I’ve run my business for one whole year 🙌  and it’s been quite the ride. There have been lots of ups and a few downs and I’ve learnt a heck of a lot. So, I thought I’d share some of my biggest takeaways. Do they resonate with you?

1. Relationships are everything

It’s true what they say, it’s who you know. A lot of my clients were referred to me by ex colleagues and contacts from my old life who I’ve stayed in touch with, either on LinkedIn or in the real world, so it really pays to keep up relationships with people from your past.

2. Excel is a godsend

I used to hate Excel. I never got what all the fuss was about. How exciting can spreadsheets be? How wrong I was. Now everything goes into Excel. Invoices, project updates, leads. I’m a total convert.

3. People will ghost you. Don’t get offended

It’s never nice to put in the hours talking to a potential client or putting together a proposal only to never hear from that person again. But it happens. The key is not to take it personally and move on.

4. Market yourself all the time, not just when you’re quiet

As JFK said, the time to fix the roof is when the sun’s shining. There’s no point starting to market yourself when you have no clients. Having a pipeline of prospective clients is crucial.

5. It’s ok to say no

This one’s definitely easier said than done. You don’t have to say yes to everything just because you’re new to the game. If a client doesn’t feel like the right fit or the project doesn’t align with your business strategy, say no, then try to recommend someone else in your network if you can.

6. Joining a community is the best investment you can make

Being part of a community where you can ask questions, find out how other people coped in similar situations, and generally vent is so important.

Joining Belinda Weaver‘s Confident Copywriting and Esai Arasi‘s Social Konnection memberships are two of the best decisions I’ve made.

7. There’s no such thing as a stupid question

One of my first ever editors gave me this piece of advice when I was training to be a journalist. And it still applies today in my life as a copywriter. You’re much better off asking the question, however silly you think it may sound, than guessing and making a tool of yourself.

8. Being nice pays off

Be kind to people and they’ll pass it back, either by coming back to you with more work (clients) or by referring you on (fellow copywriters). It may not always be easy to put a smile on your face, but it’s always worth it.