Clever Copy Chats

Hello copy beasts, I have some good news and some sad news. This will be the last episode of the Clever Copy Chats podcast. Instead, I'm absorbing this podcast into one mega podcast. It's going to be called The Kate Toon  Show - it's all about how to create a successful, profitable and enjoyable business using smart, creative, simple digital marketing tactics. Whether it's creating passive income...

Hello,  I just want to explain that we're going to be taking a little bit of a break on the podcast, probably about a month or so. This is sadly because I've had some bad news from home and I need to return to the UK and spend some time with my family. So I hope you can bear with me while I get through this difficult time. We will be back later in the year with more great episodes. Thanks for list...

  In these short snappy episodes, I want to give you smart little Toon tips on how to hone your copywriting skills and improve your copywriting business.    Today I want to talk to you about honing in on your homepage. We spend a lot of time looking at other people's sites, but when was the last time you took a long hard Paddington bear stare at your home page?   Well, perhaps today is the day. Li...

Welcome to another award winner's episode.   In these episodes, I'm talking to winners from the Clever Copywriting School Awards of 2022.   I'll be asking: What do they think made them stand out to win the awards? What advice and tips can they offer you? What are the challenges they've faced? And common mistakes they see their peers making.   Today we're chatting with our proofreading winner and o...

In these short snappy episodes, I want to give you smart little Toon tips on how to hone your copywriting skills and improve your copywriting business.    Today I want to talk to you about my favourite copywriting formula.  PAS (Problem / Agitate / Solve)   Other useful formulas:  AIDA (Attention/Interest/Desire/Action) ACCA (Awareness/Comprehension/Conviction/Action) BAB (Before/After/Bridge) FAB...

Do you feel like a confident copywriter?   Unfortunately, I think part of being an empathetic, thoughtful writer is questioning everything, including ourselves and that can lead to self-doubt, imposter syndrome and comparisonitis.   So how do we overcome that?   Today I'm chatting with a copywriting coach who specialises in building confidence in yourself and your biz, and setting up productive bu...

In these short snappy episodes, I want to give you smart little Toon tips on how to hone your copywriting skills. Improve your copywriting business with straightforward doable advice that you can implement today.    Today, I want to talk about why copywriters should be more like fruit sellers when it comes to promoting themselves. Listen to all tip episodes here.   Freebies Free rates guide Member...

Ugh, content marketing, it just sounds so, well boring. And content, really? Does it actually generate sales or just contribute to the noise on the interwebs?   How do you create snappy content that woos the TOFUs, comforts the MOFUs and gets the BOFUs to reach for their credit cards?   Today's guest specialises in long-form content marketing, helping her clients connect with customers through per...

I n these short snappy episodes, I want to give you smart little Toon tips on how to hone your copywriting skills and improve your copywriting business.    Today I want to talk to you about legal. I know it's boring, but it's super, super important. This is one that should be really front of mind, and it's all about getting your legals sorted. Listen to all tip episodes here. Useful Resources:  Co...

Okay we have a new podcast theme (well not that new, we've done a few episodes), it's called AWARD WINNERS, and in these episodes, I'm talking to winners from the Clever Copywriting School Awards of 2022. I'll be asking: What do they think made them stand out? What advice and tips can they offer you? What are the challenges they've faced? And common mistakes they see their peers making. Today we'r...

In these short snappy episodes, I want to give you smart little Toon tips on how to hone your copywriting skills and improve your copywriting business.  Today I want to talk a little bit about how to brand differently by thinking outside the box. Let's talk about branding. One of the biggest mistakes I see with copywriters is the tendency to brand themselves in similar ways to other copywriters th...

Juggling copywriting and having a life is a struggle, right? And then there's the added pressure of making money, dealing with clients, worrying about ChatGPT and all that nasty imposter syndrome. Today I want to talk about what it's really like to be a copywriter. What does the average day look like? What are the ups? And the downs? Let's get real today, people, and dig into the challenges all co...

In these short snappy episodes, I want to give you smart little Toon tips on how to hone your copywriting skills and improve your copywriting business.    Today I want you to stop asking 'why me' and start asking 'why not me?'   In the business world, especially when you're starting out, it can be oh-so easy to doubt yourself.   There are so many other copywriters out in the world; why would anyon...

Us copywriters pride ourselves on being words people. But when it comes to figures, well some of us aren't so great.   And after all my years coaching copywriters, I've found it's not the copywriting side of things that causes businesses to fail, it's poor money management.   Fear about pricing. Poor cash flow management. Awkwardness about invoicing. And naked terror at tax time. All these issues...

Batton down the hatches I know that many copywriters feel under attack at the moment. The cost of living crisis is biting hard, and it's getting harder to find and convert clients. ChatGPT seems to be threatening our very existence. And as the bank balance dwindles, as the confidence ebbs, it can cause us deep thinkers to spiral into negative thoughts. It can also lead us to make panicky decisions...

VIP days are a relatively new thing in the copywriting world.  Back in the old days there was no such thing, I'm pretty much sure of it. But then someone, somewhere started banging on about VIP days and now everyone has jumped on this copywriting bandwagon. And I get it, they're a great way to overcome the eternal problem of projects dragging on for months and months and months. One day, done. Lov...

In these short snappy episodes, I want to give you smart little Toon tips on how to hone your copywriting skills and improve your copywriting business.    Today I want to talk to you about what to do when the inspiration well has run dry. Your brain is foggy. Writing feels like you're wading through sludge. The words just aren't coming. But the deadline looms and there are bills to pay.   So how d...

So, you're a copywriter, but you don't live in a snazzy suburban area, with cool cafes and agencies aplenty. Instead, you're 8 hours from the nearest big city. How does being a regional copywriter impact your client list, your rates, and the number of meetings you have to attend? Our guest today is a 10-year Copybeast, with small humans and a big list of achievements. From her home offices, she's...

In these short snappy episodes, I want to give you smart little Toon tips on how to hone your copywriting skills and improve your copywriting business.    Today I want to talk to you about confidence and why it's the maker or breaker of your copywriting business.   I'll cover why you should:  Be kind to yourself. Realise you're not alone.  Set goals for yourself.  Work out strategies for tricky si...

Okay we have a new podcast theme, it's called AWARD WINNERS, and in these episode I'm talking to winners from the Clever Copywriting school awards. I'll be asking: What do they think made them the stand out to win the awards. What advice and tips can they offer you? What are challenges they've faced? And common mistakes they see their peers making? These are useful, practical and hopefully inspiri...

I n this, the first of my celebrity copywriter episodes, I could think of no one better to ask than the wonderful Justin Blackman. Because as well as having courses and resources on sale, he's still a working copywriter, indeed he's worked with some mega famous marketing types (some of whom even I have heard of). His superpower? Brand Ventriloquism, no this doesn't mean he pops his paw up the bott...

Taking on AI as an asset, not a threat Everyone is talking about ChatGPT. My LinkedIn is stuffed with experts providing tips and examples of how to use this amazing tool. (Everyone is an instant expert on LinkedIn). To some it's the best thing since sliced bread. To others, it's the end of the content marketing world as we know it. I mean, haven't these people watched The Terminator movies, don't...

Us copywriters, ooh we love a good niche. And if we find one that aligns with something we genuinely love, even better. So imagine being a copywriter for artists, the ultimate creative combo of words and pictures.  But that said, if a picture paints a thousand words, who needs a copywriter? And artists aren't exactly known for their bulging bank accounts. So how do you make being an Arts copywrite...

Why the 'boring' social media platform is a copywriter's best friend LinkedIn; it gives most people the absolute heebie-jeebies.  It has a reputation for being the most boring social media platform, and so many of us hide on Facebook, on Instagram; anywhere, but having to show up on LinkedIn.    But the truth is, as a copywriter, it's probably a pretty good source of jobs.    So, how do we show up...

In these short snappy episodes, I want to give you smart little Toon tips on how to hone your copywriting skills. Improve your copywriting business with straightforward doable advice that you can implement today.  Today I want to talk to you about trading FOMO for JOGI.  I've been digging into LinkedIn, and recently I got a question about FOMO and false scarcity.   "I'm currently writing up a Link...