What Abraham Lincoln and AWAI Member Steve Coombes Can Teach You About Success By Guillermo Rubio, AWAI Staff Writer

“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”
– Abraham Lincoln

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of interviewing AWAI member Steve Coombes.

He scored BIG on a recent web copy assignment he completed. His client’s brand-new website secured the #1 spot on Google for several lucrative keyphrases in less than two weeks. Plus, the website is now converting at around 30%!

In the world of web copywriting, these kinds of results are like kicking the pants off a strong direct-mail control!

As I learned more about Steve, I realized the “secret” to his success is the same one I used when I first took the plunge as a copywriter. And if you’re still struggling to get your career up and running, it’s the same secret you can use starting today to put yourself on the fast track to copywriting success.

Like many aspiring copywriters, Steve started the Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting but then stopped.

Steve said, “I piddled with the basic copywriting program for over a year – starting, stopping, and restarting the program a few times – but never really accomplishing anything. Near the end of July 2007, I decided to finally get serious with copywriting … to stop reading about success stories and start taking action to become one.”

As if an answer to a prayer, two days later he received an invitation to join AWAI’s Circle of Success.

Recalls Steve, “This was ‘make it or break it’ time … So I made a promise to my wife that when I signed up for Circle of Success, my extra income from copywriting would cover every dime of the program.”

Today, less than a year later, Steve is on his way to becoming a six-figure web copywriter. This month alone he’s already brought in $4,000 in new business … while still holding down a full-time job.

Steve told me the secret to his success was in this simple realization:

“Only action begets results. Don’t wait until you’re an ‘expert’ before getting started. You’ll never become one UNTIL you get started. Like Michael Masterson says, ‘Ready, Fire, Aim’ … ”

How true.

Like Steve, I realized waiting is a mistake. I had studied the basic copywriting program for two years before I decided to do anything with the knowledge I gained. Once I made the decision, I took action. I put on my best suit and went door-to-door to businesses I wanted to work for. That’s how I landed my full-time copywriting gig here at AWAI.

Now that I look back on it, the reason I waited so long before taking action is that I wanted to be “perfect” before I even started. I wanted to know everything there is to learn about the art and science of copywriting and direct-response marketing before taking action to get clients.

If your copywriting dreams aren’t coming true as quickly as you’d like them to, take an introspective look at yourself and ask why. Be honest with yourself. Are you waiting for the perfect time to take action? To finish the basic program? To come to Bootcamp and network with potential clients? To do anything that will get you closer to your goals?

Whatever it is you’re waiting for, realize that right now is the “perfect time.”

The longer you wait to take action, the more opportunities you miss.

So if you’ve been putting your dreams of living the copywriter’s lifestyle on hold, I urge you to take action. Start small if you have to. Set a deadline to finish the basic copywriting program in the next 60 days. Create a website selling your services. Work on a few samples to add to your portfolio.

Do anything but wait any longer.

“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.”
Napoleon Hill, Author of Think & Grow Rich