold. In fact, she learned she must embrace that love like never before. Something else you should know about Candice … she was also a Spec Challenge Winner at this year's Bootcamp. Inspiring discoveries and a-ha moments are typical of Bootcamp. Learning something completely unexpected … and totally useful for achieving the writer's life. It's why I'm urging you to attend Bootcamp 2017. Bootcamp fills up fast. Last year, over 400+ attended … barely standing room only. If you want to experience Bootcamp for yourself, then reserve your seat now. Plus by doing so, you get to take advantage of the "Super Early-Bird" Discount and the low monthly payment plan. [Here's where to go to learn more.] What copywriting serendipity have you experienced? Tell us by commenting [here]. And before we go today, I want to give a "Shout Out for the Success" to AWAI member Caroline Wheeler for taking three giant steps along the way toward the writer's life. First, Caroline will be writing a chapter in Nurse Sparks, Inspirational Nurse Stories, published by the same company as Chicken Soup for the Soul! This comes with royalties, a chance to sell the books herself, plus an hour interview on their radio show, and speaking engagements! The book launches in May, the e-book in June. Second, Caroline has officially established her own copywriting and marketing business. And third, she has acquired a coach, a feature writer/photographer who attended Bootcamp 2015. Great work, Caroline! We're all inspired by your successes. *** What We're Recommending this Week *** Can't Find Clients? According to the well-known copywriter, Richard Armstrong, finding clients should be the "easiest part of being a freelance copywriter." If you're having trouble landing clients, watch this free video now to discover the 3 SECRETS Richard used early in his career to find clients WITHOUT advertising, writing on spec, or … ugh, cold calling. Just click here and listen to Richard tell three quick stories about how to find clients the easy way. [Click here and soon you, too, will have "clients coming out the wazoo!"] Until Dec 30th: Register for Bootcamp 2017 for only $149.50! 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 $1,000 on the registration fee and lock in your spot for only $149.50. 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