Why New Copywriters Must Sometimes Apply the ‘Fake It ’Til You Make It’ Doctrine

Usually, the “fake it ’til you make it” mentality is seen through a negative lens. Honestly, I’ve never understood why this is—well, at least with some things. 

Sure, there are people out there who are hypocritical to the max, but in matters of copywriting, getting started with things before you’re completely ready for the full-blown title of “copywriter” is without a doubt the best way to go. 

I’m no longer fishing for entry-level work, but when I was, I talked the talk and did my best to ensure that my walking followed a similar trend. Sometimes it did and sometimes it didn’t; either way, if I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Only You Know Who You Really Are

When I was younger, I wanted more than anything to become a sportswriter like Dan Le Batard or Jay Mariotti. I spent my Summer afternoons reading the paper and watching the same episode of “Sportscenter” multiple times each day. 

I was bound and determined to do all I could to become a columnist for Sports Illustrated or ESPN.com. Ya know—one of those big-time publications. 

Anyway, one day I hopped online and did a bit of research to try and learn how I could increase the likelihood of me becoming a top-tier journalist when I grew up. 

It’s been over a decade since this happened, but I remember stumbling upon an article that claimed that the best way to become a journalist was to accept that you already were one. If you wrote regularly and sought to tell stories in an accurate manner, you could confidently refer to yourself as a “journalist” when speaking with others. 

Eventually, my desire to cover sports for money gave way to making a living as a copywriter. Though my interests had changed, I never forgot the nominal side of things, and—as long as I was immersed in writing activities—openly referred to myself as a copywriter. 

The evidence was there, and people never questioned me. This wasn’t a lie. The projects weren’t all that sexy. I mean, most of the time, I wasn’t even making much money off of them. Yet, years later, looking back, it was the right thing to do. Heck, it led me to where I am today, so it must’ve worked to a certain degree.

Taking Action Is the Best Way to Learn

Copywriting isn’t neuroscience. It’s a trade—almost like welding or something similar. Instead of a blowtorch, copywriters use laptops. If you want to become a copywriter, you’ve got to spend time doing the very thing copywriters spend 90 percent of lives doing—writing. 

Get involved with a local publication, start and build a blog or hunt for a few one-time gigs on Upwork. By so doing, you’re becoming a copywriter. Yes, things could be better, but this is the hands-on beauty of copywriting.

I’ve looked over this post a time or two and, admittedly, it’s a bit clunky. That said, I feel pretty strongly about this one. So, what do you think? Is the ‘fake it ’til you make it’ doctrine a joke of a philosophy or something more worthwhile? Express you thoughts and feelings in the comments section below.

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Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.

Why Being Obsessive-Compulsive Is a Blessing In Disguise for Copywriters

So you like to organize the content of your desk by color and size—what’s the big deal, right? If this is a question you’ve asked yourself before, there’s a good chance that you’re one of those obsessive-compulsive types. 

No worries—this is a judgement free zone. Honestly, I’m one of those OCD people. In fact, the aforementioned example is a question I ask myself every day at work as I pull all of my folders, spiral notebooks [yes, I still use these] and pens from my briefcase [backpack]. 

However, in spite of what my mother says, as a copywriter, I’m not fully convinced that being OCD is such a bad thing. 

Granted, there’s plenty of downside with being a bit paranoid about tedious things, but when you spend the totality of just about each and every day writing on a laptop computer, being obsessive-compulsive could even potentially be seen as a benefit. 

Think I’m crazy? Not as much as you’d think. Here’s why:

Ensuring Editorial Flow

This is probably one of my biggest nit-picks as a writer. I simply can’t accept writing that sounds choppy. Now this isn’t to say that I don’t believe in shorter sentences, because I totally do. 

Heck, I like to tout myself as the guy who constantly preaches, “Write like you talk,” so I should be somewhat skilled in this. 

Anyway, I’m getting away from what really matters here—obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD people refuse to leave a sentence alone until it sounds absolutely perfect. 

Yes, speed is an important part of making real money as a copywriter, but if you can write quickly, succinctly and with that realistic style with which people speak, you’re sitting pretty.

OCD copywriters, though possibly not as talented as other professionals, will work until they get it right. Simply put, paying customers love this. Who can blame them?

Knocking Grammar Out of the Park

We all saw this one coming, didn’t we? Perfectionists are almost always grammar Nazis. Yup, in my opinion, that stereotype is spot-on. 

Truthfully, while negative in certain circumstances, it’s also a very positive thing for a copywriter. Grammatical perfection leads to happy clients and reoccurring work.

How convenient is all of this for me? I mean seriously, I start off this piece by claiming to be OCD and then proceed to talk about how being OCD makes you a better, more detail-oriented writer. 

Now, before you go back and start searching for all of this piece’s grammatical mistakes, please know that I’m by no means a perfect copywriter. Whether it be a blog post, web copy project or email marketing campaign, I’m no stranger to mistakes. 

That said, generally speaking, OCD writers would rather part ways with a limb before submitting something with a single grammar mistake. While admirable, this is my personal blog and I don’t have the time or energy to stress about it. 

I enjoy it too much. Go ahead and hunt for the misplaced comma or incorrectly used semicolon. I’m certain you’ll find it.

Coming Through In the Clutch for Clients

As a copywriter, the best way to win an ongoing relationship with a client is to come through in the clutch for him or her. 

This might mean going above and beyond what was originally asked of you, doing a bit of extra editing to make certain a project exceeds expectations or staying up until the wee hours of the morning to finish an assignment. 

For OCD writers, this is never an issue, because they’re incapable of resting until everything is exactly how it should be. See what I mean? A true blessing in disguise.

Seeing as how there’s a good chance you’re either a full-time copywriter or spend a good portion of your day writing, what’s your take on the matter? 

Could great copywriting really be the byproduct of obsessive-compulsive tendencies? Voice your opinion in the comments section below.

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Lucas Miller is the Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, editing or running, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the "World's Greatest Pompadour." Additionally, for what it's worth, his editorial works have been featured on Social Media Today, Business2Community, Ragan's PR Daily, Spin Sucks and many other top-tier PR publications.