In Need of a Mentor

9 years ago

Hi there,

Many working copywriters with a lot of experience offer mentoring programs. There is a list of copywriters for hire in this forum among the "stickies." (Look up top on the Copywriting main page.)

Be prepared to pay for the privilege!

Best of luck to you,
Marcia Yudkin

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Check out Marcia Yudkin's No-Hype Marketing Academy for courses on copywriting, publicity, infomarketing, marketing plans, naming, and branding - not to mention the popular "Marketing for Introverts" course.

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BigFrank Banned 9 years ago

Please excuse my impudence, but your post makes me believe that you are still suffering from the vagaries associated with your depression.

If, as you say, you are an excellent writer - then write. The next step is to get your writing posted on as many outlets as possible. The next step would be to drive as many potential readers to your work, as possible.

None of the above requires a mentor of any sort. These are all S.O.P. for any online presence, and ways to accomplish these tasks are available in thousands of posts on this forum and are yours at no cost - if you utilize the search function.

As someone who was severely depressed for decades and ineffectual in anything I tried to accomplish because of it, I believe that you might be using your condition as an excuse to not take the simple actions required to get yourself moving in a positive direction, without the assistance of others.

Self-confidence is the key to fighting back from years of feeling unable to accomplish anything that you can take personal pride in. Set small, easily achievable goals for yourself and as you complete them you will find that you will be able to set each subsequent goal at a more demanding level, and accomplish them all.

The worse thing you can do is tell yourself that it's time to 'set the world on fire' and strike out on a project that will result in abject failure, thereby only worsening your self-image. The road back will be rife with obstacles and will take more time than you would hope, but it starts with baby steps.

Very little of what lies before you has anything to do with your writing. Most of it will have to do with your way of thinking. Stop looking outside yourself for answers and confidence building measures. Everything you seek lies within.

Life is short. Get to work.

Cheers. - Frank

P.S. Writing about the trials and tribulations associated with your psychological issues is a good way to gain a high degree of introspection and could help you gain perspective on how they have shaped your life while you were immersed in them. Just a thought on how you might exorcise your demons and generate some excellent output that may help others, simultaneously.
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Cybria

9 years ago

Thank you Marcia, I will look into that. I hadn't considered consulting before but you make a good case for it on your site. I'll definitely consider it.

Thanks for your input BigFrank. I've had a lot of time for introspection. I've concluded that guidance is something I could use at this point in my life. Structure is something I've been severely lacking, and if you have trouble establishing something for yourself, no harm in asking for help. Especially when it comes to depression. It's good to see that you've moved beyond those ineffectual years of your life. There are those who don't make it out at all.

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- Tiff

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BigFrank

Banned 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Cybria

Thanks for your input BigFrank. I've had a lot of time for introspection. I've concluded that guidance is something I could use at this point in my life. Structure is something I've been severely lacking, and if you have trouble establishing something for yourself, no harm in asking for help. Especially when it comes to depression.

I understand, completely. I would caution you against sharing all your personal details. Few people are looking to get involved with anyone they perceive as a having a condition which may have a deleterious effect on their performance. Trust me on this. Of course, if you're paying them money, they'll put up with almost anything.

It's good to see that you've moved beyond those ineffectual years of your life. There are those who don't make it out at all.

It's lifelong journey which I'm still navigating. You'll get there.

Cheers. - Frank

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angiecolee

9 years ago

Something important to consider...

Something that most newbies don't even have on the radar...

...is fit.

Seriously. DO NOT. I REPEAT, DO NOT. DO NOT settle for any mentor that will have you.

What I mean is, if you wind up partnered with someone who teaches in a style that is incompatible with how you learn, you could wind up with information overload, confusion, or even the feeling that you're in the wrong field.

The RIGHT fit is crucial. The wrong fit will make you question your judgment.

I agree with Frank - get out there and do. Read up on the stickies and get in up to your elbows with gaining traction and experience and clients. That stuff's in the stickies for a reason - it WORKS. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Find something that resonates with you and try it. Push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Get some experience and discover what really turns you on and what you really can't stand.

THEN you'll be ready to seek out people whose mindsets/styles are compatible with your own and start an invaluable relationship that includes mentoring.

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RickDuris

9 years ago

Cybria, your strategy is flawed. You're trying to solve a problem that's intrinsic to freelance copywriting.

And that's one of... self-determination, self-motivation, self-initiative, self-inspiration, self-management.

They're all REQUIRED to be successful.

In other words, this whole "hold me accountable" relationship you desire with someone is BULLSHIT.

Basically what you're implying when you say you need someone to hold you accountable is you're radioactive.

"Just tell me what to do and make sure I do it."

Any copywriter who needs someone to hold them accountable, should get a copywriting JOB. Freelance life is not for them.

Those of us who freelance, would DESPISE someone trying to hold them accountable.

I DO appreciate you wanting to learn copywriting, I appreciate you've been struggling emotionally and I admire that you've gotten to the point where you've turned a corner and you're reaching out for guidance.

Guidance is fine, training is great, coaching/mentoring is wonderful. However, no successful freelance copywriter will want to manage you.

But maybe I'm wrong. We'll see.

- Rick Duris

PS: Great book on the subject: "Do the Work" by Steven Pressfield.

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splitTest

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Cybria

So, I have been in content marketing for quite a few years. But a number of factors have made it so that I've never been able to make a good living out of it. Namely, I've been clinically depressed for most of my life. It's led to a cycle of disappointment that I've found difficult to escape from. It got to the point where leaving the U.S was the best option fr me to find somewhere with a lower cost of living. Depressingly enough, I am still struggling financially.
I am now on the eve of my 30th birthday, and I've decided that I have to do something to turn my life around. I have dreams. One of them is to become a full time freelance copywriter and also self publish my own fiction on Kindle (I adore "Write, Publish, Repeat). I've read books, I've joined courses, but I need guidance. I need someone who will hold me accountable and lead me on the right path. In return, I'd be willing to offer assistance in different capacities. I've been a virtual assistant, and I'm a damn good writer. I also don't mind doing link building grunt work.
I know I'm very good at what I do. I have a couple of spec ads and a blog. I have amazing potential. I just need a mentor who can help me get to where I know I can be. Do get in touch if you think we'd be a good fit.

I wonder if maybe your depression is leading you to only go for jobs that pay small -- and not shoot for stuff that can help you make a real living.

I made that mistake early on -- thinking that I only had the chops to work for really low-pay stuff.

Thinking like that is a mistake, mainly because no matter your experience level or talent, if you want to make a living as a freelancer, you're going to have to make real money. Money for vacations, car repairs, dental appointments, insurance, new computers, etc. etc.

Either you're going to succeed at that, or you're going to fail. ... So shoot for success from the start! The worst that can happen is that you "fail fast"... and in a way, that's a blessing because you know quickly to move on to some other challenge, and you haven't wasted much time.

You don't want to "fail slow"... You don't want to stretch it out forever... Go for the gusto. And remember -- victory is damn good medicine!

...And please don't pay anyone for any damn "mentoring"... Especially if you're low on $$. I've said it before and I've said it again: Real mentors don't charge. They do it because they're interested in helping you. Maybe you can find a "mentor" that will instruct you & steer work your way and then take a cut of the earnings, but that kind of "mentor" is rare...

Outside of that, if they charge, they're a consultant, not a mentor. And they're likely taking you on for the $$, not because they see any potential in you. Maybe you need to find a writing partner or join a group that will impose the sort of "esprit du corps" and accountability you need. You might want to try to find partners (and advice) at Writing: Freelancing - WAHM Forums - WAHM.com (a writers forum for work-at-home-moms).

...And P.S. -- Rick's post hits the nail on the head. If you want to be a freelancer, self-discipline is a KEY INGREDIENT. If you're missing that, don't become a freelancer...

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Steve The Copywriter

9 years ago

Cybria,

I understand your views.

Some copywriters say, "All these years ago, If only I had been lucky enough to have found a mentor, all the problems would have vanished and I would have progressed so much faster!"

Not too surprisingly they are now "Mentors" with many charging fees that can be a touch eye watering.

And as Angie said they have to be a perfect fit. There can't be serious personality clashes, there has to be an empathy or a "meeting" point or you'll both be travelling in different directions. With endless upsets and fallouts.

Not good.

Perhaps a solution could be to have a "Critiquer" someone who just gives advice on improving your copy.

This here forum does this. No charge.

But...

It can be harsh.

Sometimes you get comments like "Its terrible, bin it and start again, without telling you why is is "terrible."

Not helpful.

The antidote is..

Often you get an absolute gem of a critique with tactics, thoughts and ideas that resonate with you and you just know they will dramatically enhance your copy and boost the response.

There are some brilliant people here who can help do this for you.

Steve