More on copywriting and Canadian geese

(Note: Just a suggestion. Write your blog entry offline before posting. If you write a post online then the server goes down when you try to publish it, you'll lose everything, as just happened to me.)

I wrote a few days ago about how you can learn an important copywriting lesson by watching Canadian geese. The lead bird's wings create a draft that helps the rest of the gaggle fly farther on less energy.

I recommend finding a lead bird you can write to for help when you need it. When I was an in-house copywriter at Agora, I had direct access to John Forde, Bill Bonner and Michael Masterson. As a freelancer, I've had to forge a new network.

AWAI students have a clear advantage over others just starting out. Not only do they have the best hands-on program at their fingertips, but they also have access to a forum to get support from fellow copywriters. And they get feedback on their early assignments directly from master copywriters, people like Paul Hollingshead and Don Mahoney.

I took a look at the AWAI copywriter's program when it first came out. I thought it was a great program. I even wrote a testimonial attesting to how great it was. But did I actually do the exercises? No, I didn't. I wasn't terribly invested in my copywriting career at the time.

Five years later, I'm back. And I attribute my success this year to studying the AWAI program, Michael Masterson's Accelerated Program for Six Figure Copywriting in particular. No more shortcuts for me.

I realize that most people who read this blog are already in the program, so I'm preaching to the choir. The choir needs a pep talk sometimes, so here goes: Work through the entire program. Copy and recopy the assignments. They will help you more than you know.

I was chatting with Chris Marlow the other day about the copywriting conference that took place down in Florida a few weeks ago. I told her what impressed me most was that the copywriters in my peer group were all competent writers -- they just needed a little guidance and a push out of the nest. You can go to all the copywriting conferences you want, but they will do you no good unless you actually start writing for clients. Until then, it's all hypothetical.

Here's what you do: Work through the course then get out there and find clients to write for. It's the only way to get a return on your investment.

Fly birdie, fly!