Build Your Copywriting Business

Latest Episodes:

Seeing Her Copy in Times Square - Alex's Story (Episode 265) Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

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 career trajectory for well over a decade, Alex is also sharing what it was like to make a major career pivot into copywriting and how she did it.

And, yes, she got to see copy for one of her projects in the bright lights of Times Square. How cool is that?!

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AI, Plagiarism, and Ethics in Copywriting - with Amber Smith (Episode 264) Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

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 some really mind-blowing facts around plagiarism.

One of the biggest things I learned?

You can not copyright AI-generated content in the U.S. 🤯

We talk about what that means for when and how you use AI on client work.

Trust me, you need to hear all of Amber’s insights. And a BIG thank you to Amber for sharing this wealth of information.

If you missed our first conversation on whether AI is a copywriting friend or foe, you can catch that here.

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Additional Resources

If you’re interested in learning more about AI, here are a few resources we think you’ll enjoy:

Read the International Energy Agency Energy and AI report
Read the World Economic Forum’s take on AI and energy
Read more about how data centers are using water
Learn more about the data centers in Virginia and the Top 10 Data Center Markets in the US
Get tips for writing smarter AI prompts
Read the Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence from the U.S. Copyright Office
Read more about why AI-generated content can’t be copyrighted in the U.S.

Mentioned in the Episode

Read more about George RR Martin and other authors suing AI
Learn more about the Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act
Read more about Chevron deference
Visit Amber’s website: copyamber.com
Hear our original conversation with Amber: Ep. 241: ChatGPT: Friend or Foe? – with Amber Smith

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His 30 Hours/Week, 6-Figure Business All Began in Thailand - Daniel's Story (Episode 263) Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

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 living would be lower in Thailand, allowing him to live comfortably while he built up his client base.

And, phew, did he build a client base!

While he’s not in Thailand anymore (you’ll have to listen in for more on his digital “slow-mad” lifestyle), Daniel is working 25 to 30 hours per week, earning a cool six figures per year.

Yeah. I’m inspired by his career path and I think you will be, too.

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Mentioned in the Episode

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Copywriting Secrets from the Marshalls/TJ Maxx Creative Director (Episode 262) Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

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.

If you’ve ever wanted to get your foot in the door at an iconic brand or wonder what marketing execs look for when hiring (surprise: you do NOT need to niche!), take a listen.

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Mentioned in the Episode

Related Links

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Full-Time to Freelance (and Traveling the World) - Catching Up with Tammy (Episode 261) Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

“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: right before we released that episode, Tammy had landed a new job.

But that was all more than TWO years ago.

Now?

She’s transitioned from a full-time job to full-time freelance and has plans to travel the world in 2026.

The tiny steps we take now? Those are the actions that don’t seem like anything now. But will have us looking back a year from now thinking, “Wow!”

Hit play and let Tammy’s step-by-step approach inspire you to take action on your biggest goals, one step at a time.

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Mentioned in the Episode

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'Twas the Night Before Deadline (Episode 260) Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

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.”

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She Quit the Course, Then Came Back and Built a Full-Time Copywriting Career - Jade's Story (Episode 259) Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Ever feel like quitting?

Well, Jade did quit the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy.

For like, years.

But on this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, she’s sharing the far juicier part of the story: what she did differently when she came back to the CCA.

Because it’s what she did differently that ultimately led her to a full-time copywriting job she loves.

I am SO appreciative that Jade was willing to share her story.

Because I think we’ve ALL been there. That moment when we’re like “nope, no thanks!”

But then, once we get honest with ourselves, we realize maybe we do want to chase our dreams—even if it’s uncomfortable. Even if we feel like imposters.

If you’ve been looking for a reason to recommit to your dreams, whatever they are, then I promise Jade’s story will help inspire that recommitment.

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Mentioned in the Episode

Jade's Website

Related Links

Ep. 242: From Almost Giving Up on Copywriting to Being Booked 6 Months Out

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From Scarcity to Strategy: An Honest Update on Kate's Money Mindset (Episode 258) Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

The last time Kate shared a money update she was … uncomfortable to say the least.

I mean, we were coming off a pandemic.

(You can watch that episode where she broke down her copywriting earnings right here.)

But SO much has evolved in the last four years. So, we felt like it was time to give you an update.

On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Kate is sharing what’s changed with her approach to her copywriting income and money in general.

We’re talking about the discomfort of going 120 mph (193 kmph for our global friends 😉) to going the speed limit, embracing “seasons” in business, and, of course, boundaries.

I know you’ll find Kate’s insights valuable as you navigate your own income goals.

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Mentioned in the Episode

Related Links

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Copywriting from a Rural New Zealand Kiwi Farm - Catherine's Story (Episode 257) Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

Ever feel like some stories just stay with you?

That’s Catherine’s story for me.

Catherine stepped away from a successful corporate career to raise her family in rural New Zealand. Then came a cancer diagnosis that flung everything into perspective.

On this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Catherine shares how she built relationships with other business owners in her rural community (and beyond), replacing her corporate salary with her copywriting income.

But let me be real with you, Catherine’s success didn’t happen overnight.

She’s sharing the areas she focused on, how she consistently put in effort, and the pay off she saw as a result of her efforts.

I can’t wait for you to hear this one, so, without further ado, take a listen!

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Mentioned in the Episode

Catherine's Portfolio

Related Links

Ep. 115: This Teacher Wanted More Work/Life Balance…and Found It with Copywriting – Charlotte’s Story

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Copywriter Holiday Dinner Survival [Rewind] Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

Raise your hand if you’ve ever told someone you’re a “copywriter” and 5 minutes later you realize they think you’re a copyrighter. 🙋🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️

We want to help you avoid that situation and ALL the others like it. That’s why Kate and I had the brilliant-beyond-brilliant idea to put together not one podcast episode this week but five super-short episodes that answer the most common questions copywriters get asked.

These are questions, frankly, you may get asked not just around the holidays (though there’s a higher probability!), but really *any* time you’re interacting with family and friends who don’t know what you do.

So, take a listen while you’re driving to holiday dinner, running a turkey trot, or walking around on a Tuesday in July (hey, if you’re like me you save a lot of episodes to come back to later!). You’ll have ready-to-go responses to scenarios like:

👨What do you say when Uncle Phil asks, “what even is copywriting?”

🧑‍🦰What do you say when sister-in-law Kelsey shouts, “OMG isn’t freelancing is so risky?”

👴 How do you respond when Grandpa Stan asks, “Can you even make money as a writer?”

👶 What do you say when your nephew Tyler says, “Isn’t AI destroying copywriting?”

👩‍🦳 How do you navigate cousin Diane asking, “Can you look over my resume?”

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Mentioned in the Episode

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