Hello copywriters, we’ve got to address the giant imposter syndrome elephant in the room. You know, that relentless inner voice that loves to pipe up and tell you “you’re just faking it until you make it” and “clients are going to realise you’re a total fraud any day now!”
Yeah, that nasty little doubt-monster shows zero chill in undermining our creative confidence. And for us wordsmiths, it finds plenty of ammunition in the subjective nature of our craft. One client requests a rewrite, and bam – imposter thoughts kick into overdrive, convincing us we must be complete imposters at this whole writing thing.
The stats don’t lie – an overwhelming 70% of people experience imposter feelings at some point in their careers. But for copywriters, it can feel Like a constant battle to avoid falling into this psychological trap. Our work is endlessly nit-picked, edited, and laid bare for criticism. No wonder the imposter syndrome beast stays lurking, ready to pounce at the first whiff of self-doubt!
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to just accept those toxic thought patterns as gospel. With some self-awareness and professional self-care tactics, you can banish that inner imposter to the depths of irrational insecurity where it belongs.
In this article, we’re going to take a deep dive into understanding the roots of copywriter imposter syndrome. We’ll go over the red flag warning signs to watch out for. And most importantly, I’ll arm you with a full arsenal of mindset shifts and sustainable strategies for overcoming those imposter feelings for good.
The Struggle is Real: Copywriter Imposter Syndrome
For us copywriters, those imposter feelings love to pop up at the worst times – like when you’re celebrating a big win, trying to muster the courage to raise your rates, or prepping a proposal for your dream client. Suddenly, self-doubt kicks your confidence square in the teeth.
Maybe you chalk up that lucrative campaign to sheer dumb luck instead of crediting your killer strategic thinking. Or you cringe at positive feedback, mentally bracing for the other shoe to drop when people “discover” how mediocre you really are. Heck, you might even avoid going after stretch opportunities, afraid of failing spectacularly.
Here’s the thing though – those aren’t just random insecure thoughts. They’re telltale signs that your imposter syndrome is flaring up again, despite you absolutely crushing it time and again.
Now don’t get me wrong, a healthy dose of humility in this career is no bad thing. Copywriting is very subjective, and purposeful growth requires checking our egos. But when self-doubt starts holding you back from your full potential? Winnie, we have a problem.
Where Does This Nonsense Come From Anyway?
As skilled wordsmiths, we rationally know these imposter feelings make zero sense. Our minds just love playing cruel mind games with us though. Maybe we can blame it on:
- Crappy societal or childhood programming that conditioned us to undervalue our talents. You know, the whole “wise and humble” martyr narrative heaped onto women and minorities.
- Tendencies to compare ourselves to other “wished-I-was-them” writers, conveniently glossing over our own impressive feats.
- An inner perfectionist who feels like a failure if every period isn’t perfectly kerned (I’m SO not kidding).
- A lack of emotional validation growing up that we crave like IG likes from strangers.
Regardless of where it stems from, that persistent inner critic LOVES to run its arrogant mouth about how we’ll never measure up. And if we’re not careful, that lying liar who lies can drown out our confidence completely.
The good news? We don’t have to just grin and bear those imposter mind-games. There are ways to shut down that insufferable bully once and for all.
Client Handling Tips for Imposter Syndrome
Despite your best efforts, imposter feelings may still arise when working with clients. Here are some tips for handling those situations with professionalism and confidence:
Stay Confident in Your Expertise
When meeting with clients, remind yourself that you are the subject matter expert on copywriting – something they have likely hired you for precisely because they lack those skills. Focus on and reinforce your strengths.
Be Upfront if You Need More Time
If a client asks you something you’re unsure about, it’s perfectly acceptable to say, “That’s a great question, let me think on that and get back to you by [timeframe].” Don’t force an uninformed response that could backfire.
Ask Clarifying Questions
If a client provides feedback that seems unclear or contradictory, don’t let imposter syndrome convince you that you’re just not getting it. Ask follow-up questions to ensure you fully understand what they want before revising.
View Edits/Critiques as Opportunities
It’s easy to take client revision requests personally and as confirmation of your shortcomings. However, view them as opportunities to learn, improve, and ultimately deliver better results.
Remind Yourself: Feedback Isn’t Personal
Clients are paying for a service tailored to their needs. Feedback is part of the process to get the desired outcome – it’s not a personal attack on you or your abilities.
Maintain Professionalism Always
As difficult as it may feel, don’t let imposter feelings cause you to act defensive, make excuses, or lash out. Kill them with competence, grace, and unflappable professionalism.
Ultimately, handling client situations with poise is a matter of treating imposter syndrome as the irrational phenomenon it is. The key is developing the self-assurance that you do have the requisite skills and talent. With time and experience, that confidence solidifies.
Final Thoughts
Imposter syndrome is frustratingly common, especially among creative professionals like copywriters. But while the experience of self-doubt is universal, it doesn’t have to control your mindset or hinder your career growth.
The first step is recognising when imposter feelings arise and understanding their root causes. Often stemming from societal conditioning or unrealistic expectations, the internal critic can make you question even your biggest accomplishments.
However, imposter syndrome thrives in the shadows of silence. By shining a light on it through:
- Building a portfolio of evidence
- Celebrating your wins
- Leaning on a supportive community
- Investing in skills training
- Positive self-talk
…you can drown out the negative voices and rewrite the narrative.
When those insecure thoughts creep in, have coping methods ready like breathwork, breaking big tasks down into steps, and practicing self-compassion. Be prepared to handle client situations confidently by reinforcing your expertise.
Overcoming copywriter imposter syndrome is an ongoing process of action and affirmation. The more you face those inner critics directly, the more you disempower them. With time and intention, self-assurance becomes second nature.
So keep showing up for yourself and your craft. You’ve got this! The only approval you truly need is your own.
