A Copywriter’s Double Life

“His father, Vincent, took him to La Coupole in Paris and, after sitting on the terrace for a while, walked off and forgot him. It was the perfect start in life for a writer.”
–Anatole Broyard, American Literary Critic

In This Issue:

A Copywriter’s Double Life
by Monica Day

I do it. John Forde does it. Jen Stevens does it.

Steenie Harvey does it…backwards.

I’m talking, of course, about living a double life. Part-time direct response copywriter. Part-time travel writer or photographer – or both.

You can do it, too.

Don’t get me wrong. I love working from home, spending my days doing internet research, coming up with Big Ideas for packages. Keeping a routine that involves writing, taking care of my family, and having flexibility in how I manage my time is truly a dream come true for me.

Most of the time.

But the other reason I need to work for myself is because I have a serious case of wanderlust. There are dozens of places all over the world calling my name. I’ve barely begun working on my list.

When a lot of 20-somethings I knew were spending their summers backpacking through Europe and flopping at youth hostels around the world, I was working two and three jobs to pay for college. But the urge to go never left me.

That’s not a woe-is-me statement. In fact, I think I am better-suited to traveling abroad now than I was then. With a few more years of experience, maturity and self-confidence under my belt, I find I’m far more open to meeting new people and learning about other cultures than I might have been 20 years ago.

The other key difference is that I also have a way to cover the expenses – and travel in style – that I didn’t have back then. (Youth hostels have their name for a reason…)

By transforming my copywriting skills into a nice little side business in travel writing – and now, I’m brushing up on my photography skills, too – I have a pass to go just about anywhere, anytime. And I’m not afraid to use it.

I’m in very good company. John Forde and his family have been living part-time in Paris for many years. Jen Stevens has trotted most of the globe – throughout Mexico, Central America, Africa, and Europe. Both are top-notch copywriters – but have combined their writing skills with their passion for traveling or living abroad to become top-notch travel writers as well.

And Steenie Harvey, star reporter for International Living started out as a travel writer and now crosses over to copywriting every now and then.

As a team, these three now show others – including myself – how to follow their wanderlust around the globe, too.

Listen…freelance writing naturally comes with a lot of freedom and autonomy. Copywriting even more so because of the high income potential. Krista and I talk to you about the lifestyle benefits all the time.

But what’s the point if you don’t put this freedom to good use?

If your friends aren’t jealous of the life you lead…I’m willing to bet you aren’t taking full advantage of all the perks this “job” offers.

What’s your passion? Is it traveling? Having a second house on a beach or in the mountains? Pursuing a hobby that doesn’t produce much income but gives you a great amount of joy, such as painting or glass blowing?

As you make a plan to become a copywriter – don’t leave out the part where you get to exercise the freedom the lifestyle provides. For me, it means hopping on a plane and traveling to all the places I’ve dreamed about all these years – and writing off most of my trip, getting some of my expenses comped or covered, or selling articles that pay for my expenses.

What’s yours? And more important, is it part of your plan to include that passion in your new life as a copywriter?

Resource Referral: Care To Join Me in Paris?

I know, it sounds decadent, doesn’t it? But I mean it: join me in Paris next month. Let’s go explore the city, write articles about our exploits, take photographs of everything we see, and discover the exciting adventures waiting for us there!

Whether you want to become a travel writer – or simply figure out how to earn money using your digital camera – why not learn how in one of the most inspiring, beautiful places in the world?

The Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop or
The Ultimate Photographer’s Workshop
Paris, France – May 16-19, 2007

I’m going as the reporter for the travel writing conference – and hopefully will work on my photography while I’m there, too. My main job while there is to be the eyes and ears for everyone who can’t make it. But…

Why don’t you join me? I mean, just imagine…

With blossoms painting the city bright and trees budding green, the city reawakens from winter. The locals come out to enjoy the sun — sipping coffee at sidewalk cafes, walking along the light-dappled Seine, reading in green park chairs amid blossom-filled fields. And you’re there to record the season – either in words or pictures – and learn how to turn these magical moments into an extra source of income and other perks.

And if you absolutely, positively can’t make it this time – but the idea of writing or taking photographs for the travel industry intrigues you – I want to invite you to at least check out The Ultimate Travelwriters Program and Turn Your Pictures into Cash. I have both, and have found them to be extensive, helpful, and useful in getting your foot in the door in these two areas. If you have even the least bit of wanderlust and wish to do some traveling – or maybe you just live in a popular area that draws tourists – you should consider adding travel writing and photography to your bag of tricks.

And please, if you decide to come to Paris, be sure to drop me a line at admin@copyprotege.com and let me know…so I can look forward to seeing you there!

Quick Research Tip: No, The Sky Is NOT Falling…

Several readers alerted us that a well-known, much-read writer’s blog announced the demise of direct mail…again. And while the funeral pyre was being built with the superfluous magalogs, buck slips, and order forms of yore, nervous beginners wondered…is it true?

To which we must say…again…no. Our project load is not slowing down. Other colleagues wrote to us to tell us they are busier than ever. Newbies we know personally are getting assignments. The world as we know it is still revolving around the sun.

In fact, we’ll remind you that it’s only been a few weeks since copywriting made it to the top 5 list of hot careers for Robert Half International.

Now, that doesn’t mean nothing is changing. All industries change, all the time. Whether it’s healthcare, technology, real estate, the financial markets – everything goes in cycles. And every professional needs to keep up with the changes in their industry. That’s just plain old common sense.

For direct response, the internet is a powerful force that has had an impact on the industry. And yes, buyer’s habits and tastes are changing. But you’re not exactly out of business before you’ve even begun. These are simply trends you’ll watch, and adjust your marketing tactics accordingly.

If you want to find out more about these changes – and how to handle them as a beginner – I recommend you listen in on a teleconference I was privileged to be on with copywriting and direct mail MASTER Bob Bly called Succeeding As a Freelance Copywriter in 2007. Stop worrying – get the inside scoop. Use your worry energy to get your business going – and start pulling in income – instead!