Start Earning as a Freelance Copywriter Now (Even Without Expensive Courses)

Summary

This video challenges the common belief that expensive courses and degrees are essential for success in freelancing. It argues that certifications and degrees are not prerequisites for starting a freelance career, but rather confidence and practical experience are key. The speaker shares personal insights, emphasizing that taking risks and learning from real-world projects are more valuable than endless learning. The video encourages viewers to start their freelance journey now, without waiting for the perfect moment or credentials, and offers unconventional advice to help them succeed.

Takeaways

• 🚫 Avoiding the Misconception: Expensive courses and fancy degrees are not prerequisites for starting a freelance career.
• 📜 Certifications are often for personal confidence or as a marketing tool, but they are not essential to begin earning as a freelancer.
• 🔄 The cycle of continuous learning can be endless; don't let the pursuit of more knowledge hold you back from starting to earn money.
• 🎓 Having a degree is not a requirement in freelance work, as clients are more interested in your work and skills than your educational background.
• 🛤️ Choosing the right path: Opt for action and learning through experience over staying safe and only consuming courses.
• 🤔 Reevaluate the belief that you need certifications or degrees to offer freelance services, as they are more of a 'nice to have' than a necessity.
• 💡 Embrace the 'do it messy and do it scared' approach to gain valuable lessons and move forward in your freelance career.
• 🛑 Recognize that failure is part of the process; it allows for growth and is essential for building resilience in your freelance journey.
• 💼 Understand that taking on new challenges, even when you're not confident, is how you progress and learn in the freelance world.
• 🔄 Learn from real-world experiences and client feedback to improve your skills, rather than relying solely on theoretical knowledge.
• 🌅 Adopting the right mindset is crucial for success in freelance work, and this often starts with how you structure your day and approach challenges.

Q & A

What is the main misconception about expensive courses and fancy degrees discussed in the video?

The main misconception is that expensive courses and fancy degrees are necessary to succeed, but the video argues that they are not required to get started and can actually hold people back by creating an endless cycle of learning without taking action.

What are the two main purposes of a certification according to the script?

The two main purposes of a certification are to make the individual feel better about themselves and to serve as a decoration for their website and marketing materials to showcase their learning and skills.

Why does the video suggest that having a certification might not be the best step for a new freelancer?

The video suggests that certifications might not be the best step because they can lead to a never-ending cycle of learning and not feeling ready to start, which can prevent freelancers from taking the necessary action to earn money.

What is the speaker's personal experience with certifications in their freelance copywriting career?

The speaker has made multiple six figures as a freelance copywriter without a single certification, indicating that certifications are not a prerequisite for success in the field.

Why might a degree not be necessary for a freelancer according to the video?

A degree might not be necessary because clients are more interested in the quality of work and the freelancer's ability to meet their needs rather than formal education.

What is the 'do it messy and do it scared' approach mentioned in the video?

The 'do it messy and do it scared' approach is about taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from the experience, which is more valuable than staying safe and not taking action.

What is the key difference between the two paths the video describes for freelancers?

The key difference is that one path involves staying safe and not taking action due to fear of failure, while the other involves taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from the experience to move forward.

Why is it beneficial for freelancers to start taking on projects even if they don't feel ready?

It's beneficial because it builds the necessary resilience and learning experience needed for the freelance journey, allowing for growth and improvement through real-world feedback and challenges.

What does the video suggest is more important than taking more courses for a freelancer?

The video suggests that taking action, getting real-world experience, and learning from client feedback is more important than taking more courses.

How does the video address the feeling of being a fraud or an impostor in the beginning of a freelance career?

The video acknowledges that even successful freelancers felt like impostors in the beginning and emphasizes that the key is to gain real-world experience and learn from it, rather than waiting to feel completely ready.

What is the 'Five-Step Freedom Framework' mentioned in the video?

While the specific details of the 'Five-Step Freedom Framework' are not provided in the script, it is implied to be a method or system that the speaker uses to help freelancers achieve success by flipping the understanding of client work as part of the learning experience.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Debunking the Myth of Needing Certifications and Degrees for Freelancing

The video script starts by challenging the common belief that expensive courses and fancy degrees are prerequisites for success in freelancing. The speaker argues that such certifications and degrees are not necessary to start earning money as a freelancer. They serve mainly to boost one's confidence and act as a decorative addition to a freelancer's website and marketing materials. The speaker emphasizes that practical experience and client feedback are more valuable than formal education for honing one's craft. They share their personal experience of achieving success as a freelance copywriter without any certifications and encourage viewers to re-evaluate their assumptions about the necessity of formal education for freelancing.

05:00

🚀 Taking Action Over Perfection: The Path to Freelance Success

In the second paragraph, the speaker discusses the importance of taking action over the pursuit of perfection. They present two paths: one where a person remains safe by avoiding risks and never learning from failure, and another where they embrace the possibility of making mistakes to gain valuable experience. The speaker advocates for the latter, explaining that continuous learning and adapting are essential for a thriving freelance career. They share a personal anecdote about taking on a challenging project in direct response conversion copywriting, which did not go as planned but provided a learning opportunity. The story illustrates the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and learning through real-world experience, rather than relying solely on courses and certifications.

10:02

🌅 The Power of Morning Routines and Mindset in Freelance Success

The final paragraph shifts focus to the mindset required for building a successful freelance business. The speaker hints at sharing their morning routine and its impact on their success, suggesting that it is based on scientific principles. They argue that having a proper mindset is crucial, as it is not enough to know the steps to take; one must also be mentally prepared to execute them. The speaker promises to reveal why complicated morning routines are not necessary and how taking charge of one's mornings can set the stage for success in freelancing and other entrepreneurial ventures.

Keywords

💡Certification

Certification in the context of the video refers to a formal recognition of skills or knowledge acquired through a course or program. It is often sought to boost confidence and serve as a credential on a resume or marketing materials. However, the video argues that a certification is not necessary to start earning as a freelancer, as it can be more of a confidence booster and a decorative addition to one's profile rather than a prerequisite for success.

💡Freelancer

A freelancer is an individual who is self-employed and offers professional services to clients on a flexible, project-by-project basis. The video emphasizes that freelancers do not need expensive courses, fancy degrees, or certifications to begin their careers. Instead, they should focus on practical skills and real-world experience.

💡Misconception

The term 'misconception' in the video refers to the false belief that expensive courses, fancy degrees, or certifications are essential for starting a freelance career. The video aims to debunk this notion by explaining that practical experience and continuous learning are more valuable.

💡Learning

Learning in the video is portrayed as an ongoing process that is crucial for a freelancer's growth. However, it warns against the trap of endless learning without taking action. The video suggests that learning should be coupled with practical application to be effective.

💡Action

Action is highlighted as a critical step for freelancers to move forward in their careers. The video encourages taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from real-world experiences rather than staying in a comfort zone of continuous learning without applying knowledge.

💡Impostor Syndrome

Impostor syndrome is the feeling of inadequacy and fear that one does not deserve their success or position. The video touches on this concept, suggesting that many freelancers may feel like impostors without formal education, but emphasizes that real-world skills and client feedback are more important.

💡Direct Response Conversion Copywriting

This term refers to a specific type of copywriting that aims to prompt a direct response from the reader, often for sales or conversions. The video uses this as an example of a skill that the speaker was initially not confident in but later developed through taking on challenging projects and learning from experience.

💡Falling on Your Face

In the video, 'falling on your face' is a metaphor for making mistakes or failing. It is presented as a necessary part of the learning process for freelancers, suggesting that taking risks and experiencing failure can lead to valuable lessons and growth.

💡Mentoring

Mentoring in the context of the video refers to the guidance and advice provided by experienced individuals to those who are starting their freelance careers. The video mentions that the speaker has mentored hundreds of freelancers, indicating the importance of learning from others' experiences.

💡Mindset

Mindset is portrayed as a fundamental aspect of building a successful freelance business. The video suggests that having the right mindset, which includes being willing to take risks and learn from failures, is more important than having formal education or certifications.

💡Morning Routine

Although not explicitly detailed in the transcript, the mention of a morning routine implies a daily practice that sets the tone for productivity and success. The video suggests that taking charge of one's mornings can contribute to achieving goals and building a thriving freelance career.

Highlights

The video challenges the misconception that expensive courses and fancy degrees are necessary for success.

It offers practical tips for starting a freelance career without certifications, degrees, or pricey programs.

Certifications are often sought for personal confidence and as a marketing tool, but are not essential to start earning.

The speaker shares personal experience as a successful freelance copywriter without any certifications.

Degrees are not a prerequisite for freelance success, as clients value skills and work over academic credentials.

The speaker argues against the insecurity of not having a degree and encourages focusing on skills and client satisfaction.

Online courses are not a requirement for starting a freelance business, but can be beneficial for ongoing learning.

The importance of taking action and learning from experience, rather than waiting for the 'perfect' moment or knowledge.

The 'do it messy and do it scared' approach is advocated as a way to gain valuable lessons and move forward.

The speaker shares a personal story of stepping out of comfort zone to take on a direct response copywriting challenge.

The importance of continuous learning and improvement throughout a freelance career is emphasized.

The video discusses the mindset shift needed to see client work as part of the learning process.

The speaker explains why taking risks and making mistakes are integral to growth as a freelancer.

The video touches on the importance of feedback from clients as a means to improve skills.

The speaker debunks the myth of feeling completely ready before starting a freelance career.

The video concludes by highlighting the importance of mindset in building a successful freelance business.

A teaser for the next video on taking charge of mornings to set up for success is given.

Transcripts

what if I told you that the expensive

courses and fancy degrees that you think

you need are actually what's holding you

back in this video I'm going to explain

why that's a misconception and how you

can start earning money as a freelancer

right now no certifications no degrees

no pricey programs just practical tips

you can use to get started today keep

watching until the end because I am

going to reveal the unconventional path

that many online freelance gurus are not

going to tell you so here's why you

don't need a certification if you're a

freelance copywriter which a lot of

people watching this channel are you

might be tempted to go and get a

certification from a well-known

copyrighting Guru and I'm not saying

that that is bad or that you shouldn't

I'm saying you don't need it to get

started and to start making money

understand that a certification is

mostly going to be for two reasons these

are the two purposes that it serves

number one it's going to make you feel

better about yourself maybe you feel

like if I just have this one

certification and I enroll in this

course and take this course I will feel

more confident and I'll be able to go

out there

in theory that makes sense and if that's

where it stopped I would say by all

means go and enroll in that course and

get that certification the problem is is

that it never ends for most Freelancers

who are new they take the course they

still don't feel ready they get the

certification they still don't feel

ready and then it becomes an endless

cycle of learning and I talk about that

in my video about why just knowing more

and learning more doesn't actually make

you any money so make sure you check

that video out but the other thing a

certification does is it can be a nice

little decoration for your website and

for your marketing materials to let the

client know like hey I'm really learned

in my skill in my craft and I have taken

multiple courses and certifications

again nice things to have but are they

necessary to get started no I would say

that those are ancillary things you can

do throughout your freelance career once

you've established yourself you're

making money and now you're ready to

hone your craft but to get all of that

before you start making money might not

be the best step if you're looking to

make money now I've made multiple six

figures as a freelance copywriter for

the past last four or 5 years and I

don't have a single certification it's

not to say I didn't take courses I love

like Hub spots free resources but a

prerequisite it's not a standard it's

not something that the client is going

to necessarily demand it's really just a

nice to have so if you're letting that

stop you I would say it's time to

re-evaluate the assumption that you need

a certification to offer freelance

Services you also don't need a degree a

lot of Freelancers are insecure maybe

because they don't have a college degree

they didn't get that opportunity a lot

of people went and got a degree in

something that has nothing to do with

the service they want to offer that

becomes an insecurity but I just want

you to think about it like this when was

the last time you hired a photographer

whether it was a family photographer a

photographer for your baby for your

engagement for your wedding how many

times did you ask someone you hired for

photography Services what college they

went to and what degree they got more

likely you just wanted to see their work

see what they did and determined whether

or not they fit the vibe you were going

for same with other services if you are

bring bring in a handyman or a

contractor to work on your house did you

say like let me see where you got

educated where did you get your plumbing

certification where did you learn to be

a contractor or did you just care more

about whether or not they were highly

referred by your neighbor so when people

are hiring you for services it's not

your degree that's going to impress them

other things have a lot more weight so

if you're letting that hold you back I

really recommend to shake that off and

to go find examples which there are

plenty of writers who did not have a

bachelor's degree and still became

really talented freelance service

providers with very profitable

businesses and maybe even look at all of

the people who are college dropouts and

who founded multi-million dollar

companies but do you need online courses

I mean I know you've been eyeing that

one course you've been consuming the

content you're thinking about pulling

the trigger and you just think okay if I

took that course that will get me to

where I want to be let me break this

down for you the way I see it the way

that it worked for me the way that it

has worked for the hundreds of

Freelancers that I've mentored it really

all boils down to this you have two

options okay you are at a juncture right

now and there's one of two paths you can

take path number one is you just keep

telling yourself I'm not ready I don't

know how to do that I don't know how

that's going to play out if I say yes to

that project I don't know if I'm going

to be able to deliver on it when you do

this when you keep telling yourself that

even if it's true you're refusing to

make yourself uncomfortable and you're

keeping yourself safe if you don't make

a move you will never look stupid you

won't make a fool of yourself you will

stay safe you will not make mistakes but

you also will not get any closer to the

end goal which is to build a thriving

freelance career free yourself from your

9 to5 and become gainfully self-employed

and then there's option two path number

two you take the do it messy and do it

scared approach you risk falling on your

face and looking stupid but you also in

the process learn really valuable

lessons and you move forward so much

more knowledgeable in experience and the

key here is that this is a choice it's a

choice you get to make keep yourself

safe and convince yourself that you

don't know enough when really we have

access to the internet you can Google

anything and ask chat gbt to tell you

everything you need to know keep telling

yourself that you just don't know enough

you're not comfortable congratulations

you will stay safe and you won't look

dumb but you'll also stay miserable

because you're not moving toward your

goal or option number two is being

willing to make a fool out of yourself

being willing to put yourself out there

and make yourself vulnerable and then

you learn such valuable lessons you fail

fast and you move forward now let me

explain to you why it's more worth it to

take path number two and risk looking

stupid just for the sake of taking

action and getting it done it's because

this is something you're going to have

to continually do throughout your

freelance career this isn't just that

one Leap of Faith you take in the very

beginning you have to continue to take

leaps of faith and make yourself

uncomfortable throughout this journey so

why don't you start building that muscle

now knowing that you're going to need

that strength for later I'm just going

to give you a prime example of this so

I've made a really really great living

offering freelance writing services more

content writing than conversion

copywriting so I've offered blog

Services landing pages email sequences

yes there's some conversion copywriting

a lot of my direct response and

conversion copywriting actually comes

from my online courses my online

presence and doing my own learning in

that way it's not something that I've

offered to freelance clients so

therefore I really don't feel confident

marketing myself to my clients as like

hey I am a direct response conversion

copywriter so this year I set out to

take on new challenges in my freelance

business and write more direct response

conversion copywriting despite the fact

that I never really offered that as a

service so I got my foot in the door

with an opportunity which I feel like

that's a whole other lesson of like how

you can propose new services to clients

when you're not necessarily experienced

and still convince them to let you have

the opportunity but that's a whole other

video in this specific circumstance I

had proposed to write Google ads for a

well-known tech company and I got the

opportunity and I wasn't exper

I'm not the best ad writer but I tried

to learn all that I could in a short

period amount of time I did all the

research I you know prepared I learned

and I submitted the work I even ran the

work by other people I was very nervous

about this opportunity and the client

wasn't happy with it and we were going

back and forth on revisions and I

finally at some point realized like you

know I don't even think this is good for

the client if I continue on this path

like they're clearly not happy with the

job I'm doing I'm not really feeling

great about the direction they're giving

me I don't feel like I can win in this

situation so I think it's just best if

we go our separate ways and I actually

backed out of the project if you ever

want a template check out the freelance

template Playbook because there's a

template on how to part ways with a

client without Burning Bridges and doing

it professionally and amicably but you

know I used that template I sent that

email and I acknowledged it wasn't a

good fit and they probably agreed we

went our separate way is the point of me

sharing this story is that I'm 5 years

into this and I'm still doing the

gut-wrenching exercise of putting myself

out there with the opportunity to fail

and to fall on my face and for things to

not work out that's how you progress as

a freelancer is not by staying in your

safety box and taking more courses and

feeling like one day someone's going to

give you permission to do this as a

career you have to get out of that box

you have to raise your hand and actually

say I want to take that on and have the

balls to just do it despite the fact

that you don't feel ready and you might

fail and guess what you'll live you'll

wake up tomorrow is a new day there's

always a new client out there and you

move on and you learn but you're not

going to ever have that experience and

build that endurance unless you actually

go out and do it the truth is you don't

need another course before you get

started if you're a graphic designer if

you're a writer if you're a web

developer if you're a consultant there's

a reason why you're going down this path

and why you're watching this video to

begin with right it's because you have

an existing skill that you want to offer

to other people and maybe you don't feel

ready but for example it wouldn't make

sense for me to go offer Graphic Design

Services because I don't even like doing

that nor do I have any Talent OR ability

if you're looking at freelance writing

as a career if you're looking at graphic

design or web development you have some

sort of Something's bringing you in that

direction you're interested in that you

have some type of skill right so now

it's just a matter of improving upon it

and how are you going to improve upon it

by actually going out and doing the work

and getting feedback from clients so

yeah you're probably not the best

copywriter right now but neither was I

when I started as a matter of fact I had

never been published or paid to write

before but I became decent by getting

feedback from clients who were pointing

out what I was doing wrong I got them to

give me a chance and then I improveed

based on their feedback nobody feels

completely ready when they start in this

field even the person that you're

looking up to right now who seems like

they have it all figured out they felt

like a total fraud and a total impostor

in the beginning the key here and why my

five-step freedom framework actually

works for Freelancers I flip the

understanding and make you see client

work as part of your learning experience

because when you actually take that step

you're positioning yourself to

continuously learn and improve your

current skills what you're capable of

right now have brought you to this video

that proves there's potential now it's

time to gain Real World experience that

transforms that potential into success

as you can tell building a freelance

business or building an online business

or becoming self-employed starting any

Endeavor of any kind comes down to

mindset because knowing the steps to

take is not enough or else everybody

would be super successful since there's

so much information available online

what's missing is the mindset work and

that's why I want to pull back the

curtain and let you know a bit about the

mindset that I've adopted and that

actually starts with what I do in the

morning I'm going to to share with you

how I took charge of my mornings and how

that actually has set me up for so much

success and it's not just me it's based

on science and best of all I'm going to

share why these long drawn out

complicated morning routines are not

actually necessary so do not miss that

video next see you