Use Your Talents to Make a Difference

Before we get into the next side benefit of the writer's life, just a quick reminder that Circle of Success enrollment ends soon.

I've talked about Circle of Success a lot this week. It was one of the main reasons I got results early in my career.

Before I had a portfolio or any experience, Circle of Success gave me the confidence to get clients. It also gave me an instant library of copywriting resources which I tap into regularly. You still have time to check it out, but enrollment closes May 30 and won't be offered again soon. Get the details here.

Now, on to today's message …

One of the wealthiest men who ever lived said:

"No man can become rich without himself enriching others."

Andrew Carnegie was the Warren Buffett or Bill Gates of his day. He built a $400 million fortune ($189.6 billion in today's dollars), more than Buffett and Gates combined.

Then he gave it all away.

Carnegie established 2,509 public libraries. He built Carnegie Hall. He provided hundreds of church organs to local communities and much more.

There's a lesson here.

Early in his life, he developed the habit of giving and continued it throughout his life.

As copywriters, we can get in the habit of giving in a slightly different way.

We can enrich others by crafting words that cause people to act.

Copywriters are some of the most generous people I've ever met. Every week, I hear another story of a colleague giving either their time, talents, or resources.

Jan Marie Mueller is an AWAI member in Germany. She helps run a non-profit there called Helping Hands for Children. Jan's copywriting skills bring school books, food, and medical care to kids in Namibia and Tanzania.

Susan Laird is a rising copywriting star, but she still finds time to donate her time and talents. She's the newsletter editor for the Rotary District in Folsom, California.

Tanya Marcia is a talented wordsmith with a heart of gold. She recently used her writing skills to raise money for a friend with breast cancer.

It's a great feeling to give, isn't it?

Last year, my kids' charter school needed money for technology and books. We called it the "Excellence Campaign," and I wrote a letter that got mailed out to all 250 families. The parent board and teachers were thrilled when we brought in over $9,000, exceeding our goal.

More recently, last fall I spearheaded a fundraiser for an organization called Both Hands. I wrote an emotional appeal, and we raised over $13,000 for adoptive families with a one-day event.

When you become a writer, you'll have many opportunities to use your talents to make a difference in your corner of the world, too.

Have you been able to use your writing to help others? Your story could inspire others like the ones above inspired me. Tell us what you did in the comment area below.

The AWAI Method™

The AWAI Method™ for Becoming a Skilled, In-Demand Copywriter

The AWAI Method™ combines the most up-to-date strategies, insights, and teaching methods with the tried-and-true copywriting fundamentals so you can take on ANY project — not just sales letters. Learn More »


Click to Rate:
Average: 5.0
Published: May 17, 2012

7 Responses to “Use Your Talents to Make a Difference”

  1. Three years ago I started writing marketing and promotional materials for a local, start-up film festival. We're now in our fourth year and have attracted enough sponsors that we actually have an operating budget and are attracting more films and filmmakers than we can accommodate. The power of the written word cannot be underestimated.

    Novaman

  2. Thanks for the mention, Steve! I love that my copywriting makes it possible to help even more kids than before! It´s a great feeling being able to make money for ourselves AND for others! ;)

    As always, I love reading your posts on TWL!

    Best, Jan

    Guest (Jan Marie Mueller)

  3. Good series as always Steve. One of my passions is trout fishing. I've put my modest talents to work on a couple of fronts.

    I promote an annual two-day fly fishing class for my local club with a website & FB presence.

    I've also helped the National Trout Center - a new non-profit start-up in SE MN - get off the ground.

    Ed in Minnesota

  4. I spent 18 months in Kenya on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I still keep in touch with many of the people there. George saw my website below my signature and asked if he could earn money that way.

    I am now mentoring him on how to write case studies for the charities that help in Kenya.

    It's good for George, and it helps me. Perhaps I'll offer to mentor more people and create a course.

    Sandy Fox

  5. Steve,

    Thanks for writing this articl Invariably, the articles you write touch the heart.

    Some of the wealthiest people in the world take to philanthrophy later in their careers.

    The reason?

    They want to give back to society; they are interested in building their legacy.

    They want to make a positive difference even after they are gone. They want people to remember them in the right way.

    Not as greedy capitalists, but as people who contributed to the lives of others through selfless service.

    Archan Mehta


Guest, Add a Comment
Please Note: Your comments will be seen by all visitors.

You are commenting as a guest. If you’re an AWAI Member, Login to myAWAI for easier commenting, email alerts, and more!

(If you don’t yet have an AWAI Member account, you can create one for free.)


This name will appear next to your comment.


Your email is required but will not be displayed.


Text only. Your comment may be trimmed if it exceeds 500 characters.

Type the Shadowed Word
Too hard to read? See a new image | Listen to the letters


Hint: The letters above appear as shadows and spell a real word. If you have trouble reading it, you can use the links to view a new image or listen to the letters being spoken.

(*all fields required)