ill communication: copywriting tips & sales strategies for small businesses

If you’ve ever wanted to figure out the secret to increasing the engagement on your emails or posts, it comes down to this one, super important thing. The hook. In this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing 10 scroll-stopping hooks to get more engagement on your emails and posts. Topics covered in this episode include: How you can lead with something awesome and juicy that your audience wants...

Happy New Year, sweet friend!  Because it's the New Year, it's the perfect time to celebrate and be grateful for the wonderful things that happened over the past year. It's also a time to reflect on and grieve some of the heartbreaks we might have had in 2023, and it's a good time to think about the coming year.  That's why in this episode of ill communication,  I'm s...

In this episode of ill communication, I’m doing something a little different.  I’m turning the microphone over to you!  I put up a social media poll and asked my email subscribers for questions about copy, copywriting, sales, and messaging. So I'm answering a few of those questions in a special end-of-the-year Ask Me Anything episode. Topics covered in this episode include: What even is copyw...

Welcome to the third and final installment of our mini-series on Brand Voice, Brand Voice Guides, and writing with more personality!  In Part 3, you’ll find easy and simple ways to infuse more of your beautiful voice and personality into your copy and messaging. So grab your Mini-Voice Guide and let’s get busy!  Topics covered in this episode include: Some surprising places that you can be compell...

In this episode of ill communication, we’re diving into part 2 of a mini-series on refining, defining, and documenting your brand voice - or your verbal identity. Your Brand Voice is the words you use, the tone with which you communicate, the rhythm and cadence of your speech and writing, and your personality. Join me as I lead you through the steps you can take to identify the components of your...

In this episode of ill communication, we’re talking about something that improves the impact of your copy, and the effectiveness of messaging. It’s something that helps you stand out and shine in the marketplace… especially in a world where we’re seeing more and more copy generated through AI or bots. Understanding this topic is what separates the great copywriters from the mediocre ones. I’m talk...

Wondering how you can take your emails to the next level?  I’m doing something a little different in this episode of ill communication. I've dug into my email archive and pulled out one of the best emails I've ever written and sent to my list. It had a huge open rate, click-through rate and got a ton of replies and engagement.  I will read the email to you and then I'm going to do a...

Looking for a writing prompt that you can send to your list, even if you’ve ghosted it for a little while?  You’re in luck! In this episode of ill communication, I am sharing a simple writing prompt that is great for creating connection with your audience, building the “Know, Like, and Trust”, and delivering value. Topics covered in this episode include: Why this prompt works even if you haven’t s...

In this episode of ill communication, I'm getting a little hot and bothered about some words and phrases that need to disappear from our online marketing. These are words that are thrown around willy-nilly without really giving much thought to it.  Some of these words and phrases are just plain lazy, and they show you haven't really given much thought to your reader, and it’s time to let...

At the time of this episode going live, we are just 2 weeks out from the most lucrative time of the year for many online businesses! Yes, you guessed it- Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday.  In this episode of ill communication, I'm sharing the business owner's Black Friday, Cyber Monday Audio Survival Guide to help you make the most of this upcoming...

The world is very heavy right now.  Whenever I'm faced with awful news, whether it's in my own personal life or in the lives of humans on the other side of the world. I seem to find a lot of joy in just the tiniest things.  So in this episode of ill communication, I wanted to share another episode about what's bringing me joy these days. I hope it might spark something new for you,...

Is the Joy of Copy Club right for you?  I’m going to do something a little different today. As you may have heard over the last few episodes, the doors to the Joy of Copy Club are open and welcoming new members. So in this episode of ill communication, I want to share with you a little bit about why I created the Joy of Copy Club and the kind of businesses who join so that you can find out if it’s...

Ever feel like you have too much on your plate?  This is generally one of the top reasons why women business owners work with me privately as their copywriter or inside the Joy of Copy Club.  They’re bummed because they’re not sending the emails they know they should, or updating their web copy like they know they should, or launching that flash sale they know they should. They keep “shoulding” al...

They say it takes a village to raise a child and that’s absolutely true. It also takes a village to support our aging family members.  In fact, I wouldn’t make it without my village in my life and business.  I believe all women in business should have a village of support and genuine connections that can help them succeed, and in this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing why.  Topics covered...

Wondering what it really takes to write compelling sales copy? There’s a lot of false information floating around out there, and I’m here to tell you not to believe the lies!  In this episode of ill communication, I’m calling bullshit on a few myths and misconceptions business women have about writing copy. Topics covered in this episode include: The top myths about copywriting that women have got...

Do you ever feel like the pressure to run your business, take care of the house and domestic work, take care of your family, and take care of your health is just… impossible?  You’re not alone! In this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing 3 simple ways to create more ease in your business today so that you can reduce the overwhelm and find more peace.  Topics covered in this episode include:...

Today ill communication is on its 60th episode!  If it were a person, it would be targeted and inundated by ads and marketing for anti-aging medication, shingles, vaccinations, heart medication, and other drugs to create health and healing in an aging population.  And those advertisements would all reference the side effects.   This leads me to the writing prompt that I’m sharing today- the side e...

I don’t know about you, but every sales coach and marketer that I follow is talking about how to make it rain in the last quarter of the year. With all the hype and marketing about messaging, launches, and year-end promotions, it might feel like a lot of pressure.  If you've been in my orbit for a while, you know I'm all about finding an easier path forward in marketing, copywriting, and...

September marks one of the busiest and most lucrative times of the year! Are you ready?  My goal with this episode is to inspire you to go out and sell yourself and your services with one of these 18 out-of-the-box ways to drive sales with a year-end promotion. Topics covered in this episode include: Why now is the perfect time to get started launching your new offers My favorite tactic for findin...

Wondering how effective your sales copy really is? I have a treat for you! In this episode of ill communication, you're going to get a resource to help you check in and assess how your copy and sales strategies are supporting you and your business. And you’ll get a writing prompt that is perfect for this time of year.  Topics covered in this episode include: What the Sales Copy Scorecard is a...

Are you ready to take your copy to the next level so that you can start getting the sales you have been dreaming of? You’re going to love this episode of ill communication! In this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing a rebroadcast of a conversation I had with the incredible Heather Holloway on her podcast where we talk about 5 powerful copywriting secrets to skyrocket your sales and it is pa...

Today we are celebrating the one-year anniversary of the ill communication podcast, and I am raising my glass to YOU! I so appreciate you tuning in each week and taking the tips and lessons you learned and implementing them in your communications, your marketing, and your copy.  So cheers to you, my friend!  Because this episode marks one year of podcasting, I thought I'd share a few reflecti...

Let’s talk about the great debate inside marketing and sales- to niche, or not to niche?  In this episode of ill communication, we'll weigh the pros and cons of niching in your business. We'll also talk about how niching affects and influences your marketing and sales. And I'll give you some questions to ask yourself if you want to define or refine your niche a little.  Topics cover...

Do you ever check in with yourself and ask what kind of a business and life you want to have? How much you want to work, or how much freedom you desire? In this episode of ill communication, I’m sharing a replay of a conversation I had with Elaine Lou Cartas, an award-winning business coach, career coach, and speaker for women of color and allies and the host of the Color Your Dreams podcast. In t...

You know those days when you're staring at your screen, you know you should send an email to your list, but you don't know what to write about? Or those days when you just want to put in a little bit of effort, deliver maximum value, and maybe move people closer to working with you?  If this sounds like you, then make sure to tune in because, in this episode of ill communication, I'...