Build Your Copywriting Business

byComprehensive Copywriting Academy

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Ready to turn your love of writing into a successful copywriting career? Join professional copywriters Nicki Krawczyk, Kate Sitarz, and the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy team to get the tips, tools, and training to help you become a copywriter and build a thriving business of your own. Whether you want to land an on-staff job, freelance full-time and work from wherever you want, or make extra money with a side hustle, the best place to start learning is right here. Nicki and Kate have 20+ and 10+ years of experience, respectively, writing for multi-billion-dollar companies, solopreneurs, and every size business in between. Subscribe n...

Episodes(40 episodes)

Burned Out Healthcare Worker to Healthcare Copywriter - Molly's Story (Episode 279)

Our feelings on niching have never wavered: niching unnecessarily limits your opportunities, especially when you’re first starting out. But what if you have an entire career in an industry? You can—and should—absolutely use that experience to your advantage. CCA student and former healthcare worker Molly is sharing how she did exactly that on this week’s Build Your Copywriting Business podcast episode. Molly didn’t focus her entire portfolio on healthcare copywriting. Instead, she focused her outreach on the healthcare industry—and turned that into a six figure free...

Published: May 6, 2026Duration: 31m 44s

Hot Takes on Banner Ads (With Actual Examples) (Episode 278)

Ever wonder what makes a banner ad actually work? As in: what separates a scroll-past banner ad from a stop-and-click banner ad? While Kate and I don’t have the data from these ads, we do have some thoughts on 8 different banner ads. Some of these banner ads are single frames. Some are dynamic (meaning, they switch frames every few seconds). Some have solid messaging. Some…not so much. While this is a very visual episode and I recommend watching on YouTube, Kate and I do read the cop...

Published: Apr 29, 2026Duration: 52m 1s

Would You Send a $120K Proposal? She Did. - Victoria's Story (Episode 277)

Talking on the phone feels a little old school, don’t you think? ☎️ But guess what? It’s still how a lot of business gets done. And one phone call completely changed the trajectory of Victoria’s career. Victoria went to school for business and launched her business as a VA in 2021. Her clients? They wanted marketing and copywriting support, too. As she started building her skills, she realized there was so much more she could be offering—and charging. She’s sharing how she went from VA to sending a...

Published: Apr 22, 2026Duration: 49m 49s

Here's Exactly What I'd Say on a Discovery Call (Episode 276)

OK first things first so we’re on the same page: A Discovery Call is one of the most important calls you have as a copywriter. This is where you and a client get on a 15 or so minute call and determine if you want to move forward together on a project. But what does that look like? And how do you move forward with the project? In this podcast episode, I’m sharing exactly what I’d say on a discovery call. Well, if we’re getting technical, Kate is sharin...

Published: Apr 15, 2026Duration: 27m 56s

Freelance Copywriter Turned Nonprofit Comms Manager - Catching Up with Jen (Episode 275)

Have your heart set on freelancing? A lot of copywriters do. And that was Jen, too. She was freelance or bust. In fact, the last time we talked to her, she was thriving as a freelancer, making upwards of 10K/month while home schooling her kids. So, why the heck did she take an on-staff job?! When you’re really clear on what you want and why you want it, you realize there are multiple ways to get there. For Jen, flexibility and freedom are the MOST important. But fre...

Published: Apr 8, 2026Duration: 31m 29s

Your Next Copywriting Client Isn’t Online (Episode 274)

When you think of “networking,” what do you think of? 😖 “Hello my name is …” name tags and business cards being shoved at you like confetti? 😫 Memorizing an elevator pitch that ends up feeling sales-y and robotic? ☠️ A room full of strangers that makes you feel like you’re back in the middle school lunchroom trying to figure out what table to sit at? I hear you. All of that makes me want to run and hide under a blanket, too. And that’s why on this this week’s Build Your Copywriting Busines...

Published: Apr 1, 2026Duration: 37m 53s

In-House Copywriter to Agency Copywriter - Catching Up with Kelsey (Episode 273)

If you heard our first conversation with Kelsey then you already know she’s a bada** human. If you missed that conversation, I can’t even sum up all the insights she shares (so definitely check it out if you haven’t already). But the major win was Kelsey earned a promotion to senior copywriter after only a year of being with her in-house agency. Since then, Kelsey has been up to A LOT, making the major decision to shift from an in-house agency copywriter role to an ad agency copywriter role. We caught u...

Published: Mar 25, 2026Duration: 39m 3s

"Don't Believe Everything You Think": How to Track & Test Your Thoughts (Episode 272)

Even the MOST successful people have intrusive thoughts. Yes, influencers on Instagram who share their flawless-looking morning routines five times a week. Yes, Fortune 500 CEOs. Yes, the author who just hit the NYT bestseller list for a third time. The difference between them and those who don’t achieve their goals? They’ve learned to manage their intrusive thoughts. The bad news is we can’t make them disappear for good. The good news is you can start noticing them and putting them to the test. Listen in to...

Published: Mar 18, 2026Duration: 41m 11s

Meta Ads: the Biggest Opportunity for Copywriters Right Now (Episode 271)

The biggest opportunity for copywriters right now? Meta ads. If you’re like, “But Nicki, haven’t Meta ads always been a big opportunity? And isn’t Facebook dying?” Yes and no. Yes, they’ve always been a huge opportunity, but I’m letting you in on some things our Meta ads rep has told us that makes fresh messaging more crucial than ever. And, no, Facebook is very much alive (though to be clear, Meta ads encompasses Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and the Meta Audience Network). Facebook is st...

Published: Mar 11, 2026Duration: 25m 41s

Writing Inclusive Copy (Episode 270)

Is your copy unintentionally alienating parts of its intended audience? We're getting tactical on this week's Build Your Copywriting Business podcast episode and digging into how you can keep your copywriting inclusive while still writing to a target audience. You might be thinking, "Nicki, if my creative brief says the audience is men over 50, I'm going to write to men over 50, right?" Yes, but even well-meaning writers unintentionally limit their copy because we all write from our own experiences. So, Kate and I are sharing tips for how you can avoid stereot...

Published: Mar 4, 2026Duration: 21m 43s

"Say Yes and Figure It Out Later" - Michelle's Story

You know why copywriting is so fun? Once you understand the foundations, you unlock a superpower you have for the rest of your life. 🦸 Features vs. benefits, clear CTAs, how the audience and medium impact the message: once you understand that, you can wield that superpower on any project with any client. That’s what CCA student and agency owner Michelle realized. And it unlocked a world of opportunity for her. We love Michelle’s motto—”say yes and figure it out later.” You say “yes” not because you know everything.<...

Published: Feb 25, 2026Duration: 36m 30s

Mistaking "Ease" For "Security" (Episode 268)

The other day, Kate and I were talking about the reasons why we like working on staff versus freelancing. Candidly, Kate told me that being on staff can sometimes feel easier (don't worry, I asked her if I could share this conversation with you!). And, hey, some seasons in our lives we just need ease in certain areas. We want to put our feet up for a sec and breathe. Of course, we're still producing top-notch work. Working on staff just has a different set of challenges than freelancing. But on...

Published: Feb 18, 2026Duration: 18m 44s

Beyond Translation: Truly Connecting with Hispanic Audiences - Ceci's Story

Are you (unintentionally) alienating your audience? Kate and I had the pleasure of sitting down with Comprehensive Copywriting Academy student and bilingual copywriter Ceci and WOW! This episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast is a masterclass in connecting with your audience in a meaningful way. And Ceci’s story is incredibly inspiring, too. As a Latina copywriter, Ceci notices when copy has been intentionally written for a Spanish-speaking audience … and when it’s been haphazardly translated into English. And that difference is huge. When you take the tim...

Published: Feb 11, 2026Duration: 35m 11s

How to Trust Your Copywriting Gut (Episode 266)

When self-doubt is loud, it’s hard to tell whether discomfort is fear or intuition. That’s why learning to tell the difference is so important—in life … and, in this case, copywriting. So, Kate and I figured it was time to share our best tiny-but-effective tips for building trust in your gut. We’re talking about how to trust your instincts both when you’re writing copy and when you’re deciding to take on a client. The line between resistance and gut instinct can be tricky. So, let’s make sure you have a...

Published: Feb 4, 2026Duration: 37m 35s

Seeing Her Copy in Times Square - Alex's Story (Episode 265)

I hope you’re ready for the WEALTH of information Alex is sharing. On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, we are beyond lucky that CCA student, former account manager, and current copywriting dynamo Alex is sharing her wisdom from BOTH sides of the agency aisle. On the account side, Alex managed timelines, scopes, and client relationships. And, lucky us, she’s sharing pro tips for how you can better manage your own timelines, scopes, and relationships to wow clients (and keep your sanity!). As someone who was on one c...

Published: Jan 28, 2026Duration: 45m 0s

AI, Plagiarism, and Ethics in Copywriting - with Amber Smith (Episode 264)

If you’re using AI to help you with your copywriting tasks (and I hope you are!), you need to watch this. On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, we are SO lucky that the brilliant copywriter and AI expert Amber Smith is back, sharing all her knowledge around the ethics of AI. Two of the biggest concerns when it comes to AI are: 1. Energy and water consumption 2. Plagiarism Amber is sharing key information about both of these, including tips for lowering and limiting your consumption, plus...

Published: Jan 21, 2026Duration: 55m 13s

His 30 Hours/Week, 6-Figure Business All Began in Thailand - Daniel's Story (Episode 263)

Are you a “jump and the net will appear” kind of person? Personally, I like to have some sort of net. But, as this this week’s guest on the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast taught me, you can get creative with that net. CCA student and copywriter extraordinaire Daniel is sharing how five days after he quit his sales job, he moved to Thailand. I know, you’re like, “But Nicki, you said he had a net.” 😱 Trust me, Daniel wasn’t willy nilly about changing careers. He knew his cost of liv...

Published: Jan 14, 2026Duration: 35m 34s

Copywriting Secrets from the Marshalls/TJ Maxx Creative Director (Episode 262)

The title of this episode should really be “copywriting secrets from my best friend” … who just happens to be the creative director at one o the country’s (if not the world’s!) most iconic retail brands. On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, we are SO lucky that Melody was generous enough to share her time and decades of insights from working as a creative at Marshalls and TJ Maxx. She shares how she went from freelancer to group creative director leading a team of 18 copywriters, designers, creative directors, fashion editors, and more. <...

Published: Jan 7, 2026Duration: 46m 41s

Full-Time to Freelance (and Traveling the World) - Catching Up with Tammy (Episode 261)

“I’m genuinely living the life I envisioned. I am working with clients I love and sustaining myself through freelance work. It felt far away at first, but step by step, I built the reality I dreamed about.” That’s just a snippet of what Tammy shares in this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast. If you’ve been a long-time BYCB podcast listener, you know we’ve talked with Tammy before. Last time, she was navigating being laid off from an agency she loved (you can catch that episode here). Spoiler: righ...

Published: Dec 31, 2025Duration: 38m 49s

'Twas the Night Before Deadline (Episode 260)

We had a little fun with this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast. Please enjoy this playful, poetic take on the chaotic, caffeinated, and creatively charged moments every copywriter knows all too well, inspired by “A Visit from St. Nicholas, a.k.a. “The Night Before Christmas.” --------------- Get Free Copywriting Training here

Published: Dec 24, 2025Duration: 4m 9s