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Job Dilemma

by JPLime
6 replies
I would like to own a successful freelance copywriting business. I'm just starting out learning the craft and plan to go the self-study route for now (books, online courses, spec projects to build my portfolio).

Ideally, I could go out and get an entry-level job in copywriting, but, where I live, they are scarce and don't pay enough to support myself.

Here's the dilemma:
I have an opportunity to do sort of an apprenticeship as a web developer. The company trains me in web development and then I am hired to work for them. The pay is doable. But once hired, I'm contracted to work with the company for two years.

Part of me thinks it's a great opportunity for a plan B career and part of me thinks I'm only locking myself out of being able to fully devote myself to copywriting over the next few years, which is what I really want to do.

Should I continue working in no-brainer jobs (office assistant/customer service) with the freedom to transition into full-time copywriting, should the opportunity arise, over the next year or so?

Or, take the opportunity to study web development and have this job for two years, which would require time and commitment that might steal away from copywriting?

If you had the desire to be a copywriter, would you nix other potentially promising opportunities in order to fully devote yourself to it?
#advice #career #dilemma #job
  • Profile picture of the author Chriswrighto
    It comes down to how much you really want to be a copywriter...

    There's no right or wrong answer.

    Having a plan B is great... but your option potentially delays your career by two years.

    With that said... it's about trusting your gut.

    It also helps if you've dipped your toe in the copywriting world. So... have you? Have you written before?

    -Chris
    Signature

    Wealthcopywriter.com :)

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    • Profile picture of the author JPLime
      Thanks for the reply.

      It also helps if you've dipped your toe in the copywriting world. So... have you? Have you written before?
      For a brief period of a month, I assisted a university marketing dept with brainstorming and editing marcom collateral. That's about as close as I've come to copywriting. I'm going through my first book right now.

      Having a plan B is great... but your option potentially delays your career by two years.
      You're right. There may be other plan B opportunities in the future that don't come with a contract. This one just landed in my lap and I have to decide in a week. Fun times.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    You may well have answered your own question.

    Go for the web dev job.

    Because if you really, really, really wanted to be a copywriter.

    That's what you would be doing.


    Yea, I know the above is not exactly helpful.

    It's not easy to ignore a different job that pays the bills.

    Here's a more useful thought.

    Say you did the web dev job.

    After a site has been technically deve'd - it needs another crucial dev.

    Ace copy.

    So, there must be a good chance of developing sites and writing the copy.


    Steve
    Signature
    http://www.warriorforum.com/warriors...right-now.html
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason1975
    Originally Posted by JPLime View Post

    I would like to own a successful freelance copywriting business. I'm just starting out learning the craft and plan to go the self-study route for now (books, online courses, spec projects to build my portfolio).

    Ideally, I could go out and get an entry-level job in copywriting, but, where I live, they are scarce and don't pay enough to support myself.

    Here's the dilemma:
    I have an opportunity to do sort of an apprenticeship as a web developer. The company trains me in web development and then I am hired to work for them. The pay is doable. But once hired, I'm contracted to work with the company for two years.

    Part of me thinks it's a great opportunity for a plan B career and part of me thinks I'm only locking myself out of being able to fully devote myself to copywriting over the next few years, which is what I really want to do.

    Should I continue working in no-brainer jobs (office assistant/customer service) with the freedom to transition into full-time copywriting, should the opportunity arise, over the next year or so?

    Or, take the opportunity to study web development and have this job for two years, which would require time and commitment that might steal away from copywriting?

    If you had the desire to be a copywriter, would you nix other potentially promising opportunities in order to fully devote yourself to it?

    Being someone that earned my BA in advertising copywriting years ago and then switched to get my MA in clinical psychology I can say this; if you love copywriting, go for it. The copywriting game has changed so much over the years and is really something you need to stay on top of. However, it sounds like you have a great opportunity to learn web development and get paid for it. During this time you can work on your writing. Possibly get yourself work on fiverr or elance to start building your portfolio. After two years time you'll have really solid skills in two profitable areas.
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  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    This is a question only you can answer truthfully.

    That said, you won't write great copy if you're constantly worried about whether or not you're going to be able to feed yourself or have a roof over your head. Been there, done that.

    For me, it turned out alright. I took unemployment and what copywriting jobs I could get. Years later, I'm working full time.

    You have to do what you can to mitigate those fears and insecurities though. They have a way of leaching into your work. If you take the contract job and write on the side, great. If you go balls to the wall and decide only copy will do, great.

    But I tend to side with Steve - having a Plan B before you've even really started on Plan A kinda says to me you don't think you'll do well at Plan A.

    If you don't believe in you, how on earth do you plan to be successful?
    Signature

    Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      Asking people you don't know... and who don't know you... "what should I do with my life" questions on a public forum strikes me as ridiculous.

      Reminds me of the old saying, "If you need a prophet to tell you when to go preach overseas, you'd better take him with you so you'll know when to come back."

      Alex
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