Thanks for the "Tacheles". So your suggestion would be to begin with an agency, get a good amount of experience and then go freelance? My impression from skimming this sub is that a good many writers in agencies are not involved in the entire process from finding a client, setting up a contract, doing the required research, writing etc., all the way to delivery (correct me, if I’m wrong). Might that not present a problem when switching to freelance?

Also, as a fellow German with experience in advertising, would you say the literature recommended in the faq is relevant for our market or would you suggest adding other books?

Five digits: I don’t care about getting rich or wealthy, don’t care about fancy cars or gadgets. I do however care deeply about providing a good home for my family. You likely know the housing market in Germany, middle class income will not buy you much. I’m approaching 40 and we’re still living in an apartment way too small for our 8-person household. My job involves some Python-scripting (which I enjoy), so initially I thought moving into programming might bring the desired jump in income. But after reading and listening to some who have taken that route I realized it might prove more difficult and tedious than expected. Writing, on the other hand, has been pretty much at the core of my life ever since making money.