A slightly personal window on my world in copywriting and creative work.
General comment
April was definitely a game of two halves. I managed to deliver on three different projects all around the same kind of time in the middle of the month, and then…
Instead of cold emailing and ‘hustling’ for clients as I probably should, I decided to use the time for a few ‘education days’ – brushing up on the basics and looking harder at landing pages and emails. Inevitably, I took a look at my own website and totally revamped what had once been a gentle introduction into what a copywriter can do for you into a full-on sales page that I can send people to from social media and emails.
Tomorrow – I’ve got availability and am looking to take on new projects. Back to hassling and hustling the inboxes of digital marketing and PR firms in a 30-mile radius. And Oxford – I like the look of Oxford…
What I’ve been working on
- Complete website copy for an IT recruitment firm.
- Web pages for services and team profiles for an American family law firm.
- Brochure copy for an estate agent.
- Page tags and meta descriptions for an accountancy firm website.
- And this Landing Page for my own website!
This last item had a knock-on effect of modifications to some other pages on my site, and then some changes to the style sheets from the designer. Funny how changing one page can create more work that you thought, but it was worth it.
Personal writing
I am still trying to finish the second book in the ‘Bug Squad’ series. I promise, it’ll be done this month.
For two evenings last week, myself, the producer, the director and two great young actors got together to workshop character and dialogue for my ‘Creepy Show For Kids’ theatre play. This is exciting stuff. The first draft of the script was done, but the workshops gave me valuable feedback into how the two main characters would react and talk to each other. I’ll be working a few discoveries into the script in the next couple of weeks.
Oh – and a date for a special first showing of the play – Jan 2nd. Where? I’ll tell you in a few months…
Diary – out and about
Chelmsford Business Breakfast Club – another couple of friendly, interesting meetings this month at the best networking group I know, making the 6am start worthwhile. Here’s a rare photo of me with some of the crowd in the background.
pic by Andrew Chenery
EBN – I had the pleasure of giving a quick presentation about the advantages of good copywriting to the group earlier this month. I’m pleased to say people seemed interested and took notes at some point!
Sadly was not able to attend WriteNight this month due to the theatre workshops, but heard everyone had a great time getting into Russian spies and fairy tales with local author and group member Sarah Armstrong. Yes, I’m jealous.
In other news… also saw fantastic Korean indie band Say Sue Me at the Colchester Arts Centre. I don’t get out to enough shows, and this one was superb.
On the headphones
This month, Jean-Michel Jarre’s first two albums Oxygene and Equinoxe have been getting more plays than most. Difficult to believe they were created in the Seventies.
What I’m reading
This month I have been dipping into ‘The Participation Revolution’ by Neil Gibb. A great look at the democratisation of ideas, the spread of technology, and more.
Favourite article of the month
I’ve seen a couple of great posts about landing pages and the realities of running your own business, but the award this month has to go to this great article with a first-hand example of a great, personalised cold email from the interestingly-named John-Henry T. Scherck:
http://jhtscherck.com/anti-templated-cold-email-drift-meeting/
Until next month – be prepared for bright sunshine and pleasant temperatures with occasional torrential downpours and high winds. Stay productive!
Do you have any questions about what I could do for you? Drop me a line via my Contact page and I promise to respond within 24 hours, if not 24 minutes.