How I did it – and how you can too

A step-by-step plan that works for landing your first client [The Writer’ s Life]( September 20, 2021 Hi {NAME}, Have you ever put together a LEGO set? My kids are obsessed … And while the sets are really awesome when they're done … while you're building them, that instruction booklet is everything … Assuming you want it to look like the thing on the box. 🙂 It's vital that you keep that booklet handy and follow it step-by-step. And hours (or days!) later, you've created a really cool piece to enjoy. Building your writing career is similar … You can build something enjoyable and profitable — and it will happen faster and easier when you follow directions. Just take the proven plans laid out by experts who have successfully navigated the waters and have been where you are. Inspired by other people's success, [Circle of Success]( member Lisa Bjornstad set out on a journey to do just that. She was ready to pursue her lifelong dream of being a writer. She told me that after taking numerous AWAI programs, attending Bootcamp, and doing a lot of marketing research, she finally followed the common sense advice to land her first client. Now she's on her way! Today, Lisa is sharing the steps she followed because she's (I'm quoting her 🙂) "delighted to help other members get their first clients." I love that pay-it-forward attitude — thanks, Lisa! And if you're not up and running yet as a professional writer, I want to help you launch once and for all … so you can start making great money as a writer. [>> Go here and we'll have you running by next Friday — GUARANTEED.]( Even if you don't "feel" ready. 😉 To your success, [Rebecca Matter’ s signature] Rebecca Matter President, AWAI How LinkedIn Got Me Where I Wanted to Go as a Writer By Lisa Bjornstad [Woman writer sitting in front of a laptop with her dog] For a long time, I had dreamed of being a copywriter. Living the writer's life, being my own boss … Setting my own hours, working when — or even if — I wanted from wherever I wanted. I'd taken all the necessary steps to get there. I had completed several copywriting courses (thanks, AWAI!) and — if I may be so humble — received rave reviews on my Spec Assignments. I joined the Circle of Success. My mindset was primed and ready. ("I can do this! Nothing, but nothing, is going to stop me now!") Heck, I'd even been to Bootcamp! There was just one thing missing: my first client. Enter LinkedIn Now, I'd heard about LinkedIn and what a powerful tool it can be for attracting leads. So I signed up for a free account and began to explore. I soon concluded that it was way beyond my expertise. It seemed so complicated! I confess, I got a little depressed. I thought about it for a few days and got further down in the dumps. My mindset was quickly deteriorating and was in drastic need of a motivation injection. Then one day, I had a thought: "Lisa, this isn't you! Don't give up! You've conquered bigger things than this!" My thought was right, and I vowed then and there that an online service was not going to get the better of me. I did some research, became acquainted with the ins and outs of LinkedIn, and the intimidation I once felt melted away. Mindset restored! Fun and Easy Steps to Success Here's an outline of my steps to success: - First, I crafted a [strong LinkedIn profile](, and then searched for as many connections in my field (mental health) as I could possibly find. My goal was to make 20 connections per day. For each potential connection, I wrote a short message introducing myself. As of this writing, I now have 3,300 connections. These days, I rarely go looking for connections. Rather, people routinely find me and ask me to connect with them. - In addition to making 3,300 connections, I did a LinkedIn search for mental health groups and joined as many appropriate ones as I could find. - (Caution: Super Fun Part Ahead!) Then, using Canva, I designed and posted relevant memes to my personal profile and to LinkedIn mental health groups. - But that's not all. I wrote and posted articles and blogs on LinkedIn and alerted my connections to the new postings (LinkedIn has a cool way to do that). Whether an article, blog, or meme, LinkedIn proceeds to display comments people make and also indicates the number of views your post has had. - And, last but not least, I not only "Liked" other peoples' posts and articles, but I commented on them using more than two sentences (this is important). The more you Like and comment, the more the LinkedIn algorithm will spread your name around and let others see your posts and comments. People quickly get to know you — who you are, what you do, and how you can help them. It didn't take long for folks to begin messaging me on LinkedIn, inquiring about my availability to write blogs. (Since those early days, I have done other copywriting projects in addition to blogs.) I quickly got three very lucrative clients, and I charged $100 per blog. For just one of these clients alone, I wrote 12 blogs per month on mental health topics — easy, because I wrote about what I already know. Now I ask you, who couldn't use an extra $1,200, just like that (snapping fingers)? Fast-Forward to the Present Day Nowadays, I routinely get emails from LinkedIn saying, "People are looking at your profile." In fact, I got an email just today telling me that 50 people had found me, and it told me who they are. I can then connect with them if they are suitable. (Warning: Some people make inappropriate use of LinkedIn as a dating site. Be careful.) LinkedIn has evolved from a formidable nemesis to my best marketing friend. It's not an exaggeration to say that I don't know where I'd be without it. So dive into LinkedIn. Do it! You just may see your business take off like a rocket (here's a meme I designed for this article) … [The words your business pointing to a rocket launching next to the words Do It!] For more insights into best practices for getting great clients via LinkedIn, watch this [Inside AWAI webinar](. Do you have any other questions about getting started as a copywriter? [Share in the comments]( so we can help. Editorial Note: Many of AWAI's greatest success stories come from aspiring writers who used the personal mentoring, instructor-led training sessions, and access to the big names in our industry to build their careers fast. As a Circle of Success member, you'll create a personalized career plan with the help of your mentor, based on your experiences, interests, and goals. Plus, you'll also enjoy free Bootcamps, where you'll be able to connect with other members and build relationships with other writers who share your goals and aspirations … [Go here to check out the long list of COS benefits.]( With so many ways to surround yourself with friendly, encouraging writers, you should never feel like you have to go it alone. Even if you're an introvert (let's face it, many of us are!), connecting with just one or two writers online can help boost the positive voices around you and keep you moving forward. And — who knows — once you achieve the level of success you're aiming for, maybe you'll be that positive voice for someone else, too. [Check out the details today.]( Launch Your Well-Paid Writing Business in Just 5 Days [Launch you career today video image] We've developed a proven system to get you up and running as a writer … In just FIVE DAYS! All year we've been successfully helping writers get launched once and for all. [ Click here to meet some of them.]( But fair warning … This is your last chance to get in this year! [Get In and Get Launched.]( Now Accepting New Writers We've developed a proven system to get you up and running as a writer … In just FIVE DAYS! If you want … - more income, - shorter workdays, - greater flexibility … AND the satisfaction that comes with LOVING what you do for a living … Then getting accepted into our influential club of Barefoot Writers can set you up for everything you're looking for in a writing career. NOTE: Your acceptance window will be closing soon! [Apply Now.]( TODAY! Get all this for $1 … [The Professional Writers' Alliance resources] The Professional Writers' Alliance (PWA) takes the stress out of running your writing business. With ready-to-use business forms, templates, and checklists … VIP job board access … networking opportunities … and a mountain of tips, tactics, and "been there, done that" advice from working freelance writers … You'll minimize the "unbillable" hours you spend working on your business and maximize your time writing — and getting paid.[Claim Your $1 Access Here.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 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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