How has your business changed since your first Member Spotlight interview?

My first Member Spotlight interview landed in March 2020 before the world got really weird. But despite the sudden absence of childcare and the arrival of chaos my business actually grew. Because I had less time to work thanks to that pandemic thingy I only said ‘yes’ to the stuff I really wanted to do, which paid more and felt nicer. Oh, and I’ve just rebranded. Get me.

What’s been your biggest success since your first Member Spotlight interview?

Tripling my business turnover without ignoring the school’s ‘collect your child immediately’ phone calls during Covid.

Why did you decide to focus on the kind of work you’re doing now?

In my first Member Spotlight interview, I said I was most proud of my work raising awareness of really important things (like suicide prevention charities and SEN school fundraisers). I wanted to do more writing about stuff that really mattered.

It’s not my only focus. But I’ve done even more work with non-profits, including tone of voice development for a new children’s charity and creating case studies to boost funding for military veterans’ centres. It’s pretty bloody humbling to be asked to share these people’s stories.

What are you enjoying most about your industry or niche?

There are areas I focus on, like non-profits, but there’s no niche. And that’s what I’m enjoying the most. I get to write for people doing all kinds of weird and wonderful things, and picking their brains about what they do so I can bring it to life with words is loads of fun.

What are you working on just now?

I’ve just finished interviewing groups of students and researchers to create a series of case studies for the University of Leeds. Next on the list is website copy for a recruitment agency, which follows some lovely tone of voice stuff we did last month to get their brand voice bang on.

Describe your desk and what’s on it

It’s the school holidays, so my desk is currently in my in-law’s spare bedroom while I drown out the excited entertainment of my son.

To prove it’s really not my vibe in here, I’m being stared at by a calendar of Cliff Richard.

Tell us about your side projects

I don’t have, or plan to have, bill-paying side hustles. But non-work projects include launching a bar-based book club with a pal (fun) and re-turfing the lawn (not fun).

How has your writing process evolved?

I’m more confident. I think that’s come with experience (I’m now in year 8 of freelancing) and getting some damn lovely feedback from people who like my stuff.

And thanks to growing my support team and getting some swanky software, I’m also better at managing the whole writing process, from proposal signatures to getting paid.

What do you wish copywriters were more honest about?

How much the crap client ‘suggested’ changes to our carefully crafted copy makes us cry.

What advice do you often hear given to newbies, but you don’t agree with? Why?

‘Say ‘Yes’ and figure out if you can do it later.’ Er, no?!

This philosophy applies excellently if you’re agreeing to a skydive. But not when you’re offering a service and accepting payment for it. It devalues a client’s time and the copywriting trade.

Any lessons you’re still learning?

Ignoring question 8, confidence. Not so much in my writing but shoving myself in people’s faces, subtly or otherwise, at networking events. Does anyone enjoy this?! Give me your tips!

What’s something about your work that makes your inner copywriting nerd happy, but you’re not able to chat about enough?

Did you see that in print? Look at the website. And that case study there? I wrote it, I wrote it! Damn, can’t name them. NDA.