A Czech Copywriter's Guide to SMART Career Goals
Setting specific and challenging goals led to higher performance 90% of the time. The more realistic the goal is, the more achievable it is for you actually to reach it.
Highlights
Learn about the value of setting specific, measurable, and realistic goals to advance their copywriting careers effectively.
Tips on tracking progress, regularly reviewing goals, and adjusting strategies to stay aligned with career growth.
The importance of networking and upskilling to open new opportunities and adapt in a dynamic field.
As a freelance copywriter with over five years of experience, I've learned that success in this dynamic field is strategically shaping your career path. In this post, I'll share my personal experiences with setting and achieving career goals, hoping to inspire you on your copywriting journey.
In my previous post, I discussed building a sustainable career in content. Today, we're diving deeper into a game-changing strategy that can change your professional life: SMART goals, a powerful tool in coaching theories.
Here are some statistics that prove how setting specific goals can increase your chances of success. First – a study by Dr. Gail Matthews at Dominican University found that people who wrote down their goals shared them with others, and held themselves accountable through weekly progress reports were 33% more successful in achieving their goals than those who merely formulated goals. And second, another study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology revealed that setting specific and challenging goals led to higher performance 90% of the time.
So how do you become “smarter”?
My SMART Journey
Let me take you back to when I started as a copywriter in 2019. I was brimming with enthusiasm but lacking direction. "I want to be successful," I'd say, but what did that even mean? It wasn't until I discovered SMART goals that things began to click.
Before we dive in, it’s essential to step back and consider your professional journey—what you have achieved, how you did it, and what your next challenge is. After you have this figured out, we are ready to get started.
Here's how I broke it down:
“S” for setting specific goals
Instead of vague aspirations, I started setting concrete goals. One of my first thoughts was: "I want to become the go-to copywriter for tech startups within two years." Suddenly, my path became clearer.
“M” for measurable.
I set benchmarks, such as "Secure five tech startup clients in the first year." This gave me a tangible way to measure my progress and stay motivated. I used a simple spreadsheet to track my client acquisitions, which showed me a higher percentage of reaching out to potential clients when I had a clear target.
“A” for achievable.
I assessed my skills honestly. Was five clients in a year doable? It was ambitious but not impossible, pushing me to grow without setting myself up for failure. By setting achievable goals, I found my productivity increased compared to when I set unrealistic targets.
The more realistic the goal is, the more achievable it is for you actually to reach it.
“R” for relevance.
This goal fits perfectly with my long-term vision of specializing in tech copywriting. It wasn't just about the numbers and building the career I wanted.
Aligning my goals with my vision increased my job satisfaction as well. A clear vision is key, so be egotistic and think about yourself here.
“T” for time-based.
Setting a two-year timeframe lit a fire under me. It was enough time to make significant progress but short enough to keep me focused and driven. Apply the concept of “SMART” goals to each of them accordingly. This makes them less overwhelming and more accessible to track.
Remember to review and adjust. For instance, you can have one session a month with yourself to evaluate your goals and progress. This will help you stay on track!
The Impact? Phenomenal.
Generally speaking, it’s all about you and the goals you want to reach in your career. These are some of the goals I’ve set for myself in previous years:
I aimed to secure five new clients in the tech industry within a year — and ended up with seven! This represented a 40% increase over my initial goal.
I set a goal to increase my annual income by 30% over two years. It was challenging, but I succeeded by focusing on high-value clients and upskilling.
Lessons learned
This process taught me that success in copywriting involves strategy, persistence, and adaptability. Here are some insights I've gained, backed by personal data:
Review and adjust your goals regularly. I do this monthly, and it helps me stay aligned with market trends and personal growth.
Celebrate small wins. Each client secured or skill mastered is a step towards your larger goals.
Network strategically. Many of my opportunities came from connections I made while pursuing my SMART goals. In fact, 50% of my high-value clients came through networking on LinkedIn.
Embrace continuous learning. The copywriting field evolves rapidly, and staying ahead means always being ready to learn.
Remember, your journey is unique. Use SMART goals as a framework, but infuse them with your aspirations and values. At the end of the day, it’s all about crafting a fulfilling career that resonates with who you are and who you want to become, right?
