But I’ve been following AWAI ever since, I’ve completed several B2B courses (including case studies), and am in the middle of the B2B Companion series – best decision I’ve made so far. I am on track to launch my freelance website and business before the end of the year. I’m sure I’ll be pushing the rock for a while, but I’m an old retired guy, so I doubt I’ll need more than a handful of clients to keep me as busy as I want to be. Hopefully that won’t take too long…

We are “launching” – a seeming forever process. I am fortunate that my wife and I are working as a team, which lightens the load, with us able to keep each other on track, and encourage one another.

I’ve over 30 years of IT and telecommunications behind me, but as you noted, am tired of the drill. I am very versed in technology. Maybe it’s burn-out, and maybe it’s because the IT White Papers I read (and have used in my career), leave me feeling in over my head. Case Studies seem to be a good middle ground, and it’s not overly long copy, which just doesn’t grab me.

We’ve cards, are finishing our web site, and I am currently drafting a “clientless” Case Study to cut me teeth on, and see just WHAT I can do. We are attending the Boot Camp in Del Ray next week as well.

I’ll likely still have to work at a J.O.B for a bit, but ultimately we have a vision for being where you are, and ultimately further, sooner than later. It is WORK. Let no one think otherwise.

Again. Thanks for providing a good perspective on things.

Jeff

Then there is the technical side of it, laid out like a cake walk, but even that takes perseverance and time to win the cake!. My next email to Rebecca will have that website of mine with something for her to preview.
As they say, what is the big idea? What is your next short term goal to getting clients and launching yourself out there?

My husband was bitten by the B2B bug and is now “encouraging me” too, if this was easy, everyone would be doing it. But with those leaders at AWAI, we can do this thing. Thanks Scott!, and Steve too!

Thank you for an excellent article – and the motivation. I second Kevin – “Hey, I’m not alone!” either. Me, too! Me, too!

I did exactly the same thing. Bought programs and began studying full of enthusiasm that petered out with with some of them. They did not click. For the same reasons you cited. I had dithering down to a fine art – but not copywriting. Struggled with finding a niche. Made excuses. And when push came to shove … well, that boulder would not budge.

Then I too discovered case studies – Steve’s course, followed by Ed Gandia. I really enjoyed writing them and now have a couple of samples I can include on my website. Now, here’s where you’re way ahead of me. You’re really and truly out there and proving yourself. That’s where I want to be. I have two things I need to do first, though. Complete the legal logistics of setting up my freelance business and then put up my website. Really. These are not excuses! By the end of 2014 I plan to be out there, website and all, with a paying client.

I’m printing out your article – you set quite an example. Keep on pushing indeed!

I’ve only got two things to add from my own daily reflections.

Each morning as I remind myself where I’m trying to go in life, one sentence I always read is, “My business may be small right now, but it will be as big as all my hard word deserves.”

And the second is my morning mantra, which I started long before AWAI began their recent marketing of the Accessing The Writer Within program. It’s rather apropos with your article here. “Keep On Pushing.”