This can take a nobody copywriter to $10k+/mo

The ultimate way you get paid the big bucks

Well ladies and gents — we did it. We are concluding our start-from-nothing-to-highly-paid-copywriter series (and holy crap I will come up with a better name for that at some point).

As a quick recap…

• Part 1: I told you my story of how I went from nothing to $25,000/mo copywriter who makes an additional $200k+/yr in copy royalties

• Part 2: I introduced you to Philip in a video interview — a Nigerian citizen who went from nothing to $250k+/yr even as a non-English speaking native and while living full time in what many still consider to be a “third world country..” He explained his persistent approach to cold emailing and how that got his foot in multiple doors across the industry.

• Part 3: I walked you through who these businesses are. What kind of niches they operate in. How much they pay (and why) and also how to identify them.

• Part 4: I took you over-the-shoulder of how you can identify and find companies who need direct response copywriters, determine whether or not they have a big enough operation to pay you well (and also understand the value of what you provide) and how to find the contact information of the decision makers at that operation.

• Part 5: I revealed how to cold email like a pro (and how to follow up over time) without feeling like you’re an annoying gnat bothering somebody. This is the #1 that I broke into the industry and got clients and I think this is the case for msot of the people I know.

• Part 6: Uh-oh! Somebody actually contacted you back and they want to see your portfolio (but you ain’t got one o’ dem thangs!"). I reveal a real-world case study of why ACTUAL working experience isn’t necessary and how to conjure up highly specific samples out of thin air and then use that as the basis of a new portfolio piece for OTHER clients (even if nobody actually paid for it as part of a project).

• Part 7 : We used a real brand (Wuffes) and did a deep dive on them. Pretending we had contacted them and they had asked for “samples” we didn’t have. And in real-time over-the-shoulder I showed you how I use various AI tools to research and write a Facebook ad for them and the “special sauce” of what would ACTUALLY impress them (HINT: It’s not the ad, it’s the mechanism behind the ad).

Don’t worry I’m going to package all these together in a page on my Substack soon so it’s all together in one spot.

That brings us to Part 8 — our final installment in this series. First let’s make some basic assumptions…

1. Let’s assume I found Wuffes through researching potential clients to work with

2. I got the Marketing Director’s email and cold emailed them and they responded favorably asking to see some samples of my work

3. I have never worked with a direct response company before and I’ve never been paid by anybody to do copywriting (but I’ve been studying it)

Okay, so based on that assumption we continued the process from Part 7 and we’ve written a static ad (that might be run on Facebook for example), a short video script, and a promotional email along with a landing page idea / outline which I’m about to show you.

But here’s the secret sauce…

It’s Not How You Write What You Write - It’s Why You Wrote What You Wrote

Let me let you in on an industry secret — MOST of these direct response companies do not expect you to be a “veteran” and they will (and often do) hire complete newbies.

Even if English is not your first language.

Even if you’re not that good of a writer.

All that can be overlooked if you can demonstrate one VITAL characteristic — and it’s that you have an eye for marketing and sales.

Namely — that you are curious, can come up with interesting ideas, and above all else you can find UNIQUE ANGLES / MECHANISMS.

The copywriters who never end up getting paid the big bucks are the ones that think being a “good copywriter” means being the one who WRITES the best.

So they spend most of their time trying to SOUND good.

But all the pretty, witty copy in the world isn’t going to save you if you can’t find a MECHANISM by which to differentiate yourself from the competition.

I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it a million more — if you’ve got an at home workout program that is promising to get you shredded in 90 days, then there is a FORMULA for writing copy for a product like that.

Just like there’s a formula for writing copy for ANY product.

In this case you’re going to show a bunch of before/after pics.

You’re going to have a bunch of transformation videos / testimonials from people who saw great results.

You’re going to build hype and authority around the person who came up with the program.

You’re going to provide an irresistible offer where you stack on a bunch of “bonus” freebies like a meal plan, and a cook book, and a Uber Eats cheat sheet for the lazy people out there and of course all that plus 75% off is only valid if you order RIGHT NOW during this special promotion.

You can do ALLLLLLL that in the best and most perfect way possible and SOUND the best while doing it.

And it’s not going to matter a hoot in hell if there isn’t some “thing” that makes it sound different from all the other workout programs out there offering the same results with the same transformation stories in the same time frame.

That’s why P90x, one of the best selling at-home workout programs in history, couldn’t even break even on their ads until some genius came up with the term Muscle Confusion.

What does this have to do with our mock Wuffes example?

EVERYTHING.

Let me show you how to do it

Dear Mr. Bobbert at Wuffes…

Thanks for the quick response — happy I was able to get a hold of you.

I don’t have any health supplement specific copy ready in my grab bag, but I did take the liberty of writing some spec copy for Wuffes.

I went through a few of your funnels.

I saw a lot of ads similar to this: https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=1031486608848691

Which are basically targeting owners of older dogs who already have visible joint issues and discomfort.

And I noticed this is your primary audience across the board.

But that got me wondering if we could also target people with younger dogs and whose dogs don’t actually have any visible signs of joint discomfort (yet).

So I started doing some digging around to see if this idea could even be valid and I found some interesting info on dogs who are mostly couch potatoes during the week when their owner is working, but then go out and do heavy activity on the weekend when the owner has time.

Basically a “weekend warrior.”

Apparently this can actually cause a lot of cartilage damage and “micro-injuries” to joints because of the sporadic exercise pattern.

And this is actually a very common, but widely unrecognized cause of chronic joint issues. For example this exercise pattern can tear the meniscus in the knee or cause sprains that aren’t immediately obvious and this repeated over time can cause arthritis later.

And of course by the time anybody actually notices visible pain or discomfort in their dogs, it’s usually very far advanced since dogs are stoic and won’t signal that they’re in pain until it’s very, very bad.

I figured this might be a potential different audience with younger dogs to “crack” as you can position Wuffes as preventative, especially for dog owners who are “Weekend Warriors” — who love to go out on the weekend hiking, running, and playing with their dog and definitely don’t want to hurt them in the process.

So thinking along those lines of “Weekend Warrior” here’s some copy I came up with.

Static Facebook Ad:

Is your dog a weekend warrior? It could be DESTROYING their joints (Here's why and what to do about it)...

If you're like most dog owners you work throughout the week while your best buddy is confined to the couch or the yard.

But when the weekend arrives?

It's PARTY TIME.

Long hikes...

Trips to the lake...

Runs on the beach...

Bike rides...

Dog park...

... you name it.

But could you and your dog's "weekend warrior" lifestyle actually be DESTROYING their joint cartilage?

You see, the sporadic and sudden exercise your dog gets on the weekend can actually cause chronic joint issues that aren't immediately noticeable.

For example -- common issues with high activity on the weekends and low activity during the week include...

* Tears in the meniscus

* Sprains

* Micro-injuries in the joints

These small, mostly unnoticeable injuries can actually cause arthritis and mobility issues later.

The worst part?

Most owners have no idea that the inconsistent exercise routines can cause orthopedic injuries down the road.

And this ties into one of the BIGGEST myths of dog ownership...

🐶 “Joint pain in my dog would be obvious -- if they're not crying, they're fine"

THE TRUTH: Dogs rarely vocalize pain and are very stoic.

In fact according to AKC Canine Health Foundation, dogs will hide pain until it's too severe.

By the time a dog is visibly struggling (for example it's hard for them to get up or they can only walk a block now) their joint issues are too far advanced.

By then, the pain is usually excruciating.

If you really love your best friend, the best thing you can do for them is NOT WAIT until they're older or until they start showing CLEAR signs of joint problems.

Your best bet is to do everything you can to take care of their joints TODAY so that you prevent issues in the future.

Because by the time those issues become "clear" -- it will likely be too late.

HERE'S WHERE WUFFE'S ADVANCED HIP & JOINT SUPPLEMENT COMES IN...

Wuffe's is a uniquely formulated canine joint care solution with a powerhouse blend of clinically researched ingredients to maintain your dog's comfort and mobility far into the future.

Here's how each component works wonders:

✅ Glucosamine HCl (1250 mg)

This cartilage-building nutrient stimulates new cartilage growth, boosts joint fluid production, and reduces stiffness.

Clinical trials show significant improvement in dogs’ mobility and pain levels by day 70.

✅ Chondroitin Sulfate (150 mg)

Protects existing cartilage from breakdown and works synergistically with glucosamine, improving joint cushioning.

Proven as effective as prescription anti-inflammatories over time.

✅ MSM (400 mg)

A natural anti-inflammatory sulfur compound that reduces joint swelling and pain, enhancing cartilage repair and muscle recovery.

Veterinarian-approved with a high safety profile.

✅ Green-Lipped Mussel (100 mg)

Rich in unique omega-3 fatty acids and joint-supporting compounds.

According to the Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research it significantly improves mobility and reduces pain in arthritic dogs within 6 weeks.

✅ Hyaluronic Acid (21 mg)

The joint lubricant that boosts shock absorption and reduces joint friction.

Recent studies found oral supplementation significantly improves joint fluid quality and reduces inflammation post-surgery.

✅ Vitamin C (50 mg)

Supports collagen formation and fights damaging inflammation, enhancing cartilage integrity.

Proven to amplify glucosamine effectiveness, promoting healthier joints.

✅ Omega-3 Fatty Acids (from Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil)

Clinically demonstrated to dramatically improve mobility, reduce inflammation, and enhance quality of life.

Dogs on omega-3 diets showed improved ability to rise and play after just 6 weeks. (Multicenter Veterinary Study)

✅ Yucca Schidigera Extract (10 mg)

This herbal powerhouse delivers potent anti-inflammatory effects, reducing swelling and pain naturally through antioxidant-rich polyphenols and saponins.

THE BEST PART? Your dog just thinks it's delicious daily treat for being a "good dog."

Try it out 90 days RISK FREE now: [LINK]

⭐Theresa S. says...⭐

"I've bee using it for a couple of months and we can tell a difference in his energy and movement. Thank you."

⭐Norah W. says...⭐

"My dog loves it. She now refuses to eat kibble that hasn't had this added."

⭐Diane L. says...⭐

"My 2 furbabies LOVE them! They share one after dinner everyday and anxiously wait for their 'treat.'

Don't let you and your best friend's weekend outings turn into a nightmare of excruciating pain down the road.

Ensure your dog has everything they need to maintain healthy, robust joints and prevent damage now and later with Wuffe's.

Go here now to take advantage of your 90-day risk-free trial through this special link: [LINK]

Short Video (for Reels / TikTok…etc)

CAPTION: I thought it was healthy to bring my dog out on the weekends, turns out I was silently destroying his joints

V/O: "I thought our weekend adventures were the highlight of my dog's life..."

B-ROLL: Happy dog jumping excitedly as owner grabs hiking gear/leash on weekend morning

V/O: "But I had no idea this 'weekend warrior' pattern was secretly destroying his joints”

B-ROLL: Split screen showing dog lounging on couch during weekdays, then suddenly hiking/running on weekend

V/O: “Most people don’t realize this, but when your dog is sedentary most of the week, just to suddenly spring to action on the weekends with runs, hikes, playing, and the dog park…”

B-ROLL: Show someone doing a lot of activity with their dog – throwing frisbee, going on hikes, running on the beach / next to a bicycle

V/O: “It can cause micro-tears in the meniscus, sprains, and joint injuries. They’re small and unnoticeable at first, but later it can cause arthritis and mobility issues.”

B-ROLL: Show a dog struggling to get up.

V/O: "The worst part? Most dog owners don’t realize this inconsistent exercise routine is doing so much damage. But here’s the thing -- dogs hide their pain until it's excruciating. By the time I noticed him struggling to stand, the damage was already done."

B-ROLL: Close-up of dog's face looking stoic, a limping dog in obvious pain.

V/O: "Don’t make my same mistake. If you’re like me and you’re too busy on the weekdays to take your pup out, but you turn into a play warrior on the weekend – you NEED to take preventative measures to preserve your fur baby’s joints.”

B-ROLL: Show a dog looking lovingly at the camera and welcoming someone home after they walk in the door from work.

V/O: "That’s where Wuffes comes in. Their Advanced Hip & Joint formula protects and prevents joint issues with clinically-proven ingredients."

B-ROLL: Owner giving dog Wuffes chew, dog eagerly taking it like a treat

V/O: "Now Rex gets his Wuffes daily, and our weekend adventures aren't followed by silent suffering. His joints are protected before damage can start. Don’t’ make my mistake by waiting until you see visible signs of pain – prevent them before they start."

B-ROLL: Same dog easily getting up, running happily, clearly more mobile and energetic

ENDING TEXT ON SCREEN:

Protect their joints BEFORE the damage starts. Try Wuffes risk-free today.

Promo Email

SUBJECTS:

What are you doing this weekend?

Any plans this weekend?

Any plans with the pup Saturday?

TGIF, what’s the plan with the pup tomorrow?

BODY:

Hey do you love to let loose on the weekend with your dog?

I’m talking about just getting all that pent-up energy out.

• Hiking

• Running

• Playing fetch

• Running along the bicycle

The reason I’m asking is because I found out something kind of scary recently.

You see me and my dog Sam were the same.

I’d work all week and didn’t have a lot of time to exercise with him when I got home.

Basically I’d let him out in the yard or take a short walk and that was it.

But the weekend?

That was OUR time and we’d go bananas.

And I thought I that was healthy because we made up for all the laziness in the week with a burst of energy and exercise Saturday and Sunday.

But it turns out this “weekend warrior” lifestyle was DESTROYING Sam’s joints.

The dramatic shift from weekday stillness to weekend warrior intensity creates a perfect storm for joint damage.

Micro-tears in cartilage.

Strains on ligaments.

Inflammation that never fully resolves before the next adventure.

The worst part? Dogs really won’t give you much of an indication that they’re hurting until it’s too late.

By the time you see VISIBLE pain — the problem is very far advanced.

Dogs are evolutionary programmed to hide pain until it's excruciating.

I’d never even considered that Sam could have joint issues — he’s only 2 years old. Practically still a puppy!

Most people wait until their dog is older or showing visible signs of discomfort to start a joint supplement.

But it turns out the best time to start is NOW — especially if you’re a “weekend warrior” like us.

That’s where Wuffes comes in.

It's a scientifically-formulated shield protecting Sam’s joints from our weekend warrior lifestyle with:

• Glucosamine HCl (1250mg) – Rebuilds cartilage that weekend adventures damage, with proven mobility improvements within 70 days

• Green-Lipped Mussel (100mg) – The "miracle from the sea" that delivered significant mobility improvements within just 6 weeks in clinical studies

• MSM (400mg) – A natural anti-inflammatory that reduces joint swelling and enhances recovery

• Chondroitin Sulfate – Protects existing cartilage while working synergistically with glucosamine

• Hyaluronic Acid – Replenishes joint fluid for pain-free movement during those weekend leaps and bounds

Now our weekends continue just as gloriously as before—but without the silent price Sam was paying.

I've also learned the importance of moderate daily movement (even quick 10-minute training sessions during the week make a difference), but I no longer panic about our weekend intensity knowing Sam’s joints are protected.

The most surprising part? Sam thinks his daily Wuffes is just a delicious treat.

Lol — he thinks he’s getting a reward for being a good boy! (Well he is, but it’s also medicine).

If your pup transforms from couch potato to adventure seeker every weekend, please don't wait for the signs I almost missed.

[CLICK HERE for your 90-day risk-free trial of Wuffes]

Because by the time they show pain, it's already advanced. And they deserve better than that.

To pain-free adventures,

• [SIGNATURE]

---

So those are just a few examples of how we might be able to target owners of younger dogs (and I can think of other ways too — the “weekend warrior” aspect is just one potential mechanism).

And we can create some new landing page variations to align with this (and similar) angles where it’s more about preventative care than reversing a current problem.

I especially think the idea that dogs are could be hurting without you knowing it is a powerful angle.

Anyway — let me know what you think!

Have you tried any of these angles before by targeting younger dogs?

• William

What Did I Just Do There?

You see, it’s not about what I wrote.

My Facebook ad example? Basic.

The script? Basic.

The email? Basicer (that’s not a word — I don’t care).

I’m not the best writer in the world.

As I’ve stated MULTIPLE times I’m a high school dropout and barely anything I write is even grammatically correct.

And this bakes a lot of noodles when people see me write advice on Reddit (for example) and then hear how much I get paid.

They think I’m full of shit and rightly so.

Because in actuality what makes me good at my job and what people are ACTUALLY paying me for isn’t the words — it’s the IDEAS.

And that’s why other people write 10x better than me while making 10x less money.

This industry is built on people having IDEAS, searching for ANGLES and figuring out new ways to TEST.

And if you can walk someone through your thought process and show them that you have a mindset capable of poking, prodding, and tinkering with a brand and their marketing enough to come up with new ideas and angles to test — they will recognize your potential IMMEDIATELY and take you on.

Because good copy is formulaic. They can teach you the formula. They can teach you the the “best practices” that’s all relatively simple.

But what’s NOT easy is teaching you how to THINK.

And if you can simply show them that you have THAT part down they’ll rush to put money in your pockets.

And it doesn’t even matter if Wuffes has tried that angle (or something similar before) just to see it fail.

What they’ll notice is that I took the time to TRY to find a new angle. And if I could do that, then they can have a conversation with me.

They can say “We already tried that and it didn’t work. Here’s why we think it didn’t work — but what do YOU think?”

Now you’re operating on their level.

Finally — the other aspect of this is even if Wuffes didn’t hire me for a project, I can use that example (and the walk through) as a portfolio piece.

So even if I don’t get the gig, I just added a new awesome portfolio piece to show the next client.

Do that a few times and you’re locked and loaded with a whole diverse array of examples (and reasons why you wrote them) for potential clients until suddenly it looks like you might just know what the hell you’re doing and have a ton of experience…

…even though the entire damned thing is built off REJECTIONS.

So there you have it — how to start from nothin’, find a company, get in contact with them, build a portfolio with zero paying clients, and get paid even with no previous experience (and look like you know what you’re doing anyway).

PHEW! Series over. Now I can move onto something else.

Hope y’all enjoyed it.

• William