Writers: unmuted by the pandemic?

How the changes can help you can build a successful career too [The Writer’ s Life]( April 29, 2021 Hi {NAME}, Going into the pandemic a year ago, it was impossible to predict just how transformational it was going to be. Surprisingly, not all of the effects have been negative! Marketers need writers more than ever — the shift to so much online marketing has created huge demands for more quality content and copy. And even self-proclaimed "introvert" writers are happily networking with marketers who need help. Today, Business-Building Expert Ilise Benun explains this phenomenon and what it can mean for your business success. When it comes to making money and landing clients, Ilise is a good person to listen to … I've never seen anyone help new writers get paying clients faster than her. And now, she's ready to personally take you through [her proven system]( day-by-day, to ensure you land your first (or next) paying client. With her step-by-step guidance, bite-sized modules, and daily tasks, you'll master the exact steps to land paying writing assignments. But today is your LAST CHANCE to register for her upcoming Challenge … [>> Go here now for the details.]( And introvert or extrovert, get ready for a steady stream of paid writing assignments to come your way. Rebecca Unmuted by the Pandemic By Ilise Benun [Young woman on a laptop video call with a female client] It's been more than a year since things changed radically for everyone everywhere. Although the experience was different for each of us, the common denominator is that almost all of our interactions with clients, prospects, and colleagues have gone from IRL (in real life) to virtual. And that's still true, even as some areas start to cautiously open up. Yes, of course, we will venture back out into the world — and soon, I hope. We will once again attend in-person meetings and conferences. (Crossing my fingers for Bootcamp — see you there?) However, I don't think we're going "back" to the way it was. If I had to predict, I would say the future will be a hybrid one. So that raises an important question: Does the virtual environment make it easier or harder to connect and build relationships? And how does that affect our self-confidence? I can only share what I have observed, and I must say it has surprised me. Many, if not most, of the copywriters and other creative professionals I work with categorize themselves as "introverts" and therefore struggle when it comes to meeting people. But since we've gone virtual, many of these people have actually gotten better at networking. Pre-pandemic, they were generally shy and reluctant to talk about themselves in face-to-face conversations, making the networking aspect of building a business near impossible. However, the pandemic has had a surprisingly (especially to themselves) positive effect! In fact, a few of the hard-core introverts have actually become networking mavens. I barely recognize them. It's like they've "unmuted" themselves. If I had to guess why, I suspect it has to do with the Zoom screen. Although the screen feels like a barrier to some, for introverts it seems to have created a buffer of sorts, allowing them to feel less vulnerable than in person and enabling them to let their defenses down a bit and reveal more of themselves. Zoom also has something no real live conversation has — the chat box! I know it's sometimes hard to split your attention between the conversation on the screen and the simultaneous chat, but it may be worth practicing. You see, the chat allows you to jump into a conversation without actually interrupting. You'd never interject a comment while someone is talking (I hope), but with the chat box, it's like putting a wedge in the door to open it a bit so you can go in later, when the time is right. LinkedIn is another tool that has made networking easier for many people during the pandemic. When the world shut down, a lot of business activities simply went online. And much of it went to LinkedIn, the social media platform for business professionals. When we could no longer attend an event, we started chatting and posting on LinkedIn. What had for years been a sleepy social media platform, (it was even pigeonholed by some as the "job posting site") became, almost overnight, the premier networking site for business professionals. Why? I think it's because everyone was already there. Most of us already had a profile, even if it was neither up-to-date or nor up to snuff — and even if we hadn't visited it for years! No matter. We didn't have to start from scratch or learn something new — the foundation had been laid. LinkedIn is so easy to use that all we had to do was find the password to log in, freshen it up a bit, and join the conversation. And that simple action — of joining the conversation — did what action tends to do — it provided an actual experience to learn from, which is what builds confidence. I know it seems counterintuitive, because you may imagine that you need to feel confident first, before you take any action and especially before putting yourself "out there." But in fact, marketing yourself can actually help you build your confidence, especially when you're reinventing yourself and your career, or trying something new. As one client of mine wrote, "Being an 'experienced newbie' — someone with a career behind them who is starting to learn to do something new for a living — can easily create a crisis of confidence. We get used to being able to do what we do, so encountering feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability can be a big challenge." How do we get over that? Here's what she suggests: "First, ask for help. Go to an expert and let them guide you. Second, throw yourself into your marketing. Say what? Surely you need to be confident BEFORE you start marking yourself? Turns out … No. It's the other way round." Of course, I agree because I've seen it firsthand, with this client and many, many other copywriters. That's why I encourage you to try it. Don't wait for confidence to "appear." Take a tiny action and then another and then another. You'll see for yourself what starts to happen. If you need help to get started, I have a plan to guide you through setting up your LinkedIn profile and getting started as a copywriter … even if you're brand-new. Join me for 21 days and I'll show you there's NO faster, easier way to land your first client. I will walk you through every step along the way. Plus, I'll even give you proven scripts you can use when you start connecting with clients … so you'll know exactly what to say. Nothing is left to chance. All you have to do is register before enrollment closes tonight. [Check out the details here.]( Do you have any questions about getting started marketing yourself as a copywriter? [We'd love to hear from you in the comments.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Lessons Learned from the 21-Day Challenge: Follow the "Little Steps" By Ilise Benun As part of my 21-Day Challenge kicking off tomorrow, I have a plan to help you set up your LinkedIn profile and get started as a copywriter … even if you're brand-new. Join me for 21 days and I'll show you the simple daily, baby steps you can take to erase fear, build confidence, and find your first (or next) client. You'll learn a proven process to land clients — a system you can use again and again. All you have to do is register before enrollment closes at midnight. [Check out the details here.]( It's your last chance to join my next 21-Day Challenge — it kicks off tomorrow! In a recent write-up of takeaway impressions after participating in one of my 21-Day Challenges, Barry Finnegan shared his overview of my approach. Here's an excerpt … Ilise is wonderfully methodical, "little steps" she keeps on saying. And little step by little step, she takes you through the process of repositioning yourself on the most powerful business platform online. - Ilise starts with the shocker that it's not about you (no, it isn't). It's about the people you'd like to work for, collaborate with, or access for their wisdom and insights. - Then she walks you through the process of why you should want to be on LinkedIn. (It's not so you have over 700 million people you can message about your wonderful widget.) This is a turning inward — what are your goals and aspirations? - Next, she helps you figure out who 'they' are. Because, if it's not about you, it's about them. - Then, and only then, do you start working on your profile. The aim here is — you probably guessed it — to show people your value, and tell them a little about what makes you interesting. (We're all interesting in some way or another, so no need to fib.) - Finally, while it's not a case of 'build it and they will come,' you have a profile that will make it easier for people to decide if they'd possibly like to do business with you — or hire you, for that matter. - Now that you're 'fishing with the right bait,' you can reach out. Who knows what will happen? Many things don't happen instantly. Positive change can be a slow process — Ilise is big on that idea — but slow progress always beats no progress. So little step by little step … Thanks, Barry! There's not much more I can say — it's music to my ears to witness the learning and see the growth of all the participants in just 21 days. I can't wait for the 21-Day Challenge to start tomorrow — [this is your last chance to join me](! ** ENROLLMENT CLOSING TONIGHT ** Get Your First Paid Writing Client – In 21 Days – Guaranteed [Product Spread] This proven system is easy, effective, and takes less than 30 minutes a day … And WILL get you connected to your first client. [Learn more and accept The Challenge here.]( Today Only! Get Our Writing Career-Launching Magazine for Just $49 $11! [Product Spread] Get a full year, plus two bonus issues! > $11! [Details Inside]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? [View in your browser, here](. For questions or requests: [contact us online](. --------------------------------------------------------------- ©2021 American Writers & Artists Institute Do you know of someone who would benefit from reading The Writer's Life? 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