The Business of Writing Podcast

In This Episode:    After 100 amazing episodes, we are stepping away from The Business of Writing Podcast to focus on exciting new ventures and partnerships.    In the final episode of this first chapter, Laura and Rachel reveal why they're making this decision, what we're doing next, the biggest lessons we've learned along the way, and how you can make space for your business (and yourself) to evolve.    Episode Highlights Why we're stepping away from the BOW Podcast for a little while How to give yourself and your business space so you can evolve and change over time Why you should never forget that everything has a shelf life  Finding people who can ask you hard questions to make sure you don't get “stuck” in your business How to treat your business as an experiment so you can test new ideas without fear Where we're putting our focus and attention next  A very special ‘rapid fire' question round   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Adam Hunt is a TV Producer turned Copywriter who specializes in comedic copywriting. He says there's an art to writing jokes that work for brands – and a science that makes sure the end result is on-brand, on-message and won't get you cancelled.   Adam brought together TV's best comedy writers to form his White Label Comedy Hive-Mind.    They, to help brands of all shapes and sizes entertain, engage and sell. Which, he says, was not as hard as it sounds, since they were all in the same branch of Starbucks complaining about the WiFi. He now keeps them in a small bucket on his coffee table, occasionally feeding them episodes of Cheers.   Episode Highlights   How Adam convinced a bunch of TV writers to give up their fat paychecks and jump ship and start a copy agency Why joke formulas don't always work in persuasive copy (and the counterintuitive reason Adam still uses them) How to find the perfect balance of comedy, psychology, and marketing to write a winning piece every time Why you should always start with conversion copy before thinking about the joke How to use comedy to get your audience to lower their resistance and be more open to hearing your message.  The secret to avoiding cringe worthy jokes when injecting humor into your brand How to avoid the biggest mistakes newbie writers make when trying their hand at humor  Adam's advice for managing (and corralling) a team of writers and comedians   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    So many of our listeners want to market themselves and build great platforms, we want to highlight the kind of person who can really make it happen. So today we are interviewing Laura Valenti, who is the genius behind many of the systems here at the Business of Writing. We could not have made this show without her.    Laura is a creative and dynamic project manager and UX/UI designer freelance. Ever since she was young, Laura rejected the idea that having a job had to be exhausting so she simply decided to build her dream career.   She spent 5 years working in London and a year and a half in Lisbon, before moving back to Italy (where she grew up) and bringing back everything she learned abroad. Right now she is working for multiple clients with different "hats". These days Laura is primarily a designer but she is also a project manager, social media manager and ux researcher.   Today we talk about project management, mindset, and building a business that's authentically you.   Episode Highlights   How to embrace free online learning to change your career (and your life!) Laura's advice for getting paid to learn new skills How to see change in your business as healthy and exciting (rather than stressful) The first person you should hire when launching your new business How to build trust and brand awareness quickly when you're just getting started  Which parts of your business you should automate and systematize first How to automate more of your writing business so you can focus on the work you love most Becoming a collaborator (rather than an employee) when working with clients The powerful mindset strategy behind increasing productivity and creativity  Laura's advice for fixing an unproductive day  The 3 lists you should carry around with you daily to consistently move toward big goals  How to enjoy the “journey” of building your business (and not just the destination)   And plenty more along the way. 

In This Episode:  Finka Jerkovic is an author, international speaker, and coach. She consults with clients on their personal branding, leadership, sales, client experience and employee engagement.  Finka believes when you bring authentic leadership and a mission-based mindset to business, you can achieve inner fulfillment, outer success and leave a transformational impact. Today we're talking about how to “own” your offers and your business, as Finka share her strategies from selling from a place of love, instead of fear.  Episode Highlights How to pull on the tendrils of the book hiding inside you  Dealing with the pain (and sometimes necessity) of throwing out your first draft How to know when it's the right time to write your book The strategy behind fitting a book into your overall business plan How to write your book while balancing a full time job or business Working with a book writing coach to get past your sticking points  How to fully embrace what you're selling so you can feel free in promoting yourself and your work Managing book launch anxiety (and how to avoid constantly hitting the ‘refresh' button on your results) How to sell from love instead of fear (for both your own business, and your client's) And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Angie Colee is a heavily-tattooed rocker turned copywriter and entrepreneurial coach. She was one of our very first guests here on the show, and since then she's made some incredible shifts in her business.    She's recently said goodbye to most of her client work to focus on her coaching, podcast, and writing a book – All supported by the incredible lessons she's learned on her journey from cubicle copywriter to badass business owner.   In that time she's coached hundreds of creative freelancers through finding clients and confidently fulfilling the gig…   Strategized and written multiple multi-million dollar launches, including two during the recent pandemic…   And Generated over $50MM in direct-to-consumer sales with her copy.   Since she walked away from her day job, she's created strategies and promos for companies like Masterclass, Copy Chief, The Hustle, Rich Dad Poor Dad, and Product Launch Formula.   These days, she's teaching everything she's learned in her new business called Permission to Kick Ass. There she provides business and confidence coaching for creative entrepreneurs.   Episode Highlights Why Angie decided to move away from being a copywriting gun for hire  How Angie manages her creative work while working remotely from the road Her superpower that makes her the perfect person to turn to when you need a loving kick in the butt. How to have difficult conversations with clients when you need to set boundaries The difference between a "red flag" and s "miscommunication" when it comes to managing clients How you can use your personality and quirks to attract the right clients  The filters you should run all prospects through to make sure they're easy to work with   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Mayank and Prerna Malik are the founders of Content Bistro where they serve up wallet-wooing conversion copywriting services for creatives and seasoned-for-growth consulting for service providers.   They're also the creators of Profits on Tap ® and Momentum Mise-en-Place ® where they work closely with fellow service providers who want Sustainable Scale ™ for their businesses.   They've worked with over 500 clients worldwide including some of the biggest and best names in the industry, such as Pat Flynn, Vanessa Lau, Amy Porterfield, Kerwin Rae, Carrie Wilkerson, Alli Worthington, and others!   They live in India with their daughter, Manini and when they aren't working on launches with clients or on profit optimization with service-based businesses, they're traveling the world and eating all the food! (Sounds like our kind of people!)   Today we talk about getting strategic about your profits and mindset, scaling on your own terms, running a business Internationally, and how to grow your business while scaling back the hours you work.   Episode Highlights   How chronic illness forced Prerna and Mayank to launch their own business  Their system for finding international clients while based in India How they moved from “content creation” to sales copywriting (and why they made the switch) Scaling your business on YOUR terms (and doing it sustainably) How they scaled BACK the hours they worked without sacrificing growth in their business  The 3 key areas of your business to focus on if you want to work LESS hours while your business continues to grow How to be intentional and strategic about building profits in your business (and you don't need to be an accounting whiz)   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:  Many industries today - especially online marketing - are so transient and based on “trends.” One thing we want to do here on this show is make sure we're sharing lessons and insights that will stand the test of time.    Stories to help you build a business without being worn out, stressed out, and ready to quit. Stuff that is sustainable and can help you build long-term growth.    So today Laura and I want to share more about the evolution of our businesses over time, and the lessons we've learned that will help you build a business that's set to thrive through all kinds of ups and downs, and turns of industry so you can always make great money doing what you love.    Episode Highlights   The catalyst that caused each of us to launch our businesses How we overcame the biggest difficulties as we built our businesses  The main values we seek out in clients, employees, and business partners Our biggest “ah ha” moments over 10 years of working for ourselves How we stay updated with new business ideas and strategies The secret to finding that work-life balance Our best advice for our younger selves if we were to do it all again   And plenty more along the way.   

In This Episode:    Ilise Benun helps creative professionals bust through mental money blocks, to find better projects with bigger budgets. She's a national speaker and author of 7 books, including "The Creative Professional's Guide to Money," and 3 online courses tailored to the needs of creative professionals.   Since 2008, she has hosted the Marketing Mentor Podcast and her newest project is her role as “Business Coach” for the Savannah College of Art & Design.   With over 30 years of experience, Ilise has a lot to teach about clearing the mental clutter, getting more comfortable with tough money conversations, and building a thriving creative business. Let's dive in.    Episode Highlights   How Ilise helps her clients clear their mental clutter  Why promoting your creative on social media may NOT be a good idea How to create a marketing plan for your business that works for you and your personality  How to break out of the “low paying client' cycle and work with clients who are happy to pay you more  Why Ilise thinks you've been brainwashed to avoid marketing your business Understanding the difference between “worth” and “value” when pricing your services  How to develop great collaborative relationships with your clients The 3 simple action steps you can do over and over again to get a flood of great clients  How to meet potential prospects and develop a genuine relationship with them Busting through mental money blocks that stop you from earning more How to make money negotiations a conversation instead of a confrontation And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Jacqueline Burns was commissioning editor at Random House and Editorial Director at HarperCollins. There she edited classics such as Men are from Mars; Women are from Venus, Who Moved My Cheese, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and Toddler Taming - all of which have sold millions of copies.   She is the author of Write a Bestseller, and a bestselling series of successful books for Random House. Jacq has also ghostwritten a number of well-known titles, co-founded The London Writers Club, and is a literary agent for authors.    Today we get her to spill the beans on the “behind the scenes” details of publishing books that sell millions of copies, how authors can work with large publishers, and what makes a blockbuster bestseller.    Episode Highlights   What it's like working on the most well-known books of modern times What Jacq looks for in books that she chooses to publish  How authors can write a book that will stand the test of time The common elements of books that are likely to become blockbusters How to avoid the biggest mistakes new authors make when writing their first book The #1 piece of advice Jacq gives authors who want to make it big The specifics of what you should look for in a writing coach (and it's not a long list of accreditations)   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Every once in a while we have an interview that is so packed with value and actionable advice, that it could be a whole masterclass on it's own!   Our guest today really pulled out the good stuff for us in this interview.    Licia Morelli is a copywriter, best-selling author and marketing consultant. Her writing has been featured in Vanity Fair, The Boston Globe, Publisher's Weekly, Elephant Journal, Johns Hopkins University Press and more.    She is also a poet and prose writer, publishes children's books, helps copywriters grow their businesses, has worked as an editorial director in the online marketing industry for over 10 years.    Today we're diving into writing copy that goes above and beyond, getting bad-ass testimonials (and referrals) from your clients, pricing your services like a pro, and how to balance everything without going insane.    Grab a notebook and buckle up for this one!   Episode Highlights   How Licia launched her writing career by telling jokes on twitter Her “single person” copy tactic that guarantees her work will hit hte mark How she gets bad-ass testimonials (and measurable results!) from her clients Her system for using “The 5 Love Languages” to get incredible case study's and proof for your biz How to get testimonials for a brand new offer that's never been sold before Licia's system for getting long-term clients who book out full days with her months in advance How to manage a busy roster, your personal life, creative work, and the functional part of your biz without going crazy Why Licia DOESN'T raise her prices   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Sharon Hurley Hall is an anti-racism writer, a professional B2B writer and blogger, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast. She holds Masters degrees in both media and education and has not missed a deadline in 25 years of work!    More than that, she's a true veterans of the industry – having thrived through the many changes that professional writers have weathered as the market shifts.    Today we talk about growing your business as a B2B writer, building a strong network of writers to support you as you grow, and the fast-growing needs that writers can fill as diversity, inclusion, and equality take the forefront.    Episode Highlights   Sharon's accidental launch into journalism How she made the transition to B2B writing The truth about competing against other writers Her process for bringing in new client leads The criteria she runs through before accepting new clients How she builds a strong network of writers (and why it's been critical to her career) The nirvana fallacy about creating an equal world   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    By now we've all discovered that things did not magically go back to normal after the year ticked over into 2021. Surprise! (not). For many writers, working from home, where family and domestic distractions run wild takes a serious toll on our creative work.    Today Laura and Rachel dive into the headspace (or lack there of) involved with protecting and fueling your creativity while everything feels like it's in flux.    Because when everything feels crooked, sometimes you need a little help getting your head straight.   Episode Highlights   How to focus on work when life feels crazy Balancing your own passion projects with client work when creativity is low How to manage your financial goals when you need to pull back on your workload The easiest way to reserveHow to work when you feel like life is crazy Dealing with the lack of novelty and stimulation that usually fuels your creative ideas The best way to reduce your “mental load” when you feel like you've got nothing in the tank   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Athena Dixon is a poet, essayist, and editor. She is the author of The Incredible Shrinking Woman and No God in This Room. Her work also appears in The BreakBeat Poets Vol. 2: Black Girl Magic.   Athena's work has appeared in various publications including GAY Magazine and Narratively. She is founder of Linden Avenue Literary Journal, which she launched in 2012, and the co-host of the New Books in Poetry Podcast. She lives in Philadelphia.   When she's not publishing her own work, Athena helps businesses and authors edit their work – both for quality, and by providing “sensitivity reading” which helps them hone their marketing in a way that promotes equality, and fights discrimination and stereotypes.    In this episode, we cover a wide range of valuable topics like getting your prose published, what to do FIRST if you're just launching your writing career, and the raw truth about what it takes to make it as a professional writer.    Episode Highlights   The step-by-step process Athena used to find and land her publisher Demystifying the “romantic writer's life” with the truth about a professional writer's day to day How Athena supports her “ideal writer's life”  financially  Why she recommends NOT writing every single day  What to do FIRST if you want to build a career in editing or professional prose The biggest mistakes new writers make when pricing their services How to package up editing services so they're a “no brainer” for clients to say yes to Athena's advice for helping business owners market with equality and inclusion in mind How the publishing industry can make more room for smaller presses and authors   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Rebecca Otis Leder founded an award-winning blog, TheRebeccammendations® in 2009, as well as a marketing consulting company for small businesses, startups, and nonprofits.    Rebecca has shared her career development, personal branding, and marketing insights for organisations like Salesforce, DePaul and Loyola Universities, Startup Institute Chicago, BlogHer, and YearUp.   Now she teaches marketers how to develop genuine, lasting career relationships through her communication and networking system called The Knock Method.    In this episode, we dig deep into one of the biggest challenges for freelancers and writers – cold outreach to forge new connections and open doors to new opportunities.   Episode Highlights   How Rebecca took her blog from fun creative outlet, to award-winning content  The KNOCK method for cultivating genuine (and valuable) relationships in your career How to stand out when doing cold outreach (and avoid looking like a spammer) Rebecca's strategy for finding common ground with new connections so a “cold” message quickly becomes a personal conversation How to show value right up front so new connections WANT to get to know you more The best way to put new connections in a “collaboration mindset” so they're ready to work with you Cold outreach killers - the biggest mistakes that make new connections fall flat.And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Mike Abramov is a direct response copywriter and consultant based in Los Angeles, California.    He's written for industry titans like Agora, PaleoHacks, The Dig Agency, NativePath, and Organifi – and is now branching out to seek exciting new ventures of his own.    When he's not writing, he's coaching up-and-coming writers – helping them move past mental and emotional blocks they have around their writing process.    Episode Highlights   How Mike ended up the youngest copywriter for some of the writing from some of the biggest direct response publishers in the world  Mike's process for qualifying new client projects Why Mike prefers a holistic approach to writing a sales page How he works with other copywriters to make sure he's doing his best work  Mike's advice for moving past perfectionism  How he finds stories hidden in “boring” product research Mike's advice for balancing work and life while in lockdown  How to start writing a new draft quickly  Mike's advice for creating urgency in your copy without being sleazy How to manage your emotions when it comes to the writing process   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Sooo, obviously 2020 happened. And it was a doozy. This past year has been transformative for everyone, and not a single person or business came out the same way they went in.    There's no magical switch that will flip when we tick over into 2021, but we can plan and prepare ourselves to move into the new year with strength and a clear direction.   In this episode, Laura and Rachel sit down together to take a close look at how things changed in 2020, and their plans for moving into next year strong and focused.    Join us as we chat about shifts in the industry, what we're prioritizing moving into 2021, and how we're adapting to all the changes that happened this past year.     Episode Highlights   How businesses changed the way they work in 2020  The biggest shifts in the way we find new clients and projects  Why streamlining and simplifying is more important than ever  How to deal with feelings of failure that come with the chaos of this past year  Doubling down on your most profitable activities (and reducing the energy draining tasks) How to find the right help so you don't have to do everything yourself Our thoughts on specializing and “niching down” in 2021 How to make yourself a “no brainer” fit for your ideal clients Getting specific about your specialty and experience How to prioritize your health, sanity, and life without dropping the ball on client work   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Bonnie Caton is an in-house copywriter at AWAI — The American Writers and Artists Institute – where she helps AWAI provide copywriting training for over 250,000 writers.   Before her time at AWAI, she was a content marketer and travel writer – using her writing skills to work her way around the world in over 40 countries.    Now she writes for one of the biggest companies in the copywriting industry, is a regular contributor to The Right Way to Travel, and also runs the Breakfast Stock Club, which helps folks to get up-and-running selling their photos in online stock photo agencies.    Join us today as we talk about using your writing skills to work your way around the world, working in-house for a major marketing company, and battling imposter syndrome.   Episode Highlights   How Bonnie has used her writing skills to travel to over 40 countries  What it's like working in-house for AWAI How Bonnie transitioned from content writing to copywriting What's involved in writing big front-end promos that bring in new leads  How experienced copywriters deal with imposter syndrome What it's like working with a high-level Copy Chief  How Bonnie writes for multiple platforms while still fully “showing up” for her copywriting at AWAIAnd plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    We're tackling something a bit different in this episode, and that's how all us writers can take good care of our health. Writing is a sedentary, solitary job, and the better health, the better work we're able to do. So today, we have a special double-guest interview, with two very dear friends of ours, Rosie Moore and Dr. Alexis Shields.   Rosie is an online fitness, nutrition and accountability coach who helps busy professionals create sustainable change in their health and wellbeing. Dr. Alexis Shields is an online functional medicine doctor who specializes in the assessment of blood work and creating customised health plans for each client, in order for them to restore and optimise their health.    Today we're talking how your health impacts creativity, how to counteract the sedentary nature of our work, and tactical advice for taking care of your health as a writer.    Episode Highlights   How your physical health impacts your creativity and ability to write The #1 thing you can do  to manage stress (and creativity killing cortisol) Tactical advice for offsetting the sedentary nature of our work Why entrepreneurs and freelancers are more prone to perfectionism than most How to motivate yourself without relying on willpower A doctor's tactical advice for counteracting loneliness or depression   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Eric Maisel is a creativity coach and the author of 50+ books, including A Writer's Space, Coaching the Artist Within, and Mastering Creative Anxiety.    He leads deep writing workshops around the globe to help writers form their ideas into actionable offers and programs, and also coaches writers on how to manage anxiety and mindset around their creative work.    Episode Highlights   Why creative work causes so much anxiety Anxiety management tools to help you manage your creative energy The visualization exercise to reduce your stress How to control self sabotaging thoughts while still allowing your brain to have creative freedom Why we often push our own work back in favor of client work How Eric has written over 50 books without sacrificing quality What to do when your fears are realized and your writing doesn't work  How Eric uses his writing to travel around the globe Eric's advice for carving out space to work on your own business in between client work The sleep-thinking exercise to “write in your sleep” so your words flow smoothly the next day   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    There's a lot of head trash that pops up around pricing your services and selling your own services. Even if you're great at selling your clients' offers, freelancers and creatives are notoriously bad at promoting themselves and confidently presenting their achievements.     Join Laura and Rachel in this episode as we talk about money mindset, building confidence in your skills, and how to get over the fear of promoting your offers and services.    Episode Highlights   Why creatives struggle with promoting themselves  How to be more obvious about what you're offering so people seek you out for your services  What to do when you get bored of promoting the same thing The 1 thing that's worse than a prospect saying “no” and rejecting your proposal  How to get over the fear of quoting big numbers The biggest mistake people make when raising their prices How to practice your price pitch before getting on your next sales call And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Amisha Shrimanker is a copywriter who specializes in launch copy – blending psychology, persuasion & personality to help her clients have less stressful launches.    Her clients love her for going super deep into research – not only for the products she's selling and the market she's selling it to – but also researching her CLIENTS to pull out the most interesting pieces for her copy.    But what they don't see behind the scenes, is that she's got a very detailed and strategic system for consistently exceeding her clients expectations. Today she's walking us through all the nitty gritty details of how she “wows” her clients again and again – to keep them coming back and send her new work.    Episode Highlights   An in-depth walkthrough of Amisha's robust research process The “smile” test she uses to predict if copy will work well or not How to get clients to work with you exclusively Amisha's strategic (and unique) new-client onboarding process How she gets great referrals from her existing clients Why she only works with 2 clients at a time (even though she has a team and an agency) How she raises her rates consistently when working with repeat clients Her detailed sales process for landing new projects The first roles she hired for when building her team Her advice for adding multiple revenue streams to your own writing business   And plenty more along the way.   

In This Episode:    This. Episode. Is. MEATY!   Laura Briggs is a two-time TEDx speaker, award winning author of How to Start Your Own Freelance Writing Business, and the founder of a nonprofit that teaches military spouses how to start a freelance business. She's just released her second book, Six Figure Freelancer…   At least that's what her “official” bio says. In truth, she's much more than that. She's an inspiring,  no-nonsense author, entrepreneur, and project manager who creates needle-moving marketing assets for her clients, while helping hundreds of freelancers launch and grow their businesses.    She bounds effortlessly across industries – meeting the varied needs of her personal clients – while also helping military spouses find purpose (and a solid income source) by developing and promoting their own freelance skills.    Today we're getting tactical as Laura shares actionable, step-by-step lessons for developing your skills, growing your freelance career, and scaling your business while maintaining your sanity.   Episode Highlights   How Laura went from Middle-School Geography Teacher to professional writer and freelance coach Why Upwork donated $20,000 to help her launch her non-profit for freelancers Laura's advice for writing in tough industries like Law The 2 things you MUST have to launch your freelance business (and what you should put off until later in your career) How to get started with freelancing, even if you have no clients and very little xperience Why Laura says you should pitch your ideas to agents even if you don't have a book yet The biggest difference between pitching fiction and non-fiction work to publishers Why you shouldn't rely on your publisher to market your book Laura's step-by-step process for marketing her new books after they're published How to write quickly so you can deliver great material fast  Laura's #1 tip for managing your time (and everything else) when you're overloaded with work How to tell your clients that you need to scale back your work when you need a break Tactical tools and processes for managing multiple projects at the same time Laura's advice for building your “legacy” business  The biggest mistake new freelancers make when trying to launch their new businessAnd plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Our guest today sports a pretty impressive resume. Brett Randell is a sales copywriter, content strategist, and yogi-musician who works almost exclusively with female clients. Over the past 7 years, Brett has written content and copy for 4 TEDx Speakers with 3.5 million+ combined views, as well as dozens of leaders in the spaces of women's empowerment, entrepreneurship, diversity & inclusion, and more.   Brett has also supported Austin-based Storytelling for Entrepreneurs with content, copy, and social since 2011. Brett has also spoken on the topics of Storytelling and Diversity multiple times at Denver Startup Week, Storytelling intensives, and recently created productivity and remote leadership trainings for the Western Council of US Forestry leaders during Covid.   Outside of business, Brett has released 4 CDs, published poetry, traveled to 30+ countries, and performed music at yoga festivals around the world. He lives in Denver, CO and is working on his first fiction novel as a 2019-2021 Fellow for the Book Project at The Lighthouse Writers Workshop.   Episode Highlights   Why Brett works almost exclusively with female clients How he learned to write in a woman's voice The surprising fact Brett learned about the companies who thrived during COVID How Brett survived the “pandemic pivot” when he lost BOTH of his biggest clients His tactics for getting new clients FAST  How to reactivate old client relationships to explore new work opportunities  Why times of chaos are best times for copywriters and marketers How draws out the authentic stories his clients often have trouble sharing  His advice for boosting your mental and physical health so you can do your best work Brett's intense morning routine that he says is the main reason his life is so awesome   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    In a world of hustle and grind, “resting” is not something that's traditionally built into our work culture. But taking a break isn't just some “nice to have” – it's critical to staying productive and producing your best work.    When YOU'RE the boss – sometimes taking a vacation can seem impossible. Add on pressure from client expectations, and the R&R always seems to get pushed to the back burner.    So how do you take a break when it feels like the work never ends? In this episode, Rachel and Laura chat about how rest impacts the quality of your work, and how to get some much-needed time off when you're working for yourself.   Episode Highlights   The warning signs of pending burn out Why taking time to rest isn't a “nice to have”  How to identify when you need to take a break The easy way to plan vacations and time off in advance How to reset boundaries with clients when things have gotten out of hand Dealing with the fear of “dropping the ball” when you're feeling burned out How to communicate your need to rest with client   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Your business numbers tell a story – do you know what it's saying? If not, Terrell Turner can help with that.    Terrell is an accountant-finance leader by trade with over a decade of experience — from running Fortune 500 business segments to helping start ups go from pre-launch to billions in revenue.    He is also a content creator focused on making complicated business topics simple, using words, and numbers to tell compelling stories that shape the vision and actions of entire organizations. His Business Talk Library show helps business owners understand their numbers and use them to craft a story they actually WANT to tell.   Join us today as we dive into financial best practices for your business, understanding your numbers, and crafting your financial story so it has a happy ending.   Episode Highlights   How Terrell uses his storytelling abilities to make complicated topics simple  Why knowing “the numbers” is just as important for writers as it is for accountants How to use YOUR numbers to make smart business decisions Terrell's advice for crafting powerful stories (even when talking about seemingly mundane topics) How to get more proactive with your business finances Best practices for managing your revenue and expenses (even while navigating tough times) How to “rewrite” the rest of your story if your numbers don't look ideal right now   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Samar Owais is an email strategist and copywriter for SaaS and eCommerce brands. She helps both clients and agencies increase conversions, boost sales, and most important, increase retention so they keep more of their existing customers.    While her mission is to get every brand to leverage active, human-to-human conversation with their users and create raving fans…   She's also passionate about helping freelancers overcome head trash and fear about putting themselves out there to promote themselves.    Today we're chatting with Samar about pivoting your business, customer retention, and finding the courage to proudly show your face.   Episode Highlights   How Samar pivoted her business (and her skills) from content marketing to persuasive copywriting The big lesson she learned about negotiating higher rates (she calls it the most stressful 48 hours of her career!) How she pitched her writing coach to land one of her best long-term clients  Why she butts heads with her clients over their own customers (and why it's worth it for everyone involved) Her advice for working quickly and efficiently to keep up with a fast-paced roster.  How she got over her fear of showing her hijab so she could put herself out there Her tactical advice for freelancers who are afraid to promote themselves The biggest change she made when she decided to start showing her face online   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    SHAME! According to novelist Sophie Littlefield, it's at the root of most of your money problems.    Sophie is an award-winning author who the New York Times calls a “writing machine” and The Midwest Book Review says is a “master storyteller". She's written over 20 published novels and also speaks at writing events about financial management and protecting yourself financially.    Today we talk about grit, stubbornness, and dealing with rejection on the road to writing success.   Join us for this very transparent conversation about fixing your financial issues and getting your head straight.   Episode Highlights   How Sophie published 9 successful novels before getting her first agent Why being an introvert can be a great strength as a writer How Sophie writes across so many genres successfully  What Sophie did after getting rejected by every agent she submitted to  Her “lucky mailbox” trick that helped her land her first agent The #1 thing that keeps writers from fixing their financial issues Why people feel the need to present themselves as more successful than they really are (and why it's actually hurting you to do so) The biggest mistakes writers make with their money  How to pay yourself a consistent salary from your business Why Sophie believes that writing is NOT a consistent income source How to plan ahead for inconsistent workflow Sophie's advice for making sure you NEVER get caught by a surprise tax bill  Why having a “side hustle” isn't optional How Sophie was able to save 2 years worth of income as a buffer   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Shelly Ellis has built an incredible career out of writing and publishing fiction novels. Contrary to the path many writers take, she actually started with a publishing house, and after several successful books, decided to take off on her own so she could be more creative with her work.    Now she writes under 2 different pen names across several different fiction dramas. Along the way, she's won several prestigious awards and learned a lot of lessons about writing, publishing, and marketing books that your audience is hungry to read.    Join us as we talk about getting an agent, building a thriving career in fiction writing, and recovering from creative burn-out.   Episode Highlights   Why Shelly writes under 2 different pen names How she comes up with ideas for her many novels Why she never writes a story straight from start to finishHow she comes up from ideas for her stories Her advice for burned-out writers who've lost their love for the craft How she gets her books into Barnes and Nobles and other bookstores Why she left her publishing house after years of success and decided to self-publish instead How to recover when you write something that flops Her advice for getting helpful feedback from your readers How she takes the “traditional” book tour and moves it online Her favorite ways to replenish her creativity when she's feeling drained   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

Client work is the bread and butter of most freelance businesses, but it's important to protect yourself by building other revenue streams into your business model. Building your own offers not only provides security…   It's also a great way to scale up your business by leveraging what you already know.    Building coaching offers, courses, informational products, consulting offers…   All of these are great ways to go beyond client work and get paid for your experience, and for the valuable knowledge in your brain.    In this episode, Rachel and Laura break down different types of offers you can develop for your writing business to leverage everything you've learned and done so far in your biz.    HIGHLIGHTS   The different ways to get paid for what's in your brain How to create your own offers as a writer The different levels of consulting that get you paid for your time How to scale your intellectual property The best way to launch and grow your own products  

In This Episode:    Despite the whimsical nature of the genre, there's a strategy behind writing and publishing great fiction, and Lara Lillibridge has got a plan.    Lara is the author of four books, and has collaborated with other writers on many other published pieces. She also mentors emerging writers through writing and publishing their own great works.    On today's episode she goes in-depth into her fiction-writing process, the fast-track to getting your book published, and how to strategically grow your career as an author.    Episode Highlights   How Lara develops her fiction stories and characters  Why writing about “real stuff” makes your fiction stories even better How Lara uses her kids to test if her fiction work is believable.  Lara's writing routine that keeps her new books on track  The different professional publishing options available (and how to choose which is right for you) The difference between a writing teacher and a writing mentor Lara's advice for getting your first book published Why sharing your work publicly or on social media can actually HURT your career Lara's strategic plan for marketing and promoting your books   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Carline Anglade-Cole became an award-winning, million-dollar copywriter in the alternative health market by creating unique, crazy and over-the-top sales copy that just. Plain. Works.    Today she's sharing how she went from having ZERO marketing experience…   To being an in-demand A-list copywriter booked out 12+ months in advance.    She did it all by controlling the conversation with clients and getting real with her writing.    Her direct-response marketing clients credit her for launching and growing their businesses with multi-year controls that generate record-breaking sales and new customers.   She also uses her creative and marketing talents to teach, train and mentor aspiring writers and marketers to take their skills to higher levels.   We're confident it will be one of our most popular interviews yet. So grab your favorite beverage and settle in for this action-packed episode.    Episode Highlights   How Carline got her first copywriting job by walking into the boss' office and demanding an audience.  The brutal interview process that (surprisingly) launched her copy career.  How Carline gets booked a year in advance (even when she was just getting started) What Carline learned about writing great copy from her mentor Clayton Makepeace How to create your own demand and opportunity in your writing career Her counterintuitive advice for “fumbling your way to success” How to get great copy jobs even if you don't have any samples Carline's advice for “controlling the conversation” when negotiating with clients How to write great copy for a market you know nothing about Why Carline says she'll never retire from copywriting  The #1 skill you MUST have to become an in-demand copywriter The process of writing Carline's booked that transformed how both Laura and Carline approach writing and editing   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Barbara Poelle began her publishing career as a freelance copywriter and editor before joining the Goodman Agency in 2007.    But if you ask her, the best training she had for the industry during her brief stint as a standup comic in Los Angeles.    She's successfully published thrillers, literary suspense, young adult and upmarket fiction – and she wants YOU to know that publishing agents are not scary gatekeepers, but advocates who WANT to publish your book.    Barbara is also the author of Funny You Should Ask: Mostly Serious Answers to Mostly Serious Questions About the Publishing Industry (Jan, 2020) based on her Writer's Digest column of the same name. Today she shares the answers to some of those biggest questions. Let's dive in.   Episode Highlights   How to write a great “query letter” when pitching your book to an agent The #1 thing you should do if you're looking for an agent How to find an agent who's more of a “publishing buddy” to make the process way more fun.  Why the agent you're pitching truly WANTS to publish your book How to embrace the weirdness of publishing where art and business collide  What to expect from collaborating with an editor  How to prepare for what happens AFTER you find an agent The questions you should be asking your agent to make sure you're getting the best out of your publishing deal Barbara's advice after publishing her own book (and why she'd go with an agent next time) The best time in the writing process to get a 2nd pair of eyes on your book   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:  For almost 15 years, Jude Charles has been helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs bring their stories to life through documentaries & videos.   He digs deep to find the compelling story that no one else knows & then leverages it for greater impact. He has produced stories for Google, Coldwell Banker, Steve Harvey, Keyshia Ka'oir and Stefan Georgi, just to name a few.   He also developed the Dramatic Demonstration of Proof process, an advanced persuasion strategy that helps you turn skeptics into raving fans. Today he teaches us how to use that powerful process to write visual stories that paint pictures in your reader's mind.   Episode Highlights   The art and science behind documentary storytelling How to choose words that paint a picture in your reader's mind Jude's 3-step Road Map Process To Writing Powerful Stories  How he creates a blueprint that builds a cohesive story from start to finish Jude's Dramatic Demonstration of Proof process that helps his stories “show” not “tell”  How to find the balance between truth and taking creative license to make your stories exciting  The 5 elements your story needs to be undeniably believable  How Jude gets his clients to pay him for the planning part of the project before he ever puts pen to paper The #1 thing Jude would do if he started from scratch today   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Grab your favorite beverage and settle in, because we've got a BIG one for you today.    In this episode we go WAY above and beyond copywriting with top copywriter and coach, Stefan Georgi.    Since he started copywriting in 2011, Stefan's words have grossed over $700MM in sales. He used that experience to develop his RMBC method of copywriting, which helps writers create robust sales letters faster than ever, without sacrificing quality or results.    He's also the Co-Founder of Copy Accelerator with Justin Goff. In that program they teach business owners how to scale their offers to cold traffic, and copywriters how to scale their income by becoming the best at their craft.   Today, we talk about all that and more, including a truly insightful and genuine dive into the ethics and philosophy behind sales copy, creating real financial independence and wealth in your freelance business, and shifting your mindset to change the course of your career.    Episode Highlights   The major life event that spurred Stefan to launch his copy career How he uses philosophy to address his reader's biggest objections The 4-step copywriting method that helped him write 12 sales letters in 1 month (that actually worked!) How to turn your brain into an “assembly line” of good writing ideas The checklist of questions he uses to speed up his research process How to use templates to create great copy (without writing generic “heard it all before” work) His advice for coming up with unique “big ideas” How to avoid getting stuck when writing long-form sales letters A breakdown of the template Stefan uses to write his sales letters How Stefan finds and structures his client deals (and why he DOESN'T go after royalties) What Stefan does with his revenue to grow his wealth without relying on performance bonuses  How he went from charging $149 per sales letter to getting clients to happily pay him $60k up-front His “do the math” method that will help you double or triple your freelance rates The mindset shift that will stop self-sabotage in its tracks How to break through limiting beliefs and build a truly fulfilling career and life  

In This Episode:    Today we are talking about change, and what to do when you come to a crossroads in your business. Whether you've realized you don't want to work with clients anymore, or you've been working on a goal you accidentally picked up someone else, there are plenty of moments in our businesses that force us to stop, really dig into what we want and need, and adjust course. It might be counterintuitive or against the common wisdom, but there's a huge amount of leverage in trusting your gut and narrowing your focus to what truly matters to you.   Episode Highlights   Allowing room for change as your business evolves over time  The difference between “important” and “urgent”  How to get more value from your time Finding experts to help you do the “hard thinking” and stop decision fatigue How to stop inventing things to do to “fill the space” and allow yourself breathing room Letting systems break (sometimes) to prevent “nervous tasks” from taking up your bandwidth How to cut out unfocused work time from your day  Overcoming the “what if” fears when making changes in your business   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Today we're chatting with Rachael Kraft, who we've both spent time with in the Copy Chief community.    Rachael is a lead magnet specialist, and helps marketers and business owners craft lead magnets that will educate and engage their prospects.    Today she's sharing how you can craft the ultimate lead magnet for your writing business. You'll learn how to create a real asset that attracts your ideal clients, helps you stand out from other marketers, and builds your email list.    Episode Highlights   Why Rachael shifted from content marketing to copywriting  How she combined her previous experience in graphic design and research to create a targeted writing speciality  How to use your lead magnet to build your email list Her 4 step system for creating lead magnets that stand out from the crowd (because no one needs your ‘quick tips and hacks') How (and where) to share your lead magnet so it doesn't collect dust on your website Rachael's strategies for attracting high quality writing clients (without doing cold outreach) Her step-by-step process for working with new clients   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:    Amy Fish is the author of I WANTED FRIES WITH THAT: How to Ask for What You Want and Get What You Need.    She serves as the Ombudsperson (a role she says is also known as “Chief Complaints Officer”) at Concordia University where she's responsible for promoting fairness and making sure everyone's voice is heard.    Amy regularly teaches, speaks and writes about how to complain effectively (i.e., stand up for yourself and ask for what you need) and also teaches humor writing and memoir workshops at the Quebec Writing Federation and Hippocamp Conference for Creative Non-Fiction.    Today she teaches us how writers can better advocate for themselves and represent their own interests.    Episode Highlights   How Amy found “permission” to write her first book Her advice for being a “good complainer” to represent your own interests How she found and built a relationship with her publishing agent Her strategies for becoming a better advocate for yourself as a writer How to get started with writing a memoir (and how to know what you should leave out!)   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.  

In This Episode:  Janine Kelbach, RN, is the owner of Write RN, Host of The Savvy Scribe Podcast & Author of  Entreprenurse. She started her nursing career in a community hospital learning the basics of labor and delivery, and over the next few years worked her way all the way up the ladder in the medical system.    After having her second child, she burned out on nursing and started looking for another way to put her skills to work, and discovered that there is a huge demand for writers with experience in the medical field.    Today, she writes about nursing and teaches other nurses how to land their own writing gigs. On this episode, she'll teach you how to make the leap into medical writing, how to land those first new projects, and how to get a steady stream of client work.    Episode Highlights How Janine made the leap from full-time nurse to freelance health writer The cold pitch that landed her that first gig How she keeps her “nursing” identity while promoting her writing business The secret to her self-promotion success Her simple method for sending cold outreach messages that get a response How she uses LinkedIn to find new writing clients The tasks she has her VA help with that brings her consistent new work How she helps OTHER nurses land their first writing gigs quickly The simple trick that gets your content ranked at the top of Google search results How to get new prospects on the phone when making a cold connection Her biggest tips for making your clients love you  How she prioritizes her work and manages her writing time with full-time family life The boundaries she sets with clients to help her stay in control of her schedule.

In This Episode:  Ryan Spanger started work in the video production industry as a freelancer, but quickly discovered that while most production companies were focused on making nice looking films, their videos often neglected the needs of their clients.    In fact, they seemed more interested in being artists than driving the right results for their clients, and so Ryan there was an opportunity to serve businesses far more effectively with video. This is how Dream Engine, his video production company, was born.   Since 2002, Dream Engine has produced videos for many of the world's most recognised brands including BMW, IBM, The BBC, Moet & Chandon, and Shell. He's also helped many fast-growth companies to communicate, sell and train more effectively.   Ryan is here today to share his expertise in video scriptwriting, and his processes for creating content that connects deeply with audiences and moves the needle for the client.    Episode Highlights The different types of videos that help businesses grow How to write compelling content that works well on video Ryan's simple script formula for videos that captivate viewers How to adapt your writing style for video Ryan's go-to method for getting new clients How to add video scripts into your writing services The questions Ryan asks new clients to make sure they're a good fit to work together How he balances his artistic expression with video sales strategies  The “fine dining experience” he uses to truly “Wow” his clients

In This Episode:  It takes a lot of time, effort, and energy to write a good piece of content. So why do most people hit “publish” and let their word baby fade into the vast void of the internet?    Ross Simmonds is here to help you change that. He's teaching us how to better leverage the content we create and get more out of every piece you publish.    Ross is a digital marketing strategist and entrepreneur who is passionate about technology, remote work, good people, good coffee and storytelling.   His writing and coaching has been featured on Forbes, Venture Beat, Huffington Post, Mashable, CBC and more.    He's the founder of Hustle & Grind (an eCommerce store for entrepreneurs) and Foundation Marketing — a B2B content marketing agency.   Ross has also written two books — Stand Out and The Hustle Manifesto.    PLUS - he also sits on the board of directors for Volta Labs, Black Business Initiative, and the  Boys & Girls Club of Preston, as well as the board of trustees for Phoenix Youth Programs.    Today we're talking content distribution, business mindset, and leaving a legacy with your writing. This was an exciting and insightful conversation that we've been waiting to share with you. Enjoy!   Episode Highlights How Ross writes exciting content for “boring” industries (You B2B writers will love this!) The “Guacamole Method” for getting responses to cold outreach His system for distributing your content further so it gets in front of more people How to turn old pieces of content that are collecting dust into assets that drive business His “pitch trick” for getting on more podcasts and stages How to build multiple revenue streams into your writing business The one thing you should do if you want someone to read and respond to your cold pitch How he trains inexperienced writes at his agency to produce high-level content His advice for using your business and platform positively impact causes you believe in (without diluting your brand) How to think and write about controversial subjects His advice for creating a clear vision for the legacy you want to leave And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:  Today we're diving in to some “meaty” topics about diversifying your business, creating multiple income streams, and building long-term wealth in your writing business.    While we're big advocates for confidently owning your “thing” – it's also important to stay open to new opportunities, leave room for serendipity, and build a diverse and robust business that's geared toward long-term growth.    Join us today as we chat about building your “war chest”, mitigating risks in your business, and using online money to build offline wealth.    Episode Highlights Why you shouldn't overplan when growing your business Our super secret master plan for growing this podcast How to adapt your current skills to different markets and industries The tactical system for making your income work harder for you How to start turning your online cashflow into offline wealth Our advice for building your “war chest” so you can say “yes” to big opportunities without fear Why an emergency cash-buffer isn't the only thing you should be saving for How to spot secret opportunities that will take your business to a higher level

In This Episode:    Chris Flynn is the author of The Glass Kingdom and A Tiger in Eden, which was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize. His latest novel, Mammoth, was released in April of 2020, and both his fiction and non-fiction work have appeared in publications like The Guardian, The Age, The Paris Review, and many more.   He's a regular presenter at literary festivals across Australia, and has led a fascinating life full of travel, adventure, and all the makings of a great story. Today we chat with Chris about his writing process, getting published, and how he filters through all his great ideas to pull out these captivating stories.   Episode Highlights   How Chris first got on his publisher's radar The surprise success of his first novel (which he never even knew was published) How Chris plots out his stories (even before putting pen to paper) Why you shouldn't worry about being a writer early on in life Chris' unique method for filtering through his  many ideas to pull out the good ones How he knows if his ideas are good enough to publish  Why limiting your time writing will help you produce your best work How to use distraction as a creativity tool His process for fusing fact and fiction (and why they're really not that different from each other) The slightly scary method he uses to get paid in between book projects   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Justine Sones is an entrepreneurial word nerd who loves drinking coffee, listening to the CBC, and talking about things that hurt. Following over 10 years of self-employment and a graceful faceplant into motherhood, she was bestowed an honorary degree in Roll With The Punches Planning (courtesy of herself).    Justine spends most of her time writing and coaching other high-performing women as they navigate the messy intersection of running a business and raising littles.    Her motto is ‘honesty over everything except kindness', and she's become an expert in using boundaries to reduce stress in your business and your life. Today we talk about setting and enforcing boundaries with clients, boosting your creativity, and how to reduce stress in your business by putting yourself first.    Episode Highlights   How Justine carves out time to be creative Her system for balancing client work and coaching How she uses creative self expression as “self care” to fuel her creativity Justine's advice for setting boundaries in her business How to enforce boundaries so you ‘set the standard' with clients Why overdelivering is actually a BAD thing How to correct a client relationship gone awry due to lack of boundaries Her system for managing stress when working on tough client projects The danger of “stress stacking” and how to process your stress so you can move past it  Developing a legacy with your writing   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Dana Kaye is a veteran publicist and brand manager with over a decade of public relations experience. She helps authors and entertainers get positive media attention and more eyes on their work at her boutique PR agency, Kaye Publicity, Inc.   Known for her innovative ideas and knowledge of current trends, Dana coaches her clients on how to identify and establish their unique personal brands.    She's also the author of Your Book, Your Brand: The Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Book and Boosting Your Sales, and the creator of Branding Outside the Box, where she helps authors and entrepreneurs become more memorable.   Today Dana teaches us how writers can attract and leverage media attention, and promote themselves and their work to take control of their own publicity.    Episode Highlights   The ugly truth about “vanity media” (and where to focus your PR efforts) How authors and writers can gain publicity for their work  The surprising social media platform you can use to launch your new book Dana's 3 Pillars of Publicity to promote your brand and your business How to deal with bad PR if you get negative reviews or press Who you should actually listen to when evaluating how you're perceived How publicity impacts your brand (and vice versa) What kind of content you should posting on social media How to get media to feature you on their channels  What you should NOT do when pitching the media  Why you should be cautious about using events to promote yourself  The trick to building a “magical rolodex” and nurturing valuable relationships   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Brendan Fredericks has worked in the book publishing industry for nearly twenty years. As a bookseller and events manager with Angus & Robertson he worked with authors from Steve Waugh, Warrick Capper to Jane Fonda.    As in-house book publicist and publicity manager with the prestigious publishers Hachette and Bloomsbury, he promoted and toured luminaries such as Elizabeth Gilbert, Germaine Greer, Robyn Davidson, Richard Ford, A.C. Grayling, and Jeff Lindsay.    Now Brendan focuses on his own agency, BFredericksPR, to champion books and ideas to media, festival directors, booksellers, and readers.    His agency represents authors and entertainers and provides standout promotion campaigns, and management for publishers and authors across Australia and internationally.    Join us today as he reveals the secrets of the professional publishing world, the ins and outs of book publicity, and what it takes to be the man behind the curtain.    Episode Highlights   How Brendan first broke into the competitive publishing world  The difference between an agent and a publisher His key tips for pitching your book idea to a publisher  The ins and outs of how publishing contracts work (with numbers!) What it's like working with some of the world's greatest authors like Elizabeth Gilbert and Germaine Greer How he transitioned from in-house publicist to owning his own agency  Why authors need to be very careful about who they choose as their publicist The WORST thing you could do when pitching your book to a publisher The fun stories behind Brendan's craziest book campaigns What to do when your pitch gets rejected   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    Justin Goff is well known for helping marketers and business owners scale their offers to cold traffic. He grew his own supplement company from $0 to $23 million in just under three years by focusing on cold traffic growth.   After selling that company in 2017, Justin now runs a high-level mentorship program called Copy Accelerator with Stefan Georgi, where they help business owners and freelance copywriters rapidly increase their revenue.   We've crossed paths with Justin at various events and masterminds over the last few years, and he is always warm and generous with his knowledge.    Today we're excited to share how he created such rapid growth in his business, and how you can do the same to strategically build wealth as a writer.    Episode Highlights   The specific actions Justin took to go from dead broke to multi-millionaire in just a few years  How he finds out exactly what's working in any given market in real time Justin's advice for how freelancers should handle the corona-crisis right now How to tap into what's at the front of your audience's mind The simplest way to start investing and build long-term wealth as a freelancer How to go from “gig to gig” to a bigger, better writing business What Justin would do first if he started over from scratch How Justin has shifted his business to keep up with the changing times  What to look for when finding and choosing a copywriting mentor Justin's 80/20 breakdown of what makes great sales copy   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.

In This Episode:    It seems like everywhere you turn some coach or guru is telling you to “invest back in your business.” But what does that actually mean?    Laura and Rachel fly solo today as they talk about the resources they use to grow and scale their businesses, and how you can choose the best way to invest in your business without breaking the bank or overcommitting yourself.    Episode Highlights   What it actually means to “invest in your business” (and how to avoid hypey coaching programs) How to find a mastermind that's right for your business if you want to “pay to play” Our step-by-step format for running your own mastermind How networking has changed now that live events are off the table (and where to focus your efforts next) The tasks you can outsource if you're ready to hire help Why the advice telling you to “do something that scares you everyday” is complete B.S.

In This Episode:    For the past 10 years, James Schramko has helped over 3000 entrepreneurs quickly double and triple their revenue while working less.    Half of his private clients earn $3,000,000/year. And 30% of the members in his SuperFastBusiness community earn at least 6-figures.    He is the author of Work Less, Make More, and he's joining us from Australia today to share his insights on how professional writers can make sure their businesses thrive even in times of massive change and unpredictability.  Episode Highlights   How James filters through all of his ideas when choosing what to write about His advice for getting your mindset prepped for tumultuous change The tactical action steps you can take right now to make sure your business thrives during uncertain times The process James uses for producing massive amounts of valuable content How he chooses what content will be free, vs. developed into paid products  The key ways James is future-proofing his own business

In This Episode:    Gemma Milne is a Scottish creative science nerd obsessed with deep tech and good writing.    She writes about science, tech and the broad cultural issues surrounding anything that comes out of science labs and into the real world.    Gemma is also a science startup advisor - scouting them for funds, and helping them tell their stories. And she's Co-Founder of Science: Disrupt, a media org connecting and showcasing those innovators, iconoclasts and entrepreneurs creating change in science.   She's an engaging public speaker, a published author, and self-made journalist. Today she shares how she landed a book deal with one of the biggest publishing houses in the world, how she became an in-demand public speaker and journalist without any formal training, and how you can credentialize yourself in any skill you're pursuing.    Episode Highlights   How Gemma shifted into writing from the (very different) world of science and tech  The reality of landing a book deal with a major publishing house How Gemma professionalizes her skills and became widely known as an expert without any formal training Her terrible book idea that got her laughed out of her agent's office How to choose your battles when your editor starts cutting your work Why you should always push back if a client asks you to write about something you don't believe in How she monetizes her books and leverages them in the rest of her business The fastest way to add public speaking to your repertoire (even if you have zero experience) Her advice for changing your positioning or branding when you want to pursue something new  Why freelancing isn't for everyone (and why that's not a bad thing)

In This Episode:    Austin Lee is a direct response copywriter based in San Diego, California. His bread and butter is long form copy for 8-figure revenue financial publishers, but he also writes in the health info niche.    He's extremely passionate about coaching up-and-coming freelance writers who want to raise their rates and work with high-quality clients.   Episode Highlights   How Austin went from spontaneous back-packer to high-level direct response copywriter His process for beating writer's block and getting a solid chunk of writing done every day The common mistakes he sees new writers make as they start to grow their business His advice for finding great copywriting clients  What he learned from sports that helps him write at the highest level

In This Episode:    Gabrielle Bernstein is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Universe Has Your Back, Super Attractor and has written six additional bestsellers.   YouTube named Gabby one of 16 YouTube Next Video Bloggers, she was named one of Mashable's 11 Must-Follow Twitter Accounts for Inspiration, and she's featured on the Forbes List of 20 Best-Branded Women.   She appears regularly as an expert on The Dr. Oz Show and co-hosted the Guinness World Record largest guided meditation with Deepak Chopra. But these are only a few of the reasons we're excited to chat with Gabby today.   She's also an extremely accomplished writer who's mastered the balance between her writing projects, business growth, and family life. And today we're deep diving into how she does it all with grace and poise.   Episode Highlights   What Gabby learned about writing after authoring 7 books in 8 years Her process for beginning a new book without hesitation How Gabby balances writing books, the demands of her business, and her family life The role her books play in her business plan How to get to the root cause of what's driving you (or keeping you “stuck”) Gabby's advice for introverts who want to start presenting or speaking (it's not what you think!)  The trick to putting your ‘real story' out there without worrying about what people thing How to turn into your “inner compass” to make big business decisions fast The best way to develop REAL empathy Her foolproof system to write and sell a bestselling book   And plenty more along the way. Get the resources mentioned in this episode below.