A new decade of positive impact

Somehow I’ve reached 10 years as a freelance copywriter!

Is it me or is time accelerating?!

When I first left ad agencies - 21 years ago - I dabbled with the idea of becoming a copywriter. I’d always been in client services in ad agencies, Account Director by the mid-90’s. Liaising with clients, briefing creatives and developing campaigns.

Copywriting only came up sporadically; re-writing the odd direct mail pack and writing a monthly micro-micro column in Yachts & Yachting magazine.

Back then I compared myself to the steely copywriting duo I’d worked with at McCann Erickson. These too-cool-to-move lads languished in the creative department on the top floor - whispering and sniggering at my newbie Account Exec awkwardness.

That wasn’t me. So I vowed to stay in my lane.

In those early days - with a baby in tow - I set myself up as a Freelance Marketing Consultant and won my first client.

My brother in law. Nepotism at its finest!!

He didn’t mind if I had baby Millie asleep on the sofa behind me.

But he stayed with me until he sold the business to a multi-national last year. It was he who convinced me to write his first website. I went on to write 3 more iterations for him, as the business expanded into renewables, then retracted (with the feed-in tariff) and re-branded.

And before I knew it, I was up and running.

The next job came and the next. And whilst I was offering marketing advice and planning, I found myself writing. Emails, newsletters, websites, press releases, scripts, ads.

What I’ve realised is that back in the ‘90’s, when those “dudes” were copywriting with attitude, clients (Vision Express and Lloyds Bank) were demanding loads of changes. More than I ever get!!

I must be doing something right.

I’m heading into the next 10 years with more gusto, determination and thirst for knowledge than ever. I’ve proved I can write about anything. I have a huge copywriting portfolio I’m incredibly proud of, clients I love writing for, copywriters I love learning from and suppliers who are the best creatives to bounce ideas around with.

What I will do now is keep helping those brands doing good work for people, community and planet. I will help them make the impact they crave, with words they haven’t been able to muster.

Here’s to more positive impact in the coming decade.

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