Mindset Shifts for a Happier and Healthier Freelance Copywriting Business

The key to a long-term freelance copywriting career all lies within mindset, and there are a few specific things that apply to our industry that are important to keep in mind.

Anyone can build a freelance copywriting business. Seriously. There are people who don’t speak English as their first language out there supporting their families through copywriting. People use copywriting to earn some extra spending money, and people use copywriting to supplement a full-time income and quit their 9-5. The trick is to build that business in a way that’s supportive of your nervous system. You want to avoid burnout because you’re in this for the long haul, and here are some important things to keep in mind to help you get there.

You’re Not a Mind Reader

Your job as a copywriter is to do the best you can do with the materials you are given. It’s also your job to ask a lot of questions so that you have everything you need to create really good work. But you’re not a magician. You can’t see into peoples’ minds to find missing pieces you had no idea existed. 

If you deliver a project and it “misses the mark” due to something that you had no knowledge of, that’s not your fault. It’s going to be annoying at first to have to redo something or start over, but it is what it is and there’s always a lesson to be learned.

You can use that experience to implement new processes, new standard operating procedures, or new systems for work requests. You can also use it as a way to show your clients how important it is that they take the time to send you all the materials you need to do the job right.

That’s Someone Else’s Job

Depending on your personality, it might be natural for you to take the weight of the world onto your shoulders. If you’re like me, you’re an overachiever by nature and you want the project to be done right no matter what. 

You probably hated group projects in school because you would end up doing all the work and sharing the credit for it. But for peace of mind, and just to make life easier, if it’s not your job, trust that someone else will do it right, or at least good enough. Worrying about their sh** isn’t worth the stress on your nervous system. And other people are more capable than you think.

There was a trending sound going around TikTok for a whole that repeated the phrase “not my circus, not my monkeys,” and that’s so perfect for this industry. We don’t have to solve every problem for our clients. Do they want to pay us for our time? Then maybe consider it. But this is when it’s important to have boundaries, keep them, and be selfish.

It Can Wait

If you come from a corporate background, especially in advertising and marketing agencies, you know that there’s always this false sense of urgency floating in the air. Well – especially if you have shit leadership who can’t control the narrative with clients and set reasonable expectations and support their creatives. But since you’re a freelancer, you do have that control! 

Remember that “ASAP” stands for as soon as POSSIBLE. Not “right now.” They might think it means right now, but it doesn’t. And “possible” for you might be at the end of the week or by next Wednesday.

Also, you get to set the president for how fast you respond to emails, Slack messages, etc. If you’re used to responding right away in order to “keep up” with the culture, take a moment to remind yourself that you don’t “have to” do that, and it can wait. They can wait. Notice what feels best in your body, and also what’s the most efficient for your schedule, and go from there.

Is it above your pay grade?

This goes back to releasing the control over things that aren’t your job or responsibility. You might notice areas of improvement within a client’s business structure or the technology and systems they use, but if you’re not being compensated for your time, it’s not worth it. 

And, honestly, your suggestions might just fall on deaf ears anyway because you’re an outside contractor. If a task or responsibility is put on you that seems a little “too big” for what they’re paying you to do, or is far out of the scope of your original agreement, it’s time to have a conversation and reinstate some boundaries with that client. 

Or come up with a new contract. Why take on the extra stress of major projects when it’s not your company? Because you’re a good person, I get it, but you don’t have to be everyone’s hero. You just have to be YOUR hero.

Rewrite the Story

This is a self-coaching opportunity that will do any copywriter some good. Remember that you are an observer of your thoughts, and when you control your thoughts you control your actions and your circumstances can change. If someone sends you a sassy email, for example, take a minute to stop and observe what thoughts come up around that circumstance. Why are you feeling that way? When did you decide that? Is it possible the person sending the feedback misunderstood something and you just need to explain it better? Is it possible that they’re having a bad day? Of course. 

Any of this is possible so all you are in charge of is reacting in a way that’s healthy and productive. The email itself is actually neutral – no matter how rude it seems 😉 And always have sage or something to burn for those moments. It stings at first and I know I get frustrated/annoyed, but it’s cathartic to burn something and get that yucky energy away from you. Affirmations and positive self-talk help too. Replace the negative, self-sabotaging throughs with “I am an amazing copywriter” or “people love paying me for my work,” and let that track run in your head for a while.

Stop Over-Explaining and Overappologizing 

Do you say sorry too much? I know I do! Most of the time I’m not actually sorry, (this might be a Taurus thing too, it’s hard for us to say sorry), but it’s more of a self-preservation model. If I say sorry, they can’t be mad. But really, you did nothing wrong. Most of the times it’s a simple miscommunication that just needs clarification. Saying sorry too much can come off as insecurity too, and you want your clients to feel safe and confident in your work. You get to lead the way with your energy, so when you are confident, they will be confident in you.

Want to connect with other passionate female copywriters, grow your network to get new leads, improve your craft as a writer, and have a safe space to vent about clients? Join us in the Copywriting Girls Club! It’s our private girl gang on Facebook, and we would love to have you in there to share your zone of genius.