Hot Copy

Facebook, some of us love it, some of us hate it. But there’s no denying it’s a powerful marketing tool, both for ourselves and our clients.

But one area that still bemuses many of us is the dark art of Facebook advertising. We know from experience that randomly boosting posts has very little impact!

So today we’ve invited my friend and business buddy Loren Bartley to talk all things Facebook advertising.

She’s going to give us the low down on how to create successful Facebook advertising campaigns that will deliver clicks and customers.

Tune in to learn:

• The five key elements of a Facebook ad
• The general structure of a Facebook ad including character limits
• Whether it’s worth promoting your existing posts
• Tips for writing Facebook ad headlines
• Magic words that help drive more conversions
• How to use graphics effectively
• Questions from Becky Brown, Lisa Kneibe, Liz Green and Dean McKensie
• Loren’s top tips and resources

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! 

Oh and big hugs to ‘A lover and a writer’ for their lovely testimonial.

About Loren

Loren Bartley is a social media strategist, speaker and consultant. She the Founder and CEO of digital marketing agency, Impactiv8, as well as being the co-host and producer of the top-rated podcast, #BusinessAddicts.

Loren’s superpower is creating Facebook Ads that attract, nurture and convert your ideal customers. She is on a personal mission to help remove the overwhelm, confusion and headaches that many businesses experience when it comes to Facebook Advertising by teaching you how to implement those strategies that work!

Useful links:

• Facebook ad creative tips
• Design recommendations and character limits
• Facebook Ads Policy:
• Facebook Ads Success Kit (Impactiv8 resource)

Are you and your business unique? Are your clients? Of course not. 

We’re calling uniqueness out as a marketing myth and yet, we all search for it when we write copy. 

In this episode we’re going to be tackling some techniques to uncover the distinctive superpower of a business - yours and your clients’.

Tune in to learn:

• Why uniqueness is a myth
• Our 6 tips to find a superpower that no one else talks about
• Why pencils are better than pens. Or is it the other way around?

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 Lizzcluk from Australia for a fantastic review of the show.

Useful links:

• How to differentiate your product (when it’s far from unique). Lessons from Pine O Cleen

Are you and your business unique? Are your clients? Of course not. 

We’re calling uniqueness out as a marketing myth and yet, we all search for it when we write copy. 

In this episode we’re going to be tackling some techniques to uncover the distinctive superpower of a business - yours and your clients’.

Tune in to learn:

• Why uniqueness is a myth
• Our 6 tips to find a superpower that no one else talks about
• Why pencils are better than pens. Or is it the other way around?

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 Lizzcluk from Australia for a fantastic review of the show.

Useful links:

• How to differentiate your product (when it’s far from unique). Lessons from Pine O Cleen

We've been recording these podcasts for nearly 2 years now. It may be longer. Our memory isn't what it was.

And we're still not consummate professionals, by any means.

In this episode, we get the giggles - a LOT. If two copywriters laughing is not your thing, feel free to skip this episode. But just be warned if you do, you'll also miss out on some really good answers to really good questions.

Tune in to learn:

• How to move a client from piecemeal work to a retainer arrangement
• If you need a VA for your writing business, and if so, what sort of things should you get them to do?
• How to deal with cross-cultural copywriting
• “I forgot to track changes.” Discuss.
• Insurances: what we have, what we recommend for copywriters and our opinions on providers
• If it's a good idea to get the final approver of your copy involved on each stage of a job
• When to send the brief template to the client, before or after your quote.
• The best way to deliver revisions to a client

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  Rachael Layton for a fantastic review of the show.

Useful links:

When do you start introducing yourself as a writer? When you’ve written some copy? When you’re regularly creating content that is shared around the world? When you’ve written a book on content marketing. Or two?

Our guest today has done all those things, and in our interview she shares her journey from non-writer to writer as well as some essential nuggets from her book on content marketing.

Tune in to learn:

• Pamela’s journey from graphic design to author
• How to beat imposter syndrome (from someone who has)
• Why and how many businesses are failing at content marketing
• Pamela’s four day strategy for creating and publishing exceptional content
• The headline writing process for her book title
• Why you need to be blogging
• How often you should promote your content

About Pamela

Pamela Wilson is an award-winning graphic designer and marketer. Through her business Big Brand System, she has helped companies of all sizes create profitable, unforgettable online businesses. She was Executive Vice President of Educational Content for Copyblogger and Rainmaker Digital. She’s a keynote speaker, and now she adds author to that list, with a new book on content marketing.

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 AussieRachel from Australia for a fantastic review of the show.

Question for the listeners

We’d love to know whether you prefer it neat or messy? You can let us know on Twitter (@hotcopypodcast) or our Facebook page!

Useful links:

• Big Brand System
• Master Content Marketing: A Simple Strategy to Cure the Blank Page Blues and Attract a Profitable Audience
• PickFu: Instant market feedback polls
• ImageLab
• The Copywriting Conference: May 5, 2018
• The Recipe for SEO Success course: Open Oct 11, 2017

Keep your copywriting business profitable!

How well do you manage your time? Are you a time management master or are you constantly feeling like you’re out of time?  

In this episode, we share some tricks on making sure you have enough time to write awesome copy, find new clients and build your business - when you’re quiet when you’re busy and every time in between.

Tune in to learn:

• The one tool you need to improve productivity
• Our five best time management tricks
• How we avoid distractions to get the copy written!
• How to make the most of the quiet times
• How to avoid overwhelm when you’re busy

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 Top Scout from Australia for a fantastic review of the show.

Question for the listeners

We’d love to know whether you’d prefer a holiday on a quiet beach or a busy houseboat. You can let us know on Twitter (@hotcopypodcast) or our Facebook page!

Useful links:

• A day in the life of working me (Kate Toon)
• How do I get it all done? (Kate Toon)
• How busy are you? Really. (Kate Toon)
• How to stop the faff (Kate Toon)
• The Friday Experiment: Making time for business strategy (Copywrite Matters)

Today we are taking the lead from our faithful listeners and will be answering the top 11 copywriter questions. Yes, all of those background conundrums that have been niggling at you for some time will finally be resolved.

If you are on a mission to boost your copywriting business and fine tune your writing skills then this podcast is for you.

Tune in to learn:

• The best way to win new clients
• How long it takes to make a living as a freelancer and how to go about it
• How to manage your time and projects
• Mentoring options for copywriters
• The best way to write client case studies
• How to expand your presence in your niche
• How to deal with "non-compete" requests
• Do you need a website opt-in?
• Working with designers and developers
• Balancing time to service current clients and get new clients

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! 

Question for the listeners

What is something fun you did this week? We’d love to hear all about it. You can let us know on Twitter (@hotcopypodcast) or our Facebook page!

Useful links:

• Belinda's Copywriting Master Class (opens Sept 20, 2017)
• E2 How to find copywriting clients

We got to chatting about who listens to our podcast and we wondered how many listeners have been with us from the beginning. How many of you know much about us at all?

With that question in mind, we thought it would be fun to replay our very first episode. We didn't have a fancy recording set up so the sound is sketchy but we had a lot of fun. And this episode has the best outtake ever.

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

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

• Find out more about Kate on her website
• Kate’s Clever Copywriting School
• Find out more about Belinda on her website
• Belinda’s Copywriting Master Class

Today we’re talking to with fellow copywriter and podcaster Kira Hug. Kira is a conversion copywriter based just outside New York. She set up Kira Hug marketing in 2014 and names the likes of Joanna Weibe as a mentor.

She also used to love dressing up as a pirate.

In today’s episode going to be comparing the lives of Australian and American copywriters to find out if it’s all bit easier in the US of A, and why Americans are so obsessed with long, long sales letters.

Tune in to learn:

• How playing pirates helped boost Kira's brand
• How Kira got started as a copywriter and her biggest challenges early on
• Where Kira writes
• What character traits Kira thinks makes for a quintessentially American copywriter
• Why Americans are so obsessed with conversion copywriting
• Kira's go to resources for conversion copywriting

About Kira

Kira Hug is a Brooklyn-based conversion copywriter who takes your copy seriously—but doesn't take herself too seriously. In a past life, she worked with global brands like Estee Lauder and venture-backed start-ups like ActionableBooks.com. She’s also the co-host of The Copywriter Club podcast.

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 Chief White Rabbit for a fantastic review of the show.

Question for the listeners

We’d love to know if you've ever visited the States or Australia! You can let us know on Twitter (@hotcopypodcast) or our Facebook page!

JUMPCHART PROMO

Anyone who signs up for Jumpchart using THIS LINK will receive 50% off their subscription for life. The promo will run through the end of August 2017.

Useful links:

• Kira Hug's website
• Kira on Twitter
• Kira on Facebook

Today we’re talking websites and the essential elements your website needs to ensure it’s bringing fresh juicy copywriting customers to your virtual door every single day of the week.

In fact, we’re going to give you a checklist of our 10 most important website bits and bobs - so keep your ears peeled and see if you can tick every single box.

Tune in to learn:

• What you should think about before you set up your site
• How and where to use testimonials
• The importance of a USP
• What key pages every copywriter website needs
• Belinda and Kate’s personal tips on website greatness

Check out the show notes at http://www.hotcopypodcast.com/e55-10-elements-every-copywriting-website-must-have

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 Kurt Bouma for a fantastic review of the show.

Question for the listeners

We’d love to know if you were a square or a rebel at school. Or a different stereotype altogether! You can let us know on Twitter (@hotcopypodcast) or our Facebook page!

JUMPCHART PROMO

Anyone who signs up for Jumpchart using THIS LINK will receive 50% off their subscription for life. The promo will run through the end of August 2017.

Useful links:

• How to set up an SEO friendly website
• Speedy WordPress Checklist
• 20 impactful statistics about using testimonials in marketing
• The one question that changed the way I do business
• Hot Copy: E23 How to write powerful testimonials
• Hot Copy: Copywriting fees – What to charge?
• Hot Copy: E50 Eleanor Goold: Personal branding: how much you should you bring to your brand?

Blogging certainly isn’t new but it is a source of anxiety for many new copywriters, especially when it feels like it’s all been done before.

In this episode, Kate and Belinda break down the walls of blogging, sharing their views on the importance of blogging and how to get your blog working hard for your business. 

Tune to learn:

• If you actually need to blog
• How to write authority
• If copywriting is all you can and should write about
• Why Kate says vagina multiple times
• How often you should blog
• How long your blogs need to be
• Tips on writing about well covered topics
• Where to get blog ideas
• Guest posting, on your blog and others
• How to get your blogs noticed

And thanks to Melissa East for her 5 star review of the show. We appreciate it!

Tell us what you think 

Leave your thoughts and ideas on the Hot Copy website.

And subscribe on: iTunes | Android | RSS

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 Melissa East for her 5 star review of the show. We appreciate it!

Resources mentioned in the show:

• Kate’s Tip: Using Text to Voice
• BuzzSumo
• Copyscape: plagiarism checker
• Copywrite Matters guest blog guidelines

The humble call to action is a critical part of effective copywriting and that’s what we’re talking about today. Because a great call to action is so much more than a verb directing action.

A great call to action taps into audience needs so effectively, they cannot help but take the next step.

We’re sharing the tips we’ve relied on to write calls to action over years of copywriting.

Tune in to learn:

• The animals Belinda and Kate wish the could have as pets
• 4 important considerations when you write a call to action
• The difference between writing in-copy and button CTAs
• 5 tragic CTA fails that some copywriters still make

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 Allison Jane Smith for an extremely well suited review of the show.

Question for the listeners

We’d love to know what animal you wish you had as a pet. You can let us know on Twitter (@hotcopypodcast) or our Facebook page!

Useful links:

• 17 Tips & Best Practices for Writing Catchy Email Subject Lines (Hubspot)
• 15 Email Statistics That Are Shaping The Future (Convince and Convert)
• 23 Sales Email Subject Lines That Get Prospects to Open, Read, and Respond (Hubspot)
• The BEST email subject lines: 62 formulas to get your emails read (SumoMe)
• How to build the perfect email: Copy (Kate Toon)
• Email marketing: This copywriter’s playbook on getting emails noticed, read and actioned (Copywrite Matters)
• The Ultimate List of Email SPAM Trigger Words (Hubspot)
• ESTHER the wonder pig

In this week’s episode we’re talking about something pretty special; Australia’s first dedicated copywriting conference. It happened in Sydney just a few weeks ago and we’re going to share the key takeaways from the event.

So if you want some tips on how to truly embrace your copywriting career, learn new skills, beat your confidence demons and stop procrastinating, this is the episode for you!

• The copywriters Kate and Belinda would most like to meet
• Key takeaways from each of the sessions 
• How you can still get a video ticket

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 Rochelle Bright for a fantastic review of the show.

Question for the listeners

We’d love to know which copywriters (alive or dead) you’d like to meet. You can let us know on Twitter (@hotcopypodcast) or our Facebook page!

Useful links:

• A full write up of The Copywriting Conference
• Grab a video ticket for The Copywriting Conference and watch all the sessions

Today we’re getting serious and talking about rejection. Because every copywriter will not only be told a client doesn’t want to go ahead, they will also face the awkwardness of a client not liking the copy they’ve written.

We’ve both been there, done that many times over and we’re sharing our tips on surviving those moments (with your dignity and professionalism intact).

Tune in to learn:

• Kate and Belinda’s favourite things
• 4 main reasons clients reject your proposal and how to overcome objections
• What to do when a client rejects your copy
• Mental health tips to keep you sane

Useful links

• E42: Rebekah Lambert: How to survive as a freelancer

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! 

Oh and a big shout out to oatesorama for their fantastic review of the show.

Useful links:

• The shocking truth about my branding

Today we’re talking personal branding - something I know a lot of you copywriters out there in podcast world struggle with. Many believe that branding is just the colour of the logo and the font you choose for your website, but it’s much deeper than that.

Having a clear and focused brand can help with all your marketing and messaging, it can even help you attract the kinds of clients you’ve always wanted to work with!

So if you’re brand is as bland as vanilla ice cream - this episode is for you.

Tune in to learn:

• What branding really means
• Whether you should brand as a person or a business
• Some easy ways to discover your brand
• How to differentiate yourself
• Should you be the face of your business
• The importance of consistency 

Bio:

Who is Eleanor Goold?

Eleanor Goold is owner and founder of Kreativ Copywriting a forward thinking and friendly writing, copywriting and content creation service. She also has her own branded website EleanorGoold.com where she provides business owners with smart ideas, copy tips, the art of storytelling and access to free social media strategies to boost their business success. She also runs The Copywriter Facebook Group.

More from Eleanor

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• EleanorGoold
• KreativCopywriting
• Copywriting group

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!

Oh and big hugs to Sama167 for their lovely testimonial.

Useful links:

• The shocking truth about my branding

Today we’re talking about email subject lines today. You might be writing emails to your clients or writing email marketing for your clients. Either way, your email is clawing for inbox space.

These days your email is not only competing against other company emails, you’re competing against family and friends.

Tune in to learn:

• What Kate and Belinda wish they did better
• Tips on avoiding the SPAM folder
• 6 super tips on getting your email opened (amongst the noise)

Question for listeners!

We’d love to know what you wish you did a little bit better. Or a lot better. You can let us know on Twitter (@hotcopypodcast) or our Facebook page!

Share the pod love!

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

Thanks to Veggo85 from Sweden for a fantastic review of the show.

Useful links: 

• 17 Tips & Best Practices for Writing Catchy Email Subject Lines (Hubspot)
• 15 Email Statistics That Are Shaping The Future (Convince and Convert)
• 23 Sales Email Subject Lines That Get Prospects to Open, Read, and Respond (Hubspot)
• The BEST email subject lines: 62 formulas to get your emails read (SumoMe)
• How to build the perfect email: Copy (Kate Toon)
• Email marketing: This copywriter’s playbook on getting emails noticed, read and actioned (Copywrite Matters)
• The Ultimate List of Email SPAM Trigger Words (Hubspot)

Today we’re chatting business books - and whether writing one can help boost your copywriting business.

As writers, many of us have a burning designer to be a published author. Some of us even have a secret novel on the go, that we never manage to work on due to client demands.

But can we channel those book writing urges into publishing a business book? And if we do what impact will it have on our business. We’ll chat through the pros, cons, the practicalities and the challenges from a published author - Kate Toon!

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Belinda and Kate’s dream holiday 
• Kate's reasons for writing a business book
• What happens after the first draft is written
• How to effectively crowd source reviewers
• How to get your book published
• How to get your book noticed by readers
• What Kate would do differently for her next book
• How long it can take to write and publish a book! 

Question for listeners!

We’d love to know where YOU would holiday, given no restrictions on time or money. Let us know on Twitter or our Facebook page! #hotcopy

Share the pod love!

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

Thanks to DW Copy for your fantastic review of the show! 

Useful links: 

• Buy Kate’s book
• Create space sign up
• National Library of Australia
• KDP account
• Buy ISBNS

Today we’re excited to talk to conversion copywriter Joanna Wiebe. You may know of Joanna already. She is the creator of Copy Hackers and the cofounder of Airstory (a new writing tool to check out).

She’s worked with some of the coolest companies - like Buffer, Wistia and Crazy Egg - and been invited to speak on the stages of Mozcon, Inbound and 50 other international conferences.

Kate and Belinda picked her brain about conversion copywriting, A/B testing, calls to action and uncomfortably long copy.  

Tune in to learn:

• How Joanna nearly kissed Bono
• How she fell into copywriting
• Whether you can use exactly the same on different mediums
• 3 elements of perfectly written conversion copy
• Call to action mistakes most copywriters make
• Why long copy may actually be better
• How the buying cycle and your landing page copy correlate
• How Joanna writes copy with no client revisions
• And more...

And from you we’d love to know, what is your favourite TV show?

Tell us on Twitter or our Facebook page.  

Listen to the podcast below:

Bio:

Who is Joanna Wiebe?

The original conversion copywriter, Joanna is the creator of Copy Hackers and the cofounder of Airstory, the drag-and-drop document that saves professional writers time. She’s worked with some of the coolest companies - like Buffer, Wistia and Crazy Egg - and been invited to speak on the stages of Mozcon, Inbound and 50 other international conferences. Oh, and she’s more than happy to be a crazy cat lady. (She walks her cats. Yup. Walks ‘em.)

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!

Oh and high fives all around to Tom Morkes for his review.

Share the meme: 

Useful links:

• Copy Hackers
• Joanna on Twitter
• 6 Proven Ways to Boost the Conversion Rates of Your Call-to-Action Buttons (Copyblogger)
• 20 Mistakes that Will Undermine Your Call to Action and Cost You Sales (Copyblogger)

Many copywriters – Kate and Belinda – are balancing their business and writing time with personal and family time. But is it possible?

Can you stay sane? Does something have to give?

Tune in to learn:

• Belinda and Kate’s most used phone apps
• Our best tips on managing the juggling act
• The common struggles faced (and how to beat them)
• Our communities experiences on this topic (a gold mine)
• Our one piece of advice to new copywriters

And we’d love to know YOUR most used phone app.

Let us know on Twitter or our Facebook page! #hotcopy

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 Amanda Vanelderen for your fantastic testimonial and your mention on Monkey Magic!

We thought you’d love to hear from a regular copywriter, not some high flying superstar with a book and a mastermind course, but rather a working copywriter, who’s going through exactly what you’re going through right now.

Kylie Saunder is a Melbourne based copywriter who, according to her website, provides top quality affordable copy to small and medium businesses.

Kylie has been a student both of Kate's Recipe for SEO Success course and Belinda’s Copywriting Masterclass, she’s also a member of the Clever Copywriting community.

We’re going to be chatting about how she got started, the challenges, where she finds work, how she juggles projects and so much more.  

Tune in to learn:

• How Kylie started her copywriting career
• How she tackled the first 6 months
• The three biggest challenges she’s faced so far
• What she thought of Kate and Belinda’s eCourses (eep!)
• How Kylie deals with motivation and isolation
• Tips for newbie copywriter

Question for listeners!

When it comes to copywriting you an early bird, a midday magpie or a night owl? Please let us know in the comments below.

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!

Oh and big hugs to Kiwistarfire for her review on iTunes.

Useful links:

• Kylie Saunder website
• The Clever Copywriting School
• The Copywriting MasterClass
• The Recipe for SEO Success