“Why do I struggle to get clients? Nobody is hiring copywriters anymore!”
I am asked this dozens of times per week.
On the surface, it seems crazy. There are plenty of ways to get clients in 2024.
But then I remember college.
And the moment I knew I was going to be a freelancer.
“Here’s a list of 50+ things you can do with an English degree…”
I knew I wanted to write for a living.
So I went to college to get a Creative Writing degree.
I asked one of my professors: “What can I do with this besides publish books or teach writing?”
He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper, proudly sliding it across the desk to me with a smile on his face.
It was a list of careers that you can have with an English degree.
This included:
- Politician
- Librarian
- Speechwriter
- …and so on
As you can see, it wasn’t the most focused of lists.
Basically, it was, YOU CAN DO ANY OF THESE THINGS! ISN’T THAT GREAT? POSSIBILITIES!
In the end, though, I threw that list out.
It was useless.
I found a book on freelance copywriting at Barnes & Noble, and the rest is history.
Decision Fatigue/Analysis Paralysis
When you are given dozens of options, your brain struggles to process what would be the best one.
This isn’t that big of a deal when the stakes are low, like, “What shirt will I wear today?” I just grab one that catches my eye.
But we’re talking about your career here!
Now you have to think about the “best” option (even though there is none).
Your brain can’t – and won’t – be able to handle it.
When you look online, there are dozens of ways to get writing clients, from Upwork (cough) to crafting perfect offers to personalized messages to AI tools…
You see everything. And you do nothing.
This will not change until you put on some blinders.
Blinders = Stable Freelancing Income
When a horse runs a race, you don’t want him seeing a rabbit out of the corner of his eye or looking at the crowd jumping up and down.
You want that horse focused on the finish line.
So you strap on a pair of blinders that block their peripheral vision and keep them focused on the task at hand.
As a freelancer, you have to do the same thing.
You pick ONE method of building your business and you ruthlessly focus on that one thing.
You do it the very best of your ability, and the work flows (and so does the money).
I reached stability in my business for the last 15+ years because I picked a proven, timeless approach to getting clients and doubled down on it over and over again.
I don’t rely on apps, third-party services, or fickle social media followings.
I dial in what I call the Prime Contact Approach – going TO decision makers and building relationships with them – to keep my roster full of paying clients.
It’s worked for nearly 16 years and counting.