Is AWAI Worth It? My Honest Take as a Working Writer

Why AI Will Not Be Replacing Copywriters

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If you've thought about Copywriting in the past but hesitated out of fear that AI would replace you, stop worrying. Seriously.

Copywriting is a valuable trade that will not be replaced by artificial intelligence, despite all the noise you might hear. AI is a powerful tool that will allow us to get more done, but it cannot replace human emotion and empathy. A true understanding of copywriting fundamentals, the psychology of persuasion and the unique ability to tell a human story are the skills that will leave you absolutely untouchable as a writer.

If you are looking for the place to get all the necessary information to become that untouchable professional, AWAI (American Writers & Artists Institute) is the place I recommend.

How does AWAI’s Copywriting Program Stack Up Against the Competition

When I first started looking for ways to make money writing, I'll be honest, I felt completely overwhelmed. A quick Google search will serve you up thousands of promises in seconds: "Get paid $500 a day as a copywriter!" "Work from the beach with your laptop!" "Quit your job tomorrow!"

It all sounds....a little too good to be true. And who wants sand in their laptop? Not me.

After 20 years of climbing the corporate ladder while raising my son, I wanted something real. I needed a company that respected writing as a craft and showed me the business side of it too. That's how I stumbled across AWAI (American Writers & Artists Institute). At first, I wasn't sure what to think. Another program? Another pitch?

But here's what stood out to me: AWAI has been around since the 1990s, long before most of us were even texting. They weren’t just talking about making money with words either; they were teaching real-world skills that businesses pay for every day.

What AWAI Does Right: Beyond the Basics

Once I dug in, I realized AWAI isn't just about theory. Their flagship programs, like The Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting, are designed to teach you practical skills for direct response writing, which is a powerful and highly valued form of copywriting.

Don't worry, you won't be on your own. There is a huge community of writers at all stages that are more than willing to help you along the way. Writing can be a lonely gig and having a network of people who "get it" makes the journey feel less isolating. I am no longer a writer who likes words, I am a professional with a valuable skill set, one that can't be replaced with AI.

If you're curious about making that same mindset shift and want to see what AWAI has to offer, you can explore their programs here. 

A Look at the Competition: AWAI vs. Others

To truly decide if AWAI is right for you, it’s worth considering some of their key competitors.

Copyhackers: Run by the renowned Joanna Wiebe, Copyhackers is known for its modern, conversion-focused approach. Its courses, like 10x Web Copy, are incredibly detailed and data-driven. The Copyhackers model is great if you want to specialize in web copy or SaaS (Software as a Service) from the get-go. However, their courses are often sold individually, which means you might need to buy several to get a comprehensive education, and the overall community structure isn't as centralized as AWAI's. AWAI's foundational course gives you a broad base of knowledge before you specialize.

The Copywriter Club: This group offers a podcast, a monthly membership, and masterminds. Their focus is heavily on the business side of freelancing—things like pricing, contracts, and finding clients. It's a fantastic resource for connecting with other professional writers. But while they offer a strong community, their training isn't as structured as AWAI's. It's a bit more of a "learn as you go" model, which can be great for some but less so for a beginner needing a clear, step-by-step path.

The Freelance Writer's Den: This is a popular membership site run by Carol Tice. It's very affordable and offers a wealth of bootcamps, forums, and resources. It's a wonderful starting point for content writers and general freelancers. The main difference is that while the Den covers a wide range of topics, AWAI's core focus on direct response copywriting gives you a specific, high-income skill set right out of the gate.

Why AWAI Comes Out on Top

While each of these programs has its strengths, AWAI stands apart for a few key reasons:

A Proven, Time-Tested Method: AWAI's principles are rooted in classic direct response copywriting, a model that has been making companies money for decades. You're learning a foundational skill that is evergreen, no matter what new platform or technology comes along.

Comprehensive Career Path: AWAI's initial program gives you a full A-Z blueprint—from the fundamentals of writing to how to set up your business and land your first client. It's not just about one type of copy; it's a full education.

Powerful Connections: AWAI hosts events like the annual AWAI's FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp, which connects aspiring writers with high-profile clients and mentors. This kind of networking is invaluable and something a lot of other programs don't offer in the same way.

What to Know Before You Join

Here's the honest truth: AWAI is not a magic pill. It takes effort. You have to practice, mess up, learn and keep going. If you're hoping to press a button and suddenly have clients rolling in, this isn't it.

But if you're serious about writing and want a clear, guided path into copywriting, AWAI is one of the few programs I'd recommend without hesitation.

I've spent months aggressively working on my writing career and I know how important it is to find the right path. If you're ready to get serious about yours, you can get started with AWAI here. 

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, writing is more than a hobby. It can be a career, a business, a freedom path, but only if you treat it like one. AWAI gave me the tools and perspective to start doing that. So, if you've been circling around the idea of writing for a living, maybe it’s time to stop circling and take the leap.

The AWAI Method™ for Becoming a Skilled, In-Demand Copywriter

Our foundational program designed to have you writing for money in 30 days or less…Hands-on training… Assignments with feedback… A portfolio of five professional samples … Help landing well-paying clients… And more!

Get all the details here.

If you have any questions or comments, please comment below, I'd love to hear from you.

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