Win a writing gig at the world's biggest SEO tool

Happy HAPPY Halloween.

Yes, ghosts are scary (and so is my boyfriend when he's gotten NO sleep).

But what's even scarier than ~all~ that is the fact that 2025 is less than two months away.

Which - in effect - means you've got two more months left to make something of this year AND YOURSELF.

So if you needed a kick from the universe to DO - to actually get started on your young copywriting journey...let it be this.

WORD TONIC IS DOING A COPYWRITING CHALLENGE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SEMRUSH:

Yes, that Semrush - the very big SEO tool.

And if you WIN the challenge, you'll be getting a paid copywriting opportunity at Semrush (yes, even if you have NO experience).

But you need to take part in the challenge to be in with a chance of winning.

And to take part in the challenge, you need to finally join Word Tonic and become a member.

So...go do. You can cancel anytime (even before the discount ends).

Seriously, a membership to Word Tonic is literally the equivalent of 49p...A DAY. Which is nada for all that you get:

??copywriting masterclasses with copywriters and creative directors from your fave brands (Google, Spotify, Marvel, LEGO) - all recorded, so you don't have to watch 'em live

?? briefs to build your portfolio from scratch so you can apply to gigs

?? freelancing workshops

?? a community where you can get advice + chat to 900+ other young writers just like you, and get feedback on your work

??a jobs and opportunities board where you can browse daily gigs

GET YOUR FIRST MONTH DISCOUNTED TRIAL NOW

WRITE THAT SHIT DOWN

You’re staring at a blank page.

You’re scared.

You’re wondering if it’s time to change careers (or, if this is your dream, find a new one). You can’t come up with a single f*ckin’ idea for the introduction.

Or the body.

Or the conclusion.

FUCK!

I’ve come to learn that getting something on the page is a great way to get the ball rolling. Here are some of my fave ideas:

1) If you’re writing an article for an assignment, start by copying the brief onto the page. Now you a) really know the brief and b) aren’t staring at a blank page.

2) Don’t be afraid to go out of order. I hate introductions — and candidly, you don’t really know the intricacies of what you’re going to say until you write it.

3) Build your structure. If you don’t have an outline, it makes sense that you can’t start — you don’t know what you’re going!

4) Write as much as you can without stopping. If you can’t think of something to say, write a bunch of swear words so you know to return to it later.

5) Talk to ChatGPT. Ask it about section ideas, ICP pain points, or questions that viewers searching the keyword are looking to get answers to. Copy that onto your paper and start building your own outline from the ideas you gathered.

6) Do more research. If you really don’t know where to start, it might be because you don’t know what you’re talking about. Write down what stands out as really interesting, important, or novel.

7) Lighten up. Rough drafts should suck. If you start getting in your head, you’re only hurting your cause. Remember we’re just little beings on a big rock writing shit for make believe institutions. You’ll survive.

#7 is my fave. Not to get all existential on you — but lightening up is usually the answer to just about any problem.?

WRITE THAT SHIT DOWN (PART 2)

Now for my business tip, I have the same advice: you need to be writing shit down.

Shit like:

- How much you get paid

- How much you’ve contracted to get paid next month

- What day the payment enters your bank account- What you promised a prospect in a discovery call

?- What your agreement is (i.e. CONTRACT BABY)

- When you spend money-

What you spend money on

- Where the receipt is for that spent money

- Dates when you should follow up with a prospect

- Dates when you should follow up with a client

- Ideas you have for your business

- Ideas you have for social media posts

- How much you’re going to owe in taxes

- People who inspire you

- How you do something (so you or your eventual helper can repeat it)

The list goes on and on.

Writing shit down is the key to keeping your business organized. Point blank. Period.

It’s very convincing — especially if you’re in the B2B world — that you need a bunch of tools.

And as you grow, you may find out that you do want to bring in some software.?But at first, you quite literally just need to be writing shit down.

Google doc. Notebook. Notion.?Phone notes app.?The back of a precious painting in your parent’s living room. I even send myself f*ckin’ emails.

Wherever it is, write it down and make sure you don’t lose it.

When you have a new client, when tax season rolls around, and when you want to grow your business, you’re going to be thankful you WROTE that SHIT DOWN.?

Copywriter Corner

Elena Galli -Content Marketer + Co-founder @ The Kind Kind

1) What do you love most about copywriting??

Copywriting allows me to channel the best parts of me into creating something new*. I was the sensitive kid with a sparkly imagination who loved inventing stories - I also always had a bubbly, and slightly kooky, sense of humor (yes, I was the bullied kid); if elementary school Elena knew that she’d get to write for a living and play with words every day, she’d be ecstatic.?

* I know - sometimes copy needs to be subdued; prioritizing clarity over wit isn’t as thrilling, but even then, there's a craft in finding the best words to get your message across (which also makes you invincible during petty verbal confrontation with your roommates it’s like they brought butter knives to a gunfight, really. How embarrassing.) It's a fair price to pay for the times you get to go all in on the creativity side.?

2)) What’s your one top writing tip? You’ve got to make sure it flows beautifully - that’s why I always read my copy out loud while editing. It allows me to spot any lame-sounding phrases and repetitions. Let’s make Shakespeare proud, y’all. (I don’t know why I had to drag him into all of this.)

3) What’s your one top copywriting career tip??

Build a personal brand. Look, I know, LinkedIn’s tricky - it feels like a popularity contest. Ignore the follower count. What matters is delivering value and building a community. Write as if you were at a social event, chatting with a high-up ideal client in your dreams* (authentic, yet professional.)? * No blushing, foot-in-mouth moments, or stutter attacks involved.

4) What advice would you give to a GEN-Z copywriter and what advice would you give to an aspiring copywriter?

Don’t be intimidated by the arrogant big shots. You got this. For those of you with imposter syndrome, here’s how you can fool anyone into thinking you know what you’re doing: always act professional, and check your spelling, for Chrissake. It’s Typoville out here. ?Network like your life depends on it (your career does.) Aim to meet one new person per week. Get to know each other, learn about what the other does, and walk into every conversation asking yourself what you can do for your interlocutor. It’s a magic trick. Trust me on this one.?

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Fun deal!!!??

Elena’s got a special message for Word Tonic readers: If you want to build your personal brand and you’re a freak in the Google Spreadsheets, I hope you’ll enjoy this 50% discount on my LinkedIn Content Performance Tracker??.

It’s the juiciest discount I’ve offered yet - Christmas came early this year. You can get it here: https://thekindkind.gumroad.com/l/enhance-your-linkedin-performance?And your discount code is: WORD-TONIC