I am SO excited to share this summer reading list with you—straight from the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy community!

We crowdsourced dozens of recommendations and (after a very heated debate) narrowed it down to 15 top picks: a mix of can’t-put-it-down novels and business-building gems.

On this this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business we’re breaking down why each book made the list—and how they can help you grow as a copywriter and enjoy some much-needed downtime.

Your challenge? Pick at least one book for fun and one to fuel your business.

Got a favorite summer read we missed?

Leave a comment! We’d love to grow this list with even more crowd-sourced gems. (And I’m always looking to add to my Goodreads list.)

And I’d love to know: which book are you diving into first?

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
• Online Influence by Bas Wouters
• I will Teach you to be Rich by Ramit Sethi
• The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
• God of the Woods by Liz Moore
• Tapestries by Kien Nguyen
• Stories Sell by Matthew Dicks
• Letter to my Daughter written by George Bishop
• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
• The Perfect Horse by Elizabeth Letts
• Mindset: The Psychology of Success by Carol S Dweck
• Jobs to Be Done: Theory to Practice by Anthony W Ulwick
• The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
• Mass Persuasion Method by Bushra Azhar

Related Links

• Our Roundup of Books Copywriters Will Enjoy

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If you’ve followed the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy for any amount of time, you know there are as many ways to shape a copywriting career as there are copywriters.

Stevi’s story is the perfect example of how building your career in a way that works for you is essential to long-term success.

And what works for you may change. And then change again.

On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Stevi is sharing how she made the decision to leave a nonprofit job she loved to pursue writing—even with two small children, a mortgage, and a pandemic thrown into the mix.

I’m going to be honest, I have no idea what we’re cracking up about in this photo, but I will say that this entire conversation with Stevi was a complete delight.

She shares how, like many of us!, she bounced around between various jobs to pay the bills, but kept coming back to building a career as a writer (she does have a degree in creative writing after all).

And, what was incredible to hear, was how Stevi and her husband got creative in how they approached their goals, their schedules, and their priorities so they could build their lives in a way that works for them.

Her story really highlights how incredible it is to have a career that allows you to pivot to fit your lifestyle in any given moment.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Replacing Teaching Income with Copywriting Income in 6 Weeks – Erin’s Story
• This CCA Student Makes 6 Figures…While Living on a Mediterranean Island – Brittany’s Story
• Ep. 136: Copywriting Transformed Her Quality of Life – Amy’s Story

Related Links

• Ep. 47: Raising a Family and Building a Copywriting Business—Peta’s Story
• Ep. 107: Building a Copywriting Business as a Mom – with Kate K, Dorothy & Jen
• Copywriting Lets This Mom Live Life on Her Own Terms

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Meta’s making a major shift—and it’s about to change how ads work on their platforms in a big way

If you’ve ever written (or plan to write) Meta ads for clients, this is something you need to understand. Because while you might not be managing ad budgets or running campaigns (and honestly, we don’t recommend it unless you’re trained to do it)…

You are responsible for writing the copy that gives the ads the best chance to drive results.

On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, we’re breaking down Meta’s phase-out of detailed audience targeting—and what it means for you as a copywriter.

No need to hit the panic button, just the “listen” or “watch” button.

We’ll tell you exactly what you need to know to stay ahead and keep delivering for your clients.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Meta Ads Library
• Meta advertising standards
• Ep. 18: How to Land Your First Copywriting Clients—Without Experience

Related Links

• Find Copywriting Clients on Facebook: 3 Tips and 1 Big Warning
• The Cool New Tool for Facebook/Meta Ads Copywriting Research

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I love this quote so much I have to repeat it: “I can’t ask for permission. I just need to do it.” 

That’s what Holly said when she decided to draft a proposal for a copywriting position and present it to her boss …

… even though she was working a full-time customer success position.

… even though she was well aware she had bills to pay and this was a “risk.”

That proposal? It was rejected.

But you’ll want to listen to this one to hear the full story and—spoiler!—happy ending.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Hollyseybertcopy.com
• Ep. 117: Best Free Software for Copywriters
• Ep. 211: How to Weather the Ups and Downs of Business
• BONUS Laser Coaching: Top Tips for Wildly Effective Pitching

Related Links

• Ep. 218: Copywriting Opens Doors to Career Opportunities – Sunny’s Story
• BONUS Laser Coaching: Finding Confidence Learning Something New
• BONUS Laser Coaching: Build Confidence & Overcome Imposter Syndrome as a Copywriter

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Father’s Day is approaching and, if you don’t mind, I’d like to do something a little different with this episode of the Build Your Copywriting podcast.

We lost my dad on Father’s Day last year and CCA students have probably heard me talk about how integral he was to me getting into copywriting to begin with.

So, this week’s episode of the podcast is a short tribute to the late, great, and very missed Mike Krawczyk. Never fear: Next week we’ll be back with our regularly scheduled straightforward copywriting content but..this week I just felt called to share a bit about my dad with you and the rest of our community.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Dr. Natali Edmonds’ Dementia Careblazers

Related Links

• Remembering Mike Krawczyk

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Do you remember when Kate and I shared allllll sorts of jobs you can do with a background in copywriting?

(I totally get if you don’t remember, but you can catch that podcast episode right here.)

Thanks to CCA student Alba, we’ve got another one to add to that list: product marketer.

On today’s episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Alba was generous enough to join us from Spain (where, spoiler, she’s from and now a homeowner!).

She is sharing the full story that led her from working 60 hour weeks teaching in the UK to becoming a copywriter and, ultimately, landing a product marketing role that allows her to work from her home in Spain.

Alba’s journey is the perfect reminder that you never know where your career will take you.

But if you’re open to the possibilities, copywriting can take you places you may not even realize are options. 

I can’t wait for you to hear all of Alba’s wisdom (and how one of her first copy clients was the World Health Organization—how cool is that?!). 

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Mentioned in the Episode

• How Do I Know If I’m Ready to Pitch Copywriting Clients?
• How to Fast Track Your Copywriting Career Success
• Ep. 203: Secrets to Smooth Copywriting Client Relations

Related Links

• Ep. 59: Buying a New Home with Copywriting Income – Shannon’s Story

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Raise your hand if you’ve recently felt:

😮‍💨 Burnout.

😟 Guilt from even thinking about taking time to rest (and combat the aforementioned burnout).

😓 Extra guilt about considering changing professions.

If you said “yes” to all 3, we’re willing to bet you are a teacher.

Today’s episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast is dedicated to the teachers in our community. If that’s you, a giant thank you for your service.

If you’re NOT a teacher, but have felt any of the following:

• You don’t have more to give at your current job
• You are stuck in a career because you have poured so much time, energy, and money into it
• You have an obligation to your profession

Then you’ll want to listen, too.

Some of the biggest questions you face when even exploring other possibilities for your career are “what would I even do?” or “how would I even start over?”

Exploring these questions can kick up major resistance.

But in this episode, we’re encouraging you to reframe this exploration. What if your current career isn’t a lifelong calling?

You have a set of skills. You are never starting over.

You have so much life left to live. A year, five years, ten years, is a long time.

And, yes, you deserve better. You deserve more.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Best Backgrounds and Degrees for Getting Into Copywriting
• Copywriting Tips for Creating Ideas and Concepts That Stick
• The Copywriter’s Creativity Problem
• Summer Rewind: Ep 15. Traits of the Most Successful Copywriters
• What Does it Take to Become a Copywriter?

Related Links

• Her Goal Was to Replace Her Teaching Income in 5 Months: She Did It in 6 Weeks – Erin’s Story
• Ep. 148: Copywriting Replaced This Teacher’s Income and She Works Less Hours – Jess’s Story
• Ep. 160: How This Teacher Doubled Her Salary and Decreased Stress – Amanda’s Story
• Ep. 176: How This Ex-Teacher Joined the Filthy Rich Writer Team—As a Copywriter – Rebecca’s Story
• Ep. 206: From Monk to Teacher to Copywriter – John’s Story
• Ep. 222: This Teacher Now Leads a Team of Copywriters – Catching Up with Charlotte
• Ep. 91: Transitioning Out of Teaching to Copywriting – George’s Story

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This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/FRW and get on your way to being your best self.

⛰️ National parks.

🇲🇽 Mexico.

📍And currently Arizona.

As someone who values her freedom and flexibility, Sarah has been RVing since 2019 and living her dream working wherever she wants, whenever she wants.

By the time this airs who knows where Sarah will be! (How cool is that?!)

On today’s episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Kate and I are bringing you a long overdue conversation with Sarah (we get to see her regularly in the CCA Next Level mastermind…but realized we haven’t shared her story with YOU!).

Yes, she’s sharing tips on working while traveling, the tech tools she swears by, and how she stays safe.

But she’s sharing SO much more than that, including how she improves her copywriting skills and the point she hit in her business that spurred her to join CCA Next Level.

(Our favorite tip: “Don’t be afraid to stand out in whatever way you naturally stand out.”)

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Sarah’s Portfolio – flourishwriting.com
• 7 Tips to Living the Digital Nomad Lifestyle as a Copywrite
• BONUS – Laser Coaching: A Copywriter’s Guide to Creative Thinking
• Ep. 5: Why Choosing a Copywriting Niche is Terrible Advice

Related Links

• 6 Must-Pack Items to Write Copy Overseas
• Ep. 140: Traveling Europe While Running a Copywriting Agency—Chris’s Story
• Ep. 100: Take Advantage of the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
• BONUS – Laser Coaching: How Can I Work Remotely from Anywhere in the World?

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🟢 Good news: we always have the option to learn and grow as humans.

🟡 Bad news: improving ourselves requires change. And change requires you to go through a 5-stage emotional cycle. 

🔴 The worst news: most people are doomed to repeat stages 1 to 3 over and over and over again. 

Whether you’re learning to write copy, attempting a consistent gym routine, developing a flossing habit, or any other change, you will go through this emotional cycle.

On today’s episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Kate and I are walking you through the 5 stages of the emotional cycle of change and sharing crucial tips to help you make it past stage 3.

If you’ve ever felt like giving up (and who hasn’t?!), you’re going to learn exactly why that is and what you can do to push through the “valley of despair” to reach the pinnacle of success.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Book: The 12 Week Year
• Five Stages You Move Through Emotionally When Changing Behavior (From InFocus Leadership Solutions)
• BONUS Laser Coaching: Build Confidence & Overcome Imposter Syndrome as a Copywriter
• What to Do When You Feel Inadequate
• BONUS Laser Coaching: Finding Confidence Learning Something New

Related Links

• The System Copywriters Need to Efficiently Get Work Done
• Learn How To Stay Focused Year-Round With Help From These Books
• 5 Easy Tips for Maximizing Your Time

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Raise your hand if your background has nothing to do with copywriting. 🙋‍♀️🙋🙋‍♂️

That’s where 99.9% of us start, too! Jenny is no different: She spent 10 years as a tennis coach in the United Kingdom, where she’s from, and New Zealand, where she has lived for more than 15 years.

After another decade working for Tennis New Zealand, Jenny wondered if it was even possible to transition to another career.

Spoiler: Jenny effectively changed careers. On today’s episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, she’s sharing her tips for what to consider if you want to change careers. 

But beyond that, Jenny is sharing how she used her previous career experience to launch her copywriting career—and quit her full-time job after sending her second invoice.

If you’ve ever had the thought, “Am I stuck here forever?” you need to listen to Jenny’s story. 

Whether you’re looking to transition to copywriting or still exploring your options, Jenny offers inspiration to realize you are never stuck.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• 5 Keys for Getting Valuable Connections on LinkedIn
• Use Copywriting Networking to Help Land More Clients
• Jenny’s Portfolio – lovegrovecopy.com
• The Book: What Color Is Your Parachute?
• The Book: The 12 Week Year

Related Links

• Ep 140: Traveling Europe While Running a Copywriting Agency—Chris’s Story
• Ep. 73: Bridging the Gap from Quitting a Job to Full-Time Freelance

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