Hot Copy

And how you can be one. In our last episode, we talked about your copywriting business being a sock in a box. If you missed it, we talked about the risk of charging a premium level price tag without delivering a premium level service. We shared some helpful tips but we’re going in deeper today. […]

Is snazzy branding the key to a successful copywriting business? We’ve all been there. We were taken in by the schmick advertising, the snazzy designer, the bells and whistles. We buy the thing. Then it’s delivery and we unwrap the layers of shiny wrapping, dig through a giant box of those puffy polystyrene doo dars and […]

We’ve all been there. We were taken in by the schmick advertising, the snazzy designer, the bells and whistles. We buy the thing. Then it’s delivery and we unwrap the layers of shiny wrapping, dig through a giant box of those puffy polystyrene doo dars and what do we find? A sock in a box? All that puff and prettiness for something so absolutely ordinary. And this happens with copywriting too. Too often we focus on the exterior, the marketing, the pizazz - forgetting what really matters. In this episode, Belinda and Kate dig deep into the idea that your copywriting business could just be a sock in a box. Press your ears a little closer to the speaker, this one is going to be a doozy. Tune in to learn:

• What is a sock in a box?
• How Kate’s copywriting brand evolved
• How Belinda’s copywriting brand evolved
• Do pretty proposals help land high paying clients?
• Good proposal software
• A cautionary tale
• The dangers of having a brand that’s too schmicky
• How to make sure clients are having a high-end experience

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If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and/or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!  Thanks to Debz407 from New Zealand for a five-star review of the show. We appreciate it! Do you want a shoutout? Leave us a review!  

Email is dead! No it isn’t! Email is the most powerful marketing tool on the planet!

Which is it and how can copywriters use email marketing to boost their business?

In this episode, Belinda chats to email marketing strategist Sarah Anderson. Sarah generously shares her tips on email marketing techniques (to write welcome, nurturing and conversion sequences) and tips we can use to land clients who want great email copy written for them.

Tune in to learn:

• Why Sarah stopped dyeing yarn to write copy
• If email marketing really is as effective as everyone says
• What copywriters need to understand before writing emails
• Must know tips for writing a welcome email
• Must know tips for writing a nurturing sequence
• Must know tips for writing a conversion sequence
• How to work out the timing of a good email sequence
• How to package email writing as a profitable service

 

Question for the listeners:

Do you offer email writing as a service? What the BEST thing about writing emails for others?

Share your story on Twitter (@hotcopypodcast) or our Facebook page!

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Thanks to Kerrib100 from Australia for a fantastic review of the show. 

About Sarah

Sarah Anderson is a copywriter and email marketing strategist. She believes that building a relationship with your list is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your marketing. That's why Sarah works with business owners who want emails that nurture subscribers, give tons of value, and convert into sales.

Useful Links:

• E49: Expert tips on writing email subject lines that get opened, fast!
• Sarah’s website
• Get Sarah’s newsletter
• Read Sarah’s blog
• Sarah on Facebook
• 25 Days to Better Emails video series

How to write profitable emails for clients Email is dead! No it isn’t! Email is the most powerful marketing tool on the planet! Which is it and how can copywriters use email marketing to boost their business? In this episode, Belinda chats to email marketing strategist Sarah Anderson. Sarah generously shares her tips on email […]

The differences between US, UK, and AUS copywriting Language localisation can be a bit of a minefield. Between the US, the UK and good old Aussie-land we all technically speak the same language, right? So how hard could it be? Quite hard actually. Today, we’re covering the differences you need to know to take your […]

Language localisation can be a bit of a minefield. Between the US, the UK and good old Aussie-land we all technically speak the same language, right? So how hard could it be?

Quite hard actually. Today, we’re covering the differences you need to know to take your copywriting global. Well, at least between Australia, the United Kingdom and the good old US of A.

Tune in to learn:

• Some common terminology differences
• How much marketing each audience needs
• How differently we respond to success
• How quickly different audiences buy
• Which vegetables Kate and Belinda can’t seem to buy

Question for the listeners:

We’d love to know if you agree with our perspectives on the differences in regional copywriting.

And please share your favourite ads with us!

Share your story on Twitter (@hotcopypodcast) or our Facebook page!

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Thanks to Over The Hill Chris from UK for a five star review of the show. We appreciate it!

Useful Links:

• Writing English Part 1: Don’t write like a kook, dude
• Writing English Part 2: How to Write ‘Strine’
• Writing English Part 3: Writing English proper, like
• 20 Australian Words That Mean Something Totally Different in the U.S.
• Peter Kay advertising series (UK)

If you’re a copywriter, you’ve probably heard of the term Copy deck before, but you might not be 100% sure what it is. In this episode, we answer ALL your copy deck questions and explain how this one document could transform your copywriting business.

Tune in to learn:

• What is a copy deck
• Why you should use a copy deck
• What Kate and Belinda include in their copy decks
• How should you create your copy deck
• Should you include layout and design ideas
• How to take the client through your copy deck
• How many versions you should expect to write
• When does the copy deck officially belong to the client?

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Oh and big hugs to Sarah Content for the lovely testimonial.

Useful links:

• What is a copy deck?
• How to write a copy deck?
• The Smart Writers guide to copy decks
• Copy deck template and course
• Copy deck template

And how can they help transform your copywriting business? If you’re a copywriter, you’ve probably heard of the term Copy deck before, but you might not be 100% sure what it is. In this episode, we answer ALL your copy deck questions and explain how this one document could transform your copywriting business. Tune in […]

Now we’re all copywriters here, right?

So we should be able to write, right? But the truth is, even after years of slaving at the typewriter, we all could still learn a thing or two. If you’re feeling lost with your writing... Or your ransom notes are going unanswered... Or people are ignoring your emails...  In this episode, you’re going to get some tips on how to write better. How to write real words for real people. Let’s get stuck in.

Tune in to learn:

• How to get to know your audience
• Understand the purpose of what you’re writing
• Stop using big words to try and look smart
• How to stop hating on jargon
• Why should you stop hesitating
• How to think about where your words are read
• Why you shouldn’t overthink punctuation
• How to manage your time so editing and proofing are part of your process
• Why it’s important to be part of the world
• Why you should just write some crap

Question for you:

What’s your number one write better tip?

Share your story on Twitter (@hotcopypodcast) or our Facebook page!

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Thanks to middleagedmamainoz from Australia for a fantastic review of the show.

About Amanda

Amanda Van Elderen is a copywriter and author of Write Better: How To Cut The Crap And Say What You Mean. She bellyflopped into freelancing in 2016 when she chucked in a cushy job and founded WorkWords. She now writes for some of Australia’s biggest brands (and loads of the smallest). She’s on a mission to help everyday people write better, and to help big brands cut the crap and say what they mean.

Find Amanda

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Writebetter