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Katie Yeakle, Co-Founder of AWAI, Shares What It's Like to Start a Copywriting Company

Written by: AWAI’s The Golden Thread

Article Overview: Intriguing interview with the Co-Founder of American Writers & Artists Inc. (AWAI), Katie Yeakle, on her experience with starting her company.

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Katie Yeakle, Co-Founder of AWAI, Shares What It's Like to Start a Copywriting Company

Tell me about your current business. What are you doing exactly?

We publish and market home-study programs that offer people freelance job opportunities. Our flagship program, AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting, shows people how to write winning sales letters. And, as with all our programs, we offer insider tips and strategies for getting started and succeeding in the industry.

When did you start the business?

1997

What were you doing before this, and is this your first business?

I was a direct-mail marketer for a large international publishing company.

Where did you get the startup money?

We were very lucky in that we didn’t need much money to get started. My partners and I created the copywriting program and promotion ourselves. And, we made deals with publishers to promoto our product on a revenue-split basis. Those early sales were our initial cash flow.

Who are your main competitors? How do you compete against them?

We were one of the first companies to offer they type of training we do. In the last 11 years, established copywriters have since started marketing programs based on the experience and expertise. As far as competing … we were the first and we are the most established. I think the support we offer our members is what makes us stand above the growing crowd. But, here’s a secret. Competition is good in our industry. As soon as someone understands the tremendous opportunity copywriting offers … and wants to become a copywriter … They want to learn as much as possible.

How has your experience in running the business been different from what you expected?

More people management than I care for.

Is there anything you wish you had done differently?

No … The business has grown organically. Even mistakes have been useful in helping us improve our products.

What have you done that has been very effective in helping to grow the business?

Hired the best people I can find … incentivize them … give them plenty of room to shine.

What advice would you give to somebody else who wanted to start a similar business?

Ready, Fire, Aim is the mantra we live by. My mentor, Michael Masterson, recently wrote a book on the topic. Don’t wait until everything’s perfect … the stars are aligned just so. Test your idea as quickly and inexpensively as possible … Because you aren’t in business until you make your first sale.

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Home > Starting-A-Business > AWAI’s The Golden Thread > Katie Yeakle CoFounder of AWAI Shares What Its Like to Start a Copywriting Company
Article Tags: 11 years, cash flow, copywriter, copywriting, crowd, direct mail, flagship program, home study programs, initial cash, insider tips, international publishing company, job opportunities, mail marketer, marketing programs, much money, publishers, rsquo, split basis, startup money, winning sales letters

About the Author: AWAI’s The Golden Thread
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This article appears courtesy of The Golden Thread, an e-letter from American Writers and Artists Inc. (AWAI) that delivers original, no-nonsense advice on how to build your freelance copywriting business. For a free subscription, visit http://www.awaionline.com/thegoldenthread. AWAI is the publisher of the world's best home-study programs for learning the art and science of direct-mail copywriting. Formed over 11 years ago by master copywriters and marketers out of an industry-wide need for talented copywriters who can deliver copy that sells, AWAI boasts a staff of more than two dozen accomplished professionals – all of whom have contributed to growing and perfecting its extensive lineup of available programs. AWAI's Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting (http://www.thewriterslife.com/evancarmichael/) gives step-by-step instruction in one of the most lucrative fields of writing that there is: direct-response copywriting. The program not only teaches the skills needed, but then gets the individual working and making money as a professional copywriter as quickly as possible.

Click here to visit AWAI’s The Golden Thread's website
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