Just say yes! (+ free training on making money as a copyeditor)

We’ve got anything you need… [The Writer’ s Life]( September 15, 2023 "If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes — then learn how to do it later!" – Richard Branson Hi {NAME}, I love that quote from Richard Branson … You learn by doing! And with AWAI behind you, you can quickly get up to speed on anything you need to know. Today, I've got TWO great opportunities that set you up for quick yeses … whether you're looking for your first paycheck or fiftieth. First up, join us at 12 p.m. ET to discover how you can enjoy all the perks of the writer's life … Including great pay, a flexible schedule, high demand for your services, and the opportunity to make industry connections … … without ever facing the pressure of writing copy from scratch. It's free to attend, [just grab the access instructions here](. Once your foot is in the door, a world of new well-paid writing opportunities opens up for you … and loads more opportunities to say yes. Below, AWAI Success Michele Peterson shares her personal Yes (and No!) strategy she has been using to open new doors throughout her career. Of course, if you're just starting out in this world of well-paid writing and feel unsure about picking a path … [>> I want you to try this. <<]( We've created it specifically for writers who need a little push forward … so you can get into the writing-for-money game in a matter of days, armed with some skills, experience, and confidence. [Check it out today.]( Hope you have a great weekend! Rebecca Matter President AWAI Total "Newbie" to Paid Writing? If You Dream of Being a Well-Paid, Work-From-Anywhere Writer, BUT … - You've NEVER written a word of copy … - You've not done ANY training … - You have ZERO samples, no portfolio … THEN WE'VE CREATED SOMETHING EXCLUSIVELY FOR YOU! A BRAND-NEW training program with ONE SOLITARY GOAL … to get you paid! [DETAILS HERE]( Say Yes to Opportunity … and Then Figure It Out By Michele Peterson [freelance writer shakes hands with new client] For one year, TV producer Shonda Rhimes said yes to everything. Every opportunity … both public and private. Work-related and personal. Some yeses put her WAY out of her comfort zone. She did it anyway. And then, she wrote a book about it. If you haven't read Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, I highly recommend it. Marie Forleo tells the story of her mom fixing a transistor radio and teaching her that "Nothing in life is that complicated. You can do whatever you set your mind to, if you just roll up your sleeves, get in there, and do it. Everything is figureoutable." That became the driving force of Marie's life. Her mantra. And, eventually, the title of her book. And, yes, I recommend reading it, too. The combination of these two ideas — saying yes, because everything is figureoutable — has served me well. Over the years, I have figured out how to install and repair electrical and plumbing fixtures in my home. I've repaired my own appliances (dryer, refrigerator, and freezer). I've built a tree house, a green house, and learned to officially score a baseball game. I've started and maintained a profitable web-copywriting business. I didn't know everything about digital copywriting or being a work-from-home freelancer, when I started more than 10 years ago. I said yes and then figured it out. You can, too. Especially now, when there are so many resources available at your fingertips to help you figure it out. As a digital copywriter, one of my go-to resources for figuring things out has always been Digital Copywriter. When it comes to setting my fees without undervaluing myself, I frequently refer to AWAI's annual [State of the Industry Report and Copywriting Pricing Guide](. There is a World Wide Web of information just a Google search away. It's never been so easy to say yes and then figure it out. Whatever "it" is. Saying Yes to New Projects for New Clients Saying yes and then figuring it out has opened doors to opportunities for me as a web copywriter, just as it can for you. One of my most memorable examples of this is when an executive from Sopexa sent me an email asking about my availability to help them with a project. Sopexa is an international food and drink marketing agency. They needed a wine copywriter to write a press release introducing the French Pays d'Oc wine region to American consumers. Could I help? I had never written an official press release. And, there are definite formatting requirements that must be taken seriously. I'd never heard of the Pays d'Oc, which is a lesser-known wine region in southern France. At least, it was lesser known here in the United States … hence the need for the press release to kick off the marketing campaign to increase awareness. Of course, I said yes. I quoted them a fee at the high end of the range listed in the AWAI copywriting pricing guide. They agreed, and I went to work. I learned how to write a press release in seven simple steps from AWAI's Secrets of Becoming a Publicist. I went through all the information Sopexa sent me on the Pays d'Oc and did some supplemental research of my own. I wrote the press release. And, I nailed it on the first draft. I went on to do other projects for Sopexa. I also used my newly developed press release skill for other clients. All because I said yes, and then figured it out. Knowing When to Say No Now, just because you can say yes and figure it out, sometimes you should say no instead. Here are the questions I ask myself to determine if my answer should be yes or no: - Is it a client I'm excited to work with? - Is it a project I'm excited to learn? - Is the project fee high enough to justify the time spent learning the new skill? - Is the prospect of future work high enough to justify the time spent learning the new skill? - Is the client and/or project aligned with my overall vision and goals for my business? Some of the projects I've said no to have been grant applications, direct-mail postcard campaigns, and technical writing to explain agricultural equipment. I've said no to handwriting analysis experts, some marketing agencies, and certain nonprofit organizations. This ability to choose whether to say yes or no to a potential client and/or project is one of the best things about my life as a freelance copywriter. And, I take it seriously. If the yes makes sense, I go for it. But, it has to make sense. If it doesn't, I've learned to be okay with saying no. Building Your Yes Muscle Sometimes saying yes feels uncomfortable. It can feel scary to say yes to something you've never done before. So, start small and work up to the big yeses. For example, a web designer I sometimes partner with once referred me to cardiac surgeons who wanted to update their practice's website. I wanted to honor the referral, but I was totally intimidated by the subject matter. I mean, cardiac surgery! So, I said yes just to a meeting to discover more about the project and what they expected. That turned into a yes, so I started by revising the bios of the surgeons. That led to a yes, so I rewrote the entire site to provide a better user experience for both the patients and their families. I started with a small yes — a meeting — and worked up to the big yes of the entire site. And, you can do something similar when facing an opportunity. If the overall yes feels too big, break it down into just the next logical small step. As you say yes to the smaller things, your confidence grows. As you become more confident, the bigger yeses start to feel more comfortable. Pretty soon, you're unstoppable. What Would You … ? You may have heard the question, what would you do, if you knew you couldn't fail? I'm asking you this: What would you say yes to, if you knew you could figure it out? Because you can. You can say yes and then figure it out. Haven't you already done that every time you've tried something new? Yes, I want to drive a car, so I'll figure out how to do it. Yes, I want to bake a cake, swim the backstroke, build a treehouse, fill in the blank … so I'll figure it out. Yes, I want to make a good living as a freelance writer, so I'll figure out how to do it. What can you say yes to today that will build your skill and confidence as a well-paid writer? Whatever it is, I know you can figure it out. If you're ready to start getting paid as a writer … [>> You should try this.]( It's something AWAI created exclusively for you! A training with ONE SOLITARY GOAL … to get you writing and get you paid. Maybe that's two goals … But participating in this Challenge could be just what you need to get started. [>> Go here to learn more.]( What's Hot at AWAI … 😄 We LOVE seeing our members succeed! [Check out their success stories]( if you need a little inspiration to get started. 💰 [Join our 4 Days to $400 Writing Challenge!]( 🙌 [The Zeigarnik Effect: finish what you started.]( 🤩 [Military spouse doubles income with new career.]( All-in on copywriting … With his kids all grown up, busy dad Bill N. decided it was time to switch from an engineering career to freelance writing, and he dug in. In fact, he couldn't stop learning everything he could about copywriting. He invested in AWAI's Companion Series and then soon joined our [Infinity Program](. Bill said … [Quote about needing to go all in for his writing career] Read more about his journey to paying writing clients [here](. 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! Free Training on How to Make Money as a Copyeditor
 [AWAI Free Training on How to Make Money as a Copyeditor]Copyeditors enjoy the same benefits as copywriters — like very good pay, a flexible schedule, and loyal clients. Learn how to achieve those very same things in a low-stress role that's in huge demand. Tune in TODAY at 12 p.m. ET [
Access the Training Here]( TODAY! Get all this for $1 … [PWA Product Spread] 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]( Featured Jobs You can find these jobs and thousands more on [WritersWanted.com](: --------------------------------------------------------------- Content Creator — Wade Marketing Full-time, Remote Wade Marketing is a renowned digital advertising agency that specializes in cultivating strong relationships within the B2B and B2C sectors. --------------------------------------------------------------- Copywriter — Wantable Full-time, Milwaukee, WI This person will write copy for all elements of the digital experience: they'll be responsible for crafting messaging for paid advertisements, storytelling on landing pages, and writing copy through to a customer's purchase. --------------------------------------------------------------- Copywriter — Creative Circle Contractor, Dania, FL As Copywriter, you'll report to the Senior Writer in the marketing department as you concept and create engaging, witty copy across a variety of projects. The focus is heavily digital with occasional print projects crossing your desk. --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? [View in your browser, here](. For questions or requests: [contact us online](. --------------------------------------------------------------- ©2023 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 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](.