The Three Times Copywriting Will Break Your Heart (and One It Will Fill You With Pure Joy)

I've not met a copywriter alive who doesn't love what they do. Not a single 'Yeah, it's okay, I suppose', nor an 'It pays the bills' has escaped any of their lips.

And when we're not writing for our clients, we're writing for ourselves in some way, whether it's for our own business (which we also enjoy!) or for pleasure.

Bottom line: we just luuuuurve writing!

But for all the passion we put into our craft, there are times that, like a Cobra-Kai, copywriting life tries to break us in two.

If you're just starting out as a copywriter, read on and get ready for what lies ahead. If you're already an established wordsmith, get ready to nod along.

Because these are the three times copywriting will break every copywriter's heart.

Let's get into it.

The struggle to get into the field

Anyone who has tried to break into full-time copywriting will know exactly what I'm talking about!

This is no easy to field to get into.

Clients want to see samples of your work so they know you're up to the job. Those are hard to provide when you've not cut your copywriting teeth with any paid work yet.

You're going to face rejection after rejection. Even the fantastic copywriting you did as a volunteer won't be enough in some cases. They want blood!

Okay, I'm lying. They don't want blood, but unless you're truly passionate about getting into this field, you're going to lose heart. There will come a rejection that finally crushes you and makes you feel it's all hopeless.

Except that it isn't. It's about attitude. You've got to keep pushing. Every single interview you get is a step closer. Every single CV you send out, every single application you put in and every post you publish on social media lets someone on the side of the monitor know you're out there.

I'll say it again: it's all about attitude. Be enthusiastic. Learn about copywriting. Show people that even if you haven't got the experience or only have a limited amount of experience, you've got the skills and the cojungah to reward the client's faith in you.

It took me around four years to break into a major full-time copywriting role.

That's four years of short-term projects, of voluntary projects, of applications, of interviews, of rejections (often in favour of a more experienced candidate. Doh!). That was also four years of frustration, which I learned to cope with, and because I love this craft, four years of heartache!

I refused to settle. I wanted to be a copywriter so bad I could taste it (like everything else, it tastes like chicken). It's all about attitude. Keep going!

The dry spells

This has to me one of the very worst scenarios a copywriter -- and for that matter, any self-employed person -- will face.

The long spells when the work just doesn't come in.

You check your phone when you wake up and there are no new messages in your inbox.

You scan your Linky Dink inbox and there are no leads (but there are plenty of pitch messages, though aaaaaargh!).

Those are hard, hard days. They hurt financially and mentally.

So get ready for them: they're coming.

Is all that time on your hands a bad thing? Yes and no.

It's a chance to do some blogging or focus on business-building tasks, such as developing a new service.

You could even do a course.

As a freelancer, there's always something you can be doing, even when you're not working for a client.

What if you don't have any projects on the go?

It's simple really. MARKET THE ABSOLUTE POOP OUT OF YOURSELF.

You need the world out there to know you're available.

A single sales post on here just won't cut it.

Come out fighting on Linky Dink and bang out the sales posts. There are no rules to how often you can post. Just get them out there and let people know you're ready and waiting to take them (into your loving arms).

You never know who's watching and you never know why. They could be searching for a copywriter at that very moment.

Make sure it's you.

Chasing a payment

Sooner or later, you're going to get a client that doesn't (seem to) want to pay.

(Be careful not to confuse a perfectly respectable client that is just experiencing a payment hiccup with a client who has no intention of paying for the service you've provided in good faith. Sometimes there are administrative errors or issues that stop a client from paying on time.)

Copywriters love their clients and when we have to pursue a payment the hard way, it hurts. Feeling there's no option but to 'turn nasty' and confrontational is not a decision we like to make. It's a low point for us.

Chasing payment wastes our time and it wastes the client's time, not to mention damages the client's reputation. Neither side wants that.

How can you sort out a payment-chasing situation?

One option is to take an upfront payment and pre-empt defaults on payment in the first place.

If a client owes you money, don't march in with all guns blazing. Legal action is -- and should always be -- the last resort.

Here's what to do instead:

• Try to make it as easy as possible for them to pay, especially if it's a large sum.
• Speak to someone high up in the business about the situation.
• Be clear that you want to avoid legal action.
• Extend the payment deadline and let the client know when you expect to be paid by... and what your next steps would be.

That moment of unbridled joy: the breakthrough!

There comes a moment when all the toils of being a copywriter, all the struggles, all the sleepless nights, suddenly become worth it and then some.

I'm talking about the breakthrough moments.

I know, I know. I promised a single time and this is a bit of a cheat, but can I have this one? C'mon, it's me: Pete!

Someone out there will give you a chance eventually.

When you're going through that Sahara-desert-dry spell and in the pit of despair, if you hang in there long enough you'll get that lead who not only relieves the financial pressure but also turns out to be a dream client. They'll come to you with projects you love and can't wait to get your teeth into.

(Of course, client wins at any time will bring unbridled joy!)

If you're chasing that payment, you'll see no one wants to damage their business reputation (even though it's already too late by that time, as far as you're concerned) or drag you or themselves through the courts. Once they know you're serious, they'll get serious, too. They'll pay up. That breakthrough moment will provide you with relief.

It's all about passion

Copywriting is about passion. It really is.

It's the love of what you do that will get you through the difficult moments.

When you feel like crying (or actually do start crying!), remembering how much you love this wonderful trade will help you to hang on in there and keep writing.

You can quit, of course. There's no one around to say you can't, but what's the alternative to doing something that you love?

Exactly.