Thread by @MeitnerTom

18 hard truths about being a freelance copywriter:

1. Average writers make great money.

While you're trying to "master" copywriting, other writers are out there bagging clients and getting paid.

2. Your success or failure is on YOU.

Nobody is coming to save you. Nor do they care.

If you fail, it's your fault. No victims here.

3. If you can't write in conversational English, you're screwed.

Too many non-native English writers on here think they "know" English.

No you don't. You sound like a textbook. Clients won't pay for that kind of writing.

4. Nobody will hand you clients.

If you don't have clients, it's because you need to find a way to get them.

This is not an "If you build it, they will come" situation.

5. You won't build a career on Upwork.

For the love of God, stop racing to the bottom on job boards.

I've been doing this for 15 years and have never met a long-term successful writer who has used a job board.

6. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Whether it's a client relationship or your cash flow or your "next steps"... there's always an unknown.

Get used to it or get out.

7. YOU have to find the answers.

When you hit a roadblock, if your first instinct is to panic and beg others to give you the answer, you're not gonna make it.

8. Nobody cares if you succeed or fail.

Zero clients will hire you out of the goodness of their hearts.

This is BUSINESS.

9. You can be fired for any reason.

I made a client 60% of their revenue over 2 years with 1 promotion and they still fired me.

Reasons out of my control.

There is no job security.

10. You can't rely on one client.

With one client, you're taking on all the risk of freelancing and none of the benefits. Might as well get a 9-to-5.

Diversify.

And if that's hard...

11. You have to work faster.

"I can't handle more than 1 client at a time! I get overwhelmed!"

Then you'd better do something about that. Get better.

12. The client is always right.

If they want to carve up your copy, they can.

They sign the checks. They get to make the rules.

Play by them or you're out.

13. If you want faster success, you have to invest in it.

You can either figure it out yourself and take a year or two of never making consistent money.

Or you can pay someone to guide you.

Your only 2 options.

14. Nobody will guarantee your success.

The risk is on you.

Accept this or fail.

15. You might hate it.

I know lots of writers who have done well but hated the work so they quit to do something else.

Heck, I quit once to run a wood shop.

I don't like it all the time.

It's still a job.

16. The best way to learn is by doing client work.

You can't "practice" your way into being a good copywriter.

You have to take on jobs, get experience, fail, get feedback. That's how you learn.

17. Cold outreach beats brand building.

You're trying to get clients by tweeting and you have 27 followers.

Go send out 100 cold emails and start getting paid.

18. Success is about adapting and powering through failure.

Over 15 years, I've failed a kerbillion times.

My success today is BECAUSE I learned from failure.

Every fighter loses fights.

It's what they do next that defines them.

Do these hard truths mean you shouldn't be a copywriter?

I don't know.

If you can't handle them, maybe.

But here's the deal: sometimes you just need a little guidance.

A support system.

And a strategy.

That helps take care of all this.

And I've got one.

On Sunday, January 1st, I'm opening up 20 spots in my copywriting program.

Writers inside (100+) are making their first $2K as fast as their first WEEK.

Because they're taking full advantage of the resources I'm giving them.

You want to be one of the Lucky 20?

You need to be on the advance notice list so you get first dibs.

Here's how:

- Follow me @meitnertom
- RT the tweet below

I'll DM you a link on how to get on the list before Sunday... so you will be first in line.

Make 2023 the year you go full time as a freelancer.

https://twitter.com/MeitnerTom/status/1608854706218049537