If your neighbor with a 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath house needs a renovation and your other neighbor with a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom house also needs a renovation, do you think they’d cost the same price?

No way!

That’s the same that’s true of copywriting projects.

Not all copywriting projects are the same and there’s NO WAY! you can quote an accurate price without understanding the project.

Pricing can feel like a chore, but I promise you’re probably overcomplicating it. Today’s Build Your Copywriting Business podcast episode is giving you all the insight you need to come away feeling confident when quoting prices.

Kate and I are sharing why you should (almost) never quote copywriting prices when you first meet with a client and offering scripts for how to guide the conversation so you come across as the professional that you are.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Episode 219: How to Avoid Copywriting Employment Scams
• Episode 201: Top Copywriting Myths, Busted – Part II
• Get an Exclusive Bonus Recording When You Review the Podcast

Related Links

• Getting Information From Clients, When to Price Your Services, and Boosting Confidence
• What Do You Bill For? (And What Don’t You?)

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Get Free Copywriting Training here 

You’ve probably heard the saying, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.”

And that’s never been more true with anything worthwhile in life:

• Saving for retirement
• Improve your health
• Restart a friendship
• And, yes, changing careers

In this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Kate and I are exploring the question, “If not now, when?”

Turns out, we often have very good answers to that question.

I’ll do it when my kids graduate high school.

I’ll do it when my bank account hits $2,000.

I’ll do it next month, once this current project is out of the way.

Any of these sound familiar? 

We all do it. Kate and I are sharing limitations we’ve placed on ourselves—and how we’ve started to get real with our actual priorities.

Here’s the thing: the difference between people who achieve their goals and those who don’t is the people who achieve their goals start.

They may spend 15 minutes a day working toward their goal when they want to spend 2 hours. But the point is, they take action—even if it’s the tiniest action.

Because it’s never too late to start. But it’s always too late to wait.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Ep. 158: Set Your Future Self Up for Success Right Now

Related Links

• Have Trouble Making Decisions? These Questions Will Help
• When You Need to Get Down to Work: The 5 Second Rule
• Ep. 143: Business Builder or Time Waster?
• Ep. 154: How Freelancers Can Masterfully Juggle Multiple Projects – with Kaitlyn Spinney
• The System Copywriters Need to Efficiently Get Work Done

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Get Free Copywriting Training here

When Kate and I first talked to Charlotte, she shared how she replaced her teaching income with copywriting within 6 months of joining the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy (you can catch that original interview right here!).

It’s been more than two years (!) since that conversation (Kate is still hung up on the fact that it’s been that long …).

So, we figured we were long overdue for a catchup.

And a LOT has happened: Charlotte is now leading a team of copywriters! 

In this conversation, she shares why she transitioned from freelance to a full-time job, what she’s learned, and what advice she has to copywriters earlier on in their journeys.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Ep. 115: This Teacher Wanted More Work/Life Balance…and Found It with Copywriting – Charlotte’s Story
• Ep. 98: Why Freelance Copywriters Should Still Apply to Full-Time Jobs

Related Links

• Ep. 51: Working at an Agency & Collaborating with Other Copywriters – Jen’s and Julie’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. 206: From Monk to Teacher to Copywriter – John’s Story
• Ep. 16: Freelancer to Full-Time Remote Copywriter – Karisa’s Story
• Ep. 191: This Copywriter Books Work 3+ Months Out—Here’s How She Does It – Lizzie’s Story

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Get Free Copywriting Training here 

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.

Do it! Just do it!"

That's often what I find myself yelling at my computer screen when I don't want to do the task that I know I need to do.

Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm not the most productive person in the world. But there are a few tactics that I use to get stuff done—even when I'm not having my best day.

On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Kate and I are sharing our best tips for how we get work done when we are dragging our feet and would much rather stay on the couch.

If you're avoiding certain tasks, listen to this episode now and you'll come away with tactics you can immediately use to do the things you need to do.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Get Things Done Book
• 3 Simple Tools To Help You Stop Procrastinating and Start Doing with Megan Sumrell (note: must be logged into the CCA to access)
• Episode 158: Set Your Future Self Up for Success Right Now
• Staying Productive When I’m Unmotivated: Pomodoro Technique
• 5 Tips for Getting Down to Your Copywriting Work
• 4 Productivity Tactics

Related Links

• Daily Habits of the Most Successful Writers & Creatives
• Amp Up Your Copywriting Productivity With Ultra Scheduling
• When You Need to Get Down to Work: The 5 Second Rule
• 5 Ways Super-Productive Copywriters Start Their Days
• 4 Tools to Stay On Top of Your To-Do List
• Staying Productive While Working From Home
• The System Copywriters Need to Efficiently Get Work Done

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Get Free Copywriting Training here 

It’s SO much easier to avoid difficult conversations.

(Frankly, sometimes I’m so tired, I want to avoid conversations all together!)

But, *sigh*, that’s not the way to be a professional.

On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Kate and I are sharing examples of client conversations that you might be tempted to avoid, but absolutely need to have.

I can guarantee that 99% of the time these will be 5-minute conversations that will help you avoid major hassles—like migraines or extra edits (or both!).

Listen now for how to handle these conversations like the pro that you are.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• What Are Your Copywriting Business Rules?
• Episode BONUS – Laser Coaching: How to (Respectfully) Disagree with a Copywriting Client
• Ep. 182: What’s the Best Way to Communicate with Copywriting Clients?

Related Links

• Why Your Copywriting Clients Need Your Guidance
• The Huge Benefits of Writing for Clients that Don’t “Wow” You
• Learning to Effectively Communicate as a Copywriter
• How To Develop a Thick Skin
• 5 Things Clients and Product Managers Wish Copywriters Knew
• Ep. 203: Secrets to Smooth Copywriting Client Relations

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Get Free Copywriting Training here 

Quick quiz! What’s the first thing you do when a potential client reaches out to you?

A. Squeal in excitement

B. Start digging into the copy, duh!

C. Stalk them on LinkedIn

Well, the answer should be some combination of A and C.

Excitement is totally warranted when a new client reaches out—especially if you like the company! 

But, as with many things in life, we need to hold space for two seemingly opposite things: excitement and skepticism.

Job scams are a tale as old as time. They’re not unique to copywriters, but there are a few red flags specific to writers you can look out for. And, there are a few key steps to take before agreeing to any work! 

Listen to hear Kate and I share our top tips for spotting job scams and how to (wisely!) proceed if you’re interested in any opportunity.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Ep. 56: What is a Copywriting Test and Should You Do One?
• Setting Boundaries as a Copywriter
• Ep. 182: What’s the Best Way to Communicate with Copywriting Clients?

Related Links

• Which Work-From-Home Writing Jobs Are Real?
• Ep. 133: Are You Giving Off Any of These Copywriter Red Flags?

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Get Free Copywriting Training here

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.

You know that with copywriting training you can become a copywriter. (Duh!)

But did you know copywriting can open doors to so many other career opportunities? 

Kate and I got to sit down with CCA student Sunny to hear how (spoiler!) she went from designer to copywriter to marketing strategist.

Sunny went to school for graphic design … but didn’t love design.

As some of her clients asked her if she could write copy, Sunny said, “Sure!” But realized two things:

• She enjoyed copywriting more than design.
• If she was going to offer copywriting services to clients, she needed more formal training.

In this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Sunny shares her story and tips for other copywriters, including how within 3 months of joining the CCA she was able to quit her serving job, what she’s charging clients, and how she feels copywriting helps with all areas of her life.

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Sunny's portfolio: solcopy.ca

Related Links

• BONUS Laser Coaching: Why Copywriting is a Recession-Proof Job
• Ep. 175: Career Resolutions to Make Right Now
• Ep. 110: What’s Your Copywriting Career Path?

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Get Free Copywriting Training here 

Which of these camps do you fall into?

1. Hesitant to freelance (even though you really want to) because figuring out healthcare and other benefits looks too hard.

2. Diving head-first into freelancing … but there may be some “Oh Sh*t!” moments along the way.

3. Freelancing with a system and a plan so you have regular income and even better benefits than any full-time job could possibly offer.

If you’re part of the FRW community (or in the CCA!), my guess is you fall into camp #3.

(You may fall into camp #2, but that camp really requires you to know yourself and whether you can build the net as you fall. You’ve probably heard me say I’m not a fan of it, but it works for some people! If that’s you, please let me in on your secret 😉 )

We’ve covered how to build your own benefits package on this podcast before (if you missed it, you can add it to your queue right here).

So, on this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, we’re specifically covering what to do if you get sick.

As you know, many companies offer sick days. But, what do you do if you fall sick as a freelancer? You have a plan in place, that’s what!

Listen now so you’re ready in case illness strikes. (But knock on wood—knockknock*—it doesn’t!)

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Ep. 51: Working at an Agency & Collaborating with Other Copywriters – Jen’s and Julie’s Story
• How Can You Know if a Copywriting Deadline is Doable?
• Creative Brief: The First Step to Any Successful Copywriting Project

Related Links

• Prepare Your Copywriting Business for a Sick Day
• Ep. 49: How to Build Your Own Benefits as a Freelancer
• Ep. 203: Secrets to Smooth Copywriting Client Relations
• How Copywriting Projects Actually Come Together
• Ep. 154: How Freelancers Can Masterfully Juggle Multiple Projects – with Kaitlyn Spinney
• Book Pick: How Copywriters Can Collaborate More Effectively
• The Copywriting Project That Sells Itself to Your Customers

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Get Free Copywriting Training here 

No one likes paying taxes. But if you’re a freelancer, you’ve got so many more opportunities for tax deductions. That means you paying less in taxes (a.k.a. keeping more money in your pocket).

Whether you’re in the US or not, you’re going to want to listen in. On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Kate and I are running through a list of tax deductions that you can talk with your tax prep professional about.

These deductions may allow you to pay less in taxes—meaning you save more of your hard-earned money. And who doesn’t want that? 

Listen now and start saving!

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Ep. 49: How to Build Your Own Benefits as a Freelancer
• Freelance Copywriter Benefits: How to Build Your Own Benefits Package

Related Links

• Copywriter Taxes: Save With These Deductions in 2025
• Paying Freelance Writer Taxes in 2025
• How Do I Save for Retirement If I Am Self-Employed?
• #1 Freelance Tax Mistake and How to Avoid It

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Get Free Copywriting Training here 

I have good news and bad news for you: pitching is always going to be the direct line to landing work, but there are other tactics you can mix in to keep things fun.

(And, if you ask me, pitching CAN be fun, but I’ll save that conversation with you for another day 😉 )

I am thrilled to share Kate and I sat down with podcast pitching pro Christina Lenkowski to pick her brain on all things podcast guesting.

“But Nicki, I’m an introvert!”

“But Nicki, I’m no expert!”

Hear me out, we cover all this.

Going on podcasts as a guest can not only establish you as an expert, but allows you to reach hundreds, if not thousands of members of your target audience—all at once. 

And, as the owner of the extraordinary podcast pitching service Publicity x Christina, Christina is the go-to expert on getting online entrepreneurs the visibility they need for the paydays they want (her copy, not mine—but isn’t that good?!). 

Full disclosure: I’ve even used her services!

Listen now to see how you may be able to add this tactic to your business strategy!

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Mentioned in the Episode

• Podcastpublicityquiz.com

Related Links

• Top Podcast Episodes for New Copywriters
• 8 Must-Listen Podcasts to Amp Up Your Digital Marketing Knowledge
• 12 Business Books and Podcasts for the New Year

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Get Free Copywriting Training here