paid writing auditions

This is a total win/win for you and potential clients … [The Writer’ s Life]( May 4, 2022 "I've found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances." – Brian Tracy {NAME}, Back in the day, the spec assignment was the "way in" with clients … You'd write the copy "on spec" … which meant you weren't guaranteed payment. The client would review the copy. And IF they decided to use it, they'd pay you. It worked out well for both parties … The company got to "try before buying" a writer. And the inexperienced writer got an audition to show what they could do in copy form. It especially worked great for direct mail sales letters, where the risk and investment were huge for the client … Back then it would have been upwards of $10,000 (often more) just to test the letter, with months needed to determine the return on investment. Like I said, big risk! So rather than judging a writer on samples, clients could see a real idea, that was relevant to them, in copy form. Now technically, you can still use this method today … Especially if you're trying to get into a big company as a sales letter writer. But in a world with so many types of content that are super low risk for clients to test writers on, I have something I personally like a lot more … A paid writing audition. I call it an audition because like the spec, you get to SHOW clients what you can do rather than trying to convince them … And they pay you for the copy you write. This works especially well with easy-to-write content like ads, blogs, social media posts, and newsletters … because the risk is very low for the client. Within a week's time, they can see what you can do for them, get a feel for your writing, and they only risk maybe a few hundred bucks and a few hours of their time. That's a low investment to potentially find the dream writer who can attract new prospects, build relationships, convert them into customers, and/or keeps those customers happy … aka YOU! (If you're brand new to paid writing, I recommend you check out our [Copy-Content Continuum]( to learn the four stages and all the assignments that are available to you at every stage.) The paid audition method also gets new writers past the three big (perceived) obstacles so many fear … 1. How will I get clients without any samples? A sample is just a sample of your writing. And all AWAI training programs come with assignments that can be turned into professional samples. But let's say a client asks you for samples, and you don't have any … "{NAME}, I see on your LinkedIn profile that you specialize in my niche. Do you have any samples?" Your response: "I believe every company needs to have a unique voice and style with their copy and content in order to stand out. I've taken a look at your website and have a few ideas for some blog topics I could write that meet yours. How about we work together on a quick article — specific to your brand and messaging — and see how we like working together?" #paidaudition 🙌 2. Should I write for free if I'm just starting out? Short answer: No. A copywriter is a professional service provider. You're no different than a lawyer, CPA, or dentist … all of whom would expect to be paid for services rendered. If you've invested in training, and completed the work, you have a valuable skill. Any time you use it for a company, you are performing a professional service … that is helping them stay in business. You should be paid accordingly. But again remember, with the paid audition, the risk is very low to the client. It's a win/win. 3. I still have more to learn before I can work for clients. The truth is you'll ALWAYS be learning. When it comes to your writing you can always learn something new, master something old, or improve something else. As legendary copywriter Bob Bly once told me, "For the professional, school is never out." Fortunately, learning is fun! (Especially when it's done at AWAI.) But here's what you need to remember … You only need one skill to start working with clients. You can and should keep learning others, but don't let that stop you from starting the business side of your writing career. That's why every AWAI program includes content on getting clients … We bake it in because we know you're ready to start getting paid by the time you finish the training. And we know it's important for you to start making money as quickly as possible. After all, there's nothing like a paycheck to give you confidence and motivation to continue on! Looking for one skill to start with? I always recommend starting with something you already know very well as a reader … Like [blogs](. You have read some before and likely have ones you enjoy more than others … Which makes learning to write effective blogs easy. Especially if you have the right training. ;) Tomorrow, I'll show you three ways to get paid auditions … Including what to say when talking to the potential client. In the meantime, I recommend you [read the sales page for our blog training]( … Not only because the program is on sale, but because the sales page includes valuable information on the opportunity that you should be aware of … It's likely way bigger than you may think. See you tomorrow! [Rebecca Matter’ s signature] Rebecca What's Hot at AWAI … 🙌 [Austin Mom Turns Blogging into a Six-Figure Stay-at-Home Venture]( 😲 3 Common blogging myths debunked!? [Read more here!]( 💰 What's one of the EASIEST writing projects and quickest ways to get paid?! [Click here to find out!]( 🤑Want a chance to win $200? [Check out this month's writing contest!]( How He Got the Wheels Turning [Social media post about finding consistent success by writing blogs] Love this, Chuck. You've been on a heck of a roll, lately. Thanks for sharing how you got your start! Have your own story to share? Email us at mysuccess@awai.com, or [post it over in the Facebook group](, so we can celebrate your win too! BREAKING NEWS: Freelance Writing Is HOT According to Forbes: "60% of freelancers who left their full-time job now make more money as a freelancer. And as more individuals with highly specialized skill sets make the switch to freelancing, these figures will likely continue to rise." And get this: 33% of those who make more as freelancers did it immediately, 24% took less than six months, and 17% took six months to a year. Becoming a well-paid freelance writer can happen FAST if you follow the right steps. All you need are basic skills to charge professional fees as a writer in a matter of hours. [We'll do it together — here!]( Featured Writing Jobs Content Marketing Manager – AutoCamp Full-time, Santa Barbara, CA The Content Marketing Manager will conceptualize, develop, and own the success of our content marketing channels, including the AutoCamp website, blog, email marketing and cross-channel content campaigns. This role is an integral piece of the brand marketing team, building and executing on our content calendar at the brand and property levels. --------------------------------------------------------------- Freelance Blogger – One Tribe Contract, Remote We need an additional writer to help us give more education and advice to our members/prospective members and another who can help us celebrate the stories of our members when they join us. This is a great role for someone who is happy to write a couple of blog stories a month, who probably has work elsewhere and is looking to contribute to an amazing cause evenings and weekends. --------------------------------------------------------------- Copywriter – Arctic Wolf Networks Full-time, Remote We are looking for an experienced Copywriter with a strong cybersecurity background to join our high-performing, collaborative, Demand Generation team. The Copywriter is responsible for creating compelling and original content for digital platforms, campaigns, and sales material that supports the full buyer's journey and helps fuel Arctic Wolf's demand marketing engine. --------------------------------------------------------------- You can find all of these jobs and thousands more on [WritersWanted.com](. Access is currently available with [The AWAI Method™]( and will be opened up to additional AWAI members in the near future. Stay tuned! --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? [View in your browser, here](. For questions or requests: [contact us online](. --------------------------------------------------------------- ©2022 American Writers & Artists Institute Do you know of someone who would benefit from reading The Writer's Life? Simply direct them [here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- American Writers & Artists Institute 220 George Bush Blvd, Suite D Delray Beach, FL 33444 (561) 278-5557 or (866) 879-2924 Ensure your subscription delivery. AWAI Whitelisting info available [here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- You are subscribed to this newsletter as {EMAIL}. To unsubscribe from any future issues of The Writer's Life, please click here: [Unsubscribe from The Writer's Life](. To unsubscribe from all AWAI broadcasts click here. [I want to permanently unsubscribe from all AWAI emails](.