Why I'm not calling myself a copywriter anymore

Let me say it before you do, “Well, that was short lived.”

I know. I knooooowwwww.

And no, it’s not because I can’t stop using commas (true), or that I keep starting sentences with And or But (also true).

This is a thought that I’ve held in my hand for a while, unsure of whether I should put it down, tuck it away somewhere, or continue carrying it with me. For the most part I’ve set it aside, not giving it too much thought because it wasn’t that big of a deal to me.

And it still isn’t.

But over these days, weeks, months and even years, I’ve been learning what I like to do and what is just meh. For me, I love to write… so it made sense I’d pursue copywriting as soon as I learned about it. I paid a pretty penny and spent nearly a hundred hours learning about the art of copywriting. I was all in. Or so I thought.

I’ve come to realize since adding Virtual Assistant services to my coat rack, that I genuinely LOVE writing, but I want to write in the first person, and I want it to be MY content. While I love the concept of taking a brand’s voice and helping them incorporate that into their own work, I’ve come to realize — it’s not my favorite thing.

When I feel pressured to write and write well, I basically get the writers version of the yips. Whatever we wanna call that.

And well, sometimes I just don’t want to write about niches I’m unfamiliar with or let’s be honest, that I really just am not interested in. 🙃 No I don’t want to write about your lawnmowers and tractor supplies. But thank you.

There have been projects along the way that do feed a perfect little piece of the pie, but more often than not I just feel too stiff trying to write words for others — with exceptions of course but I’m talking about the majority here, lawnmowers, remember?

Yet when I sit down to write my own ish, it flows. You can’t stop me some days, sitting down at the keyboard to write has never ever ever been a problem. And this is the writing I actually love.

I’ve also realized over time that it’s really just a lot to split your brain into compartments and expect to be able to grow at multiple different avenues at the same pace. VA work feels natural and easy to me whereas copywriting feels like a skill that while I CAN do it, I don’t dedicate nearly enough time to being exceptional at it. And honestly, if I can’t do something perfectly, I really just don’t want to do it at all. 😬

So that’s why I’m going to stop using copywriter as a term that’s associated with my work. I’m still going to be writing, even for clients if they ask me to — except those tractor supplies, but I’m going to leave the big copy projects to those who have dedicated their time and energy to becoming the best of the best. I’m more than happy to cheerlead for others who are pursuing this world. I am friends with some incredible writers and I see what they do and I just know if you want to overhaul your whole brand, there are incredible people out there who can crush that with ease.

At the end of the day I’m insanely grateful for the course I took, I have no regrets, I’ve learned so much that has helped me in ways far beyond writing. I made a few great connections and it was the stepping stone that brought me to the world of VA work. Without that stone, I’d never have found that world, I never would have been able to quit and leave my job, I wouldn’t have had adventures and life experiences I’ve had, wouldn’t have the clients and relationships I have now… everything in life would be so different. I don’t wish for any of that to change.

And who knows, maybe there’s a future version of me who doesn’t have a Virtual Assistant business and who makes a living doing something else that could only have been born through this particular step. I’m willing to acknowledge that these steps are so necessary and I wouldn’t wish them away for anything.

I hope you can find inspiration from this story, I hope it helps you find grace with pivoting where you need to, letting go of old stories and titles you’ve given yourself that no longer fit, and looking back with wonder at the steps that brought you to where you are today. I hope it leaves you in awe and excitement of what’s to come. Please know at any point in your life you can change. You just have to decide.

Here’s to many more years of uncovering new unexpected places for us to rest our souls for a little bit.