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Hot Copy

The Hot Copy podcast is a collaboration between seasoned copywriters Belinda Weaver and Kate Toon. Tune in for copywriting tips, shortcuts, writing resources, interviews and laughs. All focused on helping you become a better copywriter.
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Now displaying: Page 5
May 4, 2016

In this episode we chat to Amy Harrison, a well-known UK copywriter. Amy is also a copywriting coach and keynote speaker at marketing events around the world. You might have seen her guest post on sites like Copyblogger, DuctTape Marketing and Problogger. Or watched her YouTube channel.

The lady gets about and we picked her brain about copywriting, content and story-telling in modern marketing.

Tune in to learn:

  • How Amy made the leap from screen writer to copywriter
  • The benefit of saying YES and when to stop
  • How Amy decides the next step in her career
  • How long it takes to nail your ideal client
  • Tips on staying creative
  • The nuts and bolts of Amy’s writing process
  • Amy’s tips on using video marketing
  • How to use story telling in your copywriting
  • What Amy watches on Netflix!
  • Amy’s hot tips for new copywriters

 

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

And a big shout out to Derek Etherton for leaving a fab review for us. We're glad you're loving the show! 

Find out more at:

Links mentioned in this article:

Apr 21, 2016

Even the most experienced copywriters can suffer from confidence wobbles. Those moments you begin to question your writing abilities or your business skills... or both! In this podcast, we chat through some confidence blurts copywriters have kindly shared with us and add our own experiences and tips on overcoming them!

 

Tune to hear us chat about confidence blurts like:

  • Comparing yourself (and your writing) to others
  • Answering the phone
  • Communicating off the page (verbally)
  • Meeting clients to discuss projects
  • Preparing quotes and getting clients through the sales process
  • Getting negative feedback
  • Questioning your writing skills
  • Keeping the pipeline consistently full
  • Waiting for clients to get back to you
  • Lack of experience

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Thanks to Jenny De Lacy, Lisa Cropman, Jodi Gibson, Rashida Tayabali, Anne Maybus, Nicole Leedham, Matt Fenwick, Katherine Elizabeth, Rose Spagnolo for sharing their wobbles in Kate’s Clever Copywriting School.

Useful links

Apr 6, 2016

Today we’re talking to Ryan Wallman Head of Copy at Wellmark a Melbourne creative agency that specialising in niche industries and in particular healthcare and pharmaceutical communications.
Ryan has an alter ego Dr Draper on Twitter and is a well known name in copywriting circles.

Tune in to learn:

  • What a Head of Copy job entails
  • How Ryan started out as a copywriter?
  • Advice for copywriters considering specialisation?
  • Whether you need qualifications to become a medical copywriter?
  • Tips for breaking into agency land?
  • Ryan's biggest challenges in his copywriter career
  • Ryan's creative process
  • Tips for newbie copywriters

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Thanks to Andrea Rowe from Your Coastal Connection for her fab review, read out on the show.

Find out more at:

Links mentioned in this article:

Mar 23, 2016

In the last Hot Copy podcast we shared some copywriting techniques to help your clients build trust and credibility with their audience. One of those techniques is getting testimonials and it’s so important for your own business that it deserves a pod of its own. This week we get stuck into getting and using testimonials to power up your marketing.

Tune in to learn:

  • Why testimonials are such a powerful tool
  • Different types of testimonials and how to get them
  • Best questions for awesome testimonials
  • Where to use testimonials for maximum impact
  • Cheats you can use to power up your testimonials

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Useful links

 

Mar 9, 2016

When it comes to deciding on whether to do business with someone, trust is key. So if you can help your copywriting clients build trust and credibility with their audience you’re doing a great job.

We’ve put together some top tips to help you write trustworthy copy, inspire confidence and convert readers into customers.

Tune in to learn:

  • How to use specifics, stats and facts to earn trust
  • The importance of clarity and error free content
  • How to use guarantees
  • Using testimonials, clients lists and samples
  • Why fake scarcity and offers don't work

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Useful links

Feb 24, 2016

This week we chat with Jacqui Pryor.

Jacqui has more than 16 years of experience in the trademark industry helping businesses protect their intellectual property. She is the founder of Mark My Words Trademark Services Pty Ltd and shares her knowledge on the Flying Solo website. In this podcast we pick her brains about copyright and trademarking.

[Tweet "Podcast 21: Know your rights when it comes to copyright? Hot Copy interview with expert, Jacqui Pryor  #hotcopy #copywriting"]

Tune in to learn:

  • The difference between copywrite and copyright
  • How copywriters can protect the words they write
  • Clients ownership of the copy you write for them
  • Why you should consider trademarking your business identity
  • What you can do if you find someone is copying your words or products

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Find out more at:

Feb 10, 2016

You've won the copywriting project. Whoo hoo. But now the hard work begins.

Although many copywriters might be great writers, they're often not so good at project management. Belinda and Kate believe that your process, particularly when it comes to sign offs - can make a huge difference to both your client's satisfaction levels and your sanity levels.

Tune in to learn:

  • Why process is so important
  • How managing your sign offs carefully can boost your income
  • How to deal with too many amends
  • Managing final sign off
  • Who has the copyright?

Useful links

Jan 27, 2016

This week we're talking copywriting fees, what to charge, when to charge and how to charge. We'll explain how we charge our clients, how we put together our estimates, how we use deposits to ensure cash flow and why we're not big fans of charging by the word.

Tune in to learn:

  • How to work out your hourly rate
  • Different ways to charge for your copywriting work
  • How to use retainer agreements
  • Our quoting formula
  • Why getting a deposit is so important
  • How to chase up later payers

Useful links

 

Jan 13, 2016

This week we chat with Valerie Khoo.

Valerie is a well-known Australian author, founder and National Director of the Australian Writer’s Centre, journalist, keynote speaker and host of not one but two podcasts (So you want to be a writer, with Allison Tate and So you want to be a photographer, with Gina Milica).

Tune in to learn:

  • When Valerie began to consider writing a viable career choice
  • What let her to create the Australian Writer's Centre
  • Valerie's advice on dealing with failure
  • Valerie's big tips to new (and seasoned) copywriters

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!


Find Valerie at:

Dec 30, 2015

A brand new year is about to begin. This is the time we usually reflect on the year that has been and the year ahead. Maybe you’re setting SMART goals or maybe your goals are a little more sweeping.

In this New Year’s Eve episode Belinda and Kate discuss their goal setting habits and share their own goals – business and personal – for 2016.

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Dec 16, 2015

We both LOVE Christmas but it can be a tricky time of year, juggling copywriting deadlines and family plans. Often we’re burned out and ready for some time off to recharge!

We hosted a special Hot Copy Christmas party on Blab and asked other successful copywriters what they do to make sure they – and their copywriting businesses - survive the Christmas period.

Tune in to learn:

  • Who is having holidays and who is working through
  • How to respond to client who need rush work over Christmas
  • How to wrap up straggling projects so you can take a break
  • Crucial tips on getting essential down time away from your computer
  • How to prepare for the busy new year
  • Who sends gifts to their copywriting clients and what they buy

And a very Merry Christmas to all our listeners! 

Dec 2, 2015

In this episode of the Hot Copy podcast we talk about whether it’s possible to be a copywriter and find time for creative copywriting. Or if the two are mutually exclusive.

Tune in to learn:

  • Kate’s writing achievements and why she put her creative writing on hold
  • Belinda’s surprising admission about her creative writing
  • What other copywriters think about this!

Share the pod love!

If you like what you’re hearing on Hot Copy, the best way to support the show is to take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment over on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

Show notes

Nov 18, 2015

In this extra special episode of the Hot Copy podcast we answer some copywriting questions from our lovely listeners! This was so much fun that we plan on making it a regular feature.

Thanks to Kate Merryweather, Angela Denly. Jennifer Morton and MaryClark Rardin for submitting their copywriting questions and conundrums.

 

Want to know more?

Tune in to learn:

  • How frequently you should blog for SEO payoff
  • How to get into the head space of a target audience (to understand their motives)
  • How to navigate the tricky world of doing work for friends and family
  • Persuading small, local business to give you copywriting work
  • The difference between copywriting and content
Nov 4, 2015

Tom Albrighton is the founder and director at ABC Copywriting based in Norwich in the United Kingdom.

He’s also the Co-Founder of Professional Copywriters’ Network - the UK’s largest membership organisation for commercial writers. He’s an extremely well respected and well-known copywriter, who I discovered when I was starting my own business back in 2006.

We particularly loved his home page slider copy – which you should definitely check out.

Tune in to learn:

  • What Tom did before he became a copywriter
  • The lowest points and biggest mistakes in his career, and how he bounced back
  • His writing routine
  • What the Professional Copywriters' Network is, and how it works
  • Tip for newbie copywriters

Find Tom at:

Oct 21, 2015

We’re very excited to welcome Kelly Exeter to the Hot Copy podcast. Kelly is a highly successful and popular blogger at A life Less Frantic and manager of Swish Design.

She was a finalist in the Australian Writers’ Centre Best Blogs Competition in 2014 and has spoken at Australia’s biggest blogging conference, ProBlogger.

Kelly is editor at Flying Solo, Australia’s biggest online community of solopreneurs and microbusinesses and the published author of Your Best Year Ever.

Over the years she’s had up to four blogs at any given time while writing for others, including Mamamia and Kidspot.

Tune in to learn:

  • How Kelly started her writing career
  • How she built such a loyal following for her blog
  • Her top tips on blog writing
  • How she started her book (and finished it)
Oct 7, 2015

Brainstorming benefits from features is an essential copywriting technique. One you really have to master if you want to write compelling copy. But many copywriters fall short of nailing the real benefit on the table. Do you?

In this episode we get technical, talking about features and benefits with some surprising differences and techniques to help your brainstorming.

Want to know more?

Tune in to learn:

  • Belinda and Kate’s technique for going from features to advantages and finally, to the benefits that matter to customers
  • Examples of that technique in action
  • When to use features rather than benefits
  • The surprising reason why including disadvantages actually boost your copywriting
Sep 23, 2015

Is there a good age to become a copywriter? Is it better to start when you’re young and enthusiastic, or when you’re older, wiser and totally exhausted by life!

In this week’s podcast we’ll talk about copywriters of all ages, from those straight out of school to those heading into retirement. We’ll discuss the challenges and positives of each age group and try to discover the perfect age to start your copywriting business.

Want to know more?

Tune in to learn:

  • Whether starting your copywriting career straight out of school is a good idea
  • How copywriters in their 20s have some real advantages
  • The problems copywriters face in their 30s and 40s
  • How mature copywriters might have it made
Sep 9, 2015

Darren Rowse is a globally renowned blogger and speaker. Just as many people know him as the founder of Problogger as for his other business, Digital Photography School. He inspires bloggers every year at the Problogger training event and we grabbed him to pick his brain about writing, routines and being a totes famous introvert.

Tune in to learn:

  • How Darren finds the time and inclination to write in his ultra-busy schedule
  • Where he gets his inspiration
  • How he turns negative comments into conversation
  • How an introvert keeps his energy levels topped up after big events
  • How Darren gets through his (enormous) to do list
  • The ONE question you should ask yourself before you start writing.
Aug 26, 2015

If you’re a working copywriter you’re likely to have seen a big increase in the number of customers requesting video scripts. But if you haven’t written one before they can be daunting. In this week’s podcast Kate and Belinda will give you the top tips and advice you need to get started.

Want to know more?

Tune in to learn:

 

  • Some interesting statistics about videos and why they works so well
  • The different types of videos scripts you can write
  • Kate’s top 8 tips on writing great video scripts
  • The common mistake make copywriters make when writing video scripts
  • How SEO works with Video scripts
Aug 12, 2015

When you’ve been a copywriter for a while, you learn which copywriting apps and tools help you most, day to day. Some apps help you be a more creative copywriter. Some apps help you manage your time. Some of them help you offer a better service to your copywriting clients.

In this episode of Hot Copy, Belinda and Kate share their ten favourite copywriting apps and tools.

Tune in to learn:

 

  • Our ten favourite copywriting apps and tools
  • What we love most out about then
  • How much they cost
  • Alternatives you can consider
Jul 29, 2015

Attracting clients is just half of the copywriting battle. How do you turn a copywriting enquiry into a copywriting client? In this podcast, Belinda and I will talk about different ways of ‘on boarding’ potential clients, how to get them to complete a brief, sign off your proposal and actually start work.

Want to know more?

Tune in to learn:

  • How to deal with client enquries by phone and email
  • When is the best time to send the client brief
  • What you should include in your proposal
  • Deposits, how much to charge and when
  • Which project management and accounting software we use
Jul 15, 2015

In this episode we’re going to be talking about a particularly important aspect of your copywriting – the tone of voice. Did you know the tone of voice will influence how effective your copywriting is? Well it does. And now you know!

Want to know more?

Tune in to learn:

  • What tone of voice is and what it isn’t – the critical elements you have to consider
  • How to develop your own unique tone of voice
  • Our favourite examples of a unique tone of voice
  • Top tips on nailing different tones in your copywriting
Jul 8, 2015

We’re very excited to welcome Glenn Murray to the Hot Copy podcast. Glenn is a hugely respected copywriter in Australia (and around the world) and we ask him to share his secrets of being a successful copywriter.

Tune in to learn:

  • How Glenn got started as a copywriter
  • Glenn’s possibly controversial thoughts on leading copywriters
  • Excellent books Glenn has never finished (but recommends we read)
  • His big business mistake that you can learn from
  • The surprising emotions Glenn experiences when he begins copywriting projects
  • Expert homepage copywriting tips
  • Glenn’s writing fetish and perversions
  • Glenn’s excellent tip for new copywriters – Not to miss.

Hang out until the end to hear the outtake!

Jul 1, 2015

As we’re going to be in your ear quite regularly, you probably want to know who we are, right? In this inaugural episode of the Hot Copy podcast, copywriters Kate and Belinda interview each other so you can get to know your hosts a little better.

Tune in to discover how long they have been in the business of copywriting, Kate’s first copywriting project, Belinda’s surprising career before copywriting and the writer’s fetish they will admit on air.

Jul 1, 2015

Okay, so you’ve decided to be come a copywriter, awesome!! But learning how to write copy is just the first step. Many copywriters fail in their first year because they simply can’t find enough clients. Friends and family are a great place to start, but where on earth do you track down awesome potential copywriting clients with money to spend?

In this week’s podcast Belinda Weaver and Kate Toon will be giving you their insiders tips on how to find copywriting clients.

Tune in to learn:

  • Our key ways to find copywriitng clients
  • Whether freelancing websites are worth the effort
  • Our number one new client tip
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