Because when it comes to the world of paid writing, of Barefoot Writer bliss, there’s a lot to love: getting paid, obviously… the freedom to work where you choose, on projects you enjoy… all the “free” stuff that comes with writing (especially travel writing)…

But the real benefits? The best of the best?

Those are the things that can’t be bought or replaced, but make life completely worth living.

Read on and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

To your writing success,

Mindy

The Best “Barefoot” Perks? If You Ask Me, They’re Invisible

By John Forde

There’s a line from a French World War II pilot turned writer that goes, “On ne voit bien qu’avec le cœur. L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.”

I know. How pretentious does this guy get, opening with French?

Get ready to groan even louder, as I translate. The line comes from the book, The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and what it says is, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

I promised my friend Mindy and AWAI I’d tell you about a little of the Glicken that’s iced my own writing cake, over the years. To tell the truth, there’s been a lot. And when I reflected on the list this morning, it’s that line that kept popping into mind.

But first, let me give you a bit of the expected type of reply.

Bright Lights, Big City

Once, thanks to a writing assignment for the International Living newsletter, I scored a full weekend at one of Manhattan’s top hotels, in a suite about double the size of the Baltimore apartment I lived in at the time.

I wanted to impress a girlfriend with a weekend on Broadway, but it was early in my career and a bit above my budget. So I came up with a story idea and wrote to both the hotel and the editorial team. Honestly, I was surprised when it came through.

I was also surprised when we walked into our suite.

Champagne and a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries on the table. Flowers for us in the living room. Thick robes and a personal card from the hotel manager, welcoming us. They laid it on thick.

Possibly a bit too thick. But there it was.

Romantic Vienna, On Someone Else’s Dime

Some years later, I did the same when my wife and I wanted to take an anniversary trip to Vienna — with our nearly two-year-old son along for the ride.

We came up with an article idea called, “Love Plus One: Romantic Vienna with Child in Tow.” I wrote the article, my wife took the pictures of us enjoying the city.

Before it was done, we’d earned a long weekend in a hotel — with a complimentary babysitter for one of the nights — plus a romantic dinner at a nearby café. As a bonus, the publication fee for the article was enough to cover our plane fare.

Oh, and once I wrote a three-stanza poem for a Bass Ale contest that won me a “pub tour” around the world, with $10,000 in spending money to sweeten the deal.

But that’s a story for another day.

When I really think about writing-life Glicken, though, I think back to my opening quote. And really, it’s the invisible things — the abstract perks of the Barefoot Writer’s life that I’ve loved best, above any free trips, dinners, free products, and the rest.

And what are those, exactly?

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The Invisible Essentials

The last time I worked in an office, my wife was days from delivering our daughter. I only borrowed office space, so I didn’t really need to report to anybody. But I called in just the same, to say I’d be staying home until after the baby was born, in case of a sudden ride to the hospital.

In France, where our daughter was born and where we — both Americans — choose to live for a good bit of the year, they keep you in the hospital for at least five days after a birth. So what the heck, I figured, if I can work anywhere ... why not make the best of it?

I haven’t been back to that office since — and our daughter turns eight in October.

When I talk to my friends from college or even high school, there’s nothing better to hear than they’ve got great careers and they’re doing well. But too often, it comes at a high price. Long commutes and long hours preclude a shocking amount of family time along the way.

Sappy as it might sound, the whole experience of fatherhood — one I might have missed, if not for my wife’s encouragement — took me by surprise. That is, I had no idea I’d be such a sucker for it. I love it even better than writing. And luckily, this way of working maximizes my chance to be a part of it.

My own father, I should note, was a great dad and great man, as much a part of our lives as he could be. But he didn’t work like this. He was a lawyer with a commute to downtown Philly every morning, on a train that left at 6:45 a.m. Every night, he insisted on getting back for dinner, but it still wasn’t until after 6 p.m.

Relative to what most people do, that’s a great schedule. But not a perfect one. How many breakfast mornings did it force him to miss? And how much time did we spend looking at the window at the back gate, waiting for him to get home? We did the math on his commutes alone. In 34 years of working, he spent over 12,750 hours in transit. Now that he’s gone, how much would we love to have those hours back?

For me, there’s a different commute: Every morning, my wife and I walk the kids to school. I go for a run afterward. Or we both walk back to the apartment, have a coffee together, and I set up to work in the living room. Lunch is local, at a café two doors away. After school, the kids stop in to say hi and tell me about their day.

Of course, it only works with help — both my wife and kids jealously guard my working hours, as much or more than I do. That’s huge. But now that we’ve worked that out, it opens doors on other opportunities too. For instance, a lot more family travel.

We’ve done a lot together — a hilltop villa in Greece, 10 days in a Barcelona apartment, trips to London, a house with family in western Ireland, and so on — and we’ve got more planned for this year, including a week at the beach and another in the Luberon, over the summer, plus trips to Germany and London planned for the fall.

All but one are working vacations. But that’s better than it sounds. During conferences, I’ll teach while they play. Then we’ll meet up to explore. When it’s just writing, I’ll get up at dawn and work until lunch. After that, we’re free to hang out together. Frankly, while the kids are still young enough to allow it, I can’t imagine living any other way.

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Or should I say, the idea of travel writing brought me in. Back when I was trapped in a 9-to-5 with a long commute and a stiflingly gray office, I’d use my lunch breaks to scroll travel articles like the one below.

As I learned more about travel writing and the people living and loving that profession, I discovered how copywriting was integral to the job. And, presto—next thing I knew I was training to be a copywriter.

If the joy of free travel and getting paid to write about your adventures sounds good to you, you’ll enjoy Roy’s account below of the most epic travel adventure I’ve yet read. (Imagine… so many massages you get tired of them!!)

Even though copywriting became my bread and butter, I did go on to land some travel perks and travel writing jobs of my own. Was it worth it? Absolutely, completely, and without hesitation, yes.

Best of all, once you learn it, travel writing is a skill you can always tap back into if the explorer bug ever hits. Enjoy today’s glimpse into the life of a travel writer.

To your writing success,

Mindy

The Priceless Perks of Travel Writing

By Roy Stevenson

Top travel writers are often able to land exciting press trips with most, or all, of their costs covered by tourist agencies and their media outlets — all because they’ve established longstanding relationships with magazine editors.

I’ve scored some spectacular gigs over the past few years of being a travel writer. I get to write in vivid detail about the exclusive resort or spa my wife and I stayed at (with our own personal concierge), how we were treated like royalty, ate gourmet food when we felt like it, and how we toured around in a limousine like VIPs while tourists gawked at us.

For a few short days or a week or two, we live well above our station and get insight into how the really, really rich spend their vacation time. I’ve had three such trips in the past year… and I’m going to tell you about one that seriously rocked.

Last January, my wife (a professional travel photographer) and I tacked a 4-week stay in Bali onto the end of a two-month S.E. Asian tour that started in Singapore, followed by Borneo.

I had widely advertised my assignment — about “Bali’s Most Luxurious Resorts and Villas” — in a number of travel media-related websites. The response was great! Our Bali trip just grew longer and longer as more and more luxury resorts, villas, and boutique spas invited us to stay there, until I finally had to say “enough” when we had 12 resorts and villas lined up, for 28 nights.

Much as I would have liked to spin it out for another month or two, we eventually had to get back to Seattle to do some work.

Bali is a sparkling, stunning, tropical island with ever-changing landscapes overflowing with colorful rice fields and mysterious temples. Its graceful people seem born to welcome guests to their bustling paradise, and they’re happy to show you their fascinating cultural heritage, always with a wide, white toothy smile.

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Our assignment resorts and villas were the crème de la crème for the elite. Some of the resorts we stayed at don’t advertise their rates because if you have to ask, you can’t afford it (seriously). More than one resort had helicopter pads — another sure sign of an affluent clientele.

We stayed 2-3 nights each in a wide array of idyllic boutique villas: many with native Alang-alang Balinese architecture, spacious air-conditioned rooms, huge four-poster beds draped with colorful mosquito nets, marble tiled and hardwood floors, private swimming pools, indulgent spas, and top-of-the-line restaurants.

Sungai Gold had, for example, a spectacular courtyard with a large infinity pool overlooking the hillside to the river. Surrounding the pool were outdoor living spaces; a living room pavilion, relaxing beds, and a pool deck with lounge chairs, plus a dining pavilion and gardens.

We were subjected to dozens of spa therapies and Balinese healing treatments. Our two-and-a-half-hour “Love and Connectivity” treatment at one spa included a foot wash, an exfoliation scrub, massage that heals the heart chakra, and a rose oil bath for two. Churlishly, by our fifth resort, I had tired of massages and pampering treatments.

Our memorable gourmet meals included a 3-hour, 8-course Imperial Chinese Dinner seated at a 12-meter long table amidst 18^th century artwork, surrounded by the bright red walls of an ancient Chinese temple — definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. An equally appealing meal was the Waroeng Jawa, a humble but romantic dining experience in an open-sided hut where an elderly Balinese lady renowned for her authentic old-style cooking prepared our food over an open fire.

We would cool off in crystal-clear swimming pools as the mood took us. Some villas were so gorgeous that we didn’t leave the property for our entire stay.

We earned our keep by inspecting these palaces for an hour or two, escorted by the property owners or media reps. My wife worked 1-2 hours per day to provide images for the article, and I would write up each resort in an hour or two each evening.

Most of us travel writers know we’re not going to get rich with travel writing, but we’ll show you dozens of stamps from exotic countries in our passports — we visit more places in one year than most 9-to-5ers will see in five years.

You can travel like this too. Between your article payments and comp travel, you can have nice inexpensive trips. Even if you hold down a job with regular hours, you can still do this part-time, with some time management and good planning. So next time you look at your passport, imagine what it will look like with most of the pages stamped.

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Time-saving hacks are always on my radar, so the advice below was a welcome tool.

It’s tricky, though, because in those post-lunch, long hours of the afternoon, this tip makes it much easier for me to want a nap.

Maybe that’s where the freedom of getting to choose your breaks comes in handy.

Anyway, try it and let me know if it helps. (The tip below, not the nap. Well, maybe the nap too…)

To your writing success,

Mindy

Want to Boost Productivity? Turn Up the Heat!

By Mindy McHorse

If you’ve ever spent time in a shared office space, you can probably relate to thermostat woes. It’s one of the biggest complaints of working in a space you don’t control: You’re either too hot or too cold, but never just right.

Fast-forward to life as a Barefoot Writer, where setting your own thermostat is one of the many perks you enjoy.

That said, what’s the ideal temperature for maximum productivity?

Many people say, “the cooler, the better” — the theory being that a dropped thermostat makes you less sluggish and therefore more productive.

But it turns out the opposite is true. Not only is a cold office environment uncomfortable, it also kills your focus. According to a study by Cornell University researchers, a cool 68 degrees caused employees in an office environment to make 44% more errors.

Employees were also more distracted in the colder environment. Researchers reasoned that the resulting drop in body temperature means your body expends energy to stay warm, which means less energy for concentration and creativity.

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However, in the same study, researchers found that cranking the temperature up to 77 degrees made employees twice as productive.

But if you’d like to test this theory, consider upping your thermostat for a week to see if you come out more productive than before.

I totally didn’t take it seriously. 😂😂😂

And yet here I sit with 18 years of working from home as a paid writer under my belt, 15 of those with six-figures in gross revenue.

(Joke’s on me, Paul! You were right all along.)

I highly recommend you take Paul’s message to heart if you enjoy writing, would like more freedom and income in your life, and want to be part of an amazing group of supportive freelancers.

To your writing success,

Mindy

The #1 Secret to Living a Good, Happy, and Wealth-Filled Life in These Difficult Times

By Paul Hollingshead

Warren Buffett, one of the smartest and most successful businessmen of our time, was asked what he thought was the best investment anyone could make in difficult times.

His answer was fast and simple …

That could very well be the best advice Mr. Buffett has ever offered. If ever there were a time to take control of your future, it’s now.

Never before have we faced such perilous times.

A free-falling stock market is jeopardizing the comfortable retirement of millions. Once rock-solid, mainstay companies are struggling to survive. Millions of blue- and white-collar jobs are on the line.

And a lot of experts agree – the worst is yet to come.

But there’s a small group of people who have risen above it all.

They’re folks who don’t have to worry about a free-falling stock market – or if their jobs are going to be there at the end of the day.

In fact, these people don’t even have “jobs” as most people know them.

On a typical day, they’ll wake up, make a cup of coffee, read the paper, maybe go for a run or get a little exercise …

And when they’re good and ready, they’ll saunter over to their laptop – and begin their day.

No alarm clocks buzzing. No drive through rush-hour traffic. No bosses looking over their shoulder.

Heck, they don’t even have to get dressed if they don’t want to.

Yet they have an opportunity to make much more money than the average full-time “work-a-day” Jane …

$50,000.

$100,000.

$200,000.

Some (who choose to spend more time at it) are making $500,000 a year or more.

Better still, they’re making that kind of money doing fun and interesting “work” … using their minds and their creativity, while providing an essential, very-much-in-demand service to a $2.3 trillion (and still growing) industry that’s virtually recession-proof.

And it’s all because they took Mr. Buffett’s good advice long before he gave it:

I highly recommend you do the same today. Especially today …

But how?

The best and fastest way is to take a good, hard look at the resources offered by our very good friends over at American Writers & Artists Institute (AWAI).

For 29 years now, these folks have been giving fed-up, burned-out rat-racers a much-welcomed “second chance” at fun, creative, challenging – and, yes, high-paying – careers.

More than that, the careers they offer are as much about lifestyle as they are about making a very good income.

Take The AWAI Method™ for Becoming a Skilled, In-Demand Copywriter, one of the most popular programs AWAI offers.

Here’s a work-at-home career where, if you can write in a nice, easy conversational tone – and you’re willing to learn the basic formula for writing a good, effective sales letter – you can make a very nice income from the comfort of your own home.

Many who have taken the AWAI copywriting program have not only been able to leave jobs they hated … but move to places they’ve always dreamed of living: mountains, seaside towns, even different countries altogether! All they need is a laptop and a good internet connection.

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And, despite the economy, copywriters are still in very high demand, since they are the engines that drive the $2.3 trillion direct-response industry. Copywriters I talk to say the demand for well-written letters is higher than ever, as marketers tend to mail more often and more aggressively in down markets.

In other words, it’s virtually a recession-proof business!

Plus, the other great thing about mastering the art of copywriting is that it’s a financially valuable skill that will reward you the rest of your life … and give you a source of income well into your retirement years.

What better way to invest in yourself than to learn a skill that could earn you many millions over the course of your lifetime AND let you live your life “boss-free” on your own terms?

Learn more about becoming a work-at-home copywriter.

Another fast-growing segment of the writing market that offers exciting income and lifestyle opportunities is writing for the web.

Website landing pages, pay-per-click ads, email promotional letters, search engine optimization – these continue to be the buzz-terms for long-standing commerce opportunities in the world today. Anyone who sets out to become an expert in any or all of these areas will forever be in high demand with companies all over the world.

And the timing for this opportunity couldn’t be better. Once a job handed to underlings, smart businesses are now realizing that to be competitive online these days, they need knowledgeable, qualified professionals to create powerful sales-driven web content—beyond what AI can do. As a result, it’s estimated in the U.S. alone, businesses from Fortune 500 companies to local mom-and-pop shops in your hometown spent $395 billion in 2025 on digital content and advertising.

This program lets you do what Mr. Buffett and so many other successful people say is the most important thing anyone can do, especially in the times we’re in:

Take control of your future.

Take back your good life.

Invest in yourself.

Learn more about becoming a work-at-home copywriter.

Or maybe you can’t focus because it’s Friday and everyone else has powered down and headed for the mountains…

Then quick and easy boosts like the five shared below might give you that extra little push you need to make it to the finish line.

(My go-to’s are number 5, 3, and 2, in that order.)

To your writing success,

Mindy

5 Quick Ways to Get a Motivational Boost

By Rae Robinson

1. Alternate your big tasks. If you’re juggling several different projects, pick two and switch between each one for 20 minutes each. This keeps you from getting bored and helps you maintain focus.

2. Drink a glass of water. Good hydration makes it easier to concentrate.

   

3. Chat with a fellow writer. Writing friends can be a great source of support, especially when you’re stuck on a project or you’re facing doubts about your writing career. You can connect with other Barefoot Writers here on our public Facebook page.

4. Write down what you’ve already achieved. The next time you feel stuck when it comes to your writing goals, make a list of everything you’ve already accomplished. It could be anything from landing your first client to practicing your writing every day to simply telling people about your writing aspirations.

   

5. Go for a walk. Just getting away from your writing space and giving yourself a mental break can do wonders to recharge your creativity.

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It’s never failed to help, especially in terms of infusing my copy with a little more zazz and heaps more emotion and connection.

So take note of these eight tips and revisit them any time you’re about to ship a new piece. They’re pretty much guaranteed to strengthen your copy and can lead you to many, many happily satisfied clients.

To your writing success,

Mindy

8 Tips for Better Writing
By Mindy McHorse

Simply getting started is often the biggest problem writers face when presented with a new project.

Maybe you’ve been in that situation. You feel overwhelmed by the task of writing great content that achieves all of your client’s goals, so you hesitate and delay.

Keep in mind that the goal of good content writing is to generate a strong message that doesn’t appear forced or awkward.

The best way to do this is by sticking to the basics — and by starting your project as soon as possible.

Here, you’ll find eight fundamental strategies to help you write well and to ensure your clients keep coming back to you.

Tip #1: Never lose sight of the “Big Three”

All good content writing consists of three core elements:

1. Benefits

2. Core emotions

3. A solid understanding of your target market

You can’t do a good job with the first two unless you have the last one. This means every project should kick off with research about your prospect.

First, uncover details like age, sex, income, geographic location, and family status. Next, figure out whether you’re dealing with people who are repeat buyers of the product or service you’re writing about, or whether they’re first-time buyers.

Then, dig deeper.

Once you know your audience, it becomes easier to understand why they buy things, beyond practical reasons. This is where you look for core emotions that drive the sale. It’s also where you’ll recognize which benefits resonate most with your target demographic.

Tip #2: Get emotional

Understanding the core emotions that drive your prospect to buy isn’t the same thing as writing to them. Good writing should provoke those very emotions, but in a positive way.

Let’s say you’re writing about a walk-in bathtub, and your audience consists of older folks who are gradually losing their mobility.

Two major benefits to this product are its safety and ease of use. Paint a picture with your words of the independence and satisfaction your prospect will gain, rather than focusing on the problems he will avoid.

There is a time and place for fear-based statements and “Here’s what you’ll escape” remarks. But, especially when it comes to product sales online, emphasize the positive. Choose words like always over never and tell inspiring stories. When possible, pepper in enthusiastic testimonials.

Tip #3: Have a conversation with one person

Always think of your copy as a conversation with one other person. This means writing in second person and using the word “you” so your prospect knows you’re speaking directly to him or her.

This keeps your copy to the point and makes each of your visitors feel like the content was written specifically to them instead of to an all-encompassing group of readers.

You can also use the “bar stool” technique to make your writing more conversational. The easiest way to do this is to read your copy aloud and edit it until it sounds like something you’d say in a face-to-face conversation, as if you were chatting with someone at a bar.

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Tip #4: Make it snappy

Good writing is concise and to the point. Readers don’t want to wade through long sentences with multiple adjectives, especially if they’re reading your copy online. Even if you have a lengthy list of benefits and features you want to share, the average reader doesn’t have time to wade through long pages of copy.

Keep your copy tight and to the point by using short sentences (16 words or less) and simple words. Aim for paragraphs that are only two or three sentences long. Every now and then, add a punchy, one-line sentence to give your writing rhythm.

One of the best ways to keep your copy short and snappy is to write at an eighth-grade level or lower. If you use Microsoft Word, you can measure this by going into the “Options” menu and selecting the “Proofing” tab. Then, click the “Show readability statistics” box. (Note: The “Check grammar with spelling” box must be checked in order to access the “Show readability statistics” box.)

After you run a spell-check, a box called “Readability Statistics” pops up. It includes the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. Aim for an 8.0 or less.

Tip #5: Use lots of white space

It’s a daunting thing to click on a web link and see a hundred lines of text. Even the most fascinating subject can be a hard read if it’s too copy-heavy.

Instead, break up long blocks of text with page breaks, headings, bullets, and graphics. All of these serve as visual cues about the information you’re sharing. They help certain elements of your copy stand out, guiding the reader to take note of specific content.

Tip #6: Demonstrate credibility

Even the best writing can be brushed off as unimportant if it’s not presented credibly.

Make sure your copy includes multiple credibility-boosters. Glowing testimonials and easy-to-spot contact information go a long way in making content appear trustworthy. It’s also a good idea to mention reviews and awards.

Sometimes, even talking about a flaw or downside to your product or service helps boost credibility. People appreciate honesty.

Tip #7: Study writers with strong voices

If you want to practice good writing, it’s smart to spend time with successful writers. Make it a point to read articles, blogs, and other content crafted by strong writers.

When possible, get to know them. If there’s no way you’ll ever connect in person, at least connect via social media. Twitter and Facebook are excellent for presenting a well-rounded picture of other professionals. You can find out what books they read, what conferences they attend, and what gurus they follow.

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Tip #8: Review, review, review

Keep in mind that every second of attention you get from a reader is precious. Make an effort to write your content several days before you have to submit it. This gives you the chance to step back and take a break from it so you do the final review with fresh eyes.

By sticking to these basic strategies for good writing, you’ll significantly boost your chances of writing content that works, and — importantly — keeps clients coming back to you for more projects.

Because to those of us on the outside, fortune-and-fame-tinged copywriting careers like his look easy. Maybe it’s a product of his particular genius. Or connections. Luck, perhaps?

Could be a combo of all of them.

But then you read something like this and discover he’s just another human, like the rest of us, who makes mistakes and gets sucked into temptation. The difference though, is that he’s learned to pull himself out and use the experience as a lesson.

So if your paid writing dreams continue to loom large in your life and you want to bump them to the next level, take John’s advice to heart—especially the gem at the end of tip #2.

To your writing success,

Mindy

Seven Toxic Habits That Could Wreck Your Writing Career

By John Forde

“It is a great thing,” said Cicero, “to know our vices.”

With that in mind, let’s dig in and take a look at some positively poisonous habits that could dash any aspiring copywriter’s career. No, I don’t mean the biggies like gorging yourself on pizza… quaffing gin with breakfast… or hanging out with loose women and/or using that exercise bike you bought last year only as a towel rack.

Arguably, these are the habits that just make copywriters more interesting. But in this essay, I’m only talking about the little work-related habits. Each of them all too easy for any copywriter, even one with the best intentions, to develop…

Bad Habit #1: Compulsive “Inboxing”

Here’s one of those bad habits where yours truly was once guilty as charged.

I’ll be frank. I’m a nut for technology. The nerd gene, in our family, runs long and deep. In 1981, my brother and I were using an early Apple desktop with a cassette tape drive and a 300-baud phone line to log onto local “bulletin boards.” In the early 1990s, I was among the first in our office to use CompuServe via dial-up… and first to tap into search engines (remember “Archie” and “Veronica?” Way before Google’s time)…

And even now, I’m about as armed as you can get with POP accounts, instant messaging, and all the rest. There isn’t anything I can’t FTP, bit-transfer, or digitally find. But still, I’ve learned one has to be careful. Even the best technology is a distraction if you let it intrude on your deadlines.

Email especially.

Over the last year, I consciously re-prioritized my email activity to fall later on my to-do list. Emails no longer get answered instantly. Unless they’re urgent, they can wait for my reply. The results have been liberating. And profitable.

Ironically, you can find dozens of “productivity websites” offering exactly the opposite advice. Along with elaborate systems for keeping your inbox clear at all times, including how to empty out your inbox early as part of the “fresh start” for the day. And to those I say … baloney.

Don’t get me wrong.

Email is a valuable tool. It makes my laptop career possible in more ways than one. But just answering emails around the clock won’t get the job done, no matter how productive it makes you feel at the time.

Which is a good way to segue into …

Bad Habit #2: Inverting the Checklist

This too, is something I was once more guilty of than not. In fact, I still find myself slipping into this poisonous practice from time to time. By “inverting the checklist,” I’m talking about when you take your list of ‘must-do’ items and flip it so that you end up doing the things of least importance first.

Think about it.

Most people write their checklists starting with the small details, especially the pressing items and immediate tasks. As you finish the list, the feelings of urgency fade and your imagination kicks in. You write out the big stuff, the life-defining things, the things about which you dare to dream.

The next day, on the next to-do list, you change the details on the front to match the newest, most pressing, undone stuff …

Pick up dry cleaning. Send email. Order paper clips.

But the back half generally remains unchanged. And still, very general about the things you hope will eventually happen in your lifetime. Become a copywriting guru. Write the novel. See world. It’s an easy rut to fall into.

But every success story you can imagine begins with somebody flipping that personal checklist around. The big, ambiguous accomplishments become the priorities. And the little niggling daily stuff gets pushed back, even dumped from the list entirely (though, hopefully, not to the level where personal safety, relationships, or hygiene will suffer TOO dramatically).

This, of course, is just as true for copywriting as it is for any other endeavor. You’ll make the most happen if you aim to get the big stuff done first.

The secret is to pick the big goal and break that down with the same detailed fervor you applied to the less important details of past “to-do” lists.

For instance, do you really want to be a six-figure copywriter? I get lots of emails from people telling me they do. But who also don’t think they can. I’m shocked, after digging deeper, to find out how many of those who have quit on the idea have yet to try landing even one client… have yet to try writing a full promo… have yet to even finish the exercises in whatever copywriting course they’re following.

Each time, I lay it down: Yes, it’s true. Not everyone can succeed at this. Because not everyone has the “stuff” to do it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be such a lucrative career path. Still, you’ll get nowhere if you don’t get started. And getting started means more than sharpening pencils every morning. It means approaching and hitting the big milestones, step-by-step.

Make a daily game plan to finish the course. Get on the mailing lists and read OPC (other people’s copy). Get that one client … offering to write on spec if you have to … as the first step in building your client list. And THEN come and talk to me, yah?

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Bad Habit #3: Chronic Cathode Overloading

Oh boy, is this one a tar trap.

I’m talking, of course, about screens and scrolling. And here too, I want you to know I’m not throwing stones. I was notorious, as a child, for getting sucked into the boob tube. Turn one on a mile from where I stood, my jaw would drop and my eyes would go wide. Think the torture scenes in Clockwork Orange, but self-imposed and self-supervised.

Then, by circumstance, I found myself without a television. For eight years straight, it stayed that way. And I couldn’t believe what happened. I started reading. A lot.

Mind you, I was always a reader. But not like this. I plowed through books end to end, like a chronic smoker facing the firing squad. I bought classics for 50 cents a pop at the used book store. I picked up how-to books on advertising, fiction writing, and guitar. History books. Philosophy. Biographies. And more.

Where my TV wasn’t, I had IKEA bookshelves eight feet high and filled to bursting with text. Even better, I couldn’t imagine how — during my TV-watching days — I had managed to find and then waste all that time.

I confess, we have a TV again. We rationalize it as a learning tool, for language, since the one TV we own we keep in our apartment in France. Streaming is now the danger. And the Internet. Both have a similar power for sucking up time. Still, I read plenty. Less fiction, since I don’t find as much of the modern stuff nearly as satisfying. But lots of books and articles related to what I’m writing about. Plus, I’m a heavy user of audiobooks on all kinds of subjects, from trade and finance to science and ideas of all different kinds.

You don’t have to toss your TV. Especially not if it’s one of the brand spankin’ new flat screen variety. But do try switching it off… or even unplugging it… for a while. A week. A month. And see what happens. You might be surprised.

Bad Habit #4: Writing from the Mountaintop

No question, one of the things I love about my copywriting career is the isolation. An open window, a quiet room, the clack of the keyboard. It’s how I prefer working, most of the time. And it’s usually all I need to feel like the master of the universe.

Still, there’s a danger to be aware of. Even as a writer, you can’t be alone with your ideas all the time. Because writers, even the great ones, grow stale in isolation. It’s the energy you draw from contact with other people that keeps your writing interesting.

In copy, that means regular if occasional contact with colleagues and customers. Brainstorming meetings. Trade seminars. Company cocktail parties and, yes, happy hours. If you get the invitation to mingle with like-minds, you shouldn’t pass it up. Make a point of staying in touch. Phone calls will do, but a few hours of face time is even better. Both social and professional.

Bad Habit #5: Tossing the Roadmap

What’s the point of speeding if you don’t know where you’re going? If you never get where you’re headed, it doesn’t matter one lick if you’re making great time. Germane to copywriting, I’m talking about passionate writers who consistently miss the point of why they’re writing or what they’re writing about.

Exhibit A, the new writer that’s passionate about the idea they’re pitching… without a game plan for how they’re going to lay the whole thing out. Start with at least a general outline. An end and a middle, not just a beginning.

Before you pile up research, ask yourself: What’s this product really about? Who’s this customer and where does he stand? Where do I need to take him to make the final sale? Early in my own career, I wrote without a map.

I started and let my research pull me through, heading down this path and that. Sometimes it worked. Most of the time it did not. Then I started dissecting other pieces to see how they came together. I “lifted out” the outlines and stuck it together again, with my own research draped over the skeleton instead.

Now I write my own outlines. Because I’ve got the basic structure imprinted on my memory already. Once you’ve got this, it helps you make all kinds of choices about how the whole piece will come together, just as planned.

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Bad Habit #6: Radical Revisionism

The opposite of too little planning is, of course, overplanning. And this too, in copy, can happen to the best of them. After all, great copy has the feel of being written fast and spontaneously. Yet, we’ve also always heard that great writers revise.

So when do you stop perfecting?

Where do you draw the line?

I once knew a writer who spent over a month writing and rewriting his headline. Once he had it, he moved on to writing his first line. How long would THAT take him? Nobody waited to find out. The company had to fire him. See, here’s the thing. You’ve got to recognize what all the editing you’ll do is actually for.

You’re going back to tighten, yes. To take out the clumsy phrases, to clarify the ideas, and more.

You’re revising, too, so you can hide the seams and stitches, the girders and rivets, and all those other pieces of your construction that need to be there but remain hidden so as not to impede the flow of your prose.

After that, though, there comes a time when you just… have to… let… it… go. Let it mail. Let if flop. Let it win. But get it out there to get tested, where all good (and bad) copy belongs.

Polish the writing, yes. But remember that you’re nothing as a copywriter if your copy never, ever mails. Speed up that process to get it out there, in as many ways as you can.

Bad Habit #7: Thin-skinned Amateurism

It’s not easy, in this biz, not to take lots of things personally. You spend a lot of time alone with the things you’re writing, after all. So when a critique feels extra harsh… when a client seems less than happy… when a mailing flops… at least once in a while, you’re going to feel personally let down.

Don’t.

It’s great to throw yourself into your work. It’s great to feel responsible for results. But the truth of the matter is, it’s also a sign of a real pro if, whenever you get knocked down, you get up brushing off the dust and ready to go all over again.

Instead of defending yourself during a critique, ask questions that open you up for more. On flopped mailings, study the results. Do a post-mortem on the copy to find out what happened. And then move on. Maybe getting the flop out there was the best way to unveil the newer, better idea that will work the next time.

You never know until you give it a shot.

The responses I got from my last post, 4 Deeper-Level Tips for Better Writing, have been tremendous.

But it’s no surprise. I think for most writers, me included, tips on writing better, faster, and with greater ease are always welcome—regardless of time in the game or honors accumulated.

After all, our brains are not static. Learning new techniques and writing tricks is what keeps our thinking nimble and our ideas unique.

So along that same vein, here are four additional deeper-level, better writing tips to get your content off the ground and your words flowing fast.

Bonus Tip #1: Use lots of white space

It’s a daunting thing to click a link and face a wall of text. Even the most fascinating subject can be a hard read if it’s too copy-heavy.

Instead, break up long blocks of text with page breaks, headings, bullets, and graphics.

If you’re formatting your copy on Substack, you have the additional option to use

block quotes,

All of these serve as visual cues about the information you’re sharing. They help certain elements of your copy stand out, guiding the reader to take note of specific content.

Even more important than emphasis, breaking up your copy so there’s plenty of white space gives the brain a break and makes it easier to take in information.

White space also boosts readability and comprehension so your reader is better able to absorb whatever you’re trying to convey. And, it’s one of the easiest ways to make your copy look confident and modern.

Bonus Tip #2: Demonstrate credibility

Even the best writing can be brushed off as unimportant if it’s not presented credibly.

Make sure your copy includes multiple credibility-boosters. Glowing testimonials, awards and accolades, and easy-to-spot contact information go a long way in making content appear trustworthy. It’s also a good idea to mention reviews and awards.

Sometimes, admitting a flaw or downside to your product or service helps boost credibility. People appreciate honesty.

And these days, credibility is going to set you apart from robot-driven AI writing, which tends to just focus on the facts.

When you can address the strongest elements of the product or service you’re writing about, and acknowledge any weaknesses (ideally then flipping them into selling points that underscore the authenticity of something)…

That’s when a logical conversion takes place in your reader’s mind, and also when you win them over emotionally to get them to take the next action.

Bonus Tip #3: Study writers with strong voices

If you want to practice good writing, it’s smart to spend time with successful writers. Make it a point to read articles, blogs, and other content crafted by strong writers.

How do you know you’re reading something from a strong writer? There are two reliable measures: One is when you’re still thinking about the piece long after you’ve finished reading it, and the second is when you get a clear takeaway from the writing.

Once you’ve pinpointed a strong writing voice, make it a point to get to know that writer. Read everything you can from them. Go and hear them speak if possible.

If there’s no way you’ll ever connect in person, at least connect via social media. Substack and LinkedIn are excellent for presenting a well-rounded picture of other professionals. You can find out what books they read, what conferences they attend, and what gurus they follow.

The more strong voices you study, the stronger your own writing voice becomes.

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Bonus Tip #4: Review, review, review

Keep in mind that every second of attention you get from a reader is precious. Make an effort to write your content several days before you have to submit it. This gives you the chance to step back and take a break from it so you can do the final review with fresh eyes.

Then read it out loud. Listen for rhythm and cadence, and be mindful of any errors your eyes missed.

After that, let it go—either to the client for review, or to a trusted writer friend who can give you unbiased feedback.

And then embrace that feedback. Most top-selling, high-performing books and sales letters had whole teams of reviewers and critics—and even then, the tiniest of errors can still squeak by. Good writing is a process.

Each one of these tips has been tried and tested over time in the Barefoot Writer world. Each stands on its own in ability to strengthen content.

Whether that means getting your content to work better through more consistent conversions…

Strengthening the bond with your reader…

Or branding your company, product, or service…

Well-thought-out, quality writing can accomplish much.

And if you’re building your career as a paid writer, these are absolutely the techniques that will help you retain clients and gain referrals so you can build your writing brand (and income!).

Remember, good writing is a process—and mastery comes from practicing these habits over time.

Getting started is often the biggest problem writers face when presented with a new project.

Maybe you’ve been in that situation. You feel overwhelmed by the task of writing great content that achieves all your client’s goals, so you hesitate and delay. (Definitely guilty on this end!)

Keep in mind that the goal of any good content writing is to generate a strong message that doesn’t appear forced or awkward.

The best way to do this is to stick to the basics — and to start your project as soon as possible.

Below, you’ll find four fundamental strategies to help you write well and to ensure your clients keep coming back to you.

Tip #1: Never lose sight of the “Big Three”

All good content writing consists of three basic elements:

1. Benefits

2. Core emotions

3. A solid understanding of your target market

You can’t do a good job with the first two unless you have the last one. This means every project should kick off with research about your prospect.

First, uncover details like age, sex, income, geographical location, and family status.

Next, figure out whether you’re dealing with people who are repeat buyers of the product or service you’re writing about, or whether they’re first-time buyers.

Then, dig deeper.

Once you know your audience, it becomes easier to understand why they buy things, beyond practical reasons. This is where you look for core emotions that drive the sale. It’s also where you’ll recognize which benefits resonate most with your target demographic.

Tip #2: Get emotional

Understanding the deeper emotions that drive your prospect to buy isn’t the same thing as writing to them. Good writing should provoke those very emotions, but in a positive way.

Let’s say you’re writing about a walk-in bathtub, and your audience consists of older folks who are gradually losing their mobility.

Two major benefits to this product are its safety and ease of use. Paint a picture with your words of the independence and satisfaction your prospect will gain, rather than focusing on the problems he will avoid.

There is a time and place for fear-based statements and “Here’s what you’ll escape” remarks. But, especially when it comes to product sales online, emphasize the positive. Choose words like always over never and tell inspiring stories.

When possible, pepper in enthusiastic testimonials.

Tip #3: Have a conversation with one person

Always think of your copy as a conversation with a single person sitting across from you. This means writing in second person and using the word “you” so your prospect knows you’re speaking directly to him or her.

This keeps your copy to the point and makes each of your visitors feel like the content was written specifically to them instead of to an all-encompassing group of readers.

You can also use the “bar stool” technique to make your writing more conversational. The easiest way to do this is to read your copy aloud and edit it until it sounds like something you’d say in a face-to-face conversation, as if you were chatting with someone at a coffee shop.

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Tip #4: Make it snappy

Good writing is concise and to the point. Readers don’t want to wade through long sentences with multiple adjectives, especially if they’re reading your copy online. Even if you have a lengthy list of benefits and features you want to share, the average reader doesn’t have time to wade through long pages of copy.

Keep your copy tight and to the point by using short sentences (16 words or less) and simple words. Aim for paragraphs that are only two or three sentences long. Every now and then, add a punchy, one-line sentence to give your writing rhythm.

One of the best ways to keep your copy short and snappy is to write at an eighth-grade level or lower. If you use Microsoft Word, you can measure this by going into the Options menu and selecting the “Proofing” tab. Then, check the “Show readability statistics” box.

After you run a spell-check, a box called “Readability Statistics” pops up. It includes the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. Aim for an 8.0 or less.

To sum it up, when you think of good writing, the goal is to get a point across and follow basic grammar and communication rules

But if you want to produce great writing, follow these deeper-level strategies. You’ll significantly boost your chances of writing content that works to convert customers to buyers, and – importantly – keeps clients coming back to you for more paid writing projects.

But because so many of the world’s most unforgettable writers hail from its misty shores.

From Wilde’s wit to Yeats’s wonder, the Irish have a way of turning words into magic.

So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I’m sharing this lovely article from Katie Yeakle—a literary toast to Ireland’s talent, imagination, and lyrical charm.

Sláinte to words that dance!

To your writing success,

Mindy

Ireland Is Where Strange Tales Begin and Happy Endings Are Possible

By Katie Yeakle

Many festive activities are associated with Ireland, especially during this month of March when we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the 17^th.

Whether or not you can be counted among the 35 million or so Irish Americans, chances are good you’ll still celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green clothing or perhaps even drinking green beer. Or, maybe you’ll watch a parade, eat corned beef and colcannon, and wear a “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” button.

But aside from the Irish music, Irish drinks, and Irish religious traditions that define the very unusual culture of the country, there’s another side of Ireland many do not know. The Emerald Isle has had a major impact on the English language over the course of its history.

The oldest vernacular poetry in Europe comes from Ireland, going back as far as the 6^th century. In 1923, William Butler Yeats, Ireland’s most famous poet, was the first Irishman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. A more contemporary Irish poet, Seamus Heaney, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995.

The Nobel Prize in Literature also went to two other Irishmen: George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett. And then James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and Jonathan Swift, though not Nobel Prize winners, are among other famous Irish scribes.

Joyce is best known for his tome Ulysses, which laid the foundation for the modern novel. He also wrote Dubliners, a collection of short stories about the lives of the Irish, and two other novels, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Finnegan’s Wake.

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Wilde, a witty, flamboyant novelist, playwright, poet, and all-around intellectual, is best known for his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray and the humorous play The Importance of Being Earnest.

Swift, one of the first modern satirists, is best known for writing the travel satire Gulliver’s Travels and A Modest Proposal, in which he proposes that Irish children should be eaten in order to deal with the problems of hunger and homelessness facing the Irish.

Thanks to their gift of gab, Irish sayings, proverbs, and witticisms have flowed freely like Guinness from such acclaimed writers as Wilde, Shaw, and Brendan Behan to the commoner one meets at an Irish pub:

Meet Darren, a brand‑new Barefoot Writer who started with no experience, a dash of nerves, and a whole lot of determination. Three months later, he’s blogging, building his confidence, and even celebrating his first paid win!

I love this story because it shows what happens when you just start. Doesn’t matter if it’s a messy start. You can be imperfect and bold, scared and open-hearted, and just watch—it’ll all work out. 🌟

To your writing success,

Mindy

P.S. Note the four lessons that helped Darren turn “someday” into “right now.”

Three Months In: 4 Tips to Help New Writers Move Forward

By Darren Stout

About three months ago, I was staring unemployment in the face (again).

But now, I’m making strides toward living the writer’s life. And today, I’m going to share four tips that moved me forward so you can launch your own writer’s life as soon as possible.

When I first got excited about being a writer, I wanted to soak up every piece of information I could in as short a time as possible. One thing that stood out immediately was the popular recommendation to choose a niche where you can focus your writing.

Choosing a niche in something you’re passionate about is an important first step. For me, that part wasn’t hard. I love gardening and golf.

So, I decided on a blog for my gardening writing. I’d heard that WordPress was a great place to get started with a blog … and it also fits my budget (it’s free).

That brings me to Tip #1: Create a website or blog and publicize your work. You might not get thousands of visits per month, but it’s an important experience to create work for online display.

I haven’t made any money from it yet, but the blog has been a great way for me to get daily practice writing. I hope to eventually move the content to a website that will help me market myself as a gardening copywriter.

Now that I have a niche I want to focus on, time management has become important. Because, along with posting on my blog three times per week, I recently began both a new full-time day job and the The AWAI Method™ for Becoming a Skilled, In-Demand Copywriter. The program has proven to be an eye-opening and educational experience … and I’m not even halfway through it!

And that’s Tip #2: Study … study … study. It won’t get old if you truly love writing and want the writer’s life someday. Begin a program like the The AWAI Method™ for Becoming a Skilled, In-Demand Copywriter so you’ll be able to practice and get feedback from the experts.

Now, with so much to do, I really have to prioritize. It’s an exercise in balance with family time. My goal is to quit my job this year and start living the writer’s life, but for now, I have to make the best use of mornings and evenings that I can. Fortunately, I’ve found a way to stay motivated by connecting with other writers.

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That brings me to Tip #3: Get involved with a writer’s organization and participate in conversations to get all the mentoring and encouragement you can. To ease my own reservations, I’ve been “picking the brains” of many writers with AWAI. My first interaction with copywriting “gurus” was when I became a member of the Barefoot Writer Club. That led to corresponding with members of AWAI and getting feedback on questions from the AWAI Forum.

I’ll close with Tip #4: Write at every opportunity — especially if it’s a chance to put your work in front of the experts. Who knows? You just might win a contest! It worked for me. My jump-start (and first paid writing accomplishment) was winning the Barefoot Writing Challenge essay contest. I can’t begin to describe my surprise when I won. I was so elated that I literally choked up when I told my wife I had won.

Best of all, I know this is just the beginning and my “wins” will start to snowball from here.

Make the commitment. Don’t wait. And, if you’re still working full-time like me, be patient. The writer’s life will happen for you because of your dedication to make it happen.

PS - If you found this post helpful, would you please consider restacking it and sharing it with your audience?

This spreads the word about achieving a paid writer’s life—and the more voices in our community, the more advice and examples we can share. 🙏

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Sometimes it’s a dream trip, a surprising windfall, or a chance encounter that changes everything.

For writer Christopher Dean, his Glicken showed up as a life‑changing reminder that writing can be a gateway to growth, gratitude, and lasting learning.

What started as a health setback turned into a deeper appreciation for his work—and for the way writing keeps opening new doors of discovery.

I love this because it’s not just about writing… it’s about rediscovering purpose through words. And isn’t that what we all want, deep down?

To your writing success,

Mindy

P.S. Not familiar with “Glicken”? It’s a Yiddish word referring to the icing on the cake… or in this case, that extra reward on top of the regular benefits you get as a Barefoot Writer.

The Glicken of Lasting Learning

By Christopher Dean

Many Glicken stories involve some type of perk where a writer travels somewhere and ends up getting treated like a king or queen. For me, the Glicken in writing is the opportunity to work on a project that involves listening to fascinating lectures from the best professors in the country. And instead of spending hundreds of dollars on those courses… I get them for free.

It started a year and a half ago when my health took a turn for the worst. I had a grand mal seizure one day — what a shock! Up to that point in my life, I’d never had a serious ailment; not even a broken bone. Now I was looking at a possible lifetime of health issues.

After brain surgery and a positive prognosis, I started looking at what I really wanted from life. Before the seizure, I’d been writing copy for a client whose products I wasn’t very passionate about. After I started to recover, I made a promise to myself that I’d go after clients and products I truly believed in. The amazing thing is, after life threw such a curveball, I got the chance to work with a client I’m enthusiastic about.

The client is The Teaching Company, the producers of The Great Courses. Maybe you’ve heard of them, or even watched or listened to one of their engaging, informative, and entertaining courses for yourself. I could almost say having the opportunity to write copy for them is Glicken enough, but that’s not really the icing on the cake.

My assignment was to write new catalog copy for one of their older courses, The Iliad of Homer. The copy editor emailed the course guidebook and lecture transcripts in PDF format so I could dive in right away. Shortly after, the DVD set arrived in the mail, on the house. On the surface, you might think that’s a pretty sweet perk, and it is. It’s nice to receive an interesting course, worth hundreds of dollars, for free. But the real Glicken hadn’t presented itself yet.

If you’ve ever read The Iliad, you probably remember it as an epic war poem. It’s often categorized merely as a war story since it’s brutal and graphic, but it’s so much more than that. Again, if you go below the surface, the true nature of the narrative, and of life, is revealed.

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Normally, you’d have to enroll in an academic program at a top college or university to encounter lectures from an award-winning professor. And we all know how much tuition like that can cost. In my case, this excellent education came with the territory. You could call this Glicken as well, but it’s still not the best part.

I spent many hours reading the transcript, watching the lectures, researching, and thinking about what it all meant. The universal themes you see throughout The Iliad are the nature of the human condition and mortality. What does it mean to be alive? What’s my role in society? These are questions we all ask ourselves at some point.

I’m always looking for new thoughts and ideas pertaining to the meaning of life. Though, neither the book The Iliad, nor the course about The Iliad was on my list of things to work on. It was by pure luck that the creative team at The Teaching Company picked a course that would end up making me think about life and work in new, surprising ways.

So, my Glicken was the chance to go on an unexpected journey of the mind with fascinating philosophical thoughts. The real icing on the cake was, and is, the opportunity to learn something new every day. In my mind, these things are the ultimate — but not always so obvious — Glicken.

What special Glicken or perks have you enjoyed as a writer? Please share!

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Not only is it a fresh approach to livening up tired phrases…

It also makes writing more fun.🤸🏻

Case in point—I tried tip #9 below, and learned more than I ever knew there was to learn about why hotels tuck their sheets in so tightly.

But the beauty of random knowledge is exactly that: it’s random. So random in fact, that it can make copy come to life and feel memorable to the reader.

I’m tempted to go write for the hospitality industry now, because this seemingly trivial knowledge could impress prospects when it comes to appreciating the cleanliness of a hotel.

Cool, right? Don’t just take my word for it… enjoy Chase’s tips below.

To your writing success,

Mindy

Enough Ideas to Fill Your Editorial Calendar Until the End of Time: 12 Hidey-holes to Find Spellbinding Copy Ideas

By Chase Canyon

Your best client is expecting another piece of brilliant writing from you by tomorrow — and you’ve got nuthin’. Problem is, your topic is vague and you don’t know where to start.

But you absolutely refuse to hand in anything mediocre. You’re a respected writer — you write majestic marketing lore that captivates your clients’ audiences and skyrockets their businesses.

You’ve got the skills and you’ve got the talent. You just need a starting point that gets you motivated.

Sound familiar? The next time you’re in this predicament, I’ve got something new for you to try …

Trivia.

In my experience, using trivia in your copy is not only a great way to inspire your creative muse, it also makes for extremely strong writing. Let me explain …

Pursue the Trivial

Trivia tidbits are quick to read and fun to learn. And that’s true for your reader, too. Plus, trivia is an excellent place to start brainstorming.

For instance, did you know that Dr. Seuss coined the term “nerd” in his 1950 book If I Ran the Zoo? That knowledge could spark an idea that leads to original copy about which gadgets today’s self-proclaimed nerds want.

Or, let’s say you write for a parenting website or a health publication. Consider the fact that the average child eats 15 kilograms of cereal a year. That might inspire you to write a post called “10 Disturbing Reasons Kids Aren’t Getting Enough Vitamins.”

Even surprising facts like “the cigarette lighter was invented before the match” can add color to a dull topic.

Once you start panning for trivia, you’ll have more ideas than you can shake an iPad at. So have a pen and paper on hand and brace yourself for the avalanche of ingenuity.

To get you started, here’s a list of the best places I’ve found for trivia tidbits.

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The Rolodex of the Marketing Muse

1. Trivia books — For example, the Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader collection is teaming with thousands of wacky facts and interesting stories about how things came to be the way they are.

2. Board games — Dust off those board games that haven’t been enjoyed since the dawn of smartphones. Games like Trivial Pursuit and TriBond are a veritable gold mine of inspiration.

3. Game shows — Game shows like Jeopardy! and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire are built around facts, statistics, and quotes.

4. Social Media — People constantly share quotes on all the social media platforms. Skim your feeds and see if something jibes with what you’re writing.

5. Buzzfeed.com — This site covers everything from news and entertainment to products that haven’t even been invented yet. Maybe you can parlay the latest pop culture gossip into an article that relates to your industry, like “5 Moves Hugh Jackman Did to Get Those Ripped-to-Shreds Abs” for your client’s fitness newsletter. Or you could spin a blog post on how the latest news affects your industry. For example, the news coverage after a hurricane wreaks havoc might quote the number of people who were left without power for a week, which could lead to a go-green blog post called “5 Reasons You Need Solar Panels for Your Home.”

6. Amazon.com — A search of your topic on Amazon.com will have your brain overflowing with ideas. The book summaries, ratings, comments, and even the titles can trigger your creative juices. Don’t forget to peek at the “people who bought this book also bought this” section, too.

7. Book stores — Don’t just peruse the financial section if you’re writing about finance or the health section if you’re writing about health. Scan the displays for inspirational fodder. Check out the recent bestsellers. Creative stimulus is waiting around every corner in bookstores.

8. Cracked.com — Appropriately named, Cracked.com has some crazy info and wacky lists that are ripe with content ideas.

9. MentalFloss.com — This month’s issue answers “pressing” questions like How long will a Twinkie last? (25 days according to Hostess.) Much of the random trivia that fills the magazine is available on the mentalfloss.com site for free.

10. Yahoo Answers & Quora.com — Here you’ll find socially relevant, crowdsourced, and highly subjective knowledge. Yahoo is better for casual, rapid information-seeking and Quora is a great place for structured, expert-driven insights.

11. Dictionary.com — The dictionary.com site is more than just a place to look up words. It’s had a makeover to include loads of compelling trivia. You can find word origins, words of the day, lists, and quotes to spark copy ideas.

12. Crossword puzzles — More than just a vocabulary workout, crosswords are composed entirely of interesting facts.

Print off this list and stick a copy by your computer so you have it the next time you’re stymied for ideas. You’ll know exactly where to start when you zone out in front of a blank page and start to panic. And as a bonus, your research will be entertaining, enlightening, and motivating.

What random trivia do you know? Share and maybe a fellow reader will feel inspired to use it in their copy.😄

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I’m not saying writing isn’t work… absolutely, it requires diligence and discipline and showing up every day, whether or not you’re getting results.

But the act of creativity, of logging ideas and shaping them in ways no one else has, is best left to the subconscious.

It’s why, when I first became a Barefoot Writer, I was the cleanest human on my block: I’d take regular showers in the middle of the day, even if I’d showered that morning, because word on the writer street was that the best ideas come in the shower.

And it worked, a lot.

I’ve since found outlets beyond the shower—long walks, lunches with friends, glorious midday naps, plopping down in a coffee shop…

All those things prime me to be open to new ideas.

Beyond cultivating that receptivity, it’s useful to go even deeper in your dig for new angles. Below, Christina Gillick shares a shortcut.

Just beware—when you open yourself to new ideas and go out into the world to seek them instead of trying to force it from your desk…

Well, just be sure you have a lot of blank pages at the ready. Once those ideas start forming, it becomes an avalanche—and exactly the hack most writers need to get a successful blog off the ground with loads of creative content.

To your writing success,

Mindy

7 Ways to Generate Great Ideas for Your Blog

By Christina Gillick

One of the best ways to practice your writing skills ― and to position yourself as an expert in the field of your choice ― is to create and write your own blog. (And yes, launching a blog is still a smart idea in 2026!).

But what on earth do you write about?

I’m about to give you seven ideas. But first, I want to share some words of wisdom from a Digital Copywriter webinar.

Heather Robson, Managing Editor of Digital Copywriter, says her favorite way to generate content for blogs is “The Rule of Three.”

1. Read — a lot

2. Take notes, ask questions

3. Keep a notebook

As you begin to learn about freelance writing, you’re likely to start reading a lot. Heather says that as you read, jot down three ideas for posts that the original post, newsletter, book, or article inspires.

Did it raise a question that wasn’t answered? You can answer it.

Did it touch on a small point that deserves more attention? Expand it into a full post.

Did you experience an “a-ha!” moment while reading it? Share your insight with your readers.

If you keep track of these ideas in a notebook, a Word document, or a spreadsheet, you’ll always have a go-to source for inspiration.

Heather does this and she always has a huge list of ideas just waiting for her.

Here are seven more ways you can come up with content for your blog:

1. Visit and participate in forums and communities.

Do a Google search for forums that interest you and pertain to your specialty. (Digital Copywriter has a great one.)

Once you find several of them, bookmark them, and visit often. You’ll probably see ideas for topics all over the place. Pay attention to what people are asking and searching for. The answers to their questions will make a great article.

And if the forum allows it, you can reply with a link to your blog post that answers the question.

2. Be observant.

Next time you’re out and about, look for real-life examples of the topic you’d like to write about.

Let’s say you’re a writer specializing in the pet industry. A short visit to the dog park could give you a dozen ideas for blog post topics. For example, you could write about all the products you see the dog owners using, like leashes, water bowls, and dog strollers.

Keep your eyes and ears open and take note of what comes to you.

3. Go where your readers are.

In most niches, there are certain places people hang out. These are great places to find article ideas. You could write about workshops; review businesses or services; or even feature countdowns to events.

For example, I’m a writer for the self-help industry. I could attend a conference about creating the life I desire and have dozens of article ideas. Plus, I’d meet people in my niche that might need a digital copywriter.

Be creative and research the places your target market hangs out, or the events they attend — then provide useful information. When readers find unique and interesting things to do in your niche on your blog, you’ll be able to get more web-writing jobs in your market by showing how well you understand the audience.

4. Answer your reader’s questions.

Once you have some blog posts under your belt, a great way to find article ideas is to answer the questions your clients or readers ask most often.

Chances are, you’ll know what these questions are because they’ll ask you in private messages or in the comments section. Also, you might consider encouraging your readers to submit questions to you so you’ll have a steady stream of questions to answer. Plus, you’ll increase reader involvement.

5. Review products.

If there are popular products in your niche, your readers will likely be searching for reviews.

Product reviews are a great idea for articles and you can re-purpose them as samples of your writing.

Review products that are popular and useful and you’ll be seen as the truthful, go-to person in your niche. Plus, you’ll increase your traffic and get your name out there.

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6. Write a list.

A great article format to try is the “list post.” It’s an article just like the one you’re reading now. It’s usually titled “Top 10 … ” or “Best of … ” or “8 Ways to … ”

These articles are easy to read and don’t have a lot of fluff. They’re useful and to the point.

As a writer, an example article you might write is “7 Ways to Get Your Reader’s Attention” or “3 Ways to Get More Website Visitors to Click ‘Buy Now.’”

7. Break your list down.

If you write articles using the “list post” format, you can break each point into additional articles.

For example, let’s say you write the article “7 Ways to Get Your Reader’s Attention.” The main article would briefly discuss each way, but each of the seven ways can also be expanded into their own article. You could explain how you tried each way, what the results were, and how your readers can follow your advice.

As you go about your day, keep your eyes open for new article ideas. The more you practice getting ideas from your everyday life, the more ideas you’ll have.

Use your notebook, Word document, or spreadsheet to track your ideas and, like Heather, you’ll always have a huge list of ideas just waiting for you.

The truth is, we can feel perfectly robotic in our careers on our own, without the help of the actual robots.

How?

By moving forward with no meaning.

When your writing lacks purpose, that void shows up everywhere. You see it in the muted energy of the copy. You feel it in your lethargic body.

Worst of all, it does not connect you to higher income and better clients.

Happily, there’s an easy fix. 😊

When you take John Wood’s advice below, it all comes back: The joy, the energetic phrases… and then eventually, the money and clients…

Whether you started your career with a clear purpose and it fizzled, or you never really pinpointed one to begin with, it’s never too late. So if you’ve been feeling a little ‘robot-y’ at your keyboard lately, this one’s for you. 💫

To your writing success,

Mindy

Be Happier and Accomplish More by Pursuing Writing with a Sense of Purpose

By John Wood

Dr. John Eliot, in his audio program The Maverick Mindset, tells a story that happened early in the career of a heart surgeon by the name of Scott Buchanan.

Before a scheduled heart transplant, it was suggested to Dr. Buchanan by some other doctors that he ask his patient, a 65-year-old woman, why she needs her surgery.

It seemed a little crazy to Dr. Buchanan as the answer to his question appeared to be pretty obvious, but he decided to ask her anyway.

It was suggested that he not stop at the first answer — that he keep digging until he got to something that contained real meaning.

So he went to his patient’s bedside and asked her why she wanted the operation.

Not surprisingly, she said to him …

“Son, I’m about to die here and you’re going to be my surgeon? You’re asking me why I need this procedure? Maybe I’d better get somebody else to perform it.”

Dr. Buchanan calmed her down by saying that he knew she’d had a successful life up to that point and he just wanted to know why she wanted to keep going.

The woman replied …

“You mean my unfinished business?”

She then went on to explain how all her life she’d been a very good swimmer. And how she had a 6-year-old granddaughter who was afraid to go in the water. She wanted to be around to teach her granddaughter to swim. Dr. Buchanan thanked her for the answer.

The operation was a success. Normally, after a heart transplant, it can take up to 12 months of physical therapy to get back to normal. It took this 65-year-old grandmother just four months till she was in the water teaching her granddaughter to swim.

Eliot tells this story to highlight the importance of having a “sense of purpose” in life. It’s important to note that once he knew a little about the woman, Dr. Buchanan had a greater sense of purpose during the operation. He was not just performing a heart transplant; he was giving a grandmother more time with her granddaughter.

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So what exactly does having a sense of purpose mean?

It means having something in your life that is so meaningful to you that you don’t want to give it up. It’s something that, without, you might not achieve.

A sense of purpose is something that will inspire you to a greater level of achievement. It gives you increased motivation, fuels your confidence, and gives you the drive you need to take on and conquer any obstacles that fall in your path.

To help develop (or strengthen) your sense of purpose as a writer, I’ve put together a few tips :

• Attach a purpose to each one of your goals differently — Don’t just say, “I want to lose 20 lbs.” Say to yourself, “I want to lose 20 lbs. because I want to show the world that I’m someone who looks after myself and cares about my health and how I look.”

Don’t just say to yourself, “I want to be a writer.” Attach a sense of purpose to it: say you want to be a writer to be a shining example to your friends and family of what one can achieve if they put their mind to it.

• Make a list of things you’re passionate about — It’s important to have a clear understanding of what motivates you. Put a list together of things you’d love to do and things you’re passionate about. Maybe you want to start an Internet business … write a book or a screenplay … go on a European vacation — whatever it may be, write it down. Then, where appropriate, put an action plan together to make things happen.

• Volunteer at a local charity — Have you ever seen the TV show The Secret Millionaire? The real heroes of the show are not necessarily the millionaires who write the checks to help out charities they believe in, but the people who run and/or volunteer at the charities. These are selfless people who have discovered that their sense of purpose in life is helping people in their community who are in need.

• Keep a journal — Write down daily or weekly the progress you make in pursuit of your goals. This will keep you focused and pumped as you move forward towards achieving your goals. And who knows, one day you could turn it into an inspirational story about your life that goes on to inspire others.

Everything you desire to achieve in life can be enhanced by attaching a sense of purpose to it. It can provide you with extraordinary ability and determination.

Whenever you set a goal, also identify the sense of purpose behind it, and I’m confident you’ll find the inspiration and motivation you need to turn whatever you do into a raving success.

My own purpose changes and grows with time… right now, it’s about building generational wealth. What about you? Please share your purpose and inspire others.🌟-Mindy

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What I love about Jen’s story is how real it is. She didn’t move abroad chasing a fantasy. She simply followed her curiosity, trusted her instincts, and found a version of the writer’s life that was fuller, freer, and way more fun than she imagined.

Reading her experiences reminds me that sometimes the biggest growth comes from taking the wild, scary leap just for the fun of seeing where it lands you.

And also that paid writing is one of the best ways to support that leap.🪂

To the adventures writing can bring,

Mindy

There and Back Again

By Jen Adams

You can’t just walk into a writer’s life abroad. You have to leap ...

Now, some will say it’s a leap of faith in a new adventure. Others will insist you’ve thrown yourself off a cliff. But after three years freelancing in Ecuador, I’ve found there’s a lot to be said for jumping in with both feet.

In fact, relocating overseas turned out to be one of the best things I ever did for my career. It gave me space to grow my skills. It let me embrace my creative nature. And, it gave me more financial freedom than I’d had in a long time.

Growing by Going

I started my overseas life very hesitantly. Now, I laugh at how scared I was — certain all my clients would leave me and I’d ruin my career. Thank goodness my wanderlust won out!

My travels helped me grow as a writer — and, cheesy though it sounds, it made me a better person. At least my clients seemed to think so … the feedback they were giving me was that my writing was clearer and my perspective seemed sharper.

I credit it to breaking out of old patterns and getting more “brain space” by leaving behind the 24-hour news cycle and go-go-go American way. Ecuador was a lot more laid back, giving me time to think, reflect, and learn from my experiences.

And boy, was I having a lot of new experiences. In my first six months in Ecuador, I helped launch two new restaurants, investigated a murder with the police, and met the love of my life. I ate foods I’d never heard of before and met people from all over the globe … many of whom were fascinated that I was a writer and gave me great stories to share.

Tapping into the Creative Side

All the stimulation of a new environment opened up my creative side. I’d be walking around the city and get dozens of ideas for new headlines, promotions, or email copy. While I know it’s not true for everyone, being abroad made me feel positively on fire with new ideas.

Clients loved it! Plus, since I was drawing many of my ideas from a different culture and connecting it back to U.S. work, my proposals felt “fresh” and my clients felt I was helping them stand out in the marketplace.

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Reaping the Rewards

All the freshness, enthusiasm, and space to actually do good writing turned my big risk of going abroad into something very financially rewarding. Plus, since Ecuador was much cheaper than my U.S. life, I got to pocket more of my earnings.

It sounds like a fairy tale dream. You move to some exotic locale and get rich … that’s the movie script version, right? But it was reality on the ground in Ecuador.

It’s a nice-but-cheap country in South America about the size of Colorado. I rented an apartment through a site online for $450 a month, all utilities included. Later, I moved to a brand-new place, 3-bed, two bath, with a view of downtown that only cost $350 (plus $50 for Internet service).

I could hit that number with a single project, making the rest of the month pure profit. And while I wasn’t exactly turning into a millionaire, I was definitely able to live rich. I got twice-weekly maid service ($20), ate most meals out, and took a lot of time off for fun, travel, and friends. It’s easily the most relaxed and most social I’ve ever been able to be while still building my savings account balance!

It seems like a small thing, but being able to relax about money and focus on writing for a few years really was a priceless gift. Plus, for anyone out there saying, “Oh, I could never … ” to the idea of an international adventure, I’ll just share this: Objections from my family and friends to my adventures died off once they saw I could pay my bills, afford to visit, and host them in style whenever they came down to see me.

By the time I decided to come back to the States, they were encouraging me to stay longer. And since my clients didn’t care where I did my work, why move? Well, my writer’s life was changing … and as the CEO of my own life, I wanted to spend a few years in the U.S. building on my momentum from overseas.

Will You Take the Leap?

Is moving overseas right for you? Maybe, maybe not. Everyone’s journey is different. But the best part of the writer’s life to me is that there truly is no one path to success and no failure along the way … only experiments, adventures, and the next chapter up ahead. You can go … come back … leave again … or never stop moving.

It’s all up to you. Test your limits with an extended vacation. Break out of old patterns and explore new situations. Make your own leap, and you might just be surprised at how much you love it.

Have you followed the desire to write and live abroad? If not yet, where would you like to go? I’d love to hear about it!

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It’s easy to think that becoming a better writer starts with focusing more on the words. That if you could just write tighter sentences, refine your structure, and polish up your message, you’ll be bringing real value.

And of course, those things matter. Practice, study, and discipline definitely lead to improvement.

But there’s more to bringing creativity and emotion into your craft—and it doesn’t always call for bum-in-chair concentration.

The other half of the improvement coin has everything to do with getting away from your laptop and notepad and “going out into the field” to prime your chief writing instrument (aka your brain).

In the article below, my friend Li shares simple, science-backed, and quite frankly, fun ways to keep your mind in peak creative shape.

Use these tips, and you’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to stay focused and ready for whatever big writing opportunity comes your way.

To your paid writing success,

Mindy

Cross-Train Your Brain: Simple Ways to Keep Your Mind in Shape

By Li Vasquez-Noone

For a writer, the most important tool in your toolbox isn’t your computer, or even a pad and paper. It’s your brain. If your thoughts begin to slow down or your memory starts to go, you can’t just go out and get a new brain. But you can take measures to keep your brain healthy and functioning in top form. And you should probably start today.

Research shows that your brain power, the speed you process thoughts, and your memory all start to decline before the age of 30. But you don’t have to live with that. Recent scientific studies also suggest there are many simple things you can do to keep your brain as quick and nimble as a child’s.

Here are some easy tips to keep your brain active, creative, and in peak shape throughout your life:

Exercise Your Mind by Exercising Your Body

The latest research on brain health shows that exercising your body is also good for your brain. The increased blood flow from exercise helps your brain stay young, flexible, and creative. That’s great news if you already have an exercise routine! If you don’t, however, it’s easy to start one now.

Nearly any type of exercise will benefit your brain. You don’t have to get a gym membership or buy a bunch of fancy workout equipment. All you need to do is get your body moving. Your mind will benefit from running, walking, biking, swimming, jumping rope, or any activity that gets you up and moving around.

Exercise has an added advantage of contributing to a longer, better quality life. Getting out of your chair for just two minutes every hour benefits your brain and your overall health. Take advantage of this by setting a timer to remind you to get up out of your chair at regular intervals. Walk around the block, pace around your office, march in place, or swing your arms around.

Learn Something New

Learning new things presents a challenge to your brain, and causes it to form new pathways.

Not only will you gain new skills, but you will get a stronger memory and faster mental processing time.

Give your brain a challenge by learning a new language, studying dance or painting, or taking a college or adult education course on a subject that interests you. You also stimulate your brain whenever you meet new people, go new places, and try new activities.

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Solve a Puzzle

Just like your biceps, your memory and logic skills become stronger when you use them repeatedly. Work out those functions by doing crossword puzzles, Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles, and playing card games.

You can also create puzzles for your brain to solve by changing your routine. Drive to work or the store using a different route than normal, or brush your teeth with your other hand. Doing something out of your routine makes your brain wake up and pay attention.

Socialize with Others

Staying connected with other people is extremely important to brain function. Some research suggests that people with an active social life have a lower risk of dementia in their later years.

If you’re a Barefoot Writer that works alone, you should make an extra effort to stay connected with family and friends, and make new friends. Make plans to go out to dinner or a movie with friends. You’ll keep your brain healthy, as well as enjoy the company of others.

Limit Your TV Time

When you were growing up, you may have heard that too much TV turns your mind to goo. Well, that’s not exactly true. The latest research suggests that TV doesn’t affect brain activity in a bad way.

However, time in front of the TV takes up time you could be doing other activities, like socializing with friends, reading, creating artwork, and learning new things. So while it’s okay to watch your favorite shows, make sure you don’t let TV take time from other activities that are important to you.

Take care of your brain, and it will take care of you! Simple brain exercises and proper care should help your brain keep up with you for your entire life, not to mention helping you launch a long and profitable writing career.

What things do you like to do to ramp up your creativity? Please share your ideas below so others can try them!

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Always.

By the kids in our lives, the partners, the friends, the neighbors…

Because when you firmly grasp your goal to get paid to write for a living, you step outside the norm. You become someone who’s doing something brave and scary and potentially rewarding.

For the most part, it’s altogether different from what the rest of the world grows up to do.

Is it terrifying? Yes—until you find a community of writers focused on the same goal.

Will people tell you you’ll fail? I hope not, but you might encounter non-supporters. A lot of us do. It helps to know they don’t really want you to fail… but if you succeed, it puts pressure on them to follow their own dreams.

Are there going to be cheerleaders to encourage you forward? Definitely! But only if you voice your desire for a paid writing career. (And tell the right people. The people who get it and share your enthusiasm. Barefoot Writer people.)

Could you be the shining light of motivation for others to succeed at their goals? Yes again! Cindy explains how, below.

To your paid writing success,

Mindy

A Powerful Source of Motivation that’s Right at Your Fingertips

By Cindy Cyr

Zig Ziglar says that what you need to know to be successful in life isn’t taught in schools.

That’s why one of the advantages of following your dream to be a paid writer is the opportunity to teach your family successful business and life skills that they may not learn any other way.

Today, I’d like to share five ways you can positively influence your family through your writing business. This will not only help you set a great example but also inspire you to work harder and get more out of your freelance business…

1. Persistence

The way you persevere in the face of your own challenges is a powerful model for your family.

This will have the most profound impact when you are trying to make the leap to a full-time freelancer. There may be times when you feel discouraged. Perhaps you hit a snag, and it takes you a bit longer to quit your full-time job to become a full-time freelancer.

Think what an inspiration you’ll be when you persist and succeed! They’ll know how to push through any obstacle they face.

2. How you handle failure

You don’t want your family to give up when they fail. You want them to have hope and be optimistic about the future.

Knowing that your family is watching you, especially if you currently have children living at home, the question is … what attitude do you want them to have in response to failure?

Do you want them to just give up or follow your example?

If you miss an important goal, don’t fall apart. Simply put together a more effective plan to achieve it. Handle all setbacks with grace.

And the next time they miss a goal, they’ll do the same thing.

3. Realistic expectations

I remember when my son, Dalton, was 10 and was just starting to learn how to solo. He was trying to learn a difficult John Mayer guitar solo and had been working on this particular song for about a week.

When Dalton got into his lesson, he didn’t play it perfectly. So he got upset.

After his lesson, I asked him, “How many times do you think Michael Jordan has practiced making baskets?”

D: “About a zillion, million, trillion times.”

Me: “And what percentage do you think he makes in games?”

D: “I read that he tries to make 50% of his shots.”

Me: “What about John Mayer? How much do you think he’s practiced?”

D: “A lot.”

Me: “Do you think he ever messes up in a performance or when he’s in a recording session?”

D: “Yes.”

Me: “So is it possible you’ve set your expectations a little too high by expecting to play this guitar solo perfectly after just a week of practice?”

Dalton could see my point. And it’s a lesson we can all learn about our own expectations and what we role model in our own writing businesses…

Setting realistic expectations, based on the effort you’re putting in and the level of experience you have, helps keep you from getting frustrated. And when you talk to your family about how you set your expectations so you won’t experience frustration, you teach them to do the same.

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4. The importance of ongoing education

If you aren’t writing consistently, you can’t expect to get better.

If you aren’t reading to learn new things about your craft, then you can’t expect to become more knowledgeable and move towards a higher income.

When you write and learn something new to apply to your business every day, your income will go up. And when your family sees you succeed as a result of these activities, you promote the importance of learning and continuing education.

5. How to set goals and make a plan to achieve them

Each New Year’s Day, my whole family sits down and sets goals for the year. I share my goals with them. And they share the goals they’ve set for different areas of their lives.

Several times during the year, we revisit our goals together as a family. I let them know if I met my goals or not, what I’m doing to readjust when I don’t meet them, and why a goal is changing if I decide to shift gears.

When you include your family, you get better at setting and making a plan to reach your goals. And you’ll also be more accountable. And being accountable to your family means you are more likely to achieve your goals.

Remain conscious of your actions while demonstrating how to be persistent, handle failure, make a plan to set goals, set realistic expectations, and achieve more through continuing education, and you’ll get better results from your efforts.

At the same time, you’ll teach your family how to avoid frustration, remain hopeful, and achieve more throughout their own lives.

So if you need a shot of motivation, think about the example you’re setting to those around you during your writing journey. On a “challenging” day, you’ll be motivated to dig in and work harder. On a good day, you’ll be inspired to do even better.

What reaction have the people in your life had to your writing aspirations?

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While it’s true that thousands of Barefoot Writers have launched paid writing careers through classic bread-and-butter projects (think marketing emails, website content, and blogs)…

There are plenty of writers who venture beyond the usual assignments. Where do they land?

Simple: In the world of unexpected, highly specific, different-from-most writing projects.

Truly, there’s a surprising range of paid projects that rarely get lip service. But many of these projects are short, require massive creativity, and often are a lot of fun.

What these projects don’t require is heavy research or hard-selling copy.

Yet they’re in demand, and clients are ready to pay for them. The tricky part is that many freelancers don’t even know these options exist.

So count yourself among the informed with these last three project ideas in our series on writing projects you’ve likely never heard of. (I covered the first three here and the next three here.)

Let’s dive in…

7. Clarify, Educate, and Inspire: Internal Scripts and Presentations

If you enjoy writing with clarity and purpose, combining the power of instruction with internal storytelling, this niche is for you.

Companies regularly need help explaining how things work — whether it’s onboarding new employees, walking users through a product, or presenting updates to an internal team.

As a writer, you might be scripting explainer videos, producing how-to guides, or writing the talking points and slide copy for internal presentations and training sessions. That could mean you…

• help a company explain employee benefits information and guidelines to workers of all levels for $2,000–$5,000+,

• run an in-person training for staff writers so they can better understand best copy and SEO practices for $1,500–$5,000 plus travel and lodging,

• or create a full training script for how to use a website service or complete a task for $500–$3,000.

These projects help teams function more efficiently and understand big-picture ideas. The exact rate you earn depends on the scope and complexity of the project along with your level of experience in that area.

8. Teach and Train: Webinar and Teleseminar Scripts

Speaking of teaching… many companies love to use webinars and teleseminars to easily educate large groups of potential customers on an important topic. This is a useful marketing strategy that lets them sell “one to many.” In other words, there is usually one presenter (or salesperson) talking to many attendees all at once.

This method efficiently closes deals and puts a face to the company. People buy from those they know, like, and trust. Webinars are a fantastic tool for achieving this.

B2B marketers say that webinars are the second-most successful sales method in their arsenal. As the scriptwriter for a webinar, you would help define, develop, and organize the content for the session so the presenter can keep things running smoothly. A teleseminar or webinar scriptwriter will earn between $1,500 and $3,000 for a single session.

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9. Promotional Materials for Live Events

If B2B marketers say webinars are their second-most successful sales method, which is their first? It’s actually an in-person event!

Often, companies will sponsor booths or presentations at large industry events to connect with other professionals in their industry. To make a strong showing, each sponsor will arrive with promotional materials that showcase the work they do, their company culture, and how they can help potential customers.

Going to one of these events is certainly exciting... Imagine a large convention center with rows and rows of company booths lined up — with company representatives eager to tell you about their work. To stand out, they hand out freebies — water bottles, pens, stress balls, even raffle prizes.

Roughly 52% of B2B marketers say that these in-person events are their most successful distribution channel. As the writer for one of these companies, you can help them create event materials for $1,000 to $3,000+, depending on their needs.

If you want to get specific, help them write content for a paper three-panel brochure for $750–$1,500 per page. Write content for an eye-catching poster for $250–$500. Or, help their sales team with sales enablement by creating a battlecard for $1,000–$2,000 per product.

Not only are in-person events very exciting, but they’re also a great opportunity to write loads of different types of copy for your client!

How to Get Started

As you can see, the range of projects out there is absolutely huge. And honestly, we’ve barely scratched the surface. Check out the 2025 AWAI Pricing Guide for a detailed 62-page report on industry trends and project pricing for more than 80 different types of paid writing opportunities (including the ones mentioned in this article).

Just remember, the basis for every single one of these projects is pretty simple: You need a strong foundation in copywriting.

That’s why you should check out The AWAI Method for Becoming a Skilled, In-Demand Copywriter. This comprehensive program is designed to have you writing for money in 30 days or less. It includes hands-on training, assignments with feedback, help landing well-paying clients, and access to AWAI’s exclusive job board. Plus, once you’ve completed the program, you’ll have a portfolio of five professional samples.

What’s been your experience with out-of-the-ordinary writing projects?

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We’ve been talking this week about lesser-known projects in the wonderful world of paid writing. (Here’s the post where I shared the first three little-known projects.)

These ones are the gems—the sweet spots where there’s less competition and ample opportunity, especially when compared to the more popular writing gigs like articles, blogs, and books.

Now, if you read through the list below and think they all sound too fun, too interesting, and too good to be true—I hear you! I had a big smile on my face just writing about them. These projects sound fascinating. I want to do all of them.

That’s why the seasoned copywriter in me wants to make sure you know that there’s still work and commitment involved, plus consistent effort.

After all, that’s been my experience with all my favorite writing projects to date: really good, rewarding, enjoyable experiences, but a fair bit of elbow grease.

So keep that in mind as you read through. But with that singular commitment to really put in the effort, you could be writing any one of these fascinating projects in a short amount of time.

Here are the next three:

4. Make YouTube Smarter: SEO-Driven Video Descriptions and Scripts

Along the same lines as podcasts comes the exciting world of video. YouTube, second only to Google, has over 2.5 billion monthly users and over a billion hours of video watched each day.

Not only that, but B2B marketers report that videos are one of the most effective ways to generate new leads. They use YouTube to post explainer videos, case studies, reviews, comparison videos, and more.

Just like with podcast episodes, each YouTube video needs a written description to help viewers decide what to watch. Writing video descriptions is a high-impact, low-competition gig where creators need keyword-rich blurbs, CTAs, and time stamps to help their videos rank.

You could again take things a step further and write the full video script for the content creator, earning $500–$1,500+ to write one-to-five-minute “explainer” videos, demos, how-to content, case studies, or testimonial videos for YouTube.

5. Ask the Right Questions: Quizzes and Surveys That Convert

Let’s switch gears and look at another powerful tool in the marketer’s toolbox… quizzes and surveys.

These little gems help marketers understand their audience on a much deeper level. There’s just one catch: Quizzes and surveys both depend on great copy to be effective.

As a writer, you can help businesses create interactive quizzes to capture leads, guide product recommendations, or educate their audience. At the same time, you can support research efforts by writing thoughtful, bias-free survey questions that deliver meaningful insights.

Both require a clear understanding of tone, logic, and flow. Writers can earn $500 to $1,000 per project, depending on the scope. It’s a great niche for writers who like structure and strategy.

6. Put the Spotlight on the Brand: Naming Products and Programs

This one is short and sweet…

Ever come up with a clever name and think, Someone should use that? As a product or program naming specialist, you’ll help companies brainstorm and refine names for everything from new courses to subscription boxes to full brands.

This type of work is not only creative — it’s highly valued. Writers charge $1,000 to $3,000 for naming packages that may include options, taglines, and the rationale behind each choice.

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Free Tips to Get You There

Wondering how to find clients in these little-known areas?

It’s really just like finding clients in any specialty or niche: Look, reach out, and connect. Over and over again.

If you’d like help finding clients, I invite you to check out this free AWAI Webinar: 26 Ways to Find Freelance Writing Clients. And don’t miss the many bonus resources at the bottom of the page.

From there, just take little steps in the right direction every day. Keep that up and you’ll be writing on the project of your choosing in no time! And when you land it, please tell me so I can cheer for you. 😊

Do you already write projects outside the norm? I’d love to hear about it!

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