First, thanks for posting your concern. If you’re having questions surely others are too so always better to raise your hand!

I have learned the hard way that sometimes the Internet can be a bit like the wild, wild west. What I mean by that is sometimes disgruntled customers or even just disgruntled people who “heard from someone who heard from someone…” will accuse perfectly reputable companies of being scams. (I once had a guy write a very nasty post on a MAJOR web site flagging Changing Course as a scam. His rant had nothing to do with me at all. Instead it had to do with an article I where I casually mentioned a career changer at a conference. It seems the poster had a bone to pick with that guy and I got slammed in the process. It took months of following to get them to take his damaging and misdirected post down.)

But I digress…

Without knowing what exactly you are reading online it is hard to respond to any specific concerns about the AWAI copywriting course. If someone is not satisfied or has a problem, say making a return or something of that nature, then I consider that a “customer service issue” — which is very different than a “scam.” In those rare cases where there is some customer related problem I have been known to personally call the top person at whatever company I might have endorsed to straighten it out.

As I said in the newsletter, I have reviewed the course and found it comprehensive and exceptionally well done. I have met many people – and by that I mean dozens and dozens — who have taken the course and are now successful copywriters. I have hired many course graduates to write for me in my own business (in fact, I will ONLY use AWAI trained writers). In fact I’m working with a writer from Montana now. In addition I have met the people who run the company, I have met and in some cases, worked with, some of the people who developed this and other courses including Michael Masterson himself. I recommend this company AND this course without hesitation.

The thing you need to realize Judy is that this is not a get rich quick course. Like anything — you do have to apply yourself. But if you do, you can do well. Since they obviously want to sell their course, AWAI is going to focus a lot on the major success stories that they are (rightly so) most proud. I think when a lot of people see claims that you can earn six figures they become convinced that it’s a scam.

I personally would prefer that AWAI talk more about the people who are earning $50,000, $60,000, $75,000 a year. For one, anyone starting out has to start at the bottom and build from there. But the other reason is that I find most people can’t relate to the kind of money Bob Bly and Paul Hollingshead earn – especially women. Yet having met people like Krista Jones (more on Krista in a minute) and many others, I also know that there are people who have been able to successfully transition out of their jobs.

To give you an idea of good copywriting — and to get a sense of the earning potential — go to http://www.changingcourse.com/makingdreamshappen.htm. That copy was written by a wonderful copywriter named Jen Stevens. I paid Jen $3000 to write this. For most people Jen would charge closer to $5000-$7000 but I know Jen so she gave me a break. I know for a fact that while she was working on this for me she was working on several other well paying projects at the same time.

It may be helpful to know that a lot of people go into copywriting because they like the lifestyle – the ability to work from home or from anywhere in the world, the ability to be their own boss, and the ability to generate potentially very good income. They do NOT necessarily become copywriters because they have a burning passion to write marketing copy.

My point is that for these people especially, it will take longer to achieve their financial goals because they may be focusing more on writing their novel or other interests and using the copywriting to generate income in the side.

All of this is to say… I stand by my endorsement 100 percent and without reservation. If you still have concerns I urge you to contact AWAI, tell them what you are reading online, and give them a chance to address whatever it is you are reading. Or feel free call me directly.

Valerie

p.s. Before you spend a dime I suggest you listen to my interview with Katie Yeakle and Krista Jones at http://changingcourse.com/asktheexpert.htm#katie.

p.s.s. The special offer I wrote about ended today at 5 p.m. eastern. If you still want to take advantage of that contact Lisa at info@changingcourse.com and she will try to “pull some strings”

For my complete review visit http://www.changingcourse.com/cooljobs.htm