Before you choose a coach—whether a copywriting coach, a boxing coach, or any coach—there are three questions you need to ask. Getting this wrong means following advice that is outdated, unproven, or simply misaligned with the life you want to build. Question 1: Do They Still Do What They Teach? The most important filter, especially for business and copywriting coaches, is whether they still make money doing the actual thing they teach — or whether coaching has become their primary income source. Many copywriting coaches and gurus did client work for a short period, saw early success, and immediately pivoted to full "guru mode." The problem is that the last time they dealt with real clients may have been ten or more years ago. That means they have no current knowledge of which offers are selling, which types of copy are working in the market right now, or how to navigate client relationships in today's environment. What @Matthew Volkwyn and Nabeel Azeez do: - Matthew still consults and does creative strategy for clients. - Nabeel still does email list management and cold traffic copy. Both coaches are active practitioners, not just teachers. Question 2: Do Their Students Get Results? It is one thing to get results for yourself. It is another to consistently help other people get results. The question to ask is whether the coach's students or mentees have actually achieved meaningful outcomes. Proof point from the episode: Between Nabeel and Matthew, they have helped approximately 100 copywriters reach $100,000 per year or more in income. Question 3: Do They Have the Life You Want? The right coach also depends on where you are in life and what you are trying to build. The lifestyle a coach models matters because it signals whether their advice and priorities will align with yours. - Matthew travels anywhere, anytime — a good fit for someone who wants location freedom. - Nabeel has a large family and several cats — a better fit for someone building a stable, home-based freelance career.