ARE YOU A SPOON?
you need this course...
Before we hand the mic to Rheanna, we have some news...
We're launching a copywriting course for NEWBIES.
And it's coming out very, very soon.(like September soon). So if you're a spoon who doesn't know where to start and prefers step-by-step guidance and wanna build your portfolio with briefs and get a cute ass CERTIFIED TO WRITE certificate like this:
You should get on the wait list.
Because if you do, you'll be the first to know when it launches.
It's also pretty neat because ALL your course instructors will be young, gen-z copywriters doing cool shit. Not Mark with 50 years of experience who you can't relate to. These young gen-z copywriters are winning global awards, writing entire scripts for Spotify and working with big ass brands like Google and Duolingo. So you're in safe hands ;)
PS. Word Tonic members will be getting a SUPER discount on this course bcs they're family and family deserves little presents. We're talking ￡100 OFF THE COURSE!!!?
That's crazzzzzy.
So if you needed another reason to join us, let THIS be it. Grab a first month discounted trial below so ya can get a super ￡100 discount on the course once it launches in September. You'll literally get ALL this if you join so it's LIKE, super complementary to the course anyways:
HEY, ITS RHEANNA!
EVERY WEEK WE GET A DIFFERENT WORD TONIC MEMBER + YOUNG COPYWRITER TO TAKE OVER THE NEWSLETTER; TODAY, IT'S RHEANNA...
Heyyyy everyone, my name's Rheanna!?And I have been very very busy recently.?
A month ago, I started a full-time job as a copywriter for a digital marketing agency here in Australia. (I’m from the U.K., but I moved to Oz. Random, I know).?And although I have yeaaarssss of experience as a copywriter, spending this time in a new position is taking up a lot of brain power.?
It’s SO FUCKING HARD being new.
I hate not being an expert at something even when it’s silly-? like being mad at myself for not knowing how software I’ve never used before in a new country in a new office works.
?It’s fucking scary!?
What if they don’t like me? What if I get it wrong??Imposter syndrome is mean.?
All this to say, it’s normal if you’re new at something and you feel nervous. If your mind is full of thoughts telling you you’re a loser (you’re not), to quit (you shouldn’t!), your writing is SHIT (it’s not).?
One thing that has really helped me in all of this, is honestly Word Tonic. I joined in April 2023 and having it on my CV not only impressed my new employers, but it also?helped with my confidence. I’m able to keep dipping into masterclasses, chat with people in discord, or take on copy briefs to keep my confidence up.
So if you want to start taking tiny little ladybird steps, read on x
You're a fucking killer (not literally)
Otherwise known as 'You’re killing your copy'?and here's why.
I’m talking about pointless filler words. Words with zero value.?DISCLAIMER: I do not mean always. I do NOT mean you should never use these words.?I just mean a lot of the time, certain words prolong or ~gasp~ weaken the point you’re making.?
For example: ‘With flower power shower scent, you can smell like a rose, without the thorns’?
See the word ‘can’??
It adds doubt for the reader. It’s telling me I can smell like a rose, but not that I WILL.?And if I’m looking to buy something, I don’t want any doubt about how well it will work. WBU???
‘With flower power shower scent, smell like a rose without the thorns’?
See the difference? It’s more direct and much firmer.?Awesome, I’m definitely going to smell delicious.
(Now if I was really writing the product’s copy, I probably wouldn’t be so simple but you get my point).
Another word killing your copy…That.?It’s often an unnecessary filler word. It doesn’t add anything to the copy you’re writing. Except to make you sound uncertain or extend what you’re saying.?
Obviously, this is not a hard and fast rule, but keep it in mind.?Especially when you’re writing short form copy (things like social media, ads, headlines ect).
Constantly think ‘so what’. Think about the value the words you’re writing add.?And you’re good to go.??
Drink ur water (& mind ur fucking business)
Or more politely: take your own path. Stop asking. Start doing.?Damn I’m gonna sound mean. Boss Bitch Rheanna is coming out. Yikes.
领英推荐
Okay, here goes.
You know when you see copywriters who seem like they're at the top of their game? They’re getting gigs or working in-house. Their LinkedIn is amazing. Oooh they’re travelling full time while running a successful career!?
You really admire them and you’re a newbie, so you’re brave and send them a message.?Something like: “Hey!?I’m new at copywriting and you seem so successful/so experienced/so cool.?I was just wondering, how did you get to this point in your career? What was your journey into copywriting like?”
Cringe. I know. Because I've been there, done that, sent the message.?
The thing is, you’ll never get an answer that fits you and your life. You’re seeking something that just can’t be given (unless they’re magic). No one can tell you how to be ‘successful’ (which is subjective anyway!)?
I get a fair amount of these messages (ew I sound like I’m bragging, I swear I’m really not). And I looovveee helping people who are new to the game. I feel flattered people want my opinion! (Like, who?! ME?!) But I don’t love explaining my long and shitty journey when:
1) You could feel rubbish about your experience or journey
2) You might feel bad because I got a gig with X amount of experience, in Y amount of time, without doing z
And 3) You think if you just do what I did, it will work, and then feel disappointed if it doesn’t
‘How did you get to this point in your career?’ isn’t a helpful question to the person answering and it isn’t helpful to the person asking, because more often than not, the answer is something like:?"Oh hi! Thanks for reaching out!?
My journey into copywriting was kind of strange. I was training to be an acrobat because copywriting wasn't working out, and I’d also started running marathons. I was up at 5AM every morning! During one of my predawn runs, I met the husband of a marketing director in the organic leaf perfume industry.?
We went on a few runs together and then I didn't hear anything from him for a few years. I got a job as a chemistry teacher to make ends meet. One day, his wife reached out to me while I was at a fire dancing class - how funny!- and now I’m the chief of copy for her organic leaf perfume business!”
WHAT DO YOU EVEN DO WITH THAT INFORMATION?!
Fuck all. That’s what.
Sure you could start running marathons but you’re gonna get nowhere (other than 26 miles down the road). Ask specific questions. Build your skills.?Network- respectfully.?Some people won’t know all the answers. Some people won’t appreciate having someone message them to get something out of them, rather than try to build a relationship.??
Some tippity top tips for networking and learning from others:
??1) Go in smoothly. Don’t just message them straight up and ask for something.?
People’s time = money. It sucks, but it's true. Would you want to take time out of your day to do a free copywriting Q&A with someone who hasn't even asked how you are??Nope. so why should they!
2) Try and build a relationship. Networking is a long game!
Get to know the person, and talk to them like a NORMAL PERSON. Sweeten them up, tell them you like their sense of humour on Linkedin or their website design. Bond over something.?
3) THEN when you have a fairly decent rapport, ask them if it's okay for you to ask them a question or two.
If they say yes, ask something they can give a good answer that might help you!
Like:- Are there any copywriting resources or courses you recommend? (cough-Word Tonic’s course- cough)-
What do you wish you'd known when you first started out as a copywriter?-
Are there any newsletters or people on Linkedin you'd recommend I sign up for or follow to learn more?(cough-Dan Nelken- cough)
4) If you have a really decent relationship with them or they seem friendly, they might even be willing to have a look over your portfolio or give you advice on how to jazz up your copy!
None of this is to say you shouldn't or can’t ask people for advice.?Writers tend to be friendly and we want to help other people. But asking them how you can replicate their experience or journey? It’s useless.?Focus instead on actually building your skills (yes, Word Tonic will help with this), and genuinely creating relationships with people.
You are not going to find the answers in anyone else’s life story.?Carry on your own path, drink your water, and mind your business.?
Copywriter Corner with Dan Nelken
Copywriter, author, speaker& brand consultant
*seriously sub to his newsletter, it's fucking BOMB*
PSA; WORD TONIC IS LITERALLY DOING A COPYWRITING MASTERCLASS WITH TIHS LEGENDARY MAN TODAY SO yeah. YOU SHOULD JOIN US PRONTO!
1) What do you love most about copywriting?
I love creativity. I love turning nothing into something. And because I lack design skills, illustration skills, editing skills, and most life skills, I use words to bring my creativity to life.
2) What’s your one top writing tip?
Think first, write second. A great headline isn’t a great sentence, it’s a great idea expressed in words.
3) What’s your one top copywriting career tip?
Focus on building your craft. As your confidence rises, your rates follow. But remember, a career is long. And you can’t learn everything all at once. As long as you’re learning and growing, the success will come.
4) What advice would you give to a GEN-Z copywriter and what advice would you give to an aspiring copywriter?
There are over 37,000 varietals of copywriters. Know what kind you want to be and the sort of brands you want to work for. I wanted to make funny ads. And so my route was ad school and grinding my goal into a reality. It wasn’t a Get-Creative-Quick scheme but it did the trick.And if you’re already working but struggling to find your dream client, become it. It’s never too early or too late to create for #1.
Also, your inner critic is a ding-dong.