Client Badassery Secrets: How Copywriters Can Earn MORE, Run a Thriving Freelance Business, and Cut Out the Client Bullsh*t

by Kim Krause Schwalm

Overview

Client Badassery Secrets is every freelance copywriter's MUST-HAVE book. It's packed with an incredible amount of valuable tactics and insider secrets to help copywriters negotiate higher fees, find good clients (and steer clear of bad ones), deal with difficult clients or issues when they arise, manage a thriving, bullsh*t-free freelance business, grow their careers and earnings, and much more.

And it's coming from an experienced, A-List-level copywriter who's worked with some of the best clients, some of the worst clients, and everyone in-between... plus brings the client-side perspective, having worked at a top direct response company as a marketer who hired freelancers before going freelance herself.

Kim tells it like it is and shares her hard-won secrets for launching, running, and growing your freelance copywriting business... avoiding headaches, hassles, and nightmare clients... and boosting your earnings while enjoying greater freedom and flexibility.

Here's just a glimpse of what you'll discover...

• What to do if you're starting your freelance business from scratch. Two surefire yet often-overlooked tactics that can fill up your schedule and get cold, hard cash rolling in "tout suite".
• The one client "red flag" you must NEVER ignore. Use the screening technique to weed these potential nightmare clients out.
• The #1 secret to getting paid more. Do this one thing now and you'll instantly elevate yourself in the eyes of your prospective clients...along with your fees.
• What NEVER to budge on with a client. If they want you to hop on a kick-off call, start doing research, or otherwise engage with their project before they do THIS one crucial thing, stand your ground firmly. Otherwise you could lose potential income and precious time.
• Free rewrites? Guaranteed results? Are they crazy? Here's Kim's take on what's reasonable...what you should charge extra for...and what's beyond the pale when it comes to these types of client requests.
• How to know if you're charging too LITTLE...and fix it so you give yourself a fat raise. These 4 surefire signs can clue you in so you know what to do next!
• Never do THIS when talking to a prospective client the first time. Makes them run in the opposite direction or drops your negotiating power exponentially.
• When it makes sense to hire a lawyer to review a client's contract. Plus how to read through it and decide what to push back on (yes, they CAN be changed!)
• Beware of potential clients who try to dictate THIS to you. Here's how to get them to work with you, or decide if it's better to simply walk away. (There are plenty of "client fish" in the sea, so know when it's time to say "buh-bye!")
• The career-killing mistake to avoid if you take an in-house position. If your boss dangles this in front of you, just say "no". If you don't, you could be chained to your employer or destroy your earning potential for years!
• How to gain greater trust (and revenue) from clients. This simple yet highly effective approach lets you confidently close more deals much more profitably.
• When to move on from a client you hate working with-without burning bridges. Kim shares her own (often hilarious) client horror stories from early on and lessons learned the hard way!
• And much more!

This instantly valuable book is packed with hard-won secrets you can use to grow your freelance copywriting business, increase your earnings, and avoid client hassles and headaches. It's a MUST-have guide for anyone who freelances or deals with clients!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798988959014
Publisher:	Get Dangerously Good Publishing
Publication date:	08/31/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200
File size:	431 KB

About the Author

KIM KRAUSE SCHWALM was always a marketer who could write copy. She spent more than 13 years in the corporate world in various marketing positions-from Marketing Director to Brand Manager to Publisher. She also helped launch and run the Healthy Directions supplement business-and grow it to the equivalent of more than $40 million in sales in today's dollars within its first 3 years. Now more than two decades later, Kim's built a reputation as one of the top A-level direct response copywriters in the country. She's developed a proven track record of writing successful copy for a wide range of respected publishers, leading supplement companies, and New York Times best-selling authors. She is also the founder of the Get Dangerously Good copywriting training and mentorship hub. It's where she helps copywriters become dangerously good at their craft-and master the techniques, client management skills, and CEO mindset that will make them A-List exceptional in their industry. Kim is one of the few top-level copywriters who's still writing copy for select clients. Plus she's mentored dozens of copywriters, marketers, and business owners, including some of today's hottest rising superstars. Her book, Client Badassery Secrets, is designed to help copywriters build successful, satisfying, and hassle-free freelance businesses.

Table of Contents

Introduction: How I Discovered the Awesome Power of "Badassery" to Get What I Want

Chapter 1: Figuring Out Your Path to Freelance Success

 

Chapter 2: Client-Finding Techniques to Keep You Plenty Busy (and Not Needy)

 

Chapter 3: Finding and Landing That "Dream" Client (They DO Exist!)

 

Chapter 4: 7 Types of Clients You Meet on the Road to Copywriting "Hell"

 

Chapter 5: Weeding Out Client Nightmares Before They Happen

 

Chapter 6: Negotiating Secrets to Getting Paid More (and Earning More R-E-S-P-E-C-T)

 

Chapter 7: Zero Jerk Tolerance: Running Your Freelance Business Like a Badass

 

Chapter 8: The 3 Big Lies Clients Tell Copywriters... and How to Call "BS" on Them

 

Chapter 9: My 3 Golden Rules for Lucrative, Hassle-Free Freelancing Bliss

 

Chapter 10: How to Break into the Copywriting "Big Time" and Rack Up Royalties

 

Chapter 11: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly about Retainers, Working In-House, and Going "Exclusive"

 

Chapter 12: When You're the "Hot Girl (or Guy) at the Bar"... Or Aspire to Be

 

Chapter 13: Bombing with Brilliance: Losing Your Fear of Failure So It Won't Hold You Back

 

Chapter 14: How to Banish "Imposter Syndrome" and Act Confident-Even When You're Not

 

Wrap-Up: Putting Your Newfound Client "Badassery" to Work

 

Acknowledgements

 

About the Queen of Client Badassery: Kim Krause Schwalm

Editorial Reviews

"If you aspire to be rich and famous as a freelance copywriter, this book is for you. Kim is a rock star in copywriting circles, and this is her 'how-to' guide of how to succeed as a highly-paid freelancer. She holds nothing back.

"For example, she reveals how to leverage the power of referrals to fill up your schedule with good clients and build a thriving freelance business. She'll tell you how to avoid the nightmare clients who will take advantage of you and give you untold grief. She shares negotiating tactics for getting paid more money, and how to raise your rates and have clients say 'yes.'

"In her own career, Kim has sat on both sides of the table-as both a client who hires freelancers and then as a successful freelancer herself. So she knows the strategies and tactics that work well to help you and your clients thrive. It's one of the best investments you'll ever make in your career."

-Gary Bencivenga, Business Owner and Retired Direct Response Copywriter

"Want to flourish as a copywriter? Read this book. Why? Irving Wunderman, brother of Lester, who coined the phrase Direct Marketing, said the big question when writing copy is, 'To whom are you offering what ultimate benefit?' The big question any writer should ask is, 'How can I make more money?' Kim's book tells you."

-Drayton Bird, Author, Commonsense Direct Marketing

"This book will help you steer clear of nightmare clients, including 7 types Kim identifies in hilariously accurate detail. She also lays out how to attract the dream ones, and confidently charge higher fees plus negotiate royalty deals-something I never did as a copywriter. I retired my client services, but who knows... If I'd had the info in Kim's book 10 or 15 years ago, I may have hit my first million way sooner!"

-Laura Belgray, Author, Tough Titties, and Founder, TalkingShrimp.com

"Finally, a book with the balls to tell it like it is about clients and negotiations. Can I get an amen? This book ain't just overdue, it's criminally late! Kim talks about scrounging up the ones who pay well, getting every hard-earned dollar you deserve from them, and beefing up your confidence. You'll be a negotiation ninja after reading this puppy. Best of all, with Client Badassery Secrets, you'll step up your game, and your paycheck."

-Lorrie "Lo" Morgan, Copywriting Mentor, RedHotCopy.com

From the Publisher