Mistaking "Ease" For "Security" (Episode 268)

The other day, Kate and I were talking about the reasons why we like working on staff versus freelancing. Candidly, Kate told me that being on staff can sometimes feel easier (don't worry, I asked her if I could share this conversation with you!). And, hey, some seasons in our lives we just need ease in certain areas. We want to put our feet up for a sec and breathe. Of course, we're still producing top-notch work. Working on staff just has a different set of challenges than freelancing. But one of the things we talked about was how ease can disguise itself as security. And so, that's where we started this conversation of this week's Build Your Copywriting Business podcast episode. Take a listen and let me know if this helps you bring more intention to the decisions you're making in your business. --------------- Mentioned in the Episode You’re Most Secure When You Take Control Ep. 49: How to Build Your Own Benefits as a Freelancer How to Make Time for Freelance Work Ep. 195: Freelance vs. Contract: Which is Better? Related Links Ep. 55: Building a Copywriting Side Hustle With a Full-Time Job – Claire’s Story Ep. 75: How to Be a Part-Time Copywriter with a Full-Time Job – Catching Up with Alicia Is it Better to Be an On-Staff Copywriter or a Freelance Copywriter? -------------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

Are you (unintentionally) alienating your audience? Kate and I had the pleasure of sitting down with Comprehensive Copywriting Academy student and bilingual copywriter Ceci and WOW!  This episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast is a masterclass in connecting with your audience in a meaningful way. And Ceci’s story is incredibly inspiring, too. As a Latina copywriter, Ceci notices when copy has been intentionally written for a Spanish-speaking audience … and when it’s been haphazardly translated into English.  And that difference is huge.  When you take the time to authentically connect with your audience, they’re more likely to take the action you want them to take.  When you don’t take the time to connect with your audience? At best, they’ll ignore the message. At worst? They’ll think negatively of the brand. Listen now for pro tips on building deeper connections. ----------------- Mentioned in the Episode Ceci’s LinkedIn ProfileCeci’s Portfolio SiteTop Tips for Wildly Effective PitchingFight These 10 Fears with a Systematic Process Related Links Ep. 40: Empowering BIPOC Businesses as a Black, Hispanic Copywriter – Ashley’s StoryHow Do You Write for Translations? --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

When self-doubt is loud, it’s hard to tell whether discomfort is fear or intuition. That’s why learning to tell the difference is so important—in life … and, in this case, copywriting. So, Kate and I figured it was time to share our best tiny-but-effective tips for building trust in your gut. We’re talking about how to trust your instincts both when you’re writing copy and when you’re deciding to take on a client.  The line between resistance and gut instinct can be tricky. So, let’s make sure you have a path for recognizing the difference. ------------------------------ Mentioned in the Episode Ep. BONUS – Laser Coaching: How to (Respectfully) Disagree with a Copywriting ClientHow to Price Copywriting Services: By the Minute? The Hour? The Word?Ep. 163: Are Your Copywriting Prices Leaving Money on the Table?Ep. 76: Red Flags Copywriters Need to Look for in Clients Related Links Fight These 10 Fears with a Systematic Process --------------------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here 

I hope you’re ready for the WEALTH of information Alex is sharing. On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, we are beyond lucky that CCA student, former account manager, and current copywriting dynamo Alex is sharing her wisdom from BOTH sides of the agency aisle. On the account side, Alex managed timelines, scopes, and client relationships.  And, lucky us, she’s sharing pro tips for how you can better manage your own timelines, scopes, and relationships to wow clients (and keep your sanity!). As someone who was on one career trajectory for well over a decade, Alex is also sharing what it was like to make a major career pivot into copywriting and how she did it. And, yes, she got to see copy for one of her projects in the bright lights of Times Square. How cool is that?!  --------------------- Mentioned in the Episode Alexandra Angst LinkedInHow to Put Together a Copywriting Portfolio (Even With No Experience)Break Into New Copywriting Industries Using Spec AdsBONUS: Laser Coaching – How to Land Copywriting Work with an Ad Agency --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

If you’re using AI to help you with your copywriting tasks (and I hope you are!), you need to watch this. On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, we are SO lucky that the brilliant copywriter and AI expert Amber Smith is back, sharing all her knowledge around the ethics of AI. Two of the biggest concerns when it comes to AI are: 1. Energy and water consumption 2. Plagiarism Amber is sharing key information about both of these, including tips for lowering and limiting your consumption, plus some really mind-blowing facts around plagiarism. One of the biggest things I learned? You can not copyright AI-generated content in the U.S. 🤯 We talk about what that means for when and how you use AI on client work. Trust me, you need to hear all of Amber’s insights. And a BIG thank you to Amber for sharing this wealth of information. If you missed our first conversation on whether AI is a copywriting friend or foe, you can catch that here. -------------------- Additional Resources If you’re interested in learning more about AI, here are a few resources we think you’ll enjoy: Read the International Energy Agency Energy and AI reportRead the World Economic Forum’s take on AI and energyRead more about how data centers are using waterLearn more about the data centers in Virginia and the Top 10 Data Center Markets in the USGet tips for writing smarter AI promptsRead the Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence from the U.S. Copyright OfficeRead more about why AI-generated content can’t be copyrighted in the U.S. Mentioned in the Episode Read more about George RR Martin and other authors suing AILearn more about the Colorado Artificial Intelligence ActRead more about Chevron deferenceVisit Amber’s website: copyamber.comHear our original conversation with Amber: Ep. 241: ChatGPT: Friend or Foe? – with Amber Smith Related Links Ep. 96: Artificial Intelligence Copywriting: Do You Need to Worry?Ep. BONUS: AI & Copywriting: Using AI to Your Advantage to Wow Clients and Land High-Paying WorkEp. 237: AI is Going to Take My Job!!! … But Is It --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

Are you a “jump and the net will appear” kind of person? Personally, I like to have some sort of net. But, as this this week’s guest on the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast taught me, you can get creative with that net. CCA student and copywriter extraordinaire Daniel is sharing how five days after he quit his sales job, he moved to Thailand.  I know, you’re like, “But Nicki, you said he had a net.” 😱 Trust me, Daniel wasn’t willy nilly about changing careers. He knew his cost of living would be lower in Thailand, allowing him to live comfortably while he built up his client base.  And, phew, did he build a client base! While he’s not in Thailand anymore (you’ll have to listen in for more on his digital “slow-mad” lifestyle), Daniel is working 25 to 30 hours per week, earning a cool six figures per year. Yeah. I’m inspired by his career path and I think you will be, too. ------------------- Mentioned in the Episode The 4-Hour WorkweekDaniel Reece LinkedIn5 Ways to Vastly Improve Your Pitches to Would-Be Copywriting ClientsHow to Get Copywriting Referrals Related Links Ep. 95: Hitting 6 Figures As a Copywriter in 6 Months – Stacy’s StoryEp. 79: Hitting 6 Figures as a Copywriter & Cookbook Author – Kristin’s StoryEp. 214: Replacing a Corporate Job Salary with a 6-Figure Copywriting Business – Tori’s Story --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

The title of this episode should really be “copywriting secrets from my best friend” … who just happens to be the creative director at one o the country’s (if not the world’s!) most iconic retail brands. On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, we are SO lucky that Melody was generous enough to share her time and decades of insights from working as a creative at Marshalls and TJ Maxx. She shares how she went from freelancer to group creative director leading a team of 18 copywriters, designers, creative directors, fashion editors, and more.  If you’ve ever wanted to get your foot in the door at an iconic brand or wonder what marketing execs look for when hiring (surprise: you do NOT need to niche!), take a listen. --------------- Mentioned in the Episode Why Copywriters Absolutely Must Have a Network of DesignersEp. 10: Your Ideal Clients Want You to Pitch Them5 Questions to Make Your Spec Ads Even Better Related Links Daily Habits of the Most Successful Writers & CreativesKeep Your Copywriting Creative Review from Going off the Rails --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

“I’m genuinely living the life I envisioned. I am working with clients I love and sustaining myself through freelance work. It felt far away at first, but step by step, I built the reality I dreamed about.” That’s just a snippet of what Tammy shares in this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast.  If you’ve been a long-time BYCB podcast listener, you know we’ve talked with Tammy before. Last time, she was navigating being laid off from an agency she loved (you can catch that episode here). Spoiler: right before we released that episode, Tammy had landed a new job. But that was all more than TWO years ago. Now? She’s transitioned from a full-time job to full-time freelance and has plans to travel the world in 2026. The tiny steps we take now? Those are the actions that don’t seem like anything now. But will have us looking back a year from now thinking, “Wow!” Hit play and let Tammy’s step-by-step approach inspire you to take action on your biggest goals, one step at a time. ----------------------- Mentioned in the Episode Ep. 144: Navigating Ups and Downs in a Copywriting Career – Tammy’s Story7 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Portfolio SiteChanging Your Career to Copywriting While at Your Existing Job Related Links BONUS Laser Coaching: Transitioning to FreelanceHow to Make Time for Freelance Work --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

We had a little fun with this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast. Please enjoy this playful, poetic take on the chaotic, caffeinated, and creatively charged moments every copywriter knows all too well, inspired by “A Visit from St. Nicholas, a.k.a. “The Night Before Christmas.” --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

Ever feel like quitting? Well, Jade did quit the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy. For like, years. But on this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, she’s sharing the far juicier part of the story: what she did differently when she came back to the CCA. Because it’s what she did differently that ultimately led her to a full-time copywriting job she loves. I am SO appreciative that Jade was willing to share her story. Because I think we’ve ALL been there. That moment when we’re like “nope, no thanks!” But then, once we get honest with ourselves, we realize maybe we do want to chase our dreams—even if it’s uncomfortable. Even if we feel like imposters. If you’ve been looking for a reason to recommit to your dreams, whatever they are, then I promise Jade’s story will help inspire that recommitment. ------------------------- Mentioned in the Episode Jade WebsiteIllinois Chapter of the National School PR Association. (INSPRA)5 Tips for Getting Down to Your Copywriting WorkBONUS Laser Coaching: Focusing On Work You Want to DoEp. BONUS: AI & Copywriting: Using AI to Your Advantage to Wow Clients and Land High-Paying Work Related Links Ep. 242: From Almost Giving Up on Copywriting to Being Booked 6 Months Out --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here