Some great LOLs here, Chris. You sound a lot like me. Crowds of strangers or even noisy crowds I mostly know? Ugh. We're introverts more than the opposite, though that side is in there trying to hide, I'm sure.
And, I love to write, too. Substack keeps me on a running two week newsletter schedule, which is work, but still, I love it when I put the final polish on and time it to whoosh out to the readers.
And I've learned to love selling, but only when it's something I created that I know will make life better for those who sign on for a course or a membership. Selling something for someone else? Gag me with a spoon.
It’s funny you say that about noise, Will. I’ve become more and more sensitive to noise over the years. I’m not sure why. It’s really cool that you create things that help people. That kind of selling sounds much better!
I thought I had a pretty good gig for a while (I did) writing alumni success stories for a little liberal arts college. Then they shifted me to writing six-word taglines for prospective students. Yeah, that didn't stick.
Ugh! I spent 7 years as an account executive at an advertising agency before I went to law school. I begged them to let me be a copywriter, and in year 5 they finally let me, and I was given some small clients to write copy for... in addition to the substantial accounts I was already managing. Woo....
That’s quite a workload! It’s cool they gave you the chance, but it sure took them long enough. Did you like copywriting? And did you like being an account executive?
I would imagine that more and more of the writing coming out of marketing agencies is going to be generated by AI in the future, so maybe it’s a good thing that your responsibilities have shifted? Even if it means less writing and more calls? At least from a job-security perspective?
I have a friend who does corporate copywriting stuff and he’s just assuming the days until he’s replaced by a bot are numbered
I think you’re right, and that’s what I keep telling myself. It probably is better as far as job security goes. I hope your friend is able to pivot as needed. It’s a weird time.
"Some of the times I’ve felt most alone have been when I’m surrounded by hundreds of people..." Oh yes!! And then have to sell yourself - er - your books! We writers should be left alone to write ... I yell to the universe.😔
Dang. Everything is about selling these days. Writers have to be on social media, beg for a following, sell themselves… Can you be a tradhubby and just write your fab Substack?
I vacillated between loudly guffawing and whispering “Are we… are we the same person?!!!”
This is also relatable because, though my title is Copywriter, I am mostly Project Manager & Website Tweaker with an unwitting side hustle of monkey wrangling. I do almost zero writing these days.
I really enjoyed your post today. I started out as a very shy person as a copier salesman in the early seventies. My trainer kept telling me to make eye contact with the person I was trying to get an appointment with. I ended up eventually starting my own copier dealership in another city and did that for several years. Then, I spent the next forty years as a commercial real estate sales agent. It's still tough to take the rejection, so I hear you.
Wow, that’s impressive, going from a very shy person to selling commercial real estate! That’s what my brother does too; he’s always been a lot more outgoing than me. Anyway, I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Steve—thank you!
I wanted to be a TV lawyer, too, Chris! Claire Kincaid on Law & Order. Then I realized I only wanted her wardrobe and to argue. And that I could do that without a law degree. But, I get you in terms of being introverted and hating selling. We can do it if we have to, but I'd rather just have someone hand me money. If there's a job where people just give me money, I think I can do that. Let me know if you hear of anything. :)
“I only wanted her wardrobe and to argue.” 😂 As for a job where people just give you money, the only one I know of is bank teller, but I don’t think that’s what you had in mind 😆
I also wanted to be a TV lawyer, but reality changed the channel. I'm glad it worked out differently for me. Thank goodness your love of writing led you here and my love of laughing (and the clever use of words) helped me find you.
This resonates with so many of us I’m sure- we took one job to pay the bills and then you blink and here you are. Always good to know I’m not alone though! And I agree with you wholeheartedly: LinkedIn is sad.
I feel like that too—there definitely seems to be an uptick in activity. I’ve also noticed more people are starting to pepper politics into their comments, which will surely lead to great things for the platform. 😂
Some great LOLs here, Chris. You sound a lot like me. Crowds of strangers or even noisy crowds I mostly know? Ugh. We're introverts more than the opposite, though that side is in there trying to hide, I'm sure.
And, I love to write, too. Substack keeps me on a running two week newsletter schedule, which is work, but still, I love it when I put the final polish on and time it to whoosh out to the readers.
And I've learned to love selling, but only when it's something I created that I know will make life better for those who sign on for a course or a membership. Selling something for someone else? Gag me with a spoon.
It’s funny you say that about noise, Will. I’ve become more and more sensitive to noise over the years. I’m not sure why. It’s really cool that you create things that help people. That kind of selling sounds much better!
I thought I had a pretty good gig for a while (I did) writing alumni success stories for a little liberal arts college. Then they shifted me to writing six-word taglines for prospective students. Yeah, that didn't stick.
So, I hear you, Chris.
UGH. That must have been so frustrating, Zach. What a drag.
Thanks. It sucked, but it could have sucked worse—I could still be working a real job.
Ugh! I spent 7 years as an account executive at an advertising agency before I went to law school. I begged them to let me be a copywriter, and in year 5 they finally let me, and I was given some small clients to write copy for... in addition to the substantial accounts I was already managing. Woo....
That’s quite a workload! It’s cool they gave you the chance, but it sure took them long enough. Did you like copywriting? And did you like being an account executive?
My wife is an actuary who now does very little actuarial-ing. Don’t think I didn’t notice the shot fired at those nerds.
Tofu had it coming though.
Fuck tofu.
She probably knew the odds that would happen to her, though.
Nerd joke.
I would imagine that more and more of the writing coming out of marketing agencies is going to be generated by AI in the future, so maybe it’s a good thing that your responsibilities have shifted? Even if it means less writing and more calls? At least from a job-security perspective?
I have a friend who does corporate copywriting stuff and he’s just assuming the days until he’s replaced by a bot are numbered
I think you’re right, and that’s what I keep telling myself. It probably is better as far as job security goes. I hope your friend is able to pivot as needed. It’s a weird time.
"Some of the times I’ve felt most alone have been when I’m surrounded by hundreds of people..." Oh yes!! And then have to sell yourself - er - your books! We writers should be left alone to write ... I yell to the universe.😔
If only, Judith!
Dang. Everything is about selling these days. Writers have to be on social media, beg for a following, sell themselves… Can you be a tradhubby and just write your fab Substack?
Ha, I’d really have to sell the hell out of that idea, and I don’t think she’d buy it!
I vacillated between loudly guffawing and whispering “Are we… are we the same person?!!!”
This is also relatable because, though my title is Copywriter, I am mostly Project Manager & Website Tweaker with an unwitting side hustle of monkey wrangling. I do almost zero writing these days.
I’m not surprised that you identified with this, Jennie. We really should get DNA tests.
I really enjoyed your post today. I started out as a very shy person as a copier salesman in the early seventies. My trainer kept telling me to make eye contact with the person I was trying to get an appointment with. I ended up eventually starting my own copier dealership in another city and did that for several years. Then, I spent the next forty years as a commercial real estate sales agent. It's still tough to take the rejection, so I hear you.
Wow, that’s impressive, going from a very shy person to selling commercial real estate! That’s what my brother does too; he’s always been a lot more outgoing than me. Anyway, I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Steve—thank you!
I wanted to be a TV lawyer, too, Chris! Claire Kincaid on Law & Order. Then I realized I only wanted her wardrobe and to argue. And that I could do that without a law degree. But, I get you in terms of being introverted and hating selling. We can do it if we have to, but I'd rather just have someone hand me money. If there's a job where people just give me money, I think I can do that. Let me know if you hear of anything. :)
“I only wanted her wardrobe and to argue.” 😂 As for a job where people just give you money, the only one I know of is bank teller, but I don’t think that’s what you had in mind 😆
Wow - we're like twin souls that never need to talk about it.
🤣 Agreed!
I also wanted to be a TV lawyer, but reality changed the channel. I'm glad it worked out differently for me. Thank goodness your love of writing led you here and my love of laughing (and the clever use of words) helped me find you.
I think we both could have made excellent TV lawyers. But I’m glad things worked out the way they did!
Objection! Overruled!
🤣
Can your next article be about Tofu History? Because if anyone could make that funny...
I’ll do some research 🤣
You are charming. Share it with the world.
You have to say that 😂
This resonates with so many of us I’m sure- we took one job to pay the bills and then you blink and here you are. Always good to know I’m not alone though! And I agree with you wholeheartedly: LinkedIn is sad.
Thanks, Lindsey. And I’m glad you agree about LI. What a fucking drag it is.
The even sadder thing is I feel like people are gravitating there more and more? In my field it’s like the new Twitter but completely soulless.
I feel like that too—there definitely seems to be an uptick in activity. I’ve also noticed more people are starting to pepper politics into their comments, which will surely lead to great things for the platform. 😂
I feel so seen
Nice to hear from you, Kelsey!