Success Story Interview:
Bonnie Fanning
Stepping Out into Freelance Freedom — and Charging What You’re Worth

Click to Watch Video

Before launching her freelance business, Bonnie Fanning spent nearly 15 years working in-house at AWAI, where she helped create marketing campaigns, training programs, video sales letters, and countless emails. That experience gave her a deep understanding of how effective copy works — and the confidence to eventually step out on her own.

Today, Bonnie runs a one-woman “copy & content boutique,” partnering closely with founders, coaches, and creative leaders on everything from sales pages and launches to email sequences and video scripts.

In this Inside AWAI conversation with Executive Director Katie Yeakle, Bonnie shares how she made the transition to freelancing — and how she intentionally built a business that fits her life, including working four days a week so she can spend more time with her family.

She also dives into a key shift that changed her business: how she’s using AI as a thinking partner to help her stop undercharging. By using AI to clarify scope, value, and positioning, Bonnie has been able to price her work more confidently and avoid the common trap of undervaluing her services. Along the way, she explains why freelance careers aren’t one-size-fits-all — and how listening to both the market and your own preferences allows you to create something sustainable and aligned.


What You’ll Learn

  • How Bonnie transitioned from in-house at AWAI to freelance copywriting
  • What it means to run a “copy & content boutique”
  • How she uses AI to think more clearly about pricing and value
  • Why undercharging happens — and how to correct it
  • How she structured her business to work four days a week
  • Why freelance success comes from alignment, not imitation

Recommended Resources:

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:
No ratings yet
Published: April 23, 2026

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)