Buckle Up.

[Brian C.]

You might benefit from this.

Here, you'll be witness to my story - someone starting from nothing on the quest to build an empire.

My intention is to inspire, and hold myself accountable. In 7 years time, I want to look back here and see just how far I've come.

Buckle yourselves in - we're headed to the FASTLANE.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

23 years old; been out of college for several months now. Ended up at the school sight unseen. Chose it solely based on price, but the education wasn't half bad. Did some neat stuff there: TA'd for an entrepreneurship class of 250 students, graduated in under 4 years - had a blast.

I'd binge drink three nights a week, smoked marijuana incessantly, but miraculously got it done. Was surrounded by bad influences - now gone. Successfully got "it" out of my system.

Fast forward to now - October.

Quit smoking marijuana permanently two weeks back. Indulge in man sodas a couple times a week in moderation. Lift weights and do cardio 4 days a week - hour and a half each day. Spend an hour teaching myself German daily. Have been relentlessly self-improving ever since reading MJ's words about our choices creating our future.

All good stuff.

....Right?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

Kind of. I'm 23 and still live with my parents. No job, despite offers out of college with $60k salaries. Didn't want a J-O-B. Knew a job wouldn't lead me to my destination, and knew years back I'd chase entrepreneurship until it worked. I'd be INSANE not to chase my dream.

Since January, I've been involved in luxury clothing arbitrage. Made some good money; provided little value. Had several famous clients. Think "Keeping up With the Kardashians." Yes, I'm mortified by that show too.

Decided two weeks back to liquidate my "inventory," using the capital to really ramp up my import & distribution ventures.

Got extremely interested in Copywriting. Lex inspired me with his mentorship program, along with ICK and many other TFLF members. Something about it. Learning how to properly reach the consumer through the written word fascinates me.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

And that's where I'm at now.

My goal is to make $2k per month Copywriting and move out of my parents' house. I haven't made a dime yet. Sent out ten applications on Upwork this week, no responses. I'll get it though. I'll pull in clients: a thousand applications, calling businesses - whatever it takes.

I know, I know. Copywriting is Slowlane, however, I need a "day job" while I build my semi-fastlane import business. And guess what, I love Copywriting. It's fun. It's an education that I'll be getting paid for!

I'm in the process of preparing my second import. None of the capital for these ventures gets siphoned - everything gets reinvested. I'm building that baby up! I have a thread devoted to it, here: Importing for eCommerce resale.

Well, you've heard more than enough about me.

But at least you now understand that like many who read through this forum, I'm at the bottom of the mountain looking up.

I'm taking one step at a time, every day.

I'm headed on up.

- Brian

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

P.S. This thread will be updated every few weeks or so as I hit milestones. WITNESS PROCESS.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[mazo]

Brian.
Wishing you haste on you road trip, will be keeping an eye out for you on the road.

 

[Lex DeVille]

You might benefit from this.

Here, you'll be witness to my story - someone starting from nothing on the quest to build an empire.

My intention is to inspire, but also hold myself accountable. In 7 years time, I want to look back here and see just how far I've come.

Buckle yourselves in - we're headed to the FASTLANE.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

23 years old; been out of college for several months now. Ended up at the school sight unseen. Chose it solely based on price, but the education wasn't half bad. Did some neat stuff there: TA'd for an entrepreneurship class of 250 students, graduated in under 4 years - had a blast.

I'd binge drink three nights a week, smoked marijuana incessantly, but miraculously got it done. Was surrounded by bad influences - now gone, but was able to get "it" out of my system.

Fast forward to now - October.

Quit smoking marijuana permanently two weeks back. Indulge in man sodas a couple times a week in moderation (3-4 sodas, tops). Lift weights and do cardio 4 days a week - hour and a half each day. Spend an hour teaching myself German on the daily. Have been relentlessly self-improving ever since reading MJ's words about our choices creating our future.

All good stuff.

....Right?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

Kind of. I'm 23 and still live with my parents. No job, despite offers out of college with $60k salaries. Didn't want a J-O-B. Knew a job wouldn't lead me to my destination, and knew years back I'd chase entrepreneurship until it worked. I'd be INSANE not to chase my dream.

Since January, I've been involved in luxury clothing arbitrage. Made some good money; provided little value. Sold several items to famous clients. Think "Keeping up With the Kardashians." Yes, I'm mortified by that show too.

Decided two weeks back to liquidate my "inventory," using the capital to really ramp up my import & distribution ventures. Sold all non-essentials (Xbox, broken iPhones, etc.) for a little boost as well.

Got extremely interested in Copywriting. Lex inspired me with his mentorship program, along with ICK and many other TFLF members. Something about it. Learning how to properly reach the consumer through the written word fascinates me.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

And that's where I'm at now.

My goal is to make $2k per month Copywriting to move out of my parents' house. I haven't made a dime yet. Sent out ten applications on Upwork this week, no responses. I'll get it though. I'll pull in clients: a thousand applications, calling businesses - whatever it takes.

I know, I know. Copywriting is Slowlane, however, I need a "day job" while I build my semi-fastlane import business. And guess what, I love Copywriting. It's fun. It's an education that I'll be getting paid for!

I'm in the process of preparing my second import. None of the capital for these ventures gets siphoned - everything gets reinvested. I'm building that baby up! I have a thread devoted to it, here: Importing for eCommerce resale.

Well, you've heard more than enough about me.

But at least you now understand that like many who read through this forum, I'm at the bottom of the mountain looking up.

I'm taking one step at a time, every day.

I'm headed on up.

- Brian

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

P.S. This thread will be updated every few weeks or so as I hit big milestones. WITNESS PROCESS.

I'll help you accomplish this goal. Two things tho:

1. Copywriting is only as slowlane as you believe it to be.
2. To achieve and surpass your goals, you have to start thinking about copywriting as a Fastlane route.

It can't be a side opportunity. I know you're working hard at it. Hard work isn't enough.

You have to understand the mindset. I don't think you're far from it.

Just want you to know that the Fastlane is about creating freedom, and while copywriting for low pay jobs is pretty slowlane, earning $15k from a sales letter or charging high prices for consulting or selling a course or scaling in whatever other ways you can think of based on your copywriting knowledge...that's upgrading yourself to Fastlane.

Let me catch my bearings - I've been on the road a lot this week, and early next week too.

If you're serious about this, and I think you are based on what you've sent me so far, I'll help you.



Just got this like 5 minutes ago.

10 hours x $75/hr x 4 weeks = $3000. One job can breach your goal. Of course anyone willing to pay $75 has the cash to pay a high fixed-rate if they're a fit and can even be upsold later too.

I'll send you more info in PM later. We've already been chatting so it is what it is.

If you're patient (because I'm really freaking swamped right now) we'll get you up to those levels cuz I don't give a F*ck.

 

[Brian C.]

I'll help you accomplish this goal. Two things tho:

1. Copywriting is only as slowlane as you believe it to be.
2. To achieve and surpass your goals, you have to start thinking about copywriting as a Fastlane route.

It can't be a side opportunity. I know you're working hard at it. Hard work isn't enough.

You have to understand the mindset. I don't think you're far from it.

Just want you to know that the Fastlane is about creating freedom, and while copywriting for low pay jobs is pretty slowlane, earning $15k from a sales letter or charging high prices for consulting or selling a course or scaling in whatever other ways you can think of based on your copywriting knowledge...that's upgrading yourself to Fastlane.

Let me catch my bearings - I've been on the road a lot this week, and early next week too.

If you're serious about this, and I think you are based on what you've sent me so far, I'll help you.

View attachment 13390

Just got this like 5 minutes ago.

10 hours x $75/hr x 4 weeks = $3000. One job can breach your goal. Of course anyone willing to pay $75 has the cash to pay a high fixed-rate if they're a fit and can even be upsold later too.

I'll send you more info in PM later. We've already been chatting so it is what it is.

If you're patient (because I'm really freaking swamped right now) we'll get you up to those levels cuz I don't give a F*ck.

Your mindset is cut from a different cloth no longer in production, Lex.

In MJ's book, he spoke about reaching people. "Affect millions, make millions." Advertisements and copy reach millions of people every day. And the people serving those companies, well, they're compensated for it. Better believe Coca Cola and Mercedes aren't paying chump change for those services. Expert copy receives expert compensation.

Thanks for blocking out the noise. I run into it sometimes here, and it's almost ALWAYS people who aren't FASTLANERS themselves. They're quick to label, yet clearly don't understand the concept.

I'm in the process of getting to that mindset. Changing my thinking will change results. I'm getting there.

I have my blinders on because I'm devoted to Copywriting. I NEED to become an expert. Everything else is simply a side project, second to my the Copywriting process. I want to add VALUE.

Thanks again for everything Lex. You've been MONUMENTAL to my growth these past few weeks.

Look forward to hearing from you.

- Brian

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Invictus]

Sub'd. Quite excited to watch this thread.

 

[NateTheGreat]

Congrats on graduation. I just finished up my Bachelor's as well. I look forward to hearing about your journey!

Are you solely looking at Upwork or do you have other connections for Copywriting opportunities? Do you plan on calling businesses or going door-to-door?

 

[Brian C.]

Congrats on graduation. I just finished up my Bachelor's as well. I look forward to hearing about your journey!

Are you solely looking at Upwork or do you have other connections for Copywriting opportunities? Do you plan on calling businesses or going door-to-door?

Thank you my friend. Congratulations to you!

I decided to cast a smaller net. My focus is to become a specialist in one specific industry. Spending time this weekend and next week sending out proposals for related gigs on Upwork. Depending on how they're received, I'll reach out to local businesses and offer to write their copy.

My goal is to figure out how and where I can add value, execute, and go from there.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Brian C.]

2 Week Update

Well, here we are. A little more than two weeks ago, I sent out 13 proposals on Upwork. Didn't receive one response. I was distraught, upset, but not beaten.

But then something amazing happened. My mentor @SinisterLex and I began working together, or should I say, he began working to get me working. He recommended books, provided guidance, offered feedback, and most importantly - gave me his valuable time.

In my first week of mentorship, I received 3 invitations to interview. 3! After a full week of denied proposals, I finally had work! I wrote landing page copy for a client, and was officially a paid Copywriter.

This week, I received multiple invitations to interview daily. I wrote landing page copy for another client, and with two gigs under my belt - I had not one accepted proposal.

Three days ago, my first proposal was accepted. The best part? The industry.

Early in my mentorship, Lex asked me what industry I wanted to write for. Experts make the big money. Experts add the most value. It's no secret. It made sense to have a specialization, a particular industry or niche I would write for. From there, it's just a matter of becoming the best.

With this industry related client, I over delivered. Big time. I figure, maybe he'll need my services in the future. Maybe he'll refer me. After all, over-delivering can't hurt you, right?

And that's where I'm at: 3 clients with completed work after two weeks.

The progress is there, and the future is becoming more bright by the day.

I wake up every morning hyped to write copy and add value to clients, but to also get paid while learning more about an industry I love.

THANKS LEX.

 

[Almantas]

2 Week Update

Well, here we are. A little more than two weeks ago, I sent out 13 proposals on Upwork. Didn't receive one response. I was distraught, upset, but not beaten.

But then something amazing happened. My mentor @SinisterLex and I began working together, or should I say, he began working to get me working. He recommended books, provided guidance, offered feedback, and most importantly - gave me his valuable time.

In my first week of mentorship, I received 3 invitations to interview. 3! After a full week of denied proposals, I finally had work! I wrote landing page copy for a client, and was officially a paid Copywriter.

This week, I received multiple invitations to interview daily. I wrote landing page copy for another client, and with two gigs under my belt - I had not one accepted proposal.

Three days ago, my first proposal was accepted. The best part? The industry.

Early in my mentorship, Lex asked me what industry I wanted to write for. Experts make the big money. Experts add the most value. It's no secret. It made sense to have a specialization, a particular industry or niche I would write for. From there, it's just a matter of becoming the best.

With this industry related client, I over delivered. Big time. I figure, maybe he'll need my services in the future. Maybe he'll refer me. After all, over-delivering can't hurt you, right?

And that's where I'm at: 3 clients with completed work after two weeks.

The progress is there, and the future is becoming more bright by the day.

I wake up every morning hyped to write copy and add value to clients, but also to get paid while learning more about an industry I love.

THANKS LEX.

Congrats and best of luck! You are blessed to have a copywriting beast Lex on your side!

 

[TheGrind]

My advice about copywriting? Get off Upwork and network around to find clients. Send out a direct mail piece that packages up your copywriting service to seem sexy, throw in a case study, and you'll have several high-paying clients easily.

Another piece of advice is to try and get clients on a retainer.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Brian C.]

Congrats and best of luck! You are blessed to have a copywriting beast Lex on your side!

Thanks @Almantas. I appreciate that. Lex has been pivotal in my development. Hell, he was pivotal in getting me interested in Copywriting.

He's beyond generous. He's like Cal Naughton Jr. - he wants YOU to win. Here's a sneak peak of us collaborating together:

In actuality he's number one. "If you're not first, you're not Lex" is a motto often heard in the Copywriting world.

My advice about copywriting? Get off Upwork and network around to find clients. Send out a direct mail piece that packages up your copywriting service to seem sexy, throw in a case study, and you'll have several high-paying clients easily.

Another piece of advice is to try and get clients on a retainer.

I'm on it. This week, I'll be developing my website. I wanted to get some wins under my belt on Upwork first before moving forward.

I figure I can pull clients off of Upwork and direct them to website. My hope is that over time, some of these clients refer my services. If not, I can network via LinkedIn, Direct Mail to respective industry businesses, etc.

In the future, you're right. Offering a retainer is the ideal tactic - for lack of a better word. Lex and I have spoken about this. When the time comes, I will definitely implement a retainer.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Schwartz]

Good luck on your ventures I wish you success. By the way stimulating your mind by learning another language is a great way to spend leisure time, glad you chose German

 

[Brian C.]

2 Week Update

A bit premature on the full two weeks, but it just couldn't wait.

Over the past two weeks, I've picked up several new clients.

Over the past two days, however, I took a step in the wrong direction.

You see it all over the forum, even on this thread: "Move away from Upwork." Upwork is a lead generation site. That's all. It aligns you with prospective clients and charges 20% of your earnings. It's a great place to start, but not to finish.

So, how do you move clients away from Upwork? Well, I thought the solution might be a website. Not only can I direct clients to the site, but I can advertise the site to my target market. Win/Win, right? LOL not so fast there sport. You see, I spent two days learning Wordpress and how to create a site. I even spent $99 on something I didn't need (wtf wordpress.com vs. wordpress.org). The worst/best part? After all that work, I was told my website looked like it was from 2005.

After chatting with Lex this morning, I stopped. Developing a website isn't what I'm good at. It's not. I'm good at Copywriting. In the two days I spent building the site, I sacrificed revenue that would've paid for a web developer. Revenue that would've produced a quality site. I sacrificed potential clients, and even their potential client networks.

The lessons learned?
1. Stick to what you're good at.
2. Sales cures all

To move clients off of Upwork, all you need is a PayPal account/payment method, and the will to pursue clients and offer value. You don't need a fancy site - although I'm sure it doesn't hurt.

That said, Lex recommended seeking a web developer from your group @Fox . Think anyone would be up to the challenge?

I can compensate with either PayPal money or sultry copy - the choice is theirs.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Fox]

That said, Lex recommended seeking a web developer from your group @Fox . Think anyone would be up to the challenge?

I can compensate with either PayPal money or sultry copy - the choice is theirs.

Feel free to join here. No problem posting about that. I am full for this month or I would help.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/foxswebdesign/

 

[Brian C.]

Can't believe it's been nearly a month since I've last posted in this thread. Crazy how time flies.

Things are great. My past goal of $2k per month from copywriting is obsolete. Now shooting for $6k a month.

I had a website for my copywriting services designed by @Thiago Machado , who did a phenomenal job. I actually met him through the link @Fox had posted above for his Web Design Facebook group. For any copywriters and/or web designers out there, I HIGHLY recommend you join this group. It's home to the best web designers I've come across.

I'm also involved in an importing venture with @Nomangee . We have a distribution network set up, and are awaiting our product samples. We'll see what happens. I'd like to import & distribute other unrelated products in the future as well, but for right now, my primary focus is on copywriting.

Not just copywriting, but building an agency that can scale based on developed systems. I'll be able to elaborate on this in the future.

 

[Thiago Machado]

I had a website for my copywriting services designed by @Thiago Machado , who did a phenomenal job. I actually met him through the link @Fox had posted above for his Web Design Facebook group.

My man!

Appreciate the kind words.

Always rooting for you brother! Keep it up!

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Niptuck MD]

KEEP ON PUSHING AND keep it up . you got this

 

[CPisHere]

Elon's Musk is working on some copy for me now. Looking forward to the results!

 

[Andy Black]

Great thread title @Elon's Musk - I just had to click and read it. Good copywriting.

After chatting with Lex this morning, I stopped. Developing a website isn't what I'm good at. It's not. I'm good at Copywriting. In the two days I spent building the site, I sacrificed revenue that would've paid for a web developer. Revenue that would've produced a quality site. I sacrificed potential clients, and even their potential client networks.

The lessons learned?
1. Stick to what you're good at.
2. Sales cures all

Good lessons to have learned.


In this call with @Random_0 we discuss that. You might get some value out of it, as we discuss how he's moving from being a technician to a business owner.

• AndyTalks with @Random_0 about Growing a Local Lead Gen Business

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Brian C.]

Thanks for the kind words @Thiago Machado and @Arun Siva ! Very much appreciated.

Elon's Musk is working on some copy for me now. Looking forward to the results!

Having a blast writing it @Cparsons ! Such a fascinating and relatable story as to how you got started with your business. Quality stories set the stage for quality copy.

In this call with @Random_0 we discuss that. You might get some value out of it, as we discuss how he's moving from being a technician to a business owner.

• AndyTalks with @Random_0 about Growing a Local Lead Gen Business

Thanks for sharing this @Andy Black

At the 43:00 minute mark, you hit the nail right on the head for me.

"The idea is to grow with your clients. You help your client to grow, and then you grow with them. And then they grow, and you grow....it's no longer a client relationship, they're your partner. You're going after something together."

"You're creating a win/win/win. For your partner, their customer, and yourself."

That's what it's all about! Clients aren't clients, they're partners.

As always Andy, thanks for the Gold.

 

[Brian C.]

Wow - you ever just look back at your past-self and just think "where the hell was I?"

Not literally, but figuratively. I can't help but read the OP and laugh. And that was just a couple of months ago. Crazy where a bit of progression takes you.

I started an excel sheet documenting income I generate through my copywriting services. I don't know why I waited so long, but it's there. I plan on incorporating soon, just need to talk to a tax professional/accountant and figure out under what structure. Couple of other small things too, but it'll all come together nicely.

I had a big day right around Christmas. I figured that on an "off-day" for just about everybody in the US, there wouldn't be much happening. So wrong. Picked up 3 copywriting clients in one day. If I wasn't available, it wouldn't have materialized. Reminded me of @biophase 's story about showing up to the office on Black Friday and seeing only high-end cars. The one's that get "lucky" are also the one's that are working when nobody else is. Kind of a nice reminder of that.

Received our sample products. Ads will be running shortly. Excited to start importing more products as well. There's just so much opportunity in that space.

Anyways, it should be an interesting year. I want to hit $10k p/mo. with copywriting by November, but talk is cheap. We'll see what happens. Just excited I can finally fund some other ventures, relocate to Boston this summer, and to be moving forward steadily.

 

[Brian C.]

Still can't believe it takes 15-20 minutes to legally start a business.

There are several reasons why I incorporated as a marketing company - main reasoning being, I can continue to offer copywriting services while expanding into additional areas of marketing.

Thanks in big part to @SinisterLex , I'm no longer actively seeking new clients. Most of my business is referral based, and if I ever want more work, I turn to the phone or even Upwork.

Despite this business taking up most of my time, I'm diligently studying Real Estate. Initially, I was hellbent on renting an apartment in Boston, but now I'm hellbent on purchasing my first investment property. Just don't see the rationale behind paying someone else's mortgage/loan.

Regardless of recent pessimistic market speculation, I'm confident that deals can be found anywhere at any given time.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Brian C.]

[EDITED]:

Initially, this post was pretty personal. A bit too much: "me, me, me" for my liking.

I'm going to cut off the posts from this point forward. But you'll be able to find me elsewhere on the forum

 

[Andy Black]

Moving forward, I think I'm going to tone it down with the updates.

Even though it's kind of cool to look back and see the progress, something just doesn't feel right talking about "me, me, me."

It's cool. I'm enjoying your updates.

 

[NewWorld]

Your posts got me motivated to finally get into the import/export scene.
Thank you.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Brian C.]

Your posts got me motivated to finally get into the import/export scene.
Thank you.

That's awesome @NewWorld - really cool to hear you're getting into it.

As for a small update, our marketing company is running strong - just added 2 new sales guys and now have the proper relationships in place regarding any contractor-type work we aren't able to fulfill ourselves or need assistance with. We're also stepping up our game in terms of local prospecting, which has been way more fun than I ever could have anticipated.

Ended up getting my real estate license and am pumped to explore a secondary income stream as an agent. My primary business needs my attention for a few more months, but it'll be cool to put my marketing company's services to the test personally (we are a real estate marketing company after all).

 

[Andy Black]

That's awesome @NewWorld - really cool to hear you're getting into it.

As for a small update, our marketing company is running strong - just added 2 new sales guys and now have the proper relationships in place regarding any contractor-type work we aren't able to fulfill ourselves or need assistance with. We're also stepping up our game in terms of local prospecting, which has been way more fun than I ever could have anticipated.

Ended up getting my real estate license and am pumped to explore a secondary income stream as an agent. My primary business needs my attention for a few more months, but it'll be cool to put my marketing company's services to the test personally (we are a real estate marketing company after all).

I have a short progress thread in the Speedway forum about how I used AdWords to (help?) sell a house...

This podcast was very interesting too:

• www.rickmulready.com/111