How I Solved my Lack of Confidence (Not Just as a Copywriter)
Simple confidence-building strategies that work
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Hi, I'm Les Blythe - helping you confront copywriting challenges head-on, and delivering actionable solutions that work.
Look, there’s no way to sugar coat this - if you lack confidence, you’re going to find it difficult to convince people to trust you with writing copy for their business, but don’t worry, I’m going to help you fix that.
I’m going to show you actionable strategies you can use (and I’ve personally used) to build your copywriter confidence and develop an unwavering belief in yourself as a copywriter.
Of course, this will also help anyone who suffers from a lack of confidence, so don’t tune out if you don’t happen to be a copywriter right now.
By the end of this video, you’ll have cracked the code that turns your insecurities into positive actions that yield real results and put more money in your pocket.
I’m going to deliver solutions for the two main roadblocks that, I know from experience, can torpedo your confidence as a copywriter.
Oh, and by the way, don't forget to pick up my FREE Copywriter Cheat Sheet, I'll put a link in the description for you.
https://go.lesblythe.com/ss7daycopysheet
My Cheat Sheet gives you 25 Copywriting Success Secrets I've learned from more than 10 years in the business. It's absolutely free, so be sure to help yourself.
Have you ever felt that nagging doubt? That little voice whispering, "Am I really good enough? Is my work truly valuable?"
If you have, trust me, you're in good company. Almost every copywriter, especially when starting out, grapples with this.
After a lot of hard knocks, I discovered a way to deal with these nagging doubts and become more confident in my abilities, and I’m going to let you in on what it was that turned the tables for me and can do the same for you.
So, at the beginning of my career, I constantly second-guessed myself. I'd deliver copy and immediately worry if it was good enough, if the client would be happy, or if I'd truly made an impact.
It's a common trap. We spend so much time focusing on the mechanics of writing, the formulas, the conversions, that we forget the crucial ingredient that is confidence.
And unfortunately, I speak from experience here. I hate to admit it now, but when I first started, I often let self-doubt dictate my rates, and I missed out on loads of opportunities (and income) because I didn't truly believe in my worth.
I definitely learned the hard way, and I absolutely want to help you avoid doing the same.
This self-doubt is better known as imposter syndrome I’ve faced it, and you’ll face it.
Briefly, imposter syndrome’s when you doubt your skills, talent, or accomplishments despite clear evidence of your competence and success.
It's the feeling that you're a "fraud" and that you'll eventually be "found out." Imposter syndrome is extremely common, here’s how you deal with it:
1. Acknowledge and Name It:
Recognize the feelings: The first step is to identify when those "imposter" thoughts are creeping in. Notice the self-doubt, the fear of being "found out," or the tendency to downplay your achievements.
Call it out: When you feel it, tell yourself, "Yep, this is imposter syndrome." Naming it helps to externalize it and realize it's a common psychological pattern, not a reflection of your actual ability.
2. Focus on Facts, Not Feelings:
Gather evidence: Keep a "win journal" or an "accomplishment log." Whenever you receive positive feedback, complete a project successfully, or meet a goal (no matter how small), write it down. This provides concrete evidence of your competence to counter the subjective feelings of inadequacy.
Challenge negative thoughts: When you catch yourself thinking "I'm not good enough" or "I just got lucky," ask yourself: "What is the factual evidence to support this thought? Is there any evidence to contradict it?" Often, you'll find there's little to no basis in fact for your self-doubt.
Reframe your narrative: Instead of "I almost messed that up," try "I learned a lot from that challenge." Shift your internal dialogue from self-criticism to growth-oriented thinking.
3. Celebrate Your Successes (Big and Small):
Don't dismiss praise: When someone compliments your work, practice saying "thank you" instead of deflecting or minimizing it. Allow yourself to internalize the positive feedback.
Actively acknowledge: Make a conscious effort to acknowledge your achievements. Whether it's a small task completed or a major project, take a moment to feel proud of your efforts and results.
4. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others:
Focus on your own journey: Social media and competitive environments often lead to unhealthy comparisons. Remember that you're only seeing others' highlight reels, not their struggles. Focus on your own progress and growth.
Recognize everyone's unique path: Everyone has different strengths, weaknesses, and paths to success. Your worth isn't determined by how you measure up against someone else.
5. Embrace Imperfection and Growth:
Challenge perfectionism: Imposter syndrome often goes hand-in-hand with perfectionism. Understand that nobody is perfect, and mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth, not proof of your inadequacy.
Adopt a growth mindset: View challenges as opportunities to learn and develop new skills, rather than tests of your inherent ability.
Accept failure gracefully: Failure is a natural part of any learning process. Instead of letting it define you, analyze what went wrong, learn from it, and move forward.
6. Set Realistic Goals:
Break down large tasks: Overwhelming goals can trigger feelings of inadequacy. Break them into smaller, manageable steps, and celebrate each small victory.
If you apply these strategies, you can gradually dismantle the grip of imposter syndrome and cultivate a more accurate and confident view of yourself and your abilities.
And the big one!
Right, here’s another major challenge that was a big one for me at the start - that dreaded client meeting!
Years later, I can still get that awful feeling of doubt in the pit of my stomach when I’m meeting a client face-to-face, online for the first time. The difference is that I now know how to handle it.
The best bit of advice I can give you here is prepare, prepare, prepare. Look, there’s an old saying “fail to prepare, and you prepair to fail”, you’ve most likely heard it. It’s corny, but it’s so true.
Never try to wing it, all you’re doing is putting unnecessary pressure on yourself, which will affect your confidence, and it might well end in disaster.
You’re asking the client to trust you and pay you real money for you work, so at least show you’re professional enough to come to the meeting prepared.
Being properly prepared not only helps bolster your own confidence, but it instills confidence in the client, making the client feel valued and understood.
This foundation of trust is important for building long-term relationships and achieving positive outcomes from client meetings.
Here’s how to prepare and it starts with research. Get to understand your client's business, industry, current challenges, and recent developments.
Reviewing past communications, previous meeting notes, and any existing agreements is also vital to ensure you're up-to-date on their history.
Beyond the client's specifics, anticipate their potential needs and objectives for the meeting.
Clearly define your own objectives as well – what do you hope to achieve, and what key messages do you want to convey?
This kind of dual understanding allows you to tailor your agenda, talking points, and any supporting materials to resonate directly with the client's priorities while also achieving your own.
Practical preparation involves structuring the meeting and gathering necessary resources.
Create a clear agenda with estimated timings for each discussion point, and share it with the client beforehand to allow for their input and ensure they’re on board.
Prepare any presentations, data, reports, or product demonstrations that will be relevant.
Anticipate potential questions or objections the client might raise and formulate concise, well-reasoned answers.
Confirm the logistics: time, location (virtual or physical), and technology setup, conducting any necessary tests to prevent last-minute technical glitches.
There you go the solid, actionable advice I promised to deliver to help you develop confidence and an unwavering belief in yourself as a copywriter.
Finally, remember to pick up my FREE Copywriter Cheat Sheet.