***Hey there! Delaney here, just popping in from the future to say that this website is now inactive, and if you actually need a personal development copywriter, you should check out my new brand and website Dark Roast Copy Co.
(Back to the post. Enjoy!)
When I graduated from college with a degree in theatre and no plan for the future, it was practically a crisis. I think I would be pinching myself if I could tell 22-year-old Delaney what she’s doing now.
These days, I spend the workday writing for amazing personal development websites and life coaching businesses. I take care of their blog posts, social media captions, email lists, and web copy.
I’m a freelance personal development copywriter. I love my job! I get to work with the most amazing people, learn about one of my favorite topics, and use my creative skills every day.
Everyday, I get to stay home with my cat in my sweatpants all day. I can work from anywhere in the world as long as I have my laptop and Wi-Fi. I get to create a business that I own every day.
Not too long ago, it was quite a different story. Not too long ago I was a theatre actor displaced into an office job. Here’s the story:
2020 was rough y’all…
I love my writing niche. Although I’m usually happy to write about any topic, and I love researching to learn new things, personal development is by far my favorite topic to write about because of the part it’s played in my life.
My love for personal development started in 2020. (An ideal time to get into personal development I’d say) The world seemed to be at a crossroads: are you going to make the most of a bad situation or succumb to the hopelessness?
2020 was the year I got my first life coach. Through her teachings, I learned that I was capable of anything. I grew my ability to manage my thoughts and emotions. Most importantly, I realized that everyone should have access to this kind of teaching.
A Great Resignation Poster Child
The Great Resignation has been a fascinating topic for the world of online business. Pretty early on, I realized I was a poster child for the Great Resignation.
Like many people, I found myself in a job that was requiring more from me without offering me more in return.
I was coming home burnt out and tired, with hardly any energy or time left for myself.
I didn’t have control over the decisions at work that were directly impacting me.
My work at my 9-5 job wasn’t fulfilling or energizing. I began to feel the clock ticking away on the time I could be spending towards my goals and vision for the future.
Most excitingly, I was starting to realize that there were opportunities all around me. And as someone who trained as an actor and got a degree in theatre, working a 9-5 in an office long term hadn’t ever been considered for my long term plan.
With a year of the pandemic gone, I started contemplating what it would actually take to live the life I wanted to live. Taking massive action towards a big change seemed like the next step.
I remember one exceedingly frustrating day at work; I came home and was ready to hand over my credit card and all my spare time to get out of my 9-5.
Why did I choose copywriting?
I had been interested in the world of online business for years. I had a blog, a domain, a hodgepodge skill set, but no real idea about what it took to be an online entrepreneur.
I’ve been a writer for years. From writing short stories in school, blogging in college, and playwriting while pursuing my major, writing was something I could never escape.
I saw myself eventually ending up on a beach somewhere writing books while living out the rest of my life.
Although I trained as an actor, I decided to move up this writing dream a couple of decades early. In the middle of the pandemic, it was a lot easier to start writing than it was to start acting again.
After working an analytical office job, I jumped at the chance to do something creative on a daily basis. I am extremely Type-A, which is why my clients love working with me, but I’m also creative too. Copywriting was a perfect blend of both these aspects of myself.
I decided to freelance because I’ve always wanted to be my own boss. One of the most draining things about my 9-5 was the lack of input I had in what I did, so I never wanted to encounter that again.
Being an entrepreneur is beyond exciting. In 2021, Americans registered 5.4 million new businesses, the highest record ever in recent history. It’s an exciting time to be an entrepreneur!
Why did I choose the personal development niche?
Although I had been writing about personal development topics on my blog for a while, I realized that growing a business that helped life coaches get life-changing teaching out to a wider audience could make a big impact in this world.
I could never imagine gatekeeping the personal development knowledge I’ve learned from anyone. I saw becoming a personal development copywriter as a great way to use my talents to help as many people as possible.
Everyday, I get to work with coaches and companies that are changing people’s lives. I am so honored to play a part in this wave of positivity. It becomes more necessary every single day.
How to quit your job to freelance write full time:
So, if any part of my story resonates with you, I’m happy to tell you how I did it. It’s such a wild ride, and it doesn’t look the same for anybody, but it’s so worth it.
Here’s how I got here, in a nutshell:
1. Learn how to write
If you want to be a freelance writer, I would recommend being literate! I’m assuming you are if you are reading this, so that’s a great first step.
Take a course, read books, and watch videos about writing good copy. It takes practice and technique, so find some structure and accountability to help you learn.
Most importantly, don’t get in your own way. It takes courage and vulnerability to put your writing out there, so don’t let fear stop you from doing it.
2. Learn how to freelance
The biggest part of being a good freelance writer is being a good contractor and business owner. You have to have a clear understanding of the role you’re playing within other people’s businesses.
Marketing and positioning are vital for your freelance business. That’s why it’s so important to have a niche! It’s much more impactful for you to be a perfect fit for some clients than an okay-fit for every client.
3. Pitch clients
Reach out to potential clients to tell them about your services. You won’t be a good fit for everybody you reach out to, but your ideal clients will thank you for taking the initiative to reach out to them. This can be done through job boards, freelancing marketplaces, cold pitching, or even talking to people in your network.
In the wake of the Great Resignation, the US is expected to spend $50 billion hiring in 2022. It’s expensive to attract and retain talent! As a freelancer, you are doing your clients a huge favor by reaching out to them first.
4. Save everything you make
I would highly recommend side hustling as a freelancer while you still have your full-time job. I saved everything I made as a freelancer for about 5 months until I was ready to quit my job.
Don’t get used to the extra spending money. When I was able to quit my job, I simply continued paying myself what my previous employer was paying me, so my lifestyle didn’t change financially at all.
5. Never stop learning
Listen, if you want to be a full-time freelance writer or personal development copywriter, you will have to learn a lot.
Since becoming an entrepreneur I’ve had to learn about marketing, networking, taxes, health insurance, time management, bookkeeping, etc. All of this is separate from my actual copywriting skills and personal development knowledge.
Don’t get overwhelmed by it all. Take it one day at a time and get curious about everything. I genuinely love learning new things about copywriting, psychology, entrepreneurship, and online business. I never get bored learning how to be better at what I do.
6. Put in your 2-week notice
Only your gut can tell you when it’s the best time to put in your 2-week notice. For myself, I knew it was time when the busy season was over at my 9-5 and I started getting asked if I would be around for the next season. I knew it wasn’t fair to keep them on the hook, so I quit.
It’s definitely nerve-wracking to quit the “stable job” you’ve been conditioned to rely on, but there’s no better feeling than finally having your time, creativity, and freedom back. I’m so glad I quit when I did, it’s been a wild ride ever since.
I know this seems like a very brief overview of my journey to being a personal development copywriter, but I honestly don’t think I would have done anything differently! I could feel bad about not getting started sooner, but I’m glad I finally took the leap when I did.
If you are wondering about my writing services, please check out my writing portfolio here.
And of course, if you have questions about my journey, you can reach out to me here. 😉
Wanna be friends on LinkedIn?