📖Turn the Page📖Hi Reader, If you’re new around here (WELCOME!) This is part 3 of the Leverage series — a short, behind-the-scenes look at how teachers already have the skills (and assets) to build a successful freelance business. If you missed the first two, you can catch up here: Now, let’s talk about one of the most underestimated pieces of this puzzle: When most teachers think about “networking,” their stomach drops. Like Back-to-School-Night-at-7:30pm-on-a-Tuesday-when-you-have-to-survive-the-rest-of-the-week bad.
But here’s what I want you to really hear: You already have a network. Think about it— You might even know parents who run businesses of their own. Those are warm humans. What we call warm leads in the business world. That’s what every business owner looks for when they hire a copywriter. And the best part? Start there. Teachers are naturals at this — you build community on day one, you remember details about people, you follow through. You’re not starting from scratch. Warmly, P.S. Who’s one person you already know that you could reconnect with this week — just to say hi, not to pitch? Hit reply and tell me who comes to mind. I’d love to cheer you on. |
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The part I didn’t quite expect (you might need to hear this!)
📖Turn the Page📖We’re taking a quick pause on the mini series Leverage: Turning What You Already Know into Copywriting Success! Missed the first two emails in the series? Go read them here and then be ready to dig into #3 next week! Email 1: You already have everything you need (you just haven’t named it yet) Email 2: The teaching WAS the training—Here’s what’s next. Last week I sat in a zoom call with the founding members of From Classroom to Copywriter: the only program specifically teaching teachers how to be paid content and copywriters for education companies. As these incredible women were reflecting on all the ways they had challenged themselves over 10 weeks, on the things they could do now that they couldn’t (or wouldn’t) do even a few weeks ago, on how they grown not only in skill but in confidence in their ability to apply those skills, I couldn’t help feeling so grateful for being able to do this part of my work. 3.5 years ago, when I got my first writing client, a vision for what I wanted my business to eventually be began to take shape. And at the center of that vision was the feeling that I heard each one of my founding members share about during our final call. It wasn’t skill—though they all shared the ways they had specifically grown their content and copywriting skills over the course of the program. It wasn’t even confidence—though they each shared the ways they were now feeling more confident about using LinkedIn and about sending those connection requests and emails to people they haven’t met yet. The thing I kept hearing whether it was overt or not? The thread that was traveling through each thing they said? Permission.All the ways they were walking away feeling like they had given themselves the permission to change or to do something differently that maybe they weren’t before. Now Reader, I know that you know (and that deep inside they knew) that they had this permission all along. That their lives are their own and each one of them gets to decide what direction to take it in. But there is this funny thing that happens with women—especially those that have been kind of stuck or stalled in place for a while—they begin to believe that they have to stay in that place. That others even EXPECT them to stay there. That any growth or decision or (heaven forbid) desire to be or try something different means something about them. These aren’t conscious thoughts (most of the time). But they are they filter so many of us run every “want” through. And too often the result is fear—or even guilt and shame. For wanting something more (more money, more time, more CALM). We are quietly waiting for someone else to tell us it’s OK to do that. To give us PERMISSION. But last Wednesday night? I listened as each group member signed her own freaking permission slip to step into the next chapter of her life.
And it was thrilling. Not because of any immediate changes—although I’m already getting messages about the conversations they are having with prospective new clients!— but because once you cross that invisible line, the one that held your uncertainty, your shakiness, your fear—the one that held the voice that kept telling you to wait for the perfect moment to change your life— the whole world feels different. When you have given yourself the permission to bet on yourself, Reader… you always win. I am so excited to see where C, K and L will be in a few months, or a year from now. Because I know each one of them is moving a little bit differently now. Taking steps towards a different version of their lives. And I will be getting ready to reopen enrollment for From Classroom to Copywriter towards the end of the 2025 or the beginning of 2026… will you be ready to take the first steps into your next chapter, Reader? I’m here for your questions! – Meredith P.S. Grab a pen and some paper and reflect a little bit about how you’d like your life to feel differently in 6 months or a year… get specific. Write down your ideal Tuesday 6 months from now and how you’ll feel in that day. Close your eyes and picture everything you will do and the way you will feel in your body. Sometimes our body and mind need to begin to feel it in order to walk it forward in our lives. |
The teaching was the training — here’s what’s next
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📖Turn the Page📖 Hey-o and Happy Friday, Reader! One of my favorite moments when I work with teachers who want to write for a living is when they realize…
they already think like copywriters.They just don’t know it yet. Because teachers? We’re wired to make complex things simple. To connect with all kinds of learners. To help people take action—even when they don’t feel like it. Sound familiar? That’s what good writers do, too. 😉 When I first started freelancing, I thought I had to “learn business.” (To be clear, I definitely had to learn about taxes. But that’s a story for another day…. or you can go read that one here! I’m always happy to help others avoid the mistakes I made!) Here’s what I mean: ✏️ The Teacher Skills You’re Already Using as a Copywriter
When you strip it down, teaching and copywriting aren’t as different as they look on paper. In both, you’re trying to connect, communicate, and move people toward something that matters. Here’s how the skills you’ve already mastered show up every single day in writing: Lesson Planning → Organizing ideas in a clear order that leads somewhere. In copywriting, you do the same thing on a sales page or in an email sequence. You’d never start a lesson by handing out the test. Differentiation → Knowing how to speak to different people, depending on what they need to hear. In copywriting, you do the same thing — you meet people right where they are. You might write one message for a district leader who cares about data and Return On Investment (ROI), and another for a teacher who wants ease, engagement, and real results for students. That’s empathy. And empathy is what makes great writing work. Giving Feedback → Explaining what’s working and what’s not — clearly, kindly, and with purpose. In copywriting, that skill becomes pure gold when you’re working with clients or collaborators. Just like you’d write, “Strong example here — now add a transition for clarity,” Engagement and Buy-In → Finding the hook that makes someone care enough to keep going. That’s your hook in copywriting. Instead of starting with, “Reading intervention is important,” It’s not about shock value. It’s about connection. When I realized all of this, I stopped feeling so much like an imposter, and started letting my teacher brain do what it already knew how to do. You don’t have to unlearn who you were in the classroom. And speaking of teachers stepping into new versions of themselves… These women SHOWED UP. The transformation has been incredible, and I legit almost cried on our last call. 🥹 Next week, I’m pulling back the curtain to share some juicy behind-the-scenes details—what worked, what surprised me, and how this first round changed all of us. Don’t miss it. See you next week, P.S. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of talking with Austin Campbell on his podcast—The Lane Switch Podcast. One thing I will never stop doing? Hyping the heck out of all the incredible people I am meeting in the “transitioning teacher” space. But Meredith, isn’t he your competition? Maybe 🥹. But the more information into the hands of people who want to change their lives is where I’m at these days. I think you’ll enjoy the conversation! You can listen here! And go check out Austin’s work with Lane Switch Consulting—helping teachers move into their next career!
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You already have everything you need (you just haven’t named it yet)
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📖Turn the Page📖Hey there Reader— If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m starting from zero,” … I want to stop you right there. Because you’re not. When I left the classroom, At first I thought I was leaving everything I knew behind. But here’s the truth I wish someone had told me sooner:
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Teachers, this is your edge (and your earning power)
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Hey [FIRST NAME GOES HERE], Next week, I’m starting a new mini-series that’s all about one thing: leverage. Because you’re not starting from scratch—you’re sitting on years of skills, systems, and stories that can absolutely become the foundation of a thriving copywriting business. The truth? You’re built for this. I call this series Leverage: Turning What You Already Know Into Copywriting Success.Each week, I’ll break down one skill you already have (and probably take for granted) and show you how it translates directly into getting paid for your words. We’ll talk about: If you’ve been wondering whether your experience really counts in this new chapter… it does.
(And BELIEVE. If Ted Lasso can leverage his coaching skills in a totally new sport, you can leverage your classroom skills for more money, more choice and more freedom.) LETS GO. First one drops next week—keep an eye out. Meredith |