I saw two cats on leashes while writing this email

Lots of people ask me about my newsletter process—specifically if I write every email.

And my answer is…kind of!

My copywriter, Gemma, and I have a finely tuned process, one we’ve been doing together since 2018. This week, I thought it would be fun to give you a behind-the-scenes look.

It goes like this: Each month, Gemma and I get on a long phone call and talk through the upcoming emails. She asks me questions and I talk through whatever ideas come to mind.

I have to say: The phone call is really, really fun. I usually walk while I talk, which is why during our last call, I saw not one but TWO cats on leashes enjoying a beautiful New York summer day. If it’s crappy outside, I pace around my apartment, because movement helps me get the ideas flowing. Because we block out 1.5 hours for the call, we have time to get deep into topics, dig into the nuance, and find the angles that will be most interesting (we hope!) to this community.

This process works incredibly well for me because I’m a textbook extrovert. For me, that means: 1) I gain energy from being around others.?2) I process externally.

To get my creative mind engaged, I need to get the thoughts out of my head, and I need at least one person to bounce ideas off of. The thought of sitting in front of a blank Google doc and trying to write is extremely daunting to me…so this process of blabbing to Gemma plays to my strengths.

While we talk, Gemma takes very thorough notes. I’ve gotten to see these notes a few times—I truly don’t know how she captures everything I say in such precise detail. She’s SUCH a good listener. (Gemma says, “I was trained as a journalist and I type fast!”)

With those notes in hand, Gemma writes email drafts, sends them to me for review in a Google Doc, and we go back and forth on any minor tweaks that are needed. All in all, it’s very seamless.

Gemma and I have worked together on all things copywriting—emails, website copy, you name it. She also has program management experience so I use her as a sounding board for more than writing. As someone who runs their business solo, it’s been really wonderful to have someone who knows the ins-and-outs of my business and cares about its success.

While I know some people don’t like to reveal that they work with a copywriter, I feel the opposite. I write well, but I’m not a professional writer and I don’t enjoy writing. I think it’s important to acknowledge that as a small business owner, I can’t do it all. Frankly, we all need help!

In fact, I feel privileged that my voice has been developed in collaboration with Gemma, who has become a dear friend (though we’ve never met in person, which I think is hilarious). She’s someone I trust with my stories, both the personal ones and the business ones.

As you know, I’m pretty damn vulnerable in my emails, whether it’s about my family, dating, or my growth (and challenges) as a business owner. It’s important to me that my collaborator is not only someone I trust as a writer, but someone I trust as a person.

Gemma is that person. And I’m so excited to finally introduce you to her.

For many years, many of you have asked me for this introduction. I’ve been wanting to share Gemma with you all for a LONG time, but she wasn’t taking on new clients.

But now, she has openings for two new copywriting clients—people who are as amazing as me, of course ???(Let’s be real: in this incredible community, that’s every single one of you!)

If you want me to connect you with Gemma, hit reply. I would be thrilled to.

P.S. I also want to shout out Courtney, my workflow guru and virtual assistant, because these emails wouldn’t happen without her help, either. Everything you read from Copper + Rise is a collaborative effort in the best of ways!