AWAI Success Stories
Looking for a little inspiration? Read some of our most recent success stories below.
And if you want to meet some of the AWAI Members who are now living the writer’s life thanks to their hard work and dedicated persistence, be sure and read our case studies.
Living the Writer's Life: Shameka Volkers
Shameka Volkers is a rising star in the world of writing with nowhere to go but up. Ever since deciding she needed a new path, she’s taken on the task of launching her copywriting career with the kind of grace and speed that wins clients and grows income. Discover what led to her writing for a living and find out how she’s excelling every step of the way.
Living the Writer's Life: Cris Johnson
Cris Johnson’s life was nothing but fun from the outside looking in. But the reality of life as a magician kept him on a grueling schedule, away from his family, and chronically exhausted. The upside was that it led him to copywriting. Discover why pursuing the writer’s life won out in the end, and how he’s kept some “magic” in his life.
Living the Writer's Life: Brian Whitaker
We first interviewed Brian Whitaker a decade ago, right after he’d left a successful career as a marketing manager for life as a Barefoot Writer. At the time, Brian reported corporate life had been keeping him from his family, community, and other interests. He wanted balance. Find out how, 10 years later, he not only found that balance but said goodbye forever to the feast-or-famine cycle and is thriving with new projects and tools (including AI!).
Living the Writer's Life: Latifat Abifarin
In Latifat Abifarin’s words, “I’m one piece of evidence that there are talented and good people from Nigeria.” Over the years, Latifat has struggled at times to connect with potential clients who judge her or assume she can’t speak English. But, she’s persevered and built a successful writer’s life working as a content writer, ebook designer, and scriptwriter.
How This Freelance Writing “Tortoise” Hit Career Breakthroughs
Jill Wright, freelance copywriter and web content writer, was not an overnight success. But this slow-and-steady achiever found her own path to career growth by joining AWAI mentor-led programs. Find out how, and see her words of advice for new writers...
Living the Writer's Life: Jessica Vine
When Jessica Vine first entered the world of paid writing, she wanted to be a travel writer. But she strayed from that dream for too long, writing $10 articles on a topic she wasn’t passionate about. Then, she did something profound… She decided she wanted to be paid more. It was a turning point where Jessica started to see real success, especially with her RV blog. Today, her goal is to exceed $100K per month! And, you know what? She’s going to reach it! Here is her story.
Living the Writer's Life: Scott Martin
Scott Martin has been working as a successful direct-response copywriter for 33 incredible years. But he’s still surprised each winter when he works part time as a ski instructor… There are just so many ways to apply the skills of a marketer to everyday challenges. Read on to learn Scott’s tips for how to find clients on LinkedIn and why it’s important to never be viewed as just a commodity.
Living the Writer's Life: Katie Sanders
Katie Sanders has five young children under the age of 12, but that hasn’t stopped her from pursuing a successful writer’s life focused on helping nonprofits. Her writing desk is often the kitchen counter (while she’s cooking dinner for her family), and she thinks up ideas for projects while running around after her two toddlers. Katie’s writer’s life may look different from others, but she is determined to make things work for herself and for her family.
Living the Writer's Life: Dan Magill
It’s been seven years since we last checked in with Barefoot Writer Dan Magill. Since then, he’s been building his career and working on SEO blogs, fundraising campaigns, and sales pages. Because of his writer’s life, Dan was recently able to keep his 2-year-old son home from day care to enjoy extra family time before his wife started a new job. He also traveled to Nepal in 2017 to see a finished project he helped promote. You’ll love Dan’s five tips for new writers who are struggling to find clients.
Living the Writer's Life: Pat McCord
She’s a fiction writer with three published books, an AWAI $10K winner, and… oh yeah… she wrote a book for famed copywriter Bob Bly! As one of AWAI’s early students, Pat McCord is the perfect example of someone who took the copywriting skills she learned from her first course and ran with them. Here are her tips on how you can achieve satisfaction through writing by doing “everything” your first writing course suggests!
