Know Your Worth

“The future has many names. For the weak, it is ‘impossible.’
For the fainthearted, it is the ‘unknown.’ For the thoughtful and valiant,
it is ‘ideal.’ For the challenged, it is ‘urgent.’
The task is large. The time is now.”
– Victor Hugo

In Issue #222

Guest Essay: Know Your Worth by Cheryl Dunaway

It’s been said that most of us lead lives of quiet desperation, although for some folks there are times when the desperation can get really loud. When it gets loud enough, the Universe sits up and takes notice.

In 2002, I was asked if I would like to take on the added roles of office manager and bookkeeper, as well as my legal secretarial duties. Trying to competently fulfill three separate positions took its toll. Late nights, too many meals eaten at my desk, no regular exercise program, and my physical, mental and emotional states deteriorated quickly. After three years, I was totally burned out.

So I posted my resume on a few online job sites. I received an e-mail from an insurance company. After several phone calls and preliminary interviews, I was offered the position of licensed sales agent.

I found myself in a typical dilemma:

Do I stay with the safety (hah!) of a 9 to 5, with a guaranteed paycheck, where my worth is determined by someone else? Or do I take that leap of faith and experience what it feels like to have total control over my income solely as a result of my own efforts? I prayed for the answer.

This is when the Universe sent me one of the loudest messages I’ve ever received.

One day, a client many considered to be difficult visited our office. I steered him and his wife into the conference room to show them the breathtaking view before my boss, the managing partner, joined them.

Minutes later, my boss came out of the room and asked me to make some photocopies.

When I returned, the client held up his hand and said: “May I tell you something?”

“Sure,” I replied.

“You’re very efficient.”

I glanced over at my boss just in time to witness him having an apoplectic fit. He started sputtering, frantically moving papers around and, with his face rapidly turning bright red, practically shouted: “DON’T TELL HER THAT, I’LL HAVE TO PAY HER MORE MONEY!”

The utter amazement on my face said it all …

The client stood up, coming within inches of my face and, jabbing his finger to punctuate each word, barked: “HE’LL – NEVER – PAY – YOU – WHAT — YOU’RE – WORTH!”

I could only mouth a weak “thank you.” Then I looked upward with another “thank you, thank you, thank you,” and ran into my office.

With the answer from the Universe ringing loud and clear in my ears, I immediately phoned that insurance company and asked, “How soon do you need me to start?”

The invaluable lesson I learned from that experience is that it iswithin my power to decide my worth, my value, not have someone else do it for me.

Coincidentally, around that same time I received a letter from AWAI about the copywriting program. I bought the program, started and then stopped after a couple of lessons when I became a licensed sales agent.

But I recently dug out my old AWAI notebook, blew off the dust, and got cracking again.

Here’s my challenge to you (and myself) if you’re struggling to reach your copywriting goals:

Never, ever settle for someone else determining your worth, your value. I understand we all have to pay bills, but, if this is something you really, really want, GO FOR IT! Your worth is limited only by the restraints you imprison yourself with.

There’ll be times you’ll be tempted to give up, times when you’ll doubt yourself to no end, you might even stop and start again (it seems that has happened to a few AWAI Wall of Famers, so we’re in good company), but don’t give up. The task is large, the time is now. Now is all we’ll ever have.

Resource Referral: $1,000 Credit Good Until Friday, January 16th

The copywriting world has changed quite a bit since Monica and I broke onto the scene. Back then, direct mail ruled. Of course, things are much different in today’s business climate.

These days, clients want you to know how to write for the web. I’ve even had clients that specialize in direct mail lose their jobs to people who know the Internet.

That means if you want to succeed in 2009 and beyond, you absolutely must know how to write for the web. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about this one.

The good news is, AWAI still has a few spots open for their Web Copywriting Intensivethat will be held in Austin, Texas, next month. If you haven’t done so already, I hope you take advantage of AWAI’s special $1,000 travel credit offer that is good until January 16th.

Here’s how it works: If you sign up between now and Friday, you can apply the $1,000 credit as a discount on the tuition or AWAI will issue you a check for $1,000 to use toward your travel costs. That’s a great deal!

This event promises to be one of the most important conferences you’ll ever attend in your copywriting career. I’d go myself if I didn’t have a prior commitment that I can’t get out of. Good thing Monica will be there; she promises to share her newfound web-writing wisdom with me when she returns!

Remember, there are only a few spots left and you absolutely must act by January 16th to get your $1,000 credit. So don’t delay. Check it out today: http://www.awaionline.com/cp/webcopyintensive

Quick Tax Tip: Calling All Freelancers …

As we start a new year, it’s a good time to remind you to set aside money from your copywriting income (web or otherwise) for Uncle Sam.

I made the mistake of spending too much money a few years ago. So when it came time to pay my quarterly taxes I was a little short. I scrambled and managed to come up with the money, but that’s not at all how I like to handle my business.

Now I put a certain percentage of each check in a tax account every time I receive a check. That way there are no surprises when it’s time to pay my federal and state taxes.