Ready for ACTION!

I have reached the point (well, actually I reached it a few weeks back, but am still there) where I'm ready to actually DO something that brings in an income!

I mentioned before that I like structured courses. 

I love learning new things. 

But I'm getting tired of reading, learning, and doing all sorts of things that don't result in a check in the mail.

Here's the thing. We all have to start somewhere. 

If you already have some knowledge about how to making a living as a writer, great!  Get on it!

But if, like me, you really have (had) no clue how to make a living as a writer, you will need to learn some things first. 

So learn those things.  Read all you can.  Do courses if that floats your boat. 

I'm in a couple forums for writers.  One of the FAQs is "Will I ever feel ready to seek out paying clients?" 

The answer is: "YES!" 

I felt the same way for a long time.  Months. 

I kept signing up for more courses.  Reading more articles, more blogs, more.... more. 

Then something flipped in my brain. 

I was tired of reading and learning (though that never really stops) and just wanted to earn a living already!

Now let me add, I am crazy for inspirational, motivational "stuff."  I eat it up.  I absolutely LOVE inspirational quotes (I even considered starting a business around that once). 

But I've had enough! 

I don't need another motivational essay. 

I don't want another course that teaches me what I "absolutely must know how to do." 

This may sound like I'm ranting a bit, and I am.  And I believe it's a good thing! 

If you're still in the "I'm not ready, I need to learn more" phase, continue on.  Keep learning.

Just rest assured that there WILL come a day when, while you know you don't know it all, you feel like you know enough. 

That day has finally come for me, and I'm grateful! 

Now on to the business of making MONEY! 

What am I actually doing to make that happen?

Yesterday I mailed out 50 letters (in the actual mail) to business owners in a specific niche (doesn't really matter what that is... you can pick something that interests you... hardware stores, dog groomers, CPAs). 

I made a specific offer. 

This is the key, and the key I was missing until recently. 

In my attempts to contact prospects before, I basically just introduced myself and my services, and said, in effect, "If you ever need help with any written marketing material, I'd love to work with you!"

I got nowhere with that approach.  (That's the approach I used when I contacted all those racing-related businesses a couple weeks ago.) 

Then, within about two weeks, two different people suggested making a specific offer when I reach out to prospects.    

For example:  Whoever you'd like to work with, send them a letter in the mail, email, or call them on the phone and offer to do X for them for $Y.

Specificity is the key!

Your offer will depend on your skill set and interests. 

And your dollar amount will depend on your experience and what you feel comfortable charging people/asking for. 

In full disclosure (since I promised you an open and honest blog), I offered to write a one-page sales letter for $100. 

Some of you may be balking at how low that price is.  Balk away. 

I have ZERO experience writing sales letters (except for practice). 

I also have ZERO income right now (well, that's not entirely true... I just got a notice from Kindle Direct Publishing that $4.84 will be deposited into my bank account at the end of the month for book sales).  Woo hoo. 

Probably the biggest lesson I've learned so far in my short copywriting career (and trying to launch this business) is to start where you are. 

Get started! 

If you feel comfortable asking for $200 or $500 for a sales letter, go for it!  That's your comfort level. 

My comfort level is $100. 

For now.  I fully expect to raise my rates as I get more experience.

And on that note, if you feel more comfortable asking for $50, do it! 

I think I put off seeking clients for as long as I did partly because I didn't feel qualified to ask for high fees. 

I saw price lists of accomplished copywriters, and I heard what others were charging for certain things.  And that intimidated me. 

Sure, I'd love to make that kind of money.  And I believe I can, and will... in time. 

But as they say, you've gotta crawl before you can walk... and walk before you can run. 

So start crawling!  Start limping along.  Start moving in any manner you can muster. 

One thing I know for sure, I won't make a single cent sitting here, reading and learning even more, doing things for practice, and not contacting prospective clients (for whatever reason/excuse).

Another ACTION STEP I took is putting Google AdSense on my blogs.

Apparently it takes about a week after you sign up for the ads to start running on your site. 

So you'll see them on here soon, and on my other blog (Be You. Live Your Dream!) as well.

I'm curious how that will work and what kind of income (if any) I'll make. 

I will keep you posted. 

But it feels good to actually be doing something for a change! 

It felt great to write those letters and drop them in the mail! 

It felt good to get this blog up and running! 

And now I'm off to write another letter to another niche area.... keep taking action!