How to ‘Fail’ Your Way to More Freelance Copywriting Jobs
By Duwen Iye

Some of the most successful people in the world have been failures …

Jerry Seinfeld was booed off stage his first time doing stand-up comedy.

Michael Jordan was cut from the basketball team in his sophomore year of high school.

J.K. Rowling was rejected 12 times before publishing the first Harry Potter book.

I could keep going, but you get the gist.

As a copywriter, there will be times when you ‘fail’ — or at least you’ll feel like you did. You may fail to get the clients you want, write effective copy, increase your open and click-through rates, and so on.

This can be very discouraging, especially if you’re new to copywriting. But you can’t let the fear of failure hold you back. Remember — every top copywriter started one day as a newbie too.

So, what’s the difference between those who eventually find success and those who don’t? Let’s take a look at five positive attributes successful copywriters have going for them …

1. Successful Copywriters Have Thick Skin

As a freelance copywriter, having thick skin is essential. Rejection is a part of the job, even for experienced copywriters.

Throughout your career, you’ll pitch ideas that never get a response, lose out on jobs, and have your work critiqued or dismissed. It’s easy to get discouraged at times, but letting rejection define your path will only hold you back. Instead, treat each "no" as a stepping-stone — every rejection gets you closer to a "yes."

Beyond handling rejection, being open to feedback is key to growing as a writer. (More on that in a moment.) Clients and editors will often have different perspectives, and their feedback isn’t meant to tear you down — it’s actually intended to help you improve. When you’re willing to listen and adjust your approach, you gain new insights into what works and what doesn’t. This is what it means to have thick skin.

Thick skin isn’t about ignoring criticism or brushing off rejection. It’s about staying resilient, learning from each experience, and using every piece of feedback.

2. Successful Copywriters Seek Feedback

Clients and editors may not always have the time to give detailed feedback. That’s why you must actively seek it out. Asking family and friends can be a great starting point, offering a fresh perspective on your work.

However, to really sharpen your skills, it’s crucial to join an online community of fellow copywriters, like AWAI’s members-only Copywriting Insiders group. It provides a platform for you to meet other members and build relationships with others seeking to live the writer’s life. Certain AWAI programs and certifications also include access to groups with fellow trainees. Take advantage of them!

Communities like these are filled with writers who understand the challenges you’re facing. They’ve been in your shoes and are more likely to offer constructive, industry-specific feedback. Their insights can help you spot things you might miss, like unclear messaging or missed opportunities to connect with your audience.

By regularly engaging with other copywriters, you create a support system that not only helps you improve but keeps you grounded through the ups and downs of freelance life. If you’re interested in joining a group that will help you level up your copy, I’d recommend checking out AWAI’s copywriting community.

3. Successful Copywriters Think of Themselves as Businesspeople

Approaching your freelance work as a business encourages innovation. Every shortcoming isn’t about fixing mistakes — sometimes it’s a chance to refine your process, expand your services, and improve your offerings. You’ll also learn to market yourself better and think more strategically about your freelance career.

This mindset gives you the drive to keep moving forward. Just like any business owner, you’ll face challenges, but the focus remains on long-term growth, not short-term frustrations.

When you start thinking like a business, you will approach your work more strategically, stay motivated through tough times, and focus on long-term success. This shift in mindset is what keeps your freelance career evolving and growing.

4. Successful Copywriters Know Consistency Is Key

Consistency is one of the most powerful tools you have as a freelance copywriter. When you commit to working on your craft every day, you're stacking the odds in your favor, regardless of the outcome. This is because writing regularly not only sharpens your skills, and improves creativity, it builds momentum as well.

The more you write, pitch, and engage with clients, the more that momentum builds and the easier it all becomes. You’ll notice ideas flowing faster, pitches getting more refined, and landing new clients will start to feel like a natural outcome rather than a grind. So even when you ‘fail,’ you’re still succeeding because of the simple fact that you are being consistent.

Of course, the opposite is also true. Being inconsistent can severely impair your progress. Taking breaks and not writing every day can slow down your momentum, making it harder to stay in the flow of creativity and productivity. Disrupting this flow can feel like pushing a boulder uphill. Every time you stop, you’re essentially hitting the reset button on your momentum, which can drag out your progress on your journey toward success.

By sticking to daily habits, you’ll keep your skills sharp, your drive strong, and your chances of success high. Momentum doesn’t just keep you going — it propels you toward bigger opportunities faster.

5. Successful Copywriters Know It’s a Numbers Game … At First

Freelancing is often a numbers game, and the more you pitch and produce, the better your chances of success. Statistically speaking, the more clients you reach out to, the more opportunities you create for yourself. Not every pitch will land, but by consistently putting your work in front of potential clients, you increase the odds that some will say yes.

You won’t have to play the numbers game forever though. After gaining enough experience, you can refine your client base by relying on referrals, repeat business, and a strong portfolio, reducing the need for constant cold calling, emailing, or pitching to secure new clients.

Freelance copywriting can come with its fair share of rejection and challenges, but by embracing failure, seeking feedback, maintaining consistency, and thinking like a business, you set yourself up for long-term success. And to further increase your odds of copywriting success, implement this proven system, and you can start connecting with clients in 21 days or less.