It’s time, {NAME}!

Time to get your ducks in a row … [The Writer’ s Life]( December 1, 2022 "I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." – Jimmy Dean Ooooooo {NAME}, The excitement is CRAZY over our upcoming Launch Your Writer's Life in a Day event!! So, before we jump into today's issue, two things … - If you haven't launched your writing business yet, or have one that you're not absolutely THRILLED with … 👉 [Go here now and grab one of the seats before the HUGE discount ends.]( You're going to be shocked at the price. But there's zero risk too! You can download the playbook, attend the full event, and still get every penny back. - [Join us over on Facebook at Noon ET today!]( We're going to jump on live to take you inside the "playbook" and answer any questions you might have. Now for today's issue … Whether or not you join for the event, this is the PERFECT time to get those ducks in a row for 2023 … Rather than starting the new year with resolutions and willpower, you'll simply be continuing what you started with speed and confidence. So today, business-building expert Ilise Benun shares what you can do to make forward progress NOW. Ilise has mentored countless creative professionals, and she knows how to help break through barriers that may be holding you back (consciously or subconsciously). And she's one of the instructors in our upcoming [Launch Your Writers Life in a Day event]( … Where we'll guide you every step of the way through launching and then building a writing business that will bring you the clients (and money!) you need to reach your goals. Over to you, Ilise! [Rebecca Matter’ s signature] Rebecca --------------------------------------------------------------- Hi there, Ilise Benun here … It should not surprise you that, when you're just starting out as a copywriter, your writing isn't as good as it can be — yet! So, it makes sense that you wouldn't be all that confident about it. That is totally normal and to be expected. So, if you're waiting for confidence to come from writing perfection before you start looking for clients, I predict you'll wait an awfully long time. The reality is that, as with everything, we start out completely ignorant before we begin to learn. Then, the more you practice, the better you get, little by little, step by step, until one day you'll look back (with humility, I hope) and say to yourself, "Wow, I have come a long way." (By the way, at that point, you still won't be anywhere near perfect, but you will be more confident.) The only way to get there is to get on that path. That means it's time to stop procrastinating and get your ducks in a row so you can start getting clients. I like to think of the early ones as "practice clients" … They're the ones who help you get a few projects under your belt, and develop a few samples for your portfolio. You learn from the mistakes you make with them and commit to doing better — every single time, with every single project. That's how you begin to build the confidence that will allow you to go after the real clients who have bigger and better projects for you. In the meantime, don't worry about what you haven't done or what you don't have. Instead, focus on what you can do and what you do have. So, what can you do? Set yourself up for success by setting up the structure of your business. So many people who come to me for mentoring tell me they won't feel confident enough to start looking for clients "until they have all their ducks in a row." And that makes sense … When you're starting something new, you need a solid foundation. Otherwise, you feel like you're floating out there, unmoored and without an anchor. That kind of instability is very unsettling. I get that. The best way to fight that instability is by having a strong foundation. Building the structure of your business before you begin looking for clients will make you feel much readier to take the inevitably challenging steps required to actively pursue the clients you want. There are three good reasons to invest the time to do this: 1. It will cut out at least one avenue of procrastination. There are many, many procrastination techniques and styles — I think I've seen them all. Most people put off their marketing (some for a very long time) by telling themselves, "I need to do one more thing before I start." The thing is, there will always be "one more thing" and you will never get out of the proverbial "gate." You've got to interrupt that loop. And getting your business structure in place will accomplish that. It's entirely up to you. 2. It shows you how much you do already know. Putting all the pieces in place is, in itself, a confidence builder — but only if you let it be. Some people agonize over their LinkedIn profile or writing the copy for their website; they tinker with it for way too long. Sometimes I think it's nothing more than a procrastination technique to avoid getting started. You can, however, use this process instead to see how far you've come and how much you do know, and that will bolster your confidence. It's entirely up to you. 3. You can approach clients knowing you have somewhere to send them. Some people wing it. That's my style, actually. While I like to be prepared, often I would rather jump into the fire and see if I can swim (forgive the mixed metaphor but I figure I can take a bit of poetic license with an audience of writers). You may prefer to get everything in order before you jump. And, of course, it is better not to be scrambling when a prospect responds to your LinkedIn request to connect, for example, and asks to learn more about your services. If you put your structure in place (your LinkedIn profile, the services you offer, your pricing, and more), you know you're ready. Nothing will be set in stone, of course, and it will all change as you go. But it is comforting to know there are ways your prospects can find out more about your services as you market to them. So, what do you need to do to build structure in your business? Set up your LinkedIn profile and set your pricing schedule. Even if you start with something basic, that's okay. You can keep evolving as your business grows. Then, work on your self-marketing efforts. What's important is to not let anything become an obstacle or roadblock to getting started. You can do this — it can feel like a tremendous responsibility but it's also an incredible freedom. It's entirely up to you — but if you just get started, it can lead to somewhere great. Editorial Note: Do you want to get all your business foundation ducks in a row in just 30 days (or sooner)? We can help! Ilise is one of the experts involved in Launch Your Writer's Life in a Day, where we walk you step-by-step through building your writing business … If you've yet to launch your business, or you're simply not happy with it, [definitely check it out](. 12.09.22: The Day You Turn Pro [Learn More]( What's Hot at AWAI … 🙌 JUST ANNOUNCED: [December Writing Contest — your chance to win $200!]( 👀 CLOSING SOON: [Grab a seat for our Launch Your Writer's Life in a Day – Thrive in 2023 event!]( 🧐 [Copywriting is still one of the BEST side hustles.]( 🤩 ['Rebel housewife' reaches full-time copywriting income.]( Action yields results! [Social media post about reaching out to clients] Putting yourself out there is the first of many wins for you, Sandra! And we love that you're doing it before the training even starts. You're going to be a force in the Sales Enablement specialty. 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! How to Get Free Stuff as a Writer Imagine scoring free vacations … dinners out … gym equipment … house repairs … relaxing spa getaways … Barefoot Writers have a hidden avenue to land incredible bonuses — at zero cost … On top of enjoying total career freedom. Discover how it's done with our special report, 130 Amazing Perks and Freebies for Barefoot Writers (and How to Get Them!) — yours free with an $11 subscription to Barefoot Writer magazine. 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