ill communication: copywriting tips & sales strategies for small businesses

In this episode of ill communication, I'm digging into my archive and rebroadcasting one of the top fan-favorite episodes.  This quick episode will help you write stronger, clearer, and more compelling copy by removing one simple word.  We are talking about the trouble with “that.” You may be surprised to find you can eliminate it (and other unnecessary filler words) from most of your copy, a...

Can you believe this is the 100th episode of ill communication? That’s a lot of talking!  To celebrate,  I’m dedicating this episode to you -my listeners, my community, and my clients who come back every week! I'm so excited to share your insights, your questions, and your comments as we celebrate 100 episodes of the ill communication podcast together. Topics We Cover in This Episode:  Some o...

Hoping to take it easy in your life and business this summer? You’re going to love this episode!  I'm sharing three things I'm doing this year to make my business and life easier over the summer. Maybe you can take one of these ideas and do it for yourself, or maybe something I share will spark a new idea for you and help you create some space in your business or life. Topics We Cover in...

What’s in a name? As a copywriter, this is a question I get asked a lot.  Several factors go into writing a scroll-stopping, attention-getting name. So in this episode, I'm giving you five quick tips to keep in mind when you're brainstorming and creating names for your products, services, newsletters, webinars, freebies, events, blogs, or podcasts.  Topics We Cover in This Episode:  A si...

What’s your ideal summer? For me personally, I’m looking for a summer of ease. I want to work a little less, check out some summer music festivals, go camping, and read a few fiction books.  Whatever your goal is, I want to help you set yourself up for success! In this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing a workshop I’m hosting next week to help you create your very own Summer of Ease.  Topic...

Thinking about using AI in your business?  In this episode of ill communication, I’m answering a question I get asked all the time as a copywriter- what I think about AI.  I’m sharing my honest thoughts on using AI and ChatGPT as well as some mind-blowing ways you can use it to elevate your life and business.  Topics We Cover in This Episode:  A sneak peek into how I use ChatGPT to make my busines...

Want to turn your complicated and confusing copy into simple, powerful messages that create sales? I have you covered. This episode of ill communication is the final episode in the mini-series on simplicity in sales! Join me as I share some powerful insights and trends I'm seeing in online marketing and sales and how to avoid the curse of TMI (too much information) in your copy. Topics We Cov...

Are you holding back on making an offer because you don't have it up on your website or on a designed landing page?  If so, this episode is for you. We are in the middle of a little series all about simplicity in your business, and in this episode, I’m sharing a super simple sales strategy with you. This is how you can make $150k from an ugly Google Doc.  Topics We Cover in This Episode:  The...

Are you overcomplicating your sales copy?  Many of us do this! So in this episode, I’m sharing a very simple copy recipe that you can use today. This particular copy recipe is one of the most simple recipes you'll find, and it can be used for many of your copywriting needs.  Topics We Cover in This Episode:  What this simple and effective copywriting recipe is  Real-life examples of this form...

Are you procrastinating financial tasks in your business?  You’re not alone! In this episode of ill communication, I sat down with my Money Coach, April Stroink, to talk about some stress-free financial management tips from the Profit First system. Topics We Cover in This Episode:  Why the Profit First system is the perfect system for small businesses and entrepreneurs How the Profit First system...

Ever feel overwhelmed by all of the advice for your business out there?  There is so much advice being given online. From content to templates to tutorials to blueprints, and roadmaps- it goes on and on! It’s impossible to follow what everyone is saying.  In this episode of ill communication, I'm sharing how to decide which advice you should take about entrepreneurship and copywriting, and wh...

It’s Blah Blah Blah Day! Yes, you heard that right!  It's a day to tune in to the voices telling us to do something. Maybe it was your spouse telling you to take out the garbage, or your financial coach telling you to incorporate your business.  In this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing how you can use this day to complete all of those small business copywriting projects you have been...

In this episode of ill communication, we are doing a follow-up on the episode last week all about the anatomy of a great storytelling email. In that episode, I shared the essential components of a storytelling email: the hook, story, segue, and so-what.  Now, I’m diving deeper into what a segue is and how to write one for your storytelling emails.  Topics covered in this episode include: What a se...

Let’s dive into something that trips up a lot of people when they sit down to write an email -how to weave in a personal story. I know a lot of business owners want to write emails like this… but they think it’s super hard or complicated.  But guess what? It’s not! So in this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing The Anatomy of a Great Storytelling Email. And trust me, it's one you'l...

It’s no secret that I love the Beastie Boys. They actually inspired the name of this podcast! Their autobiography is where my love of the Beastie Boys collided with my love of the written word.  The Beastie Boys Book is a masterclass in writing and storytelling. In this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing three important things that the Beastie Boys can teach us about great copywriting.  Top...

I am very, very close to hitting an important milestone in my business - crossing the million-dollar mark in lifetime revenue. It’s a pretty huge deal for me, so in this episode of ill communication, I want to share 7 unconventional success strategies for entrepreneurs who are ready to hit that million-dollar mark too.  Topics covered in this episode include: The power of seeing women in business...

Ready to stop procrastinating in writing your weekly newsletter? I have you covered!  In this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing a brilliant writing prompt with you that can be used in your weekly newsletter, blog post, social content, or to inspire a podcast episode. This episode is short, sweet, and actionable so grab your notebook or a fresh Google Doc and get ready to start writing!  To...

If you’ve been in online business for even just a minute… you know you need a way to attract ideal buyers or leads to your business. And while you may have followers who double-tap your content, that doesn’t make them qualified leads. That’s where lead magnets and email marketing come in. In this episode of ill communication, I'm sharing seven steps to choosing the right lead magnet to attrac...

Let’s state the obvious: no matter how big or small your business is, you need an email list.  Your email list is a critical asset in your business because it is your list and your data. You own it, and these are your relationships. I know that the idea of having an email list can be overwhelming, So in this episode of ill communication, I want to demystify and simplify the three essential sequenc...

Wondering if copy coaching is right for you? Live copy coaching is just a part of what we do inside the Joy of Copy Club and my members have said that they love it. In this episode of ill communication, I wanted to share with you a little insider peek into what kinds of topics or questions people can bring to these open coaching calls or Q&A sessions. Topics covered in this episode include: Wh...

Have you ever struggled with self-confidence and self-worth? You’re not alone in feeling like that.  Women are generally socialized and conditioned not to trust our own expertise and when we do, we are often not heard or ignored. It's no wonder we struggle to show up and present ourselves with authority, confidence, and command! In this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing some tips to h...

It’s time to remove the jargon from your marketing and copywriting!  Why?  When you use industry jargon and buzzwords in your messaging, you risk alienating your audience and making them feel stupid or left out. So in this episode of ill communication,  I want to share a couple of really quick and easy strategies to help you eliminate jargon from your copy and messaging. Topics covered in this epi...

In this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing a candid look at being a copywriter and entrepreneur in 2023 and 2024. 2023 was definitely harder than I expected, but I have a lot of things I’m excited about in the new year that I can’t wait to tell you about. So grab your favorite drink, have a seat, put your feet up, and get cozy. I’m getting a little personal today. Topics covered in this epi...

In this episode of ill communication, I’m talking about a critical piece of infrastructure all small businesses need in 2024. I’m referring to your email marketing and email newsletters. I’m sharing everything you need to know about email marketing this year including some email best practices, what’s working, and what’s not working. Plus, I need to alert you to some big changes with email marketi...

As a podcast dedicated to sharing copywriting formulas, it’s a wonder I have made it this far without sharing the formula I’m sharing today. This may be the most famous, most well-known, and most-used copywriting formula of all time. Of course, I’m talking about PAS - problem, agitation, solution.  It's a classic, proven formula, but it can be a little problematic. So in this episode of ill c...