Making Money Writing – Duking it out with Peter Bowerman and AWAI?
9th September, 2009 - Posted by admin - 6 Comments
I was just sitting down to write this morning’s blog post on making money writing, when I decided to check email first (yeah, one of those days when I feel like being distracted… maybe because I spent about an hour chasing our Husky who escaped when the kids left the door open on their way out… ok, yeah – blame the dog).
It’s always amazing when I hear from readers and they’re kind of all on the same wavelength at the same time!
One asked about Peter Bowerman, and another about AWAI – and the questions came out differently, but were basically the same at heart:
Are they for real?
So, here’s my take… it’s like watching Olympic swimming (and enjoying floating around in my own little pool)
PB is awesome. It’s his book, “The Well-Fed Writer” that gave me my first glimpse of the existence of freelance writing. Before reading that book, I had no idea this existed, that there was a way I could get paid to write. (Aside from the writer’s equivalent of hitting the lottery – writing a bestseller that ends up on Oprah!) That book inspired, educated, and persuaded me that this was an excellent way to earn money from home.
I’ve had the enormous pleasure of talking with PB (he was kind enough to let me interview him on a call with the first WWHW Mastermind team), and he’s smart, thoughtful, and gracious. Can’t say enough good about him and what he’s done for writers everywhere through his book.
AWAI is also very cool. I don’t know anyone personally who’s gone through their program (at least I don’t think I do!), but they’re totally legit and offer what looks like excellent training. I did buy their photography program at one point (shiny object syndrome strikes again!) and it was really well-done.
BUT…
Both of these mentors are playing in a whole different ballpark, er… swimming pool, than I am. They go after big name, big budget clients – lots of B2B (business to business) stuff where they can earn way more than $100 an hour. They work with a select few clients on jobs that frankly, would scare the pants off me! I’ve done some of that level of work, and it’s always turned out to be stressful and frustrating (10 people on a committee all have to approve this email copy????!!) and ultimately less profitable than what I do.
If they weren’t so nice, they’d laugh at some of the projects my team and I do. $25 for a 500 word article?! Ha!!
We’re just not playing the same game, that’s all. And that’s OK : )
I’m glad they’re out there. I’m glad there are writers like Clayton Makepeace, Bob Bly, PB, Michel Fortin, and others who are absolute masters at copywriting, who can name their price and make gazillions with just a handful of clients. It’s like watching Olympic swimmers – I can see what’s possible, and it inspires me.
Now, back in the shallow end of the pool is where I live. My clients tend to be easy-going, easy to please, and fun to work with. Usually, it’s just one person who decides whether the project is complete (rather than a committee), one person to please. They’re solopreneurs with limited budgets who might gulp a bit before paying $100 an hour, but realize hiring a writer is a good investment.
With all the millions of online businesses started each year, there is so much of this low-hanging fruit that even with thousands of freelance writers, there’s more than enough work for us all. Yes, it’s probably the equivalent of splashing around in a little WalMart pool compared to swimming with Olympians – but as a mom writing from home, it suits me just fine! : )
Tags: Make Money Writing
Posted on: September 9, 2009
Filed under: Freelance writing, Make Money Writing
6 Comments
Hannah
September 9th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I love this perspective Sue! I’ve actually made myself feel guilty about wanting to stay in the shallow end of the pool, but your post reminds me that you can be successful as a writer without going after the big-name clients, and enjoy a more-relaxing, SAHM-friendly lifestyle to boot.
admin
September 9th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Amen to that! It’s all about creating a business that fits your life and needs. There are definitely writers out there who can go HUGE without batting an eye – and the sky’s the limit. But it’s important for writers to understand that it doesn’t have to look like that. Hope you’re doing great, Hannah!
Dale
September 9th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Sue:
It’s nice to get the the big guys and big bucks, but what counts is getting work that pays a decent living. I’ll settle for a decent living.
What’s bad is the rip-offs who want you to write a five hundred word article for $5.00. I don’t know about you, but for me it’s less than minimum wage. Sure, if you write 60 to a 100 words a minute, don’t make mistakes, don’t have to think about what to say next and don’t have to edit, it works.
I’m not a “just throw words on paper” type of writer. Any ten-year-old can do that. Since I’m slow on a keyboard and make lots of mistakes, (I have a fine coordination impairment) I can’t write a 500 word article in say 15 minutes. I figure about an hour and a half, without revising it. Hey, I’m a writer not a typist.
I’ll take $25.00 an hour or better $50, and there are clients who will pay it. I want to give clients excellent work, my reputation rides on it.
Thanks,
Dale
Teresa Hall
September 9th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Oh, yeah- PB is a favorite of mine too- even though I can’t see myself in that deep end of the pool either!!
Speaking of Peter Bowerman, he’s doing a free call with Michael Stelzner debating the difference between being a specialist or a generalist. Stelzner is top of the heap when it comes to writing white papers and Bowerman is, well, Bowerman.
The call is free and here’s the link:
http://www.whitepapersource.com/webinar/
Go sign up!
Cindy Blankenship
September 9th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Talk about being on the same wave length. Sue I was just thinking yesterday (before seeing this) that copywriters like Bob Bly, Dan Kennedy and Peter Bowerman are the Olympians of the copywriting world.
They make it sound so easy, which it no doubt is for them, but not everyone wants to be or can be an Olympian.
I really like your take about preferring to relax in your backyard pool. You are spot on. I too have written for big companies, and I found it was not worth the stress. And as a single mom, like you, I didn’t like that they took ages to pay either (all that time getting approved, winding through accounting, etc.). Thanks for your post!
admin
September 9th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Oh yes! Cindy, you nailed one more benefit of working with “regular” clients rather than the big boys… faster payment. Working with agencies and corporate clients involves a lot of waiting. It’s kind of like dealing with a cruise ship (steady, regular, but not making any quick movements) rather than a little speed boat. With small clients, it’s not unusual to get paid the same day you deliver. With corps, it’s often a month (or more!) before payday.
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