If you’re reading this right now, there’s a strong chance that you run your own website/blog or have at least written some sort of online content in your life. We all know what we write and the way we write it is very important, but did you know that there are professionals in the world who can help when we’re struggling to come up with our own copy? Well, struggle no more, because copy coaches are out there to do exactly that! Megan Schopieray, owner of Red Bird Writing, was lovely enough to sit down and answer a few questions about her profession and give some great advice to fellow entrepreneurs. Read on to learn more about copy coaching and get a strong dose of inspiration!
Allyn Lewis: What inspired you to start Red Bird Writing?
Megan Schopieray: I spent several years in my early 20s trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I wanted to do something that I was passionate about, something where I could help other people in some way, but I wasn’t sure what that was. As I was talking with a good friend of mine from college, she told me about copywriting and I thought “This is it!” I started learning everything I could about copywriting and starting a business. As time went on, it was clear that even though I love writing, I’m even more passionate about teaching other people and empowering them to write for themselves. That’s why I started doing copy coaching, to give my clients the skills and confidence to write their own copy.
AL: What do you find is the most challenging part of owning your own business?
MS: Getting over your fears. There are so many fears around failure, not being perfect, putting yourself out there, sharing your ideas, feeling like a fraud, feeling like you’re not good enough. I think the hardest thing about owning your own business is working through those, learning how to change your mindset so that you can allow success.
AL: How did you score your first copy coaching client?
MS: I had offered to work with a few women for free when I first started out. One of them loved what I did, so she hired me to keep working with her.
AL: How do you define the word “copy”?
MS: In general, website copy is the content on your website that has the goal to appeal to your ideal clients and get them to take action (sign up for your list, contact you, buy your services). But I think more than that, it’s all about communication + connection. The content on your website needs to clearly communicate what you do, who you help, how you help them, and why all of that matters. And it should help form a connection with the people who are a good fit, the people who need what you offer and can benefit from working with you.
AL: Why is it so important for a business to have strong copy?
MS: People go to your website to learn about you and see if they are interested in what you offer. So everything that’s written on your website is super important because it needs to communicate with them in a way that gets them interested and gets them engaged. People buy from people they know, like, and trust. Your website copy helps to create a connection with them, to show how you can help them, and get them interested in what you offer. Again, it’s all about communication and connection.
AL: What’s your biggest tip for selling more without feeling pushy or salesy?
MS: Don’t think of it as selling, think of it as helping. People are paying you to help them with something, to make them feel a certain way, to help them get a certain result. You are there to make a difference, to impact their life, to help them in some way. When you come from a place of service, that comes through in your language. When you’re focused on how you can help people, you won’t sound pushy or salesy.
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