18 – April Dykman: Escaping the Day Job

Ever watch Office Space? Put it on your list if you’ve ever worked a desk job. Part of what makes it so funny is how infuriatingly REAL it is.

Today’s guest is April Dykman, and she’s no stranger to Office Space absurdity in real life… down to impossible expectations and clueless bosses. Tune in to hear how she worked up the courage to quit for good, and how she now commands top dollar with her copywriting clients.

I love this episode for multiple reasons – it’s like a crash course in quitting. We start with all the reasons to leave (along with all the fears likely to keep you stuck in a dead-end job).

Then we dig deep into the realities of working with clients in different capacities (including on retainer). And we end with money talk: how to confidently walk away from a project, what to do when all your business disappears during a global pandemic, and how to charge for the value you deliver (vs what you think they can afford).

Can’t-Miss Moments From This Episode:

  • I believe you have my stapler: the real-life “Office Space” experience April lived through, complete with meetings about the number of meetings
  • The performance review surprise that cemented April’s decision to leave (and the “reasons to GTFO” document she created to keep herself committed to quitting)
  • Would you walk away from an $8000 project? Here’s what happened when April and a client disagreed (plus the secret weapon that helped her do it with conviction and ease)
  • The counter-intuitive approach to prospecting for clients that lets you start a waiting list, cherry-pick the most interesting projects, and confidently charge top dollar
  • Why be a 50-cent writer when you could be a $50,000 writer? Why most of the advice you get about setting prices is wrong (and setting you up to struggle)

This one is jam-packed full of awesome. Don’t miss out – listen now!

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