Earn Six-Figures Copywriting?

Here's an interesting article about AWAI. Read it and come back and give me your thoughts. I think this should make for an interesting thread. Thanks!

Dale King

Hi everyone!!

I have been a lurker on this board for some time and have decided to start posting. By the way, you guys are awesome!!

I am a current student of AWAI and feel that it is a pretty good program.
But I do think that it is also a lot of hype.

I realize that I am not going to be making a six figure income my first year. I also realize that I am not going to develop good copywriting skills overnight.

Like anything else it takes a lot of work!

The one thing that I don't understand about Mr Sharpe's article is why would he critique something that he has not ordered and examined for himself?

It is blantanly obvious that he hasn't looked at the program. If he had he would know that the $10,000 that Paul Hollingshead is talking about is what you could possibly get paid from AWAI if you can beat there control.

Do you think that he does all of his copywriting without doing research?

Nursewriter

That's an interesting article Dale. Since there are a lot of AWAI folks here (myself included), it'll be interesting to hear what others have to say.

Regardless, I think it's good to hear "unvarnished" tales of other's experiences in this industry, especially with all the hype surrounding the amount of money you can make.

Can you say sure?

In the history of the AWAI program, there has been one $10,000 winner.
It took her over a year to win the 10K.

No copywriter should have to work for a whole freaken year to earn 10K.

They suck desperate people in with the lure of 10K for your first letter when
it's just not reality.

As soon as you outgrow training wheels, it's time to move on from AWAI.

Interesting article, Dale. Thanks for sharing.

Welcome, Nursewriter! I think we've corresponded on the AWAI Board.
What I take from this article is not that he is critiquing the program that AWAI offers. I think he's critiquing the "promises" they make. Most people I know and have corresponded with accelerated their incomes by going through an apprenticeship or by using coaching services. Even if you learn some basic sales letter writing techniques, what you really need to know is what works and how to market yourself. The best way to accelerate your progress is to have an experienced copywriter mentor you, which means telling you what you do well and telling you what really needs work. You've really got to be open to learn from your mistakes.

I can tell you from a teacher's experience that when I teach classes via Internet or other distance learning methods (such as TV), many students just don't get it. If I take that exact same information and apply in the live classroom with my one-on-one assistance, students are much more successful. While people want to learn copywriting from the comfort of their homes and can, I don't believe they'll become six-figure copywriters without going beyond that. Once I stopped thinking I wanted to become a copywriting and started thinking "I am a copywriter," things changed. As much as I am juggling in my life, I know I'll transition into this career by or before my goal of May 2007. (Yancey Foster has my goal in writing; I've got to achieve it! )

I started the AWAI program but got stalled because I started making money before I could even finish the restaurant letter. I have only one client, but he keeps giving me enough repeat work to keep me busy. I've been contacted by someone else about possibly writing for another company, as well. AWAI did not do that for me. My good friend JanetB gave me a referral, and I learned by doing. I look forward to my new career. If I didn't have a full time teaching job, I have no doubt that I would have enough business to fill a work week. It was just a matter of changing my mindset from a wannabe to being.

I must commend Michel for allowing us to have a forum that teaches us so much. On my first week on this board, I learned more here than AWAI will ever teach me. I continue to learn. I'm not downing the AWAI course, by any means. I'm just saying that you really need a well-rounded education, and the members of this forum have been fantastic teachers. I've found some great information in the AWAI course, too, but your best bet is to read as many books as possible.

What keeps me learning is that I listen to as many teleconferences as I possibly can. Harlan had an awesome one last night. I look forward to the next one. I've listened to others, as well, and I take lots of notes. Having the human connection helps a lot. It takes your learning a huge step beyond reading techniques in a book. I've made several new friends here, and I've learned that a lot of people will look out for you and help you.

Harlan--I asked the first question last night about juggling work, kids, and the copywriting business. Thanks for your input. I've been doing all you suggested, except get up an hour early to write. It will take a lot of training to get my brain to operate that early in the morning. The biggest issue is handling my workload while I teach five English classes and raise three kids. I'm not complaining; I'm just doggone tired.

Okay, I've digressed. I'm just making up for lost time. I haven't had much time to reply to posts lately. I look forward to other comments.

Deb

I totally agree with you! In fact, I have probably learned a whole heck of a lot more from reading the posts on this forum than I have from AWAI.

Can't wait to get rid of my training wheels and fire up my harley!!!

nursewriter

That's a good article, Dale. And while I'd quibble with a couple of his points, I think anyone who buys the AWAI course would do well to heed what Alan says.

Bottom line, it's a business... a highly competitive one, at that.

The good news is there's more work than there are are qualified copywriters with the marketing smarts needed to earn the big bucks. That doesn't look to change no matter how many wannabes AWAI churns out.

And no matter what your opinion of the course, it's a hell of a magalog that sells it. No doubt about that.

Shawn and I don't begrudge AWAI a thing. We bought the program a couple of years ago, but didn't finish it. In fact, it was when we had the same kind of "I am a copywriter" moment Namaste talks about, that our business took off.

Haven't looked back since.

A.

Thanks guys!

Wow...these posts were even better than I anticipated. Great job!

Keep em' coming!

Dale King

Aw man, Harlan. I thought you woulda jumped all over that one.

Dale,

I'm really glad you posted that article.

I personally have nothing against AWAI or their
biz opp. pitch. In fact, I did buy the course and
think it is very good.

But, then again, I also bought the Rich Jerk book
and made several thousand dollars from the info it
gives while others complain it's full of hype.

In any case, I do have to say this to all aspiring
copywriters...

BE PREPARED TO WORK YOUR ASS OFF

My usual day starts out with writing for one hour.
Then reading for one hour. That's just exercise.

Then I get on to projects and usually read and
write for an additional four to six hours (sometimes
longer) before I take a break.

And I do this six to seven days a week.

Which is probably why I've always made a good
living as a freelancer right from the start.

But there are no shortcuts.

You gotta work at this until the skill of writing
sales messages that produce profit becomes
second nature.

So, if you're serious about writing copy that makes
money... then... get prepared to work hard, long
hours.

Here's something we should all think about...

"Genius is the art of taking pains. The advertising
man who spares the midnight oil will never get
very far." Claude Hopkins, "Scientific Advertising"