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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When most people hear the term “freelance writing,” they think of articles, blogs, or marketing emails. And with good reason, because these fantastic opportunities have launched the careers of thousands of successful Barefoot Writers.

But today, let’s talk about something different — something out of the box. 😊

Because there’s an entire world of paid writing work that doesn’t get talked about very much. These are projects that don’t require a full sales pitch or lengthy research. Many are short, fun, and fast. Most importantly, real clients are paying good money for them.

These Projects Are Hiding in Plain Sight

Companies, entrepreneurs, and content creators are busier than ever. They need help with everything from social media presence to podcast production to personal branding.

And the best part? These niche projects often come with less competition, quicker turnaround, and more variety than traditional writing gigs.

Many clients don’t even know where to look for someone to help with these tasks — so when they find you, you become their go-to expert.

It’s a great way to…

• break into the industry without needing massive portfolios,

• work on short, lower-pressure projects,

• stand out in a crowded market, and

• build long-term client relationships doing something creative and fun.

Let’s take a look at three out-of-the-box writing gigs that are growing fast… and paying well.

1. Turn Profiles into Profit: LinkedIn Optimization

There’s no doubt LinkedIn is the place for professionals to connect. Often, business owners will use LinkedIn to give clients and colleagues an idea of their background, skills, and company culture. Writing all of this information in an engaging and compelling way isn’t always easy.

That’s where you come in…

As a LinkedIn optimization writer, you can help professionals — ranging from new job-seekers to high-level entrepreneurs — craft bio and About sections on their LinkedIn profiles. You’d write the words to help them represent themselves well so they can connect with the right people.

LinkedIn optimization writers typically charge between $25 and $100 per hour to work with clients who need help with their profiles. If this interests you, start by learning the ins and outs of how LinkedIn works. Create a strong profile for yourself and then start letting others know you’re ready to help them, too.

2. Give Thought Leaders Their Voice: Ghostwriting LinkedIn Posts

While we’re on the topic of LinkedIn, let’s look beyond the information people post in their profiles and see the actual content they create.

Thought leaders like speakers, authors, executives, consultants, and coaches often want to build their personal brand by posting articles directly on LinkedIn. Some people will also use the newsletter feature to write regular articles that other members can subscribe to for free through LinkedIn.

Just like a normal website blog, these articles are there to educate readers on important issues, share opinions, and even compel others to take action. Often, these thought leaders don’t have the time or talent to keep up with regular article posting.

As their ghostwriter, you can write articles in their voice for between $250 and $1,000. Or, you could bundle monthly articles together into a retainer that easily gives you a reliable income each and every month.

It’s a powerful niche for anyone who enjoys writing short, thought-provoking content in a casual, insightful tone.

3. Recap Conversations That Matter: Podcast Show Notes

Another emerging niche is podcast show notes and summaries. If you’re a fan of podcasts, you know there’s an enormous variety of shows to download and enjoy. Content ranging from comedy to education to true crime is at your fingertips!

Podcast creators do a lot to publish high-quality content consistently. But to do this, they have to first think of intriguing topics their listeners will love. Then, they have to arrange for guests to join them during a recording session. Afterward, the audio must be edited to sound great.

But there’s another aspect of podcast production they’re missing… writing!

Almost every single podcast has a written description of the episode’s content. This might include an eye-catching headline, a show summary, important bullet points, and a call to action.

Many podcast creators also want an email written that they can send to their subscribers to let them know about each new episode when it’s posted. As their podcast writer, you can depend on reliable work to go along with each and every new episode.

Rachael Kraft is one AWAI member who writes regularly for a podcast in the peak performance space. She earns $200 per episode to write out an episode title, audio introduction for the host to record, episode summary, top quotes, and YouTube titles.

All in all this work takes her less than one hour to complete. Not too shabby!

Take things one step further by writing full podcast scripts for content creators. With this type of work, you could earn up to $500–$1,000 per minute of script writing.

Hit the Ground Running

To get started with your “out of the box” writing project, pick just one opportunity that sounds like fun. Write a sample (even just for a fictional company), then start reaching out to prospects on LinkedIn or an online job board. Many clients don’t even realize writers offer these services — so when you show up confidently, you’ll stand out immediately.

Don’t be surprised if that “small gig” turns into an ongoing client. These projects often lead to bigger things once clients see how good you are.

So don’t just think outside the box. Write outside of it, too. Your next best writing gig might be one nobody else is paying attention to.

What I love about Lubna’s advice, below, is that it helps you live “as if.” Meaning, you operate “as if” you already have writing clients—and that’s an important mental shift in terms of transitioning to life as a professional, paid writer.

Note, it’s different from the “fake-it-till-you-make-it” approach. With that approach, you’re well aware you’re not ready or skilled enough to do something, so you’re forcing it until it works.

I’m not a fan of that, because writing for a living should be—and can be—easy. The trick is in taking the steps to feel and be legit, which Lubna explains below.

I tried this and drafted a full-on hire letter for myself. It was great fun, and made a passion project I wanted to do feel real and worthy of my attention.

So give it a try… I’d love to hear if it works for you!

—Mindy

Where to Find the Most Enthusiastic Client You’ll Ever Have

By Lubna Rahman

Are you hoping to reach your full potential this year? I am, and for me that means having specific goals.

I’ve found that the best way to do that is to prioritize time with my most important client: myself!

It turns out that becoming your own client is the hidden secret to productivity and motivation. Here’s why…

What Does That Even Mean?

When I first decided to become a copywriter, I absorbed everything I could find about copywriting. I enrolled in the programs… read the books… watched the videos… until I confirmed that this was the right path for me.

But now what? Without a portfolio or client, I felt lost and unsure of where to start.

That was when I slapped on my thinking cap and decided that in the absence of a real one, I had to become my own client and create the work that I wanted.

This helped me in several ways:

1. I was able to start writing and exercising my skills right away.

2. It helped me build my portfolio.

3. When a real client came along, I had the confidence I needed to tackle the job!

Here are some ways you can become your own client and help ensure your long-term writing success:

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1. Make (and Meet) Your Own Deadlines

When you work for yourself, it can be easy to get lax and distracted (trust me, I can relate). But just as clients rely on you to get your work done by a deadline, you need to be able to rely on yourself.

So be sure to set a strict target date and stick to it! This will not only create good habits but also prevent you from getting stuck on one project, so you can move on to the next big thing.

2. Start Inside the Box, and Work Your Way Out

It can be easy to get stuck, especially as a new writer. Trying to start with a completely blank slate can have your mind feeling… well, blank.

Remember that, as your own client, you have some flexibility in the type of project you hire yourself for, so try to work with your existing skill set and passions.

• Are you a novice baker with a dream of running your own blog? Write a blog post for your new theoretical blog without worrying about any of the hang-ups.

• Are you an avid social media user? Promote your new writing services in a post befitting the best new copywriter to grace their feed. Using your existing resources to write can help build your confidence.

• Really love a product or service you’ve been using? Take an ideal product from your preferred niche and write copy about it as if you were writing for the company. Write a detailed review of it.

Finally, you can even invent a product or service and write captivating copy for it. All these options will give you great pieces to add to your now-growing portfolio.

3. Make Your Specs Work for You

My introduction to spec (short for “speculative”) writing was when writing for potential employers at AWAI’s annual Bootcamp. These are essentially samples of writing you send to potential employers so they can see your work (and possibly hire you).

Specs helped propel me out of my comfort zone and motivated me to get started. You can do the same by looking at potential and local employers and their products and writing sample spec pieces for them. Send them the sample of your work — it may just lead to a new client! At the very least, you’ve got a brand-new portfolio piece.

4. Create a Routine You Can Follow

One of the perks of being your own client is that you can essentially work from anywhere, at any time. But oftentimes, all that freedom can lead down a dangerous path toward dormancy.

Instead, create a simple routine that works for you, and follow it. You can set your own hours… so write your schedule down and follow it daily. Have a list of what you wish to accomplish for the day during those hours, and another list of overall goals for the week.

With your goals set and a plan in place, you are more likely to follow through.

In case you have any doubts, remember that you have what it takes to succeed… Just let your most trusted client help you get there!

I’d love to hear—have you tried this? What were your results?

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I love it for so many reasons. This one wins on all points. It’s simple to learn, clients are plentiful, the pay is terrific, you get loads of freedom and control over when and where you write, and best of all…

It’s just plain fun.

At least, for anyone who likes to sit down and write a letter to a friend. Which I do. Which pretty much all aspiring paid writers like to do.

Enjoy learning the ins and outs from my friend Rebecca Matter, President of American Writers & Artists Institute.

—Mindy

The Long-Lasting, Reliable ‘Road Tank’ of All Writing Opportunities

By Rebecca Matter

One of the most important factors when it comes to setting up your writing career is longevity.

Because even though it’s exciting to think about those initial benefits to the writer’s life (like no commute, no boss, no time card, and so on)…

Nobody wants to make the leap to life as a paid writer if there’s any risk of fizzling out early.

To be sure, there are enough different writing opportunities with enough widespread demand for persuasive writing to keep any committed writer busy over the long haul.

But if you’re looking for something that’s reliable from the get-go, that keeps paying you for years or even decades…

Then you’re going to love what I have in store for you today. Much like the Ford Crown Victoria was the reliable face of American law enforcement and the taxi industry for decades…

This writing opportunity is now the face of nearly all business-to-consumer relationships.

Now, consider that the Victoria is still often cited as one of the sturdiest cars around, a “road tank” of sorts, able to withstand all kinds of punishment and still keep rolling.

The equivalent in the writing world is email newsletter writing… able to weather ups and downs in the economy but equipped to keep rolling — and keep paying — month after month, year after year, for the long term.

In fact, this is such a predictable income opportunity that I recommend that all Barefoot Writers consider adding it to their list of services… or specializing in it exclusively. Here’s why…

Schedule Regular Paychecks as a Freelance Writer

First, understand that an e-newsletter is simply a formatted email that provides valuable content to its subscribers. You probably receive several of them in your own inbox every single day. (And many come to you right here through Substack!)

These publications provide readers with up-to-date information, entertainment, and content to help them stay connected to a business or service provider.

Specializing in them makes it easy to schedule your paychecks months in advance and helps you avoid a “feast or famine” cycle — giving you a clear idea of your workload and income for the entire year.

Let’s picture how this works…

Imagine a veterinarian with a small practice in Naperville, Illinois. The veterinarian has a small but loyal base of customers who rave about her services. To help strengthen this relationship even more, she decides to publish a weekly e-newsletter. In each issue she writes articles about the latest news related to animal health.

She might alert dog owners of a new sickness spreading through the community… remind them to start giving flea treatments when the warmer weather sets in… or just share her thoughts on the new dog park that opened up down the street.

As a trusted veterinary professional, she wants to keep her patients’ owners informed and connected to the practice. In turn, readers will see her as a trusted authority who is going above and beyond to help care for their animals.

Plus, readers will love the useful content and share it with their friends who are also pet owners — it’s a natural way to build referrals in the community.

Now, here’s the kicker…

Our friend the veterinarian is a doctor… NOT a writer. She’s busy and doesn’t have time to write this content every single week.

That’s where YOU come in!

As her e-newsletter writer, you can write important, entertaining, and informative weekly content in her voice. You’ll help the veterinarian share her ideas, thoughts, and announcements so her clients can stay connected to her, which strengthens their loyalty.

And you’re thrilled because you now have a weekly project that will go on… and on… and on. As long as you keep providing great service, there’s no reason this relationship couldn’t last for months or years.

It’s not just veterinarians who need email newsletters. Many other professional service providers and B2B companies need them too: Accountants, local bankers, attorneys, medical professionals, insurance agents, florists, hairstylists, local sports leagues, lawn care providers, real estate agents…

The list is a long one.

You have the chance to select a particular industry where you can feel personally connected to and passionate about the subject matter. You’ll be writing about topics that interest you, and you’ll be making a very real difference for your client’s business.

Renowned as Some of the Longest-Running Projects

We just talked about the reliable income this type of writing provides…

Because you’ll never have to worry again about filling your next month’s calendar with paying projects. Instead, you’ll know (well in advance) how many e-newsletters you’ll need to write for your monthly pay.

Most e-newsletter clients will want to stay on a very consistent schedule. This often means monthly or weekly content. Best of all, you keep going with this relationship until either you or the client says “stop.”

Which means you could be writing these projects for a long time… (My friend Michael Katz is the most successful e-newsletter writer I know. And he’s been writing for the same three clients for more than 15 years!)

But, consider that since your schedule is going to be so consistent, you’ll also be able to predict your workload far in advance.

With e-newsletters, you’ll have solid deadlines for submission on a regular schedule. Once the work is sent in, it’s done. No frantic phone calls from the client asking for last-minute edits. No loose ends to tie up on Friday afternoon when you’re ready to enjoy the weekend.

As my friend puts it… there are “no emergencies with e-newsletters.” You just move forward at a steady speed.

Over time, you’ll get to know your chosen industry so well that clients will start to refer you to their colleagues. Before long, you’ll have new clients knocking at your door. This lets you pick and choose exactly who you want to work with for the long term.

And with each e-newsletter, you’ll get paid for the results rather than the effort. This means you can charge a flat fee for each issue. So, it doesn’t matter if one newsletter takes you the entire day or just a few hours. You’ll get paid the same fee.

That’s good news. Because with each issue, you’ll become more and more familiar with your client’s world. The writing will become faster, and you’ll end up making more money per hour.

Just 3 Clients Can Take You to 6 Figures

To give you an idea of the income potential, consider this:

Every e-newsletter is around 1,200 to 1,500 words in length. The fee for this work ranges from $800 to $1,500 per issue.

This type of writing is not salesy or high-pressure. You don’t need to fill it with hype or stress about beating the latest control. Instead, you’ll be writing fun educational stories and “how-to” articles, and sharing simple advice.

That said, it’s perfectly reasonable to assume you can get at least one (if not more) done in a single day.

Plus, you’ll need only a handful of clients to break through the six-figure income barrier.

Let’s think back to our veterinarian in Naperville. She wants you to write weekly content for her clients and is willing to pay a very conservative $800 per issue.

Over the course of one month, you’ll make $3,200 just from this single client.

Add on two other veterinarians from other parts of the country, and you’ve already reached an income of $115,200 per year!

It’s a very manageable workload. Each week, you’ll write three e-newsletters, all about the same veterinary industry. And remember, each e-newsletter is only 1,200 to 1,500 words in length.

Many companies will request one e-newsletter per week or per month. But some will want to connect with their customers more often… perhaps two or three times per week… or even daily!

You can see how this adds up quickly.

You: The Sought-After, Whispered-About Writer

Remember, e-newsletter clients are professionals looking for reliable writers who can help them reach their customers. They understand the value of building and maintaining relationships.

Strong relationships help build trust and familiarity — two things that result in more sales and referrals for their businesses.

E-newsletter clients love sending out content because it lets them foster natural interaction with their customers. Plus, it positions them as a trusted authority in the industry.

But most of them can’t keep up with this writing on a regular schedule and do their other jobs without YOU — their e-newsletter writer.

That’s why so many e-newsletter clients will hold on to their writers for months or even years. Once you’ve impressed a few clients, you’ll be a hot ticket item in your industry.

Your schedule will be packed with projects with a clear schedule laid out for delivery. Your income will be planned out well in advance, and you’ll know how to manage your time so you can get everything done — and still have time for your friends, family, hobbies, and passions.

Quite frankly, e-newsletter writing is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to make a predictable income as a writer.

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Flatter Your Way to a First Client

Getting started as an e-newsletter writer is easy.

In fact, many writers will learn everything they need to know through The AWAI Method for Becoming a Skilled, In-Demand Copywriter™, considered the gold standard for copywriting training.

After you know the basic structure, the next important step is to choose your industry. It doesn’t matter who you decide to write for — veterinarians, attorneys, health care providers, or chiropractors — just choose one.

Just know it’s helpful to have a definite focus for your attention, because then you can do a deep dive into their world. Learn the special way they talk about subjects, and use the correct lingo.

That will show the client and their readers that you know what they care about most.

Also, here’s another perk: Professional service providers tend to know other people in their profession, whether it’s in the same city or across the country. They talk to each other.

So, if you impress one client, chances are he or she will rave about your services when they go to meetings and conventions, or talk in groups online. This can lead to great referrals.

Speaking of those meet-ups, choosing a particular niche also lets you focus on which materials to study. You can personally attend those conferences, subscribe to industry publications, and read articles online to learn everything you can about that industry.

The more you learn, the better and more targeted your writing will become when connecting to that particular audience.

After you’ve chosen your niche, you’ll need to put all this knowledge to good use. Write up a few sample e-newsletters to show prospective clients. It really is that easy.

If you’re looking for even more direction with e-newsletter writing, check out Creating Email Newsletters for Professional Service Firms.

It’s a program written by the top e-newsletter writer I mentioned earlier, Michael Katz. Inside, he walks you through how to build relationships, nurture leads, and bring in more sales.

Instead of doing one-off projects with clients, your clients will become trusted friends with whom you can work for years at a time.

And when it comes to the actual writing, the projects will be fun and easy. You’ll write as if you’re speaking to a friend over coffee — creating rewarding content in an industry you choose to write about.

The missing link? Basic business know-how.

I’d been smitten by the idea of getting to write for a living. I hoovered every element of proof that writers could make excellent money.

So I dove into the craft of copywriting, got decent at it, and then…

Crickets.

What I completely missed was the ‘how to land the clients’ part. Which is why the money came slowly at first.

It wasn’t till I flipped my thinking and got support that the money began to pour in.

Fadila Ali explains the process below, distilled down into an easy formula you can follow. It worked for me, and if you stick with it, I have no doubt it’ll work for you, too.

—Mindy

P.S. Read to the end for Fadila’s shortcut on how to make your first $1K as a freelance writer. 😊

The 4 Powerful Attitudes You Need to Jump-Start Your Writing Business This Year

By Fadila Ali

One important thing most beginning writers (myself included) seem to miss when you decide to become a freelance writer is the reality that you’re also signing up for the role of business owner. It looks something like this:

You know you love to write…

You can’t shake off your excitement at the kind of money you could be making…

You’re beyond-the-sky determined to take whatever course — and read whatever book — necessary to make this dream life possible…

Yet, somehow, your mind completely skips the reality that you’re also becoming an entrepreneur… and that your success requires more than writing effectively.

Smile if you can relate…

… The Thinking Woman?

Do you know the famous sculpture Le Penseur — The Thinker — by French sculptor Auguste Rodin?

That was me just three months ago when I realized that there’s more to the moneymaking side of copywriting… and that’s the business side.

Somehow, I’d dumbly anticipated that mastering the writing skill was the height of it.

The fact that I’d be running an actual business never really “stood out” to me.

Of course, I knew I had to make money somehow…

But I never deeply considered the realities of being a business owner: figuring out an accounting system, client calls, effective time management, and so on.

It was my first business, after all... which meant I felt confused, lost, afraid, inadequate — and stupid.

Brace Yourself for Yet Another Joyride

Eventually, I asked myself the all-important question:

How do I get people to pay me for this skill?

Here’s what I now realize that question should’ve been:

How do I present myself in the most valuable way — to those who need me?

Whether you create a LinkedIn profile, website, cold email pitch, spec article… anything —

You’ve got to go in value-first… and not the other way around.

You might be excited about how awesome your skills are… but truly, clients are focused only on how you can help them… so make that your mission from the get-go.

The Equation for Copywriting Business Success

To succeed, you need this: a positive mindset + a fiercely consistent process + an unkillable appetite for learning.

With that said, here are four powerful attitudes to augment that equation… and to avoid screwing up your success (as I almost did) from the start.

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1. Run away from complacency.

Never be satisfied until you’re hitting your desired income.

It’s easy to relax when you score your first paying client…

And although this is great news, it can be counterproductive if you slow your efforts.

Your goal is to keep grinding until you’ve secured a steady flow of nicely paying projects.

Then you can breathe.

2. Uncertainty is scary, but your skills are in demand.

If you’re not yet getting the kind of paid work you really want… the uncertainty of it can put you in a chokehold.

But remember, if you’re a copywriter… you’re always needed.

In fact, you’ll find that the more you put yourself out there… the more your uncertainty will wilt away.

3. Embrace patience.

Time is ingrained into everything we do. Overnight success is not a reality.

If you don’t give things time, you’ll get frustrated, and when you get frustrated, you can’t think clearly enough to make progress in your business.

Consider this quote by William Shakespeare: “How poor are they who have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees?”

4. Make some noise.

Michal Eisikowitz was once a newbie copywriter who turned to LinkedIn to get noticed.

She consistently posted simple but helpful and relevant content that garnered a large following.

The result?

More clients and a fantastic monthly income of $15K… That’s a succulent $180,000 a year!

You don’t have to do exactly what Michal did. You can find your own way.

Just “get active” with your skills… and do so consistently.

The Best Approach? Free Tips from Those Who’ve Come Before You

I made some seriously dumb mistakes in my early business days — like crafting an ocean’s worth of words for an email pitch… and complaining about dead silence only a week after sending them.

Luckily, with the right help, you can avoid many unnecessary pitfalls on the road to success.

This is a good place to start — with AWAI’s free Inside AWAI webinar on How to Make Your First $1K as a Freelance Writer. They cover everything from the best paid projects to get you started quickly to how to get clients to say yes and how to build from there.

Remember… you need not take this life-changing walk alone.

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So when my friend Ashley invited me to try being bored, I balked at the idea. She explained it could lead me to massive productivity.

It sounded like crazy-talk.

But she was persistent, so I tried it. Turns out, she was right. Just as our bodies need rest from physical demands, our minds need a break, too — and sleeping doesn’t count. I’m talking about giving yourself the space to just look around. Breathe deeply. Let your thoughts wander.

I’m writing this on a Saturday afternoon loaded with activities. This article is a reminder of the value of putting all that on hold. I’m going to sit here with the intention to just be. I invite you to do the same.

—Mindy

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How to Harness the Power of Boredom for Increased Productivity

By Ashley Jonkman

Quick, put down your smartphone and let your mind wander, you screen-obsessed zombie! Just kidding — this article will not be technology-shaming you.

But it is an issue. As we increase our dependence on technology and especially AI, many writers are faced with difficult questions about how we’re engaging in the digital world.

There was a time when people thought that the internet was a dangerous and scary invention. Now, virtually all business and personal life is dependent on it.

Yet, many of us yearn with nostalgia to go back to simpler times. Remember when things were analog and we didn’t have the constant pinging of a computer in our pockets?

Surely there must be some benefit in taking time off from technology and allowing more space in our lives for less digital distraction… but what is it? Should we just shut our phones down and stare at the wall? Or, better yet, the sky, to grasp that elusive “boredom” we hear is so good for our brains?

Rather than simply locking our phones and laptops in a timed-entry safe, let’s look a little more deeply at the history of “being bored.” Then I’ll show you how to use an intentional method of boredom to supercharge productivity, creativity, and life satisfaction.

Avoiding Boredom is What We’re Wired to Do

For most of human history, people have been avoiding boredom. Think about our ancestors working on the farm, and before that, hunting and gathering. If you suspect they were living monastic lives of contemplation, you may be giving them too much credit. They didn’t have iPhones, but they were likely no better than us at tolerating boredom.

Studies have shown that humans would rather experience pain than an absolute lack of stimulation. We can assume that the passing down of stories and religions via oral tradition shows that humans were always trying to make life more interesting.

Boredom can be a wonderful catalyst to increased creativity. That’s because our brains simply can’t stand to be understimulated. But the problem in our digital age is that we’re too quick to fill the excitement void with easy cognitive tasks that can definitely decrease our inventiveness, innovation, and inspiration.

Here are three tips to help you get back your boredom and use it to supercharge your ingenuity as a writer.

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1. Take a Content Break; Give Yourself a Mental Rest from ONE Piece of Distraction

Many technology users feel burnt out after a content binge. Sometimes boredom invites us to continuously scroll, even though what we’re seeing on the screen just isn’t satisfying.

Consider taking an extended break from social media, news bingeing, constant noise from the television, or any other boredom-stealing habit you may be reinforcing.

The point here is to break the habit of quelling every feeling of boredom or ennui with digital relief. Instead, build your tolerance for mental stillness.

I personally took a six-month-long fast from social media. I still had plenty of digital engagement, but there were far more moments of silence.

I began to retrain myself to endure those moments. Out of them grew greater curiosity, further engagement with the world around me, and more original ideas to overcome the tedium.

2. Prioritize Cognitive Work Over Easy Fluff

Entertainment has value, and I’m not suggesting writers should forgo all amusement in favor of simply staring at a wall. But oftentimes, we get numb to what we’re consuming and opt for the easiest way to stifle silence.

Consider leveraging your technology use in a way that is curiosity-provoking rather than purely a diversion. Challenge yourself to do tasks that require a bit more mental focus. Steer clear of simply scrolling, gaming, or numbing out with brain games. Try reading actual books, and completing mental assignments like writing prompts.

3. Experiment with Time Blocking

Most writers tell themselves they’ll get to their assignments “sometime today” or “definitely this week.” But many of us are easily thrown off track.

Instead of winging it and being thrown off by an interesting article, a text conversation, or a quick foray into online shopping, try blocking off times to do certain tasks. Then stick with it, no matter how “boring” it feels at the time.

With your own boundaries imposed on yourself, you can get into a deeper state of flow. From there, you’ll produce better results than if your mind and time were fractured.

Tell me, what’s your favorite way to be bored?

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When I first heard about copywriting, I didn’t think it was real.

After all, I’d been to college. I subscribed to fancy writer magazines. I was a seasoned 26 years old, for goodness’ sake! 😂

Yet I’d never heard a thing about this $2.3 trillion industry.

Clearly, I wasn’t paying attention.

But I’m not the first to realize one of the best things about aging is discovering just how much you still have left to learn.

These days, I know people who got into copywriting much younger than I did. I know others who didn’t come across it till their seventies.

And in all cases, they’ve made it work for them.

…Which is not surprising, considering that copywriting is the foundational skill of ALL the best-paid writing opportunities.

So I encourage you to sit up and really take in this post. It very well could be the launch point of your own high-flying, high-joy writing career!

—Mindy

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If It’s the Biggest Income Potential and Ultimate Flexibility You Want…

By Mindy McHorse

Then this is the writing path for you.

It’s not a path for everybody, sure. It requires specialized effort and focus and study.

But on the other side of that are big projects, potential royalty checks, and a longer run with a higher income than most paid writers experience.

It also sets you up to be in demand. Don’t like client prospecting? In this field, often the clients look for you. And, once you’ve established yourself, they often reserve time on your calendar months in advance, just for the privilege of working with you.

But like the other writing opportunities we share here, this is one that still allows you to pick the topics you write about and the industry you write for.

And just like the other opportunities, it’s a path to a lifestyle where you have more control to determine what hours you work, where you do your work, and how and when you take time off.

The opportunity? Direct-response copywriting… but with a twist.

Here’s what I mean…

This Is Where the People Are

According to eMarketer, the time an average U.S. citizen in 2025 spends using digital media is six hours and 48 minutes daily.

Those hours are devoted to reading articles, exploring social media, or learning about interests and passions. It’s also time used for shopping the best deals, looking up the pros and cons of important decisions, and discovering new solutions to nagging problems.

And the main mode of delivery for all of this media? Writing!

So, if you’re already the type of writer who enjoys writing blog articles, social media posts, website pages, and e-books for your clients…

Then you may enjoy leveling up to become a direct-response copywriter who goes all in on a major sales campaign — writing in-depth promotions, ads, and video sales letters — and any other pieces that make up a campaign.

Both approaches to writing can be extremely successful. But the second approach, which is direct-response copywriting, is more relevant than ever before.

Now, in the past, direct-response copywriting was mainly associated with sales letters — and usually very long ones (12–24 pages). It’s also the same approach used in infomercials and catalogs.

But the truth is, direct-response sales strategy can (and should) be incorporated into virtually all other types of sales efforts — like video, which has become a major player in the direct-response world. Or an email series. Or social media posts. Even pay-per-click ads.

That’s because behind all of these vessels of communication is a simple, conversational formula that offers something of value to people at all stages of the customer journey… from awareness through retention.

Like Math… but Better

You’ve probably observed that these days, new forms of persuasive writing that focus on shorter, more frequently published copy are key in how clients attract and keep customers. This includes some of the projects I listed above, like ongoing blogs, case studies, e-books, social media posts, and websites.

These types of writing focus on sharing informational or editorial copy that attracts prospects and builds relationships with readers.

But that’s really just stage one in the direct-response buyer journey: awareness and relationship-building.

The next step is to prompt an action, like subscribing, buying, or donating. And that’s what distinguishes direct response from big “brand advertising” campaigns you see on billboards and commercials. It’s all about getting a reader to take an action.

And those actions are usually very direct and measurable.

For instance, a direct-response postcard might ask a recipient to call a number to sign up for a free info packet about a new product for sale. A direct-response landing page might ask a reader to opt in to a new email newsletter.

More specifically, each time a customer takes action as a result of something he’s read — clicks a button, replies via phone, makes a purchase — the business that published that copy can track that action. In so doing, they’re able to assess exactly how well (or how poorly) a marketing effort is performing.

From there, the business can work with their copywriter and marketing team to tweak the messaging, change the design, or adjust their targeted prospects. All of this is done with the goal of selling more products and services or bringing in more money for a fundraising or other type of campaign.

The Perfect Blend of Writing and Impact

Direct-response copywriters are often paid better than other writers because their results can be measured. And, because of that, they can study stats like return on investment, response rates, and conversion rates. They can strategize with their client about things like upsells, down-sells, and cross-sells.

These are the writers who enjoy being right in the thick of it when it comes to building a successful promotion.

And, because they are able to make a direct impact on a company’s bottom line, thanks to diligent study of direct-response strategy, they are also very well paid.

There’s a general rule in marketing: The closer you are to the sale, the higher your compensation.

For direct-response copywriters who focus on sales letters, it’s their writing that has a very direct and measurable impact on the bottom line.

In fact, if you look at some of the top-earning copywriters out there — Bob Bly, Carline Anglade-Cole, Marcella Allison, and Guillermo Rubio are just a few— they are all direct-response copywriters who specialize in sales letters.

Besides a flat fee to write a sales letter, these copywriters often also receive “royalties” or a portion of the profits for each unit that is sold. If a promotion is very successful, these royalties could add up to thousands and thousands of dollars.

The Products Behind Million-Dollar-Sales Cycles

Below, you’ll find a list of six of my favorite direct-response copywriting projects along with typical fees for experienced writers.

Each one is ideally suited to writers who want to have their hands directly in the mix. Writers for these projects need to be ready to work closely with their clients to build a successful campaign that deserves huge compensation.

• Pay-per-Click Ads ($75 to $350 per ad) Have you ever noticed an eye-catching ad while browsing the web? Often these pay-per-click ads are able to break through the search engine clutter and lead to a sale or generate leads for an email list. As a PPC copywriter, you’ll create a dynamic type of short-form copywriting where changes can be made instantly to yield better results.

• Sales Emails ($250 to $2,000 per email) Did you know the number of global email users amounted to 4.37 billion[i] in 2023? Email is one of the top ways for companies to reach customers and grow sales with special promotions, invitations, and targeted messages. Email writing is typically short and conversational… not to mention highly effective! Every dollar a marketer spends on email usually results in $38 to $43 in return! That’s why companies are willing to pay big bucks to email writers.

• Online or Print Advertorials ($800 to $1,500) If you combine an advertisement with an editorial, you’ll get an advertorial. This type of writing often looks like a regular (and very interesting) article in a magazine, newspaper, or website, with a length under 2,000 words. The secret lies in the fact that it’s actually designed to sell the reader on a specific product or idea.

• Video Sales Letters ($5,000+, plus royalties) Don’t let the word “video” fool you. A well-written script for a video sales letter is one of the top projects you’ll work on as a direct-response copywriter. Here, you’ll have the chance to tell dramatic customer stories and bring high value to your viewers. Clients love VSLs because they can double or triple a response rate that results in huge royalties for the copywriter.

• Online Sales Pages ($3,500 to $8,000, plus royalties) Your customer’s journey from first click to final purchase often goes through a tightly focused webpage with a particular audience in mind. This landing page is designed to sell a product or service. Prospects “land” on this page usually after clicking a pay-per-click ad while browsing on the web.

• Magalogs ($9,000 to $15,000, plus royalties) Mash up the words “magazine” and “catalog” and you get a magalog! This is a multipage printed sales promotion that is usually filled with secrets, success stories, and information to help a targeted list of prospects solve a specific problem. They tend to be long (15–30 pages) and packed with information.

The Emotional Engine That Drives the Action

There’s one other key qualification for this writing opportunity that I want to talk about.

Because besides learning the formula and strategy behind direct-response copywriting, to be truly successful in this field you need the skill of empathy — the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

When you write with empathy, you’re gaining a reader’s trust and acceptance. You’re making a crucial connection with them right when they are searching for a solution to their problem.

Because really, this type of writing isn’t about you at all! It’s about your reader. You’ll be writing directly to them, appealing to their feelings and connecting with them wherever they are in life.

As copywriters, it’s never our goal to trick people or sell them things they don’t need. What we really want to do is reach people who are looking for things that will make their lives happier and healthier. If we can reach those people and connect them with the products and services they need, we’re helping to improve their lives.

If you want to make sure your writing is strong on the empathy scale, here’s a little exercise you can try…

First, count how many times you’ve written the words “I,” “we,” or “our” in your piece.

Then, count how many times you’ve written the words “you” and “your.”

You should have a higher number of “you” words than you do of “I,” “we,” or “our” words. This helps show that your focus is on the reader. You’re writing about their specific thoughts, needs, and desires.

Every time you show empathy in your copy, you’re helping your client’s customer make the right decision to improve their lives.

Maybe this means choosing the right type of supplement to heal a chronic pain. Maybe you’re helping them find a powerful new financial newsletter that will increase their wealth. Or perhaps your service is helping them choose the right charity where they can donate their money to help people in need.

Regardless of how you use your copywriting skills, you’ll be writing directly to a customer to help them make an important decision.

This Collection of Marketing Knowledge Helps You in ANY Business Endeavor

Remember, every piece of direct-response copywriting is specifically written to inspire the reader to take action at the end of the piece. So, now it’s my turn to make a call to action for you:

If you think direct-response copywriting might be a good fit for your go-getter talents, take this opportunity to learn more. AWAI’s pinnacle program, The Accelerated Program for Seven-Figure Copywriting, introduces you to all aspects of the direct-response industry — from what you need to know about the copywriting business… to writing powerful sales letters… to launching your new career.

[i] https://www.statista.com/statistics/255080/number-of-e-mail-users-worldwide/

Can somebody please tell me why it’s so ingrained in us to go against our dreams?

It’s silly, really. We live in a world that grooms us in large ways to think the same and do the same and be the same as others.

When the reality is that our fiery uniqueness is what makes each and everyone of us powerful beyond measure…

But only if we’re willing to embrace it.

Holly Rhoton makes a great point below about how contrary it feels to do what you love and have fun doing it… and then call that a career.

But why not? Why not take advantage of your one wild and precious life? Why not start today?

As Holly says, you might not be good at it right away… but that’s okay. That’s where the fun in practice and learning come in.

And if you enjoy what you’re doing so the practice and learning part is fun as well… all the better!

—Mindy

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The One Person Who Can Stall Your Writing Dream

By Holly Rhoton

Are you sitting at your “day job” wishing you were in your home office writing?

That day job pays your bills and gives you security. I get it. I used to be there myself. I worked a day job at a hospital for more than 16 years.

It was a good job with steady pay and good benefits. But it’s not where I felt I was meant to be.

Know what I mean?

Working there was starting to feel like dying a little on the inside each day. It wasn’t the job, it wasn’t the people, it just felt off. Like I was wasting potential.

Stop and Listen to That Nudge…

I know that because when I’m writing, I feel like me. Like the person I really am, deep down at the core of my soul. I lose track of time while writing. I pour out pieces of my heart through my words.

And when something I write moves someone… there’s no greater feeling in this world to me.

Can you relate?

Do you feel lit up while writing?

Does it bring you joy to string words together like an art form?

You come up with clever new ways to say things, or for the reader to feel things. Emotion poured out into written words to be read by someone else.

And that someone else will feel something when they read the words you wrote. You aren’t just a writer, you’re an emotion generator.

And it feels magical, and powerful.

If you know what I mean, maybe you were meant to write. If you feel that continuous nudge to write, maybe it’s time you listened.

Can You Turn Love into Profit?

Absolutely.

It may feel weird to get paid for doing something you love. Like a fairy tale. After all, people make money doing work. Work they tolerate. Work is work because that’s how it feels. You can’t make money doing something you love.

… Right?

I disagree. In fact, I think the more you love something, the easier it is to make money at it. You can feel the love a writer has for their craft when you read it. If they didn’t love it, you wouldn’t be inspired to love it either. You wouldn’t enjoy reading it. It would provoke no emotion, no joy, no spark.

If the things we talked about before are true for you, you were meant to be a writer. And if you’re meant to be a writer, if some divine force gifted you with the talent and the desire to write, who could possibly stop you?

Really. Consider that for a minute. This talent came from somewhere. You wouldn’t have it for no reason.

So, it’s logical to assume, regardless of your beliefs about where the gift came from, that you’re supposed to do something with it.

And if you’ve been given a purpose, and that purpose is to write, who can stand in your way?

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Spoiler Alert: The Only One in Your Way Is You

The path ahead isn’t full of people standing in your way. They aren’t lined up to keep you from your dream. They aren’t poised to throw tomatoes at you while yelling insults.

Even the clients who say no and don’t offer you a project aren’t trying to stop you.

Actually, they might be trying to help you. To challenge you or help you grow. Just because you’re meant to do something doesn’t mean it’ll be served up to you on fancy china without a bit of work. You have to work for it.

There’ll be challenges. It’ll be hard. People will tell you no. They may not like what you wrote.

But you can’t let that stop you. The challenges are there to help you grow.

Maybe you aren’t good enough yet. That doesn’t mean you quit. It means you keep working at it until you are good enough.

You’re on a mission to fulfill your life’s purpose. No one can stand in your way. It’s just a matter of putting in the work and being persistent.

Keep writing and keep trying. When you have a “never quit” attitude, people will see it and want to help. The doors will open.

Remember: You get only one shot at living your life. Do the thing that feels magical. Do the thing you were meant to do.

You’re the only one capable of standing in your own way. It’s time to move.

In a world where we’re connected through countless apps and platforms, email still reigns supreme. It’s a crucial and dominant channel.

Think of it as the backbone for most business communication. It offers universal reach and accessibility across devices.

That’s why millions of businesses are willing to pay writers to craft their emails for them. Why?

Because emails are mini-marketing messages. Smart businesses leverage email to:

• connect with prospects,

• inform them about upcoming products,

• or ramp up the urgency for upcoming sales.

And I guarantee—any good email that gets you to click or buy or even just keep reading has a smart writer behind it.

My friend Guillermo explains it all below.

By the way, “G,” as we fondly refer to him, is the epitome of a Barefoot Writer success story, coming in green to the writing world and now sitting high on the cliffs of a gorgeous coastal town, racking up royalties.

Well done, G!

—Mindy

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New Writer and Don’t Know Where to Start? Do This…

By Guillermo Rubio

I can still remember when I first learned that you could make a great income as a copywriter…

It was so exciting…

I imagined the endless possibilities of writing while traveling… having the freedom and flexibility I craved… and the ability to steer my own ship.

And here’s the thing —

Back then, in early 2002, copywriting wasn’t mainstream like it is now.

So the path for me to take was very straightforward.

I could choose to

a) write direct-response sales letters

or

b) go into business-to-business writing (B2B).

I was a college dropout with zero “corporate” experience. So B2B seemed out of the question for me.

So I picked writing sales letters, diligently studied The Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting, and have added to my skill set since then.

Today, however, new and aspiring copywriters don’t have it so easy.

Because the path isn’t as clear-cut as it was 19 years ago. Nowadays, the options are endless!

You can choose to write sales letters… do SEO copywriting… write chatbot scripts… focus on case studies or white papers… handle social media… and more.

And although this is great because there’s so much opportunity…

The downside is that it can be overwhelming and keep you from choosing.

Instead, you end up spinning your wheels and not making any real progress toward your dream of the writer’s life.

That’s why I want to help out — and give you a simple path to follow.

You see…

In my opinion, there’s one skill every writer should learn — especially writers who are just starting out.

Because with this one skill, the sky’s truly the limit.

You can use it to create a great full-time income for yourself…

Or you can use it to get your foot in the door with new clients…

Or you can use it to create “spare time” income. Just take two to four hours each week to “work,” and you could be making an extra $3,000 or more per month.

You can even use it to land lucrative retainer deals with your clients. Without having to write traditional long-form sales letters or anything like that.

So, what is this skill?

Email writing!

Here’s Why I Think It’s a “Must-Have” Skill…

1. Everybody checks their email.

A recent study from HubSpot found that 99 percent of consumers reported checking their email every day.

More than half admitted to checking it more than ten times per day!

That’s more than can be said for social media or any other marketing channel.

2. Emails are effective at generating new customers.

Email is a very personal medium. That’s because if you decide to read an email…

… the person or business who sent it has your undivided attention.

So it’s no surprise…

McKinsey & Company reports that email is 40 times more effective at helping businesses bring in new customers than Facebook and Twitter — combined.

Mind-boggling.

Especially when you consider those social media platforms have billions of users.

3. Email is the most profitable marketing channel.

Studies from the Direct Marketing Association show that for every $1 spent on social media, businesses get back, on average, a measly $1.17.

Not a lot of reward, in exchange for a ton of risk.

Contrast that to email marketing…

For every $1 spent, businesses get back on average $38!

That’s nearly 38 times better.

So that’s the first good reason for learning to write effective marketing emails…

Businesses of all shapes and sizes use it — because it works!

The other reason is that":

Email is a Skill You Can Get Under Your Belt Fast.

I mean — just think back to the past few days. How many emails have you written and sent out?

Chances are, many.

So it’s not something that’s unfamiliar to you.

Which is why you can “pick up” this skill pretty quickly.

Plus, writing a marketing email is far from rocket science. You just need three things:

• A subject line. Obvious, right? Your subject line gets the reader to want to open and read your email.

• Body copy. This is the main “idea” of your email and communicates the message you want to get across.

• A clear call to action. This is where you get the reader to click on a link. Typically to go read a sales letter… get a free report or gift… complete their order… etc.

If you can do those three simple things, you can write a marketing email.

And guess what?

The majority of emails you’ll craft as an email writer are just 250–500 words.

And you can get paid anywhere from $100 to $350 or more per email.

What’s more, clients typically need way more than just one email (I mean, just take a look at the emails you get from businesses in your inbox).

Say you charge $200 an email (not unreasonable) and a client needs 10 emails.

That’s a $2,000 payday for you, in exchange for a few hours of writing.

It’s why a six-figure income for email writers isn’t out of the question. In fact, email writing is one of the skills I decided to master (after learning to write sales letters).

Because of it, I make a six-figure income just from writing emails for clients.

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4 Steps to Take Right Now

I hope by now you see why I think email is such a great skill for new writers.

But I don’t want to leave you hanging.

Here are four steps you can take right now to get this skill under your belt (and even potentially land your first client):

Action Item 1. Sign up for email lists.

Open a new email account (Gmail or Yahoo!). Then find a few companies you like. They can be in markets you’re passionate or love learning about.

See if they offer a free newsletter or guide or gift in exchange for your email address. Then go ahead and give them the email address you just opened.

In a few days’ time, you’ll have a smorgasbord of marketing emails you can start reading and studying.

Action Item 2. “Hardwire” the skills.

After you’ve taken some time to read and study the emails you’re getting, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Pick a couple of the emails you found interesting or entertaining, or that made you want to click on whatever they were selling.

Now set aside some time to write them out by hand. This will help you “hardwire” the tone and pace of writing an effective marketing email into your brain and body.

Action Item 3. Practice, practice, practice.

After a few days of writing out emails by hand, try rewriting and improving upon some of the emails.

Give it your best shot and see if you can create an effective subject line. See if you can improve upon the body copy and give it more excitement and oomph.

And see if you can make the call to action even more irresistible.

Action Item 4. Reach out.

Now that you’ve taken the time to rewrite some emails, consider sending your newly created “samples” to the marketing manager of the company whose emails you rewrote.

They are a perfect client for you.

Let them know how much you like their products and services, and that you took the liberty to write a few emails for one of their products. Invite them to look them over and then talk further if they’re interested in getting some more help with their email marketing.

This part might be a little scary, but it could land you a client just like that!

So if you’re a new writer, why not give email writing a try?

It’s a fast and straightforward path to the writer’s life. It’s pretty simple to learn how to do. And there are a ton of potential clients out there.

Give these action steps a try… and you’ll soon see why this is such a great skill to have!

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💡Question: Have you tried writing emails for pay? What’s been your experience?

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