Go On, Tell Me You Do This Too...

Ever spent an age putting together an email - for work or something else - only to fuss and fret about each and every word it contains?

You rewrite it; you change the order of a sentence; you substitute a less 'formal' word for something that sounds more...er...professional. Then you hover over the 'Send' button.

When it comes to writing the language we speak day in, day out, we can all feel a tinge of self-doubt every now and then. I certainly do - and I write for a living, for my clients and here on my freelance Yorkshire copywriter blog.

Whether or not we have a good grasp of grammar and punctuation is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to text-based fret. Try as we might, many of us still stress about what we write: whether that WhatsApp message sounded a bit rude, if your email could be misconstrued (I'm a poet and I didn't know it), or if there was er...too much of an...er...interlude between sending that email and getting a reply.

*'Do I sound like a pillock?'
*'Have I just used a word in the wrong context?'
*'Do I come across 'okay', or even 'fun' and 'likeable' on email or text?
* Is my humour a bit ‘out-there’?
*Sh*t, did I spell their name right?!

Ever asked yourself any of the above? In fact, how many of those questions pop into your head before you write the actual thing and hit that blinking 'Send' button.

My advice when you feel like you can't write? Just. Write. Something.

Seriously, just start. Once you've sent your email, don't give it a second thought. Unless you've called your boss a c*ck, it's probably a-okay. So is that text message you want to send to an old flame. Go on; why not...live a little. Unless you’re drunk and he/she is taken. Then maybe leave well alone and get yourself on Tinder.

‘Just Start’ (I bet Nike are sh*tting themselves)

I apply my patented 'just start' principle to everything I'm procrastinating about. There's nothing worse than the feeling of dread that comes with putting something off. So, today - do that thing you've been thinking about doing. Swallow the frog - or whatever it is they say.

Send that email, write that text, start that novel, organise the kitchen cupboards.

You know it'll make you feel better.

The point to this article? I'm not really sure. Other than the fact I've been putting off writing this for well over a week. Now? It's out there in the world - in front of your peepers - and I feel great.

So, take my advice - just start - and you'll feel great too.

Until next time…

Good News Guide #2: Meet Michael - and a Passion He Discovered During the Pandemic...

Did you see my first instalment of my ‘Good News Guide’ blog series? If not, head here to find out what it’s all about.

A Place to Share Positive News, Views, Tips, Tricks and Anything Else

In short, Good News Guide is a place to share positive news, views, tips, tricks and anything else. It’s going to be a semi-regular addition to my site, because we could all do with a bit of positivity in our lives, particularly over the last year or so.

Under the ‘Good News Guide’ spotlight for blog post number two, then, is my good pal Michael Pilcher. I’ve always admired Michael’s writing style, as well as his extensive list of hobbies. Below, he shares a passion he discovered during the pandemic - and I think you’ll enjoy reading this as much as I did. Read on - oh, and don’t forget, you can pitch your own ideas for Good News Guide by getting in touch here.

Take it away, Michael….

I’m extremely envious of anyone that acquired a new skill in lockdown. I was hoping to learn something, add a string to my bow; ideally something practical. I tried to learn sewing and, despite my best attempts to darn socks via YouTube videos and attending a Zoom adult education class where I made a kind-of-heart-shaped Christmas decoration, I quickly lost patience.

I tried to learn Italian - which has been something I’d wanted to do for years - before I finally got too fed up with the DuoLingo owl chastising me for my dodgy pronunciations.

Instead, and I’m not entirely sure how it happened, I suddenly became a football shirt collector.

Football has been a hobby of mine for a good 25 years. I say hobby, it soon became an obsession as I sought to join the 92 Club by visiting all 92 Football League grounds in England & Wales (which I completed in 2017). But I’d pretty much gone cold turkey since, and I had a football-shaped hole in my life.

When my house went up for sale in 2019 I sold most of my football shirt collection, to make some space and not have as many boxes to move. I never fathomed that a year later I’d essentially buy back that collection, and then some, and thus giving myself a hell of a lot more boxes to have to move than before.

It probably wasn’t helped where I saw an ITV documentary where I heard a rare shirt sells for £500. “These are future collectors’ items, surely?” I convince myself, as I bid on a 2020 Paris St Germain bright orange third or a 2009 Celtic long-sleeve away shirt on eBay.

‘A rabbit hole I never thought I’d go down’

This is a rabbit hole I never thought I’d go down, but one advantage has been finding myself part of a welcoming Twitter community.

Since my collection took off I’ve started following and messaging some terrific people - someone in Carlisle offering me first dibs on a valuable Lyon shirt at a bargain price just because I’d once mentioned to keep me in mind for any shirts he was selling in size Small.

Discussing favourite football kits - usually called ‘Grail shirts’ within the group - with a collector in Sweden. Now the weekly rounds of work and family Zoom quizzes have died down I’ve instead found myself part of a community, and it’s been a welcome distraction.

‘An Unspoken Gentleman’s Agreement’

We point each other towards bargains, initiate discussions about new releases and sell each other shirts to aid the next purchase, football shirt Twitter is a regular hive of activity. There seems to be a code of conduct, an unspoken Gentlemen’s Agreement - on auction sites seeking profit is fair game, but we never rip off or exploit each other.

After a tough year for so many, the importance of interaction - even if it’s just virtual - is so crucial. Whatever floats your boat, I can recommend joining a group or community. Even if like me it’s completely accidental - similar to nights on the town (remember those?), the unplanned ones are usually the best ones.

Feeling inspired, like Michael, to take on a new hobby? Let me know if you’d like to talk about a newfound passion here on Good News Guide too.

Once again, a huge thank-you to Michael for sharing his thoughts about the exciting world of football shirt collecting.

Until next time…

Can anyone be a copywriter?

So, you fancy dipping your toe into the wild waters of copywriting? I don’t blame you; being a full-time copywriter is fantastic.

But can anyone be a copywriter?

As is the case in all creative professions, it certainly helps if you’re creatively minded. There are also a few other attributes, skills and must-dos which might be useful, but I believe anyone can certainly learn the basics of copywriting, even if some find putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and making words jump off the page more difficult than others.

Read on for my suggestions…

Read, Read and Read a Bit More

Your schoolteachers weren’t wrong, you know; reading is beneficial - and not just if you want to polish your vocabulary.

Reading more will set you up for a creative career like copywriting or journalism, as it stands to reason that the more words you know (and the better your grasp of the good ‘ole English language) the easier you’ll find it to write.

So, delve into anything you can find - books, magazines, textbooks, brochures and more. In fact, reading brochures and other promotional content will help you to better understand exactly how marketing content is crafted - and how it entices the reader to part with their cash and buy something.

Be Interested (But Not Nosy!)

As is the case in journalism, it helps in the wonderful world of copywriting if you’re someone who takes an interest in people and what makes them tick.

As a freelance copywriter, it’s my job to talk to business owners and learn more about them, their company and how they like to do things. Now, there’s a fine line between taking an interest (and extracting the right information) and being nosy. Don’t be the latter; no one likes a Nosy Parker.

Instead, be personable, approachable and considerate of the other person and the information they’re about to share (and the information they don’t want to share).

Some people are completely comfortable talking your head off, while others may need a steer. It helps if you can chat to just about anyone and ask the right questions to ensure you gather the information you need.

Become a Grammar Nerd

The English language is constantly evolving - and it’s as important to stay as up-to-date with new and trendy parlance as it is to master the fundamentals of grammar and spelling.

If you don’t know your ‘it’s’ from your ‘its’ or your ‘there’ from your ‘their’ or ‘they’re’, make it your business to learn all of the above and more.

No one will trust you or what you’re trying to flog them (by way of the content you create) if it isn’t grammatically correct or spelled properly.

Learn From Professional Copywriters

The best way to learn more about what it takes to be a copywriter? Keep an eye on people who do it professionally.

Follow copywriters on LinkedIn and Twitter and delve into their online portfolios to see what kind of work makes up the role. If you read a copywriter’s testimonials, too, you’ll see what it is that a copywriter’s clients are saying and how a copywriter has helped propel their business with well-chosen words.

Practise Your Prose

Practise absolutely makes perfect, so make sure you take any opportunity to write creatively.

Set up a blog and create some content; even if you don’t intend to share it anywhere, you’ll have a handy log of your own work and you’ll be able to see if and how it is improving over the weeks and months.

Look at what big-name brands are doing in terms of their marketing - and see if you can come up with, say, a better advert or social media post. Just for fun.

While the above isn’t an exhaustive list of what makes a good copywriter, I hope it has provided some food for thought.

Before I go, I’ll add this: you may have a good command of the English language or you might have aced your English exams at school. Both those things don’t necessarily make a good copywriter, in much the same way that someone with a basic grasp of maths isn’t destined to take Rachel Riley’s role on Countdown.

There is lots more that goes into honing your skills as a copywriter than simply knowing where to place an apostrophe in a passage of text, or gaining multiple A grades for your literature essays at school. If I had a quid for every time I’ve received a message from a well-meaning person on LinkedIn or via email who told me they fancied ‘having a go’ at copywriting because it ‘looks fun’ or they’ve heard it can be well paid, I could switch off my laptop and retire early. Not that I’d want to, you understand.

Sure, copywriting is fun - and, yes, you can make a very decent living from it, but any business owner worth his or her salt will quickly realise if you’re in the profession for the wrong reasons. Plus, you’ll soon tire of the work that goes into crafting that piece of content when you realise it isn’t as simple as you perhaps first thought. So, work on honing your skills and put the effort in - and the time.

Becoming a copywriter takes passion, commitment and skill. So, can anyone become a copywriter? Yes and no - but anyone can put in the legwork.

Until next time…

Psst: are you a business owner who needs help with a project or two? Get in touch with me - a Huddersfield copywriter - and let’s chat.

Good News Guide: Happiness is…Your Head in a Good Book

Let’s face it…January can be a bit bleak, can’t it? Our finances may have taken a post-Christmas hit, the weather’s still a bit cold and blustery, and there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot to look forward to other than waiting for Mr Sunshine to rear its cheery head again.

So, while I had grand plans to introduce this new ‘Good News Guide’ series on my blog as far back as spring last year (yes, really), I’m only getting round to it now. Better late than never, eh?

What is Good News Guide?

The clue’s in the name, really. It’s a series reserved for sharing only good things: positive news, fun stories and useful titbits that you can all use to make your January - and the rest of your year, to be fair - better. We could all do with some positivity in our lives from time to time - particularly during the last couple of years.

I’m open to receiving submissions from anyone who wants to share something good, too; just pitch your idea via email here.

Without further ado, then, let’s kick off Good News Guide with some book recommendations from Tanya at Settle-based Limestone Books.

Throughout the pandemic specifically, Tanya has been keeping the good people of England in great books - and giving a certain online, next-day delivery books website a run for its money.

I always like to hear about independent businesses doing their bit to put a smile on people’s faces - and I guessed that, since many of you may have set yourself a reading challenge or two for 2022, this first Good News Guide post is perfectly timed.

Here, Tanya shares her top five novels to make you happy this month and beyond…

Leonard and Hungry Paul

This book focuses on two friends who have a beautiful, quiet, and contemplative relationship. The conversations they have with each other and the people they mix with are very thoughtful and considered, and turn out to be very philosophical. You’ll all wish you had a Leonard or Hungry Paul in your life.

Where the Crawdads Sing

Although the lead character has a hard life, in a very poor area of the USA, you’ll feel uplifted by her ability to raise herself up to create a really special life for herself. It will make you believe that anything is possible, and to question what is justice.

A Prayer for Owen Meany

A hugely enjoyable book - just because you’ll love the character of Owen Meany so much. You’ll be totally engrossed in his story and life, and despite the difficulties he faces, you’ll still want to read right through to the end. It’ll make you forget your life and the world around you.

Tales of the City

Take a trip to 1970s San Francisco and get caught up in these characters’ lives. You’ll meet spaced out neighbours, go to outrageous parties, and watch as 25-year-old Mary Ann carves out a brand new life for herself, a million miles away from home.

Adrian Mole – The Cappuccino Years

Laugh out loud funny, Adrian has become a semi-celebrity chef, famous for making low-grade food fashionable. His parents have separated and are now having affairs with Pandora’s parents! Meanwhile, Adrian discovers a child he never knew he had as a result of a fling. Silly and farcical in equal measure.

Will you be adding any of these books to your reading list? A huge thank-you, once again, to Tanya for sharing these recommendations - and don’t forget to check out the Limestore Books’ site.

Until next time…

Psst: enjoy this first instalment of Good News Guide? Let me know via email or on Facebook. Plus, stay tuned for the next post in the series - coming soon!

6 Myths About Freelancing

If you’ve ever ummed and ahhed about the prospect of becoming a freelancer (or indeed a freelance Yorkshire copywriter) you probably have a few questions, including:

• Is freelancing better than holding down a full-time, in-house role?

• Can I make a decent living from being a freelancer?

• What do I do if the work dries up?

During your obligatory Google research phase, you may have seen a few things bandied around the Internet about what the life of a freelancer is actually like - but without giving it a go yourself, you may never know the answers.

I can’t tell you what every freelancer gets up to on a daily basis - we’re all different, with our work spanning a host of industries, too - but I can help bust some myths about going it alone and leaving your 9 to 5.

It’s a Lonely Life

Don’t get me wrong, there are days when I’d love a spot of company (besides William the friendly windowsill pigeon), but for the most part, I can still be sociable when working from home. ‘How?’, you might ask.

Regular check-ins with clients over Zoom calls, or the ‘old-fashioned way’ - over the phone. While it isn’t always the same as meeting up in person, it can fill the void a little when working on your own gets too much.

Before the pandemic, I’d regularly meet for coffee with fellow freelancers, or just head out for an hour for a walk during lunch time. Just seeing a few other faces on the route - or listening to a podcast while I walked - felt a whole lot better than being cooped up indoors.

So, if you’re worried you won’t hack the freelance life for fear of loneliness, don’t be. Build yourself a little community of sorts and you’ll be fine - even during the pandemic.

You Don’t Have a Boss

Err, yeah…you do. Aside from yourself, of course, your clients - and there can be many of them - act as your ‘boss’, in a way. They set the parameters for any given project - and the deadline. As a good freelancer, you’ll probably want to work in a way that suits them, if you can.

That said, one of the reasons I went freelance is because, sometimes, in a full-time office role, you have to work for someone who undermines you.

You don’t have to stand for that* when you work for yourself - and that’s great. Client not valuing you, your services or your time? Get shut of them.

*To be fair, you shouldn’t stand for it anyway.

You Work for ‘Free’

It still amazes me how many prospective clients take the ‘free’ in freelance quite literally. Of course, they know what a freelancer is and does, but that doesn’t stop some people pushing their luck.

‘Can you write me a sample piece of content before we decide if you’re the right copywriter for us?’. No, I can’t. Neither will I write something for you for ‘exposure’, or the ‘prestige’ of working with you and your high-flying brand.

You wouldn’t ask a painter and decorator to paint one wall first, before you decide if they’re the painter or decorator for you. Neither would you ask him/her to decorate your room for exposure - or because you’re a good client and it’ll ‘look good’ on their portfolio/website/other. Bore off - and, quite frankly, stop taking the p*ss.

There’s No Job Security

Does a full-time office job equal more stability? Lots of people seem to think so.

Sure, you have the reassurance of the same amount of dosh landing in your account each month, but as I often say to people who are considering going freelance, an office job isn’t the be all and end all.

If you’re made redundant from your office job, you’ll almost certainly have to look for another role. Lose one client as a freelancer and you probably have a few more clients to fall back on.

Once you’re established in the freelance world, you may have to lose two or three clients before the panic sets in. Heck, you may have to lose even more than that.

Freelancing can often mean you’re turning work down, which is a great position to be in. Go on; look into becoming a freelancer - you won’t regret it.

It’s Stressful

Like working in a full-time office role, freelancing can be stressful - yes. It’s only as stressful as you make it, though. For me, at least, that means pretty much zero stress. I won’t stand for any nonsense. I believe everyone should value your time and your services - just as you would them and theirs.

Don’t fancy working with a particular client? Just say ‘no’. Or maybe your existing client is difficult to work with. If so, see if you can set some boundaries going forwards. The freelance/client relationship works two ways - and it can be a hugely successful one if everyone involved treats each other with the respect they deserve.

We Work in Our Pyjamas

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked: ‘You work from home; do you get dressed?!’

Ha.

I’m not going to lie; if I’ve no Zoom meetings booked in, or if I’m feeling a bit groggy, of course I blinking well do. Sometimes, anyway. And so would you if you didn’t have to show up to a face-to-face meeting.

Do we also sit around, twiddling our thumbs waiting for work to come in? Perhaps in the early days, yes.

Now? I’m fortunate - like many a freelancer - to be in a position where I can say ‘no’ if a project doesn’t sound like it’ll be up my street.

When you choose the freelance life, it won’t be long before you’re doing the same. There is often no limit to the amount you can earn, too. Providing you have the time and the people to help you out, you can take on as much work as you can physically - and mentally - cope with.

We can also make our own hours, take as many holiday days as we like, and eat the full cake without sharing it with colleagues. In short, why wouldn’t you want to be a freelancer?!

Find this blog post useful? Let me know by saying hello via my website.

Until next time…