If you’re an aspiring or new copywriter, you already have the skills to start making money. You’ve studied persuasive writing (or could over the next six days with my groundbreaking course Side-Gig Copywriter in 6 Days, you know what a great sales page looks like (or could over the next six days), and you can spot the difference between a weak email and a powerful one. Yet, you hesitate. You tweak your portfolio instead of sending pitches. You read more about copywriting instead of actually writing for clients. You wait to feel “ready.”

Stop waiting. The truth is, action creates clarity, not the other way around.

The difference between a paid copywriter and an unpaid one is simple: the paid copywriter took action. The barriers keeping you from landing your first gig aren’t external. They’re in your mind. And they can be overcome.

Let’s break down five powerful psychological shifts—backed by real research—that will get you out of paralysis and into the world of paid copywriting this week.

1. Rewire Your Identity: Become a Paid Copywriter Today

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, emphasizes that behavior change starts with identity. If you see yourself as an “aspiring” copywriter, you’ll act like one—hesitant, unsure, waiting for permission. But when you shift your identity to “I am a paid copywriter,” your brain starts looking for ways to make that true.

Action Step:

• Say it out loud: I am a paid copywriter.

• If you're out and proud as a copywriter, not a fly-under-the-radar side-gigger, change your online profiles and email signature to reflect it.

• When you introduce yourself, say something like, “I’m a copywriter. I help businesses increase sales with persuasive writing.” Or, "And on the side I'm a copywriter, helping increase sales with persuasive writing."

Your brain is wired for cognitive consistency. If you tell yourself and others that you’re a working copywriter, you’ll start taking actions that align with that identity.

2. Shrink the Goal: Make It Impossible to Fail

Psychologist Dr. BJ Fogg, founder of Stanford’s Behavior Design Lab, discovered that when people set goals too big, they tend to procrastinate. The trick? Make the first step ridiculously easy.

Instead of saying, “I need to land a client this week,” say, “I will send one email pitch today.” That’s it. Just one.

Action Step:

• Write a single email pitch to a business that needs copywriting help.

• Hit send. That’s all. The momentum will take care of the rest.

You don’t need to know where your first dollar will come from. You just need to take one step that makes it possible.

3. Use Time Pressure: The Parkinson’s Law Hack

Parkinson’s Law states: Work expands to fill the time available for its completion. If you tell yourself you have weeks to prepare your portfolio or perfect your pitch, it will take weeks. If you give yourself 24 hours, you’ll get it done in 24 hours.

Action Step:

• Set a 60-minute timer.

• In that time, write and send a pitch to at least one business.

• When the timer goes off, you’re done—no overthinking.

Urgency forces action. Action brings results.

4. Flip the Script on Rejection: The ‘Yes Ladder’ Technique

Many new copywriters fear rejection. But sales expert Dr. Robert Cialdini, author of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, teaches that small “yeses” lead to big wins. Instead of trying to land a massive client upfront, start with micro-wins that build momentum.

Action Step:

• Offer a free audit of a company’s existing copy (emails, landing page, etc.).

• Ask local businesses if they’d like a no-cost 15-minute call about their marketing.

• Post on LinkedIn or Facebook, “Hey, I’m doing a few free website copy reviews this week. First three people to DM me get one!”

Once they say yes to a free audit or call, they’re far more likely to say yes to paid work. It’s a psychological commitment principle in action.

5. Leverage the ‘Imperfect Action’ Principle

Dr. Carol Dweck, the Yale-educated Stanford psychologist behind Mindset, showed that high performers don’t aim for perfection. They aim for growth. Waiting to be perfect will keep you broke. Taking action—even messy, imperfect action—will make you money.

Action Step:

• Send an email pitch even if it’s not “perfect.”

• Post an offer on social media even if you’re unsure how people will respond.

• Accept a small job even if it pays less than you’d like—experience builds confidence. (But never accept peanuts pay. You don't have to. Even brand new copywriters should make $40 to $100 per hour -- and you easily can if you've already purchased my course* Side-Gig Copywriter in 6 Days*.)

Action creates confidence. Confidence creates momentum. Momentum creates money.

Your 7-Day Action Plan to Get Paid for Copywriting

If you commit to taking real steps every day this week, you will land paid work. Here’s your roadmap:

Day 1: Shift Your Identity

• Tell yourself, “I am a paid copywriter.”

• Change your online bio to reflect it.

• Introduce yourself as a copywriter.

Day 2: Send Your First Pitch

• Find one local business with bad website copy.

• Write them an email offering help.

• Hit send.

Day 3: Use the ‘Yes Ladder’

• Offer free copy audits to three businesses.

• Post an offer on social media.

Day 4: Create Urgency

• Set a 60-minute timer and send another pitch.

• No overthinking, just action.

Day 5: Take Imperfect Action

• Find a small gig (Upwork, Facebook groups, Craigslist) and apply.

• Done is better than perfect.

Day 6: Follow Up on Pitches

• Most people don’t respond on the first message. Follow up.

• Use a simple message: “Hey, just checking if you saw my last email. I’d love to help.”

Day 7: Celebrate & Repeat

• Even if you only got responses, you’re further ahead than 90% of aspiring copywriters.

• Keep going. Action leads to results.

Final Thought: The Money Is Already Out There—Claim It

Right now, businesses are paying for copy. Right now, someone is landing their first gig. The only difference between them and you is that they took action.

It doesn’t matter if you feel “ready.” What matters is that you start.

This week, you can go from unpaid to paid. One step at a time. One imperfect action at a time. Because the fastest way to success isn’t knowing more. It’s doing more.

Your first paycheck is closer than you think. Go get it.