And the 2020 CPI is...

Plus, 12 tips you can use to build your writing business [The Writer’ s Life]( December 3, 2020 Hi {NAME}, Have you seen the CPI for this year? It's $38,993.59 — up only a modest 0.2% from last year. If you're not familiar with the CPI :), PNC Bank has been calculating the Christmas Price Index for 36 years now. The CPI is the cost for the gifts in the classic carol "The 12 Days of Christmas" … if you wanted to buy them this year for your True Love. Now, we aren't going to send you turtle doves, but we do have two "gifts" for you today … The first is 12 tips you can use to get clients and grow your freelance writing business … Pam Foster compiled these 12 tips from copywriting and marketing experts Jen Adams, Steve Slaunwhite, and Heather Robson for today's issue. These are simple, proven tactics you can start applying today. The second is access to our annual [Holiday Sale](! No matter what type of writing you'd like to do, or what niche you want to focus on, we've got the training and resources you need. And for a very limited time — they're all on SALE up to 90% off! If you've had your eye on a specific program, now's the time to pick it up, for a fraction of the regular price. [Go here now to check out the full list of programs on sale.]( To your success, [Rebecca Matter's Signature] Rebecca Matter President, AWAI 12 Tips for Getting Clients and Building Your Writing Business By Pam Foster [Woman writer in video chat with a client] We asked three of our leading copywriting experts to provide their favorite tips on how to grow your freelance writing business, starting now. Here's what they said: Jen Adams, Director of our Professional Writers' Alliance (PWA): 1. Tell everyone, absolutely everyone, that you're a writer. Just telling people you're a writer can help you get jobs. Earlier this year, David Northrop went to pick up a cake for Mother's Day, and he got chatting with the baker. He talked about some of the things he did and how much he loved writing, and she said, "Well, you know, I could really use some help with my writing." So picking up a cake led to a job with him taking over the bakery's social media. 2. Consider partnering with agencies. Quite often, busy business owners take their marketing to an agency. The agency is responsible for the website, Editorial Calendar, blog posts, newsletters, sales campaigns, social media, etc. — and they hire writers like me and you. Jobs are everywhere. Get on a search engine, type in your town or region, and add the words "marketing agency." My hometown Lansing, Michigan, has six agencies. When I was living in Austin, Texas, there were 81. Search for a web development agency, content marketing agency, sales agency, B2B marketing agency, etc. You'll be stunned at how many you find, and almost all are hiring. 3. Attend live events (virtual and in-person). My very first live event, and the one that really got me hooked on it, was an AWAI Bootcamp. I connected with my first mentor and within 48 hours, he helped me raise my rates by 10X of what I'd been charging before. And he helped me find clients that would pay me at that rate. Just that encounter alone paid for the entire event. And I had tons of other leads. So I started going to live events every year and making it a part of my overall strategy. Steve Slaunwhite, Business-to-Business (B2B) copywriter and a featured Bootcamp 2021 speaker: 4. Capitalize on a "head start" niche. You already have career or personal contacts or experience that gives you a head start when it comes to landing clients. Let's say your background is teaching; you've taught school for 15 years. How does that lend itself to an industry that you might be able to write for? The training industry and training companies. There are thousands all over North America. You know something about that industry because of your educational background. You know the lay of the land. That gives you a head start. 5. Focus on high-probability prospects. These are companies that really need good copywriters. How do you figure out if a company is hungry for copywriting help? Go to their Facebook page. If they're doing promotions, they're doing any sales, or they're launching any new products — then they'll announce those in the timeline on their Facebook page. That's a strong indication they need good copywriters to help write all those marketing materials. 6. Leverage LinkedIn. Chances are, 95% of your clients, whether marketing directors or business owners or agency directors, have a LinkedIn account and may be very active on LinkedIn. So at the very least, have a good LinkedIn profile for yourself that talks about your writing and copywriting services. Why? Because I've been finding that companies are searching on LinkedIn for a good copywriter. 7. Use email to introduce yourself to a potential client. Write a short email that introduces yourself and your services. You're not trying to sell your services yet, just introduce yourself. Do homework on that company. Visit their website and Facebook page to find out what they're doing with their marketing. See if you can identify something you can help them with. For example, if you notice that they do a lot of email marketing and you're particularly good at writing emails, you can say, "Hey, I noticed you do a lot of email marketing. One of my specialties is email copywriting. I may be able to help you." It's likely to get some interest from companies interested in getting help. Heather Robson, Managing Editor of Wealthy Web Writer and a featured Bootcamp 2021 speaker: 8. Use timing to your advantage. How do you make sure the person you're reaching out to has a need in the moment? If you work in a specific industry, like pet or health, for example, watch newsfeeds in that industry. When you see that a company has something big going on, that's the perfect time to reach out to them. Say they have a new product that's launching. That means they have all sorts of materials to create. Their workload is way higher than usual, which means reaching out to them is just absolutely perfect timing and you boost your likelihood of getting a yes from that client. 9. Stay top of mind. Write about what you do; how you can help clients. Publish your writing on LinkedIn. Then, when people see what you've written and they're interested in it, there's a high chance they will follow you. And then the next time you publish, they'll see that too. You create this cycle of people interested in what you have to say and seeing you constantly, so you become familiar. And when they have a need for the type of service you offer, you'll be the natural person to reach out to. 10. Have more conversations. These conversations don't have to be about pitching your services. They don't even have to be about writing or what you do. You're really just taking time to get to know people. If you're doing this on Facebook in a group where your audience hangs out, you'll be getting to know people who have a need for your services. And then if they happen to have a need in the moment, or they know someone who has a need, they're very likely to segue the conversation into, "Do you have time in your schedule right now? I'd really like to talk to you about that." 11. Start cultivating relationships with other writers. Other writers have been where you've been. They know your specific challenges and obstacles. As you get to know them, you'll naturally find an affinity with some of them, which will turn into a friendship. This is great just in its own right. But as you begin growing your businesses, sometimes you'll be really busy and don't have time for new projects. Instead of just saying, "No, I don't have time," you can say, "You know, I am booked right now, but I know another great writer who I'd love to refer you to." It works the other way, too. The other writer may refer you! 12. Be everywhere in your niche and be really, really helpful. Look for LinkedIn and Facebook groups that have to do with your niche. And then, when you have something useful to say without pitching yourself, just offer value. This isn't a pitch. It's something to the effect of, "Did you know that if you use this particular headline formula, you could increase your results?" When people ask questions or ask for advice, you can weigh in in a relevant, useful, and thoughtful way. They may reach out to connect with you … and eventually, those relationships can grow into client relationships. Jen, Steve, and Heather were part of the team of copywriting and business-building experts who spoke at AWAI's first-ever Freelance Writer Fest. If you're ready to transition to a successful, high-paying writing career, you should view this life-changing event (see the replay for free [here](). Do you have any questions about getting clients and building your business? [Please share in the comments]( so we can point you in the right direction. PWA Spec Assignment Becomes Launchpad for Successful Writing Career By Melynda Boyce Rebekah Mays When PWA member Rebekah Mays finished her graduate program in 2016, she was $30,000 in debt, with no job prospects and a waning interest in her field. From her parents' basement, she began to explore the world of professional copywriting through AWAI programs and training. When The Professional Writers' Alliance posted a call for Spec Assignments leading up to AWAI's 2018 Bootcamp, she decided to go for it and submitted an article idea. Her submission caught the eye of PWA Director Jen Adams, who hired her to write the full piece. That PWA article was Rebekah's first time being published as a professional copywriter. "It was my first freelance writing assignment, and I couldn't have been more thrilled! Little did I know it was just the beginning." Encouraged by her first success, Rebekah started gaining momentum. She submitted more spec articles and landed more clients. She also won the Grand Prize in one of PWA's cash writing challenges and the $2,000 award for being the top student in AWAI's Sales Letter Certification Program. All within her first 12 months as a working writer! Her Challenge wins and submissions led to repeat opportunities and future contracts. And sending in articles according to the spec guidelines was far less intimidating than cold calling potential clients. Plus, she was able to harvest testimonials, samples, and professional feedback from experienced copywriters along the way. Now, Rebekah doesn't have to rely on part-time jobs to make ends meet. She works as a Content Marketing Strategist and serves freelance clients in the health and lifestyle industries. The chance to write for the supportive PWA community — and get paid for it — was just the springboard Rebekah needed to launch her fast-rising, successful dream job of being a professional copywriter. For a limited time, you can join PWA for $1 AND get access to a 21-Day Client Challenge (regularly $497) starting in January for no extra cost. [Get your invitation to join PWA for $1.]( Up to 90% Off During AWAI's Holiday Sale During our Holiday Sale, you'll find almost every resource in our catalog on sale for up to 90% off! So, whatever your next step is … Whether you need help landing clients … Want to learn to write a new type of project … Or you're ready to take your writing business to the next level … … we've got you covered. [Claim Your Savings Now!]( From Unemployed Executive to Living Her Dream Life (And Earning Huge Fees): She thought she was in her dream job as a marketing executive at a Fortune 500 company. But her career was turned upside down when her boss told her she was being laid off. So she transformed her career into one that gives her the kind of freedom she was looking for and is on track to surpass her Fortune 500 salary. What kind of job does she have, and how did it happen (and how can you transform your career too)? [Find Out More Here!]( Join PWA for $1 … … And Get FREE Access to 21-Day Client Challenge Start 2021 by overcoming the #1 concern most freelance writers face. For a limited time, get access to Ilise Benun's 21-Day Client Challenge at no extra cost when you join The Professional Writers' Alliance for $1. Come January, Ilise will help you set up a proven system for attracting clients — without using any scary marketing tactics. In the meantime, dive into the PWA resources that will help you run your business smoothly and focus most of your time on writing and getting paid. [Get Your Invitation to Join for $1.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? [View in your browser, here](. For questions or requests: [contact us online](. --------------------------------------------------------------- ©2020 American Writers & Artists Institute Do you know of someone who would benefit from reading The Writer's Life? 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