Suicidally depressed copywriter tells you how to have more fun

“Freelance copywriting changed my life. I went from making 30 grand a year to making 200 grand a year in a year and a half. That changed my life.”

I was talking today to a very successful copywriter who sells his own products. (Not the guy who said the quote above. We’ll get to him in a second.)

The copywriter I was talking to called me out on the fact that I seem indifferent about promoting myself and my list.

And it’s true. One reason is because I do client work. Client work makes me money, and so I don’t rely on my list for an income. But client work also takes up my time, so I don’t have as much drive to promote myself.

“When I was a copywriter making 20 grand a month, I was hustling every day for that 20 grand. I was trading time for money.”

Once my conversation with the very successful copywriter wound down, it was time to write this email. So I started shuffling through notes for an idea to share with you.

And it just so happened that after a handful of shuffling, I came across an interview I’d listened to last year. A second very successful copywriter, also selling his own products.

“My absolute best year as a freelance copywriter I made, I think, $350,000. My worst year as a product owner, which was a few years ago, when I could not work, when I was suicidally depressed, and I was so sick I could barely get out of bed and I was basically crippled, I made $400,000. But I didn’t do any work. I think I wrote one sales letter that year.”

Maybe you can guess from that quote who said it. It’s Chris Haddad.

Chris is​​ who I quoted at the top and throughout today’s email. He’s also somebody I found myself subconsciously imitating on more than one occasion (hello horror advertorials).
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So let me leave you today with a bit of advice from Chris. Or really, am I just telling for my own benefit? In any case, here’s what Chris says:

“The biggest piece of advice I give copywriters is start being a product owner instead. I only wish I had done that 3 years earlier. I would have made a lot more money. And it’s a lot more fun.”

And if you want to get on my list — or not, it’s still up to you, no pressure — here’s where you can sign up.